bookmaddie's reviews
1069 reviews

A quick read that loses steam once a death occurs, making the lack of characterization obvious.

I found the artistic/tarot card mystery more compelling than the who-dunnit mystery that takes up most of the latter half of the book. The art history aspects shined in this story, and as we got away from that, the writing felt rote and unsurprising.

My main gripe is with characterization. The main character, Ann, is drawn with barely any personality, only developing some sense of agency (and cynicism) at the very very end. This comes as a shock, as almost no time is spent in any serious way developing Ann’s personality or showing how she changes because of her whirlwind summer. It all felt very surface-level and unsatisfying. The writing about NYC felt so naive, too.

Admittedly, I skimmed the last third of the novel, just wanting it to be done by that point.

More of a 2.5 star, really. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced digital copy. Sorry it took me so long to get to it!

Content Warnings

The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I: A Palestinian Memoir by Raja Shehadeh

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

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emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

Loot by Tania James

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

The Parliament by Aimee Pokwatka

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

An imaginative, absurd premise is used to explore grief, trauma, healing, and how we can help each other find a new beginning. At times dark, at times loving and warm, this novel is wholly unique and displays Pokwatka's immense storytelling prowess. While I didn't love the fairy tale that was interspersed between the main story, I appreciated how it mirrored the "real world" narrative, and offered a way to connect more deeply with the young characters in the story. Another powerful novel from Pokwatka—I shall continue to be a fan!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my eARC!

Content Warnings

Mother of Strangers by Suad Amiry

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emotional informative sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Would’ve been a flat 3, but the epilogue and afterword really add meaning to the story.

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bookmaddie's reviews 1069 reviews

bookmaddie's reviews
1069 reviews