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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
33 reviews
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
I liked this! A straightforward who done it. It was fun. I guessed some of the twist, but this book had twists to spare.
The private-school friends were unbearable. Their bro behavior was appropriate for the characters, but I still didn't like them. There was a lot of casual sexual harassment and misogyny which isn't my favorite theme for a book.
All together, this book kept me coming. I flew through the last 100 pages.
to me, it seems unlikely that Will could be the cause of all the problems for all the main characters. but the mutual hatred for Will made for a fun killing scene.
The private-school friends were unbearable. Their bro behavior was appropriate for the characters, but I still didn't like them. There was a lot of casual sexual harassment and misogyny which isn't my favorite theme for a book.
All together, this book kept me coming. I flew through the last 100 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abortion
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really good read! I think the author expertly navigated telling a story that spanned 100s of year. I was invested in Addie's journey. She made me want to go experience new things.
I thought her relationships with Luc and Henry were a little underdeveloped. I kept wondering if she would have cared about either man if they weren't the only ones who she could form a relationship with. Also the abundance of one-sentence paragraphs was a bit distracting.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this if you like a sprinkle of fantasy, romantic scenes, strong female characters, or art.
I thought her relationships with Luc and Henry were a little underdeveloped. I kept wondering if she would have cared about either man if they weren't the only ones who she could form a relationship with. Also the abundance of one-sentence paragraphs was a bit distracting.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this if you like a sprinkle of fantasy, romantic scenes, strong female characters, or art.
My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really liked this book! Trey, the POV character, is loveable in his flaws. You definitely end up rooting for him. I learned a lot about gay history and black history through the footnotes. I liked the footnotes and definitely missed them when I switched to the audiobook format!
My issue with the book is it feels as if some of the plot threads weren't fully fleshed out. I also think the ending was ABRUPT.
My issue with the book is it feels as if some of the plot threads weren't fully fleshed out. I also think the ending was ABRUPT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Violence, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This one kept me hooooooked. The twists kept me guessing. I really cared about the POV characters. What more could you want from a thriller?
Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This was my favorite of the series! Shane's character arc is perfect. And Marguerite is such a boss.
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed this a lot! It's a mystery that took me through a whole range of feelings about the narrator and her father. It also has some insightful commentary about privilege and abelism.
In parts I felt like it could have used an edit. The main character used the word inane/inanity often enough that it was noticeable. I also thought some of the footnotes could have been cut. All in all though would recommend!
In parts I felt like it could have used an edit. The main character used the word inane/inanity often enough that it was noticeable. I also thought some of the footnotes could have been cut. All in all though would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Rape, Terminal illness, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Love a sapphic romance and Wilsner is one of the best in the game. Grace and Matthews are my autistic/adhd couple icons. I love the way miscommunication plays out in this book - it's different than how that trope usually plays out in a good way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked it. Great if you like funny, personal first person POV. Vesper, the main character, is quick & snarky and the story moves super quickly so it's an easy read. Fun.
I thought some of it was a little cliche and unbelievable. Mild spoiler:So many pentagrams. It's not doing anything deep really. Reads a tiny bit YA for me.
I would have trust issues for life if I was Vesper.
Would recommend for an easy palette cleanser
I thought some of it was a little cliche and unbelievable. Mild spoiler:
Would recommend for an easy palette cleanser
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Murder
The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Once I settled into the poetry of the writing and the pov for the whole book being statements from separate people, I was strapped in and ready for the rest. I think this was an extremely thoughtful lens on how similar experiences can impact people differently. Power dynamics and class dynamics were examined in such a clever and memorable way.
I've never read a book that compares to it in style. So much was packed into <200 pages. It has incredible re-read value.
If you are someone who needs a plot and an answer and a loveable main character (or any main character at all), this is definitely not the book for you. This book will make you think, confuse you at times, punch you in the gut, and make you really think about the human condition.
I've never read a book that compares to it in style. So much was packed into <200 pages. It has incredible re-read value.
If you are someone who needs a plot and an answer and a loveable main character (or any main character at all), this is definitely not the book for you. This book will make you think, confuse you at times, punch you in the gut, and make you really think about the human condition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Classism
Look Closer by David Ellis
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Best thriller I've read in a long time! It made me want to read everything else Ellis has written.
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Simon's dedication to the long con is absolutely unmatched. He's truly diabolical, and somehow completely justified. What an amazing character.
Would absolutely recommend!
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Would absolutely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol