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mppilk's reviews
357 reviews
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was my first time reading this author’s work but I will be back and seek out her previous novels. This is an intriguing mystery centering around the disappearance of a teenager from a summer camp. However this particular teenager is the daughter of the wealthy influential family that own and run the camp and her brother had also mysteriously disappeared some years previous.
The book travels between time frames and people. The main difficulty I had was the number of characters involved although I’m not so sure too many could have been removed. Several twists along the way holds the readers interest, however the ending kind of drifted off which leaves one wondering what exactly was the point.
Overall a good read and thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for an ARC.
The book travels between time frames and people. The main difficulty I had was the number of characters involved although I’m not so sure too many could have been removed. Several twists along the way holds the readers interest, however the ending kind of drifted off which leaves one wondering what exactly was the point.
Overall a good read and thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for an ARC.
A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man by Tadhg Hickey
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Black Wolf by Juan Gómez-Jurado
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
I was looking forward to the follow up to Red Queen and Black Wolf, for the most part, delivered. Antonio and Jon form an interesting and indeed intriguing partnership. This time they are dealing with Russian mafia, human trafficking and assassins all in the popular holiday resort of Marbella. This is a classic thriller in some ways with a little comedy thrown in but it is really focussing on the two lead characters.
There is good character development in this novel and the relationship between the two is well portrayed. Unfortunately I found Jon’s continual reference to Antonio as “angel” or “honey” patronising and seriously irritating. After all she is the brains of the operation, he is portrayed as her “minder”, in charge of her meds etc.
This cost the book a star or two but it is still to be recommended and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for a DRC in exchange for this honest review.
There is good character development in this novel and the relationship between the two is well portrayed. Unfortunately I found Jon’s continual reference to Antonio as “angel” or “honey” patronising and seriously irritating. After all she is the brains of the operation, he is portrayed as her “minder”, in charge of her meds etc.
This cost the book a star or two but it is still to be recommended and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for a DRC in exchange for this honest review.
True Love by Paddy Crewe
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
4.5
This book was close to a 5 star as I was drawn into Keely’s life. She lives in a camp on the coast with her father and younger brother as they try to cope with the death of her mother. When her brother drowns both father and daughter struggle to come to terms with it. Her story is heartbreaking yet hopeful as Keely, underneath it all, displays a remarkable resilience.
Then we meet Finn, living with his grandparents having been abandoned by both parents. He doesn’t talk much or make friends and is perhaps neurodivergent. He eventually does find his voice through music. As a character I found him somewhat introspective and infuriating at times.
When Finn is abandoned by his bandmates after a gig he meets and moves in with Keely and maybe just maybe the tide will turn for these two characters.
This is certainly an emotional read from an author able to draw you into the lives of these two characters. My frustration with Finn is no doubt due to how well the character was portrayed and developed. It’s not always an easy read but I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC in exchange for this honest review.
Then we meet Finn, living with his grandparents having been abandoned by both parents. He doesn’t talk much or make friends and is perhaps neurodivergent. He eventually does find his voice through music. As a character I found him somewhat introspective and infuriating at times.
When Finn is abandoned by his bandmates after a gig he meets and moves in with Keely and maybe just maybe the tide will turn for these two characters.
This is certainly an emotional read from an author able to draw you into the lives of these two characters. My frustration with Finn is no doubt due to how well the character was portrayed and developed. It’s not always an easy read but I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC in exchange for this honest review.
Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
This is a gem of a book. Set on a remote Welsh island just before the start of WW2, it explores the life of the small population of islanders battling nature and the draw of the mainland. The story is told through the eyes of 18 year old Manod who lives with her father and sister but dreams of a better life and further education in England. The arrival of 2 anthropologists from an English university appears to offer hope of a way off the island but all is not exactly what they claimed things to be.
The writing is beautifully atmospheric and descriptive and although I found it initially somewhat confusing it soon feels as if you are indeed inside Manod’s head as it wanders through her dreams, the reality, the stories and most importantly her mother’s presence and passing.
A wholehearted recommendation for this book. Sit down and soak it all in.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC in exchange for this honest review.
The writing is beautifully atmospheric and descriptive and although I found it initially somewhat confusing it soon feels as if you are indeed inside Manod’s head as it wanders through her dreams, the reality, the stories and most importantly her mother’s presence and passing.
A wholehearted recommendation for this book. Sit down and soak it all in.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC in exchange for this honest review.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was looking forward to another great Kristin Hannah book. As an author she has a remarkable ability to weave social and political affairs with the lives of women. Again here we have the Vietnam war told through the eyes of volunteer nurses or in this case one nurse. I think this is the first issue I had with this book, I think she picked the wrong nurse, Barb was a far more interesting character and had more to deal with in the Civil Rights movement when she returned to the US. Frankie McGrath, the lead, was a one dimensional character craving her father’s approval and a space on his wall of heros, family members who had served their country.
