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vanishing_librarian's reviews
441 reviews
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
dark
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? No
3.5
I really enjoyed the writing in this but the story was a little bit boring to be completely honest - it rather the execution of it. I really wished for more things or revelations throughout but it dragged a little because not much was revealed at the end.
So, overall this is more like a 3,5 for me since I wanted more from the supernatural part and the ending but enjoyed the writing!
So, overall this is more like a 3,5 for me since I wanted more from the supernatural part and the ending but enjoyed the writing!
Blanky by Kealan Patrick Burke
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Really enjoyed this horror novella - it was creepy and a little weird at times! Exactly what I expected from it! Horror novellas by Kealan Patrick Burke seem to be right up my alley!
Cirque Berserk by Jessica Guess
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was soo cool! I really didn’t expect much going in but I loved the first reveal and how the story was told! Usually, I don’t like too many perspectives but even that didn’t matter to me for this story.
The chapters are short enough to not get lost in the different people’s POVs and I really enjoyed the way this is written in general! Huge recommendation!
The chapters are short enough to not get lost in the different people’s POVs and I really enjoyed the way this is written in general! Huge recommendation!
You've Lost a Lot of Blood by Eric LaRocca
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Hm, I really wished I would like this one but it was just very confusing and I really didn’t get how or if there was supposed to be a connection between the different stories. The writing of the novella part was okay though, hence the two stars.
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Wow, this was intense!
Right from the start you were thrown into the story and got to know the main characters. I really liked how the story was told in dual timelines as well. I didn't even mind that there weren't properly marked chapters but only little dividers when the timelines switched.
The story itself is absolutely horrific and I don't want to imagine something like this happening in real life. Nonetheless, I really couldn't put the book down and read it within a few days during Summerween. I will definitely pick up the other books in the series soon!
But please be aware of all the trigger warnings since it got pretty graphic when explaining all the things that happened in the garden.
Right from the start you were thrown into the story and got to know the main characters. I really liked how the story was told in dual timelines as well. I didn't even mind that there weren't properly marked chapters but only little dividers when the timelines switched.
The story itself is absolutely horrific and I don't want to imagine something like this happening in real life. Nonetheless, I really couldn't put the book down and read it within a few days during Summerween. I will definitely pick up the other books in the series soon!
But please be aware of all the trigger warnings since it got pretty graphic when explaining all the things that happened in the garden.
The Defence by Steve Cavanagh
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Usually I don’t really read legal thrillers so it didn’t really surprise me that for about 50 - 75% it was a little too slow for me. It did pick up however towards the end and I got a little more invested.
Overall, though this was “just” are 3 - 3,5 star book for me I’d say.
Overall, though this was “just” are 3 - 3,5 star book for me I’d say.
Graveyard of Lost Children by Katrina Monroe
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is a story dealing something like postpartum depression. At the beginning I did really feel for Olivia and Shannon as characters but after a while I thought the story just didn’t really pick up pace and got a little boring and repetitive.
As someone who hasn’t had a child, I am not sure if I might have felt differently having been in a situation like this. I think it is very important to make talking about postpartum depression but I was personally not too happy with how it was portrayed and how the characters dealt with it.
As someone who hasn’t had a child, I am not sure if I might have felt differently having been in a situation like this. I think it is very important to make talking about postpartum depression but I was personally not too happy with how it was portrayed and how the characters dealt with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Verity by Colleen Hoover
- 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? Yes
4.5
Exactly what I needed right now - very fast-paced and a little creepy and mysterious at times. I did like how this was wrapped up with an ending that leaves you guess a little.
However, there are a few things I wasn‘t too happy with in regards to personal connections between a few characters. But overall I‘ll still give this 4,5 stars.
However, there are a few things I wasn‘t too happy with in regards to personal connections between a few characters. But overall I‘ll still give this 4,5 stars.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was debating if I want to give this 3 or 3,5 stars. I did quite enjoy the writing but - especially towards the end there were quite a few plot holes in my opinion.
Don’t get me wrong - the reveal was pretty surprising but also very unexpected because there where no hints or storylines that fit that reveal. I don’t want to go into spoilers - so I‘ll leave it at that.
Nonetheless, for the most part this is a slow burning mystery first, thriller second and the writing is pretty enjoyable :)
Don’t get me wrong - the reveal was pretty surprising but also very unexpected because there where no hints or storylines that fit that reveal. I don’t want to go into spoilers - so I‘ll leave it at that.
Nonetheless, for the most part this is a slow burning mystery first, thriller second and the writing is pretty enjoyable :)
Bunny by Mona Awad
challenging
dark
slow-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
1.0
This just really wasn't for me! I was expecting things to get weird but I just wasn't invested at all because it just got way too confusing for me instead of getting me involved.
To be honest, I was just minutes away from dnf-ing this book (which I usually don't do) because I just really couldn't enjoy it and I am pretty sure that this book is one of the main reason for my massive reader' block I am currently facing.
A lot of other people seem to enjoy it though, so I guess this book just wasn't for me!
To be honest, I was just minutes away from dnf-ing this book (which I usually don't do) because I just really couldn't enjoy it and I am pretty sure that this book is one of the main reason for my massive reader' block I am currently facing.
A lot of other people seem to enjoy it though, so I guess this book just wasn't for me!