nookandcrannyseattle's reviews
185 reviews

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sugar Run by Mesha Maren

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Go to review page

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Not mind-blowing, but enjoyable! I liked that the author attempted to reclaim the Ted Bundy narrative to center the affected women. I'm as fascinated by true crime as the next person, but the way we romanticize these sad little incels and turn them into charismatic criminal masterminds is pretty disgusting. I take some issue with the assertion that someone can't be brilliant just because they didn't go to a good college, but since we're talking about Bundy specifically, I'll allow it. 
Fog & Fireflies by T. H. Lehnen

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Entertaining! It has pretty major pacing issues, but I enjoyed the premise. Cover design is very strange and has virtually nothing to do with the actual story. Except the fog, I guess. 
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

Obviously outstanding. I can't believe it took me so long to get around to this!  I'm in love. The beginning was SO shocking, but it also immediately set our heroine up as a powerful force, even if she didn't yet realize it about herself. And her character arc superb.  Celie's and Nettie's correspondence was an especially striking display of Alice Walker's command over voice. Not only the obvious grammatical differences, but the cadence and word choices were so clear and distinct. She is truly a master!
The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis

Go to review page

emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Disappointing. I enjoyed Eros's voice far more than Psyche's, but still mediocre. In general I enjoy slow-moving novels, but I dont enjoy prose that says nothing over and over in subtly different (but never evocative) ways. They skipped or glossed over all the most interesting parts of the myth in favor of Eros lying around being self-conscious about their body and Psyche repeatedly inviting her abusive sisters to visit for no apparent reason. It's a shame because I've wanted to read the author for some time. This was my first of their work and I probably won't bother with the backlist.
The Searcher by Tana French

Go to review page

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

See my review for The Hunter. Basically, why Chicago PD in Ireland? Why gun-obsessed? Why everyone stupid and/or nefarious? Why not apply prodigious skills to nature writing (or something) rather than crime?
The Hunter by Tana French

Go to review page

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Look. I have had... feelings... about Tana French since I read In the Woods back in college. (I was FURIOUS about that book!) 20 years later I figured now was a good time to try again as a proper adult. And ya know what? I stand by my teenage opinion. Her writing is so exquisite. I could read her descriptions of the Irish countryside and her witty pub banter for the rest of time. But I simply don't like her stories. They are grim (but not the fun kind) and the heroes tend to be kind of idiotic. In Cal's case, I'm pretty sure the only reason he was successful at his job is because all the people he interviewed were even dumber than him. Also, did we really need Chicago PD invading rural Ireland? Overall, Mart was by far the most interesting character, but she went out of her way to make him despicable. Like I said...grim. Probably won't bother reading any more from her.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I definitely understand the hype! I really loved so much about it. While I realize some context was necessary, and I would for sure read an ther book set in their fascinating universe, the letters were by far the most engaging parts. Exceptionally beautiful and romantic. I will say that I apparently blacked out while reading the end. I literally have no memory of what happened. Is that because it was a weak ending or because I was distracted?
The Wildest Sun by Asha Lemmie

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Super engaging and far more emotional than I expected! Looking forward to reading more from this author. I liked the way she handled th  depiction of Hemingway: a bit romanticized, but very believable for the character of the narrator. I was also VERY impressed with her ability to maintain a consistent voice even as Delphine matured. My only complaint (which isn't really a complaint) is the ending, which I think was meant to be empowering and/or uplifting. While I definitely found it relatable and realistic, I think it's a pretty depressing outlook when witnessed from the outside.