I found the 1st half of the book rather boring and repetitive. Everytime they got in a helicopter and the scene below was described it was the same as were all the medical scenes. And most disappointing, for a young woman aiming to carve her own way of life against her society’s expectations it was still all about having a man and fashion. There was so many descriptions of the clothes they were wearing and interestingly the men and a “large woman” were always in polyester until Connor was coming good near the end and started wearing knits and double knits. Likewise the constant referral to music playing, in bars, the second they got into a car etc. emerged to be overdone.
And yes a lot of issues were dealt with like the treatment of the Vets when they returned home and the changing attitudes of the American public against a backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and Watergate. Also the realisation that PTSD was very really and the beginnings of treatment. All very worth.
It is a decent read and a page turner just for me not up to the author’s usual standards.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this DRC.
I found the 1st half of the book rather boring and repetitive. Everytime they got in a helicopter and the scene below was described it was the same as were all the medical scenes. And most disappointing, for a young woman aiming to carve her own way of life against her society’s expectations it was still all about having a man and fashion. There was so many descriptions of the clothes they were wearing and interestingly the men and a “large woman” were always in polyester until Connor was coming good near the end and started wearing knits and double knits. Likewise the constant referral to music playing, in bars, the second they got into a car etc. emerged to be overdone.
And yes a lot of issues were dealt with like the treatment of the Vets when they returned home and the changing attitudes of the American public against a backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and Watergate. Also the realisation that PTSD was very really and the beginnings of treatment. All very worth.
It is a decent read and a page turner just for me not up to the author’s usual standards.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this DRC.
Things Went T*ts Up by Dearbhaile O'Hare
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A must read for anyone who has received a breast cancer diagnosis or indeed any cancer diagnosis. Dearbhaile, with her poems and stories, will take the reader through all the stages and emotions of cancer, from the initial diagnosis through the treatments and their effects to recovery and beyond. Genuinely thought provoking and inspiring.
Little Witness by S.A. Dunphy
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-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
3.5
DI Tessa Burns and her small eclectic team set up to help investigate crimes where children are involved have the makings of an interesting series. Having lost her parents as a young child through murder and brought up in a care home, Tessa is well placed to work with children in similar circumstances. In this case a young girl, Ash, escaped when her parents were abducted. This opens up the world of illegal alcohol distillng, sales and quite possibly more.
A lot happened in this book and the backstory for all the leading characters was set up perhaps a little too much. Might have been wiser to drip feed the backgrounds over a number of books. As it stands it appears that we have the next story ready to go and Tessa has found the link that may help her solve her parents murders. This is were it lost me to be honest. When I realised this tread of finding the faceless killers, based on some mythological Irish ghoul, that I confess I’ve never heard of, would weave through this series I decided I would’nt be reading any more.
I was sorry I opted for the audiobook in this case. I found the narration disappointing. To be fair to the narrator she had a significant number of characters to voice and try to differentiate between and she did a decent job of that. However the accent came across as a bit “Orish” for me and pronunciations such as for TUSLA almost unrecognisable.
Having said all that it is worth a read but I couldn’t quite justify that 4th star.
3.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC
A lot happened in this book and the backstory for all the leading characters was set up perhaps a little too much. Might have been wiser to drip feed the backgrounds over a number of books. As it stands it appears that we have the next story ready to go and Tessa has found the link that may help her solve her parents murders. This is were it lost me to be honest. When I realised this tread of finding the faceless killers, based on some mythological Irish ghoul, that I confess I’ve never heard of, would weave through this series I decided I would’nt be reading any more.
I was sorry I opted for the audiobook in this case. I found the narration disappointing. To be fair to the narrator she had a significant number of characters to voice and try to differentiate between and she did a decent job of that. However the accent came across as a bit “Orish” for me and pronunciations such as for TUSLA almost unrecognisable.
Having said all that it is worth a read but I couldn’t quite justify that 4th star.
3.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
’m not sure I was the correct demographic for this book but having said that it did redeem itself a little for me towards the end essentially where it took a more serious tone.
The basic premise of bringing back people through time travel from various points in history is a good starting point however I think this book tried to include too much. I found the first half of the book flitting all over the place and confusing. At attempt at humour came across as forced and flippant. But there is a good story here and I would certainly recommend to give it a go.
3.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC.
The basic premise of bringing back people through time travel from various points in history is a good starting point however I think this book tried to include too much. I found the first half of the book flitting all over the place and confusing. At attempt at humour came across as forced and flippant. But there is a good story here and I would certainly recommend to give it a go.
3.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this DRC.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0