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mnboyer's reviews
1730 reviews
Maids by Katie Skelly
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found this graphic novel in the true crime section and had to grab it. A quick, colorful read that depicts two maids who actually did the crimes described in this book. If you want a fun, new way to look at crime... graphic novels. Pick this up!
The Resort by Sara Ochs
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Book of the Month Club: February 2024
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #17
Who wouldn't want to visit Thailand? It is absolutely a place on my bucket list and at the beginning of the story, it will be on yours as well. Resorts, gorgeous beaches, wonderful food, plenty of drinks, etc. But eventually paradise comes crashing down in this novel about secrets, not being able to trust your friends, and murder. That's right, someone gets murdered and that's what sparks off our journey.
This is one of those books where it was fun, it was decent, but it was a slow burn, and once I got to the 'twist' it was something you kind of see coming. I can't say I felt deeply about any of the characters. It was a fun beach read type thriller/mystery but not one that's going to stick with me forever. Decent, not great. Would definitely read more by the author though!
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #17
Who wouldn't want to visit Thailand? It is absolutely a place on my bucket list and at the beginning of the story, it will be on yours as well. Resorts, gorgeous beaches, wonderful food, plenty of drinks, etc. But eventually paradise comes crashing down in this novel about secrets, not being able to trust your friends, and murder. That's right, someone gets murdered and that's what sparks off our journey.
This is one of those books where it was fun, it was decent, but it was a slow burn, and once I got to the 'twist' it was something you kind of see coming. I can't say I felt deeply about any of the characters. It was a fun beach read type thriller/mystery but not one that's going to stick with me forever. Decent, not great. Would definitely read more by the author though!
The Berlin Stories: The Last of Mr Norris & Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was not the target audience for this group of stories. I just never connected with them.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Book of the Month Club: March 2024
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #33
Alright, I wasn't sure if I was going to love a book where one of the POVs is just the podcaster podcasting about the murder he's trying to solve but let me tell you... it worked! I absolutely fell in love with the switch from the main character's POV to the podcast episodes every other chapter.
Now, do I trust this main character, Lucy? No, she starts off kind of unreliable because she can't remember anything about the night her friend (Savvy) was murdered. But she does have voices in her head that keep telling her to murder people (look, I get it, we all have bad days so I'm not instantly writing her off as a loon...).
I liked the unraveling of the story and the twist at the end. But I really bumped this up from 4 to 5 stars because I really liked the podcasting pieces more than I should have, and that was a surprise. Good job, Amy Tintera! You sold me.
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #33
Alright, I wasn't sure if I was going to love a book where one of the POVs is just the podcaster podcasting about the murder he's trying to solve but let me tell you... it worked! I absolutely fell in love with the switch from the main character's POV to the podcast episodes every other chapter.
Now, do I trust this main character, Lucy? No, she starts off kind of unreliable because she can't remember anything about the night her friend (Savvy) was murdered. But she does have voices in her head that keep telling her to murder people (look, I get it, we all have bad days so I'm not instantly writing her off as a loon...).
I liked the unraveling of the story and the twist at the end. But I really bumped this up from 4 to 5 stars because I really liked the podcasting pieces more than I should have, and that was a surprise. Good job, Amy Tintera! You sold me.
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
<b>Book of the Month Club: Fantasy</b>
I love a good retelling and I love the Trojan War more (and everything that surrounds it) more than the average person. I also just love strong women who decide sometimes you have to kill your awful husband in order to get rid of him -- to be clear, he deserved it.
This one was fabulous. Transport yourself right back to ancient times and grab your favorite blanket and a drink because you won't want to put this down. Clytemnestra starts off with a young woman trying to find herself in the world. She falls in love but that isn't fated to be -- because here comes Agamemnon and he ruins her life, kills her husband and child, and yanks her away to be his. You'd think she'd have some say in this, but at the time, very clear that women don't get to dictate their marriages and lives. Sure, Clytemnestra is a strong woman who tries to do things on her own but... it takes her several chapters to become the woman she is when she kills Agamemnon. Watching her on this journey is great. The settings are so realistic, the writing is wonderful, and you genuinely do care about the characters.
Love it!
I love a good retelling and I love the Trojan War more (and everything that surrounds it) more than the average person. I also just love strong women who decide sometimes you have to kill your awful husband in order to get rid of him -- to be clear, he deserved it.
This one was fabulous. Transport yourself right back to ancient times and grab your favorite blanket and a drink because you won't want to put this down. Clytemnestra starts off with a young woman trying to find herself in the world. She falls in love but that isn't fated to be -- because here comes Agamemnon and he ruins her life, kills her husband and child, and yanks her away to be his. You'd think she'd have some say in this, but at the time, very clear that women don't get to dictate their marriages and lives. Sure, Clytemnestra is a strong woman who tries to do things on her own but... it takes her several chapters to become the woman she is when she kills Agamemnon. Watching her on this journey is great. The settings are so realistic, the writing is wonderful, and you genuinely do care about the characters.
Love it!
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
A memoir about the war in Sierra Leone and the boy soldiers that fought it -- this memoir directly from a young boy who became a soldier in order to survive. There is a ton of violence in the book that makes it hard to read, but at the same time you should read every word to understand what truly happens in wars and who it changes. While a good memoir, there were just passages where I thought the writing could be improved upon. As a whole, it is a good read though.
The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book of the Month Club: October 2023
Dark, dark vibes throughout but the kind that you're not going to easily forget. I want to make a longer comment here but at the same time, I'm having trouble processing my feelings about this one. I'd say if you like historical fiction with heavy discussions of race and multiple viewpoints, this one is for you.
Dark, dark vibes throughout but the kind that you're not going to easily forget. I want to make a longer comment here but at the same time, I'm having trouble processing my feelings about this one. I'd say if you like historical fiction with heavy discussions of race and multiple viewpoints, this one is for you.
Lovers at the Museum: A Short Story by Isabel Allende
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I guess I just struggled with where to go with this one. *shrugs*
Lost Boy, Lost Girl: Escaping Civil War in Sudan by John Bul Dau
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The emotional story of two Dinka children who must flee their homes in the middle of the war in Sudan. It is such a challenging read, because no one should have to experience the grief, death, loss, war, etc., that these children faced. Their story is one full of hope and survival. But again, it does take an emotional toll on the reader.
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
A book where sasquatches encroach upon human civilization after an eruption on Mt Rainier -- written like a memoir/retelling of the events -- and where the sasquatches start killing the people... count me the hell in!
PS: audiobook features Nathan Fillion and Judy Greer! How could you go wrong with this?
It is probably a 4-star book because let's be honest, there are some silly booby traps towards the end. But at the same time, Nathan Fillion. Extra star.
PS: audiobook features Nathan Fillion and Judy Greer! How could you go wrong with this?
It is probably a 4-star book because let's be honest, there are some silly booby traps towards the end. But at the same time, Nathan Fillion. Extra star.