beardedbarista's reviews
766 reviews

Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Thrilling adventure in the Star Wars universe! Brutal and violent space zombie action! With some special appearances!! I have never read a Star Wars book but now I kind of want to read the canon 
Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This is a great sequel and leaves you at the edge of your seat literally at the very end! If you love true crime or serial killer stories this book and the first one are for you! Can't wait for the next one!
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

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adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Y'all. I have been sleepin on this book! And there are TWO more!
Wow!
NGL it took me a bit to get into the story and magic but damn .. when it clicked I was like give me a motion picture of this! 
Might be my favorite of the year so far! And yes I know it's only the 8th of January!
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted 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

I have read and listened to this book 4 times now and everytime it feels like I get something new out of it. I really loved listening to Andy Serkis this go around. His Smaug and Smeegol were Soo good! Went home and immediately watched the animated movie with my daughter. And I have never seen the live actions so looking forward to delving into those soon!
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

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

5.0

This was awesome! So intense and it had flipping pictures as you read! I think this might be a for-sure book for anyone interested in starting reading. The pictures progress with the story and it's all Soo intense and creepy and wow does it hit you with an ending. I didnt pick up on it. Did you?
And it's a supernatural story so that's fun and not cheesy. 
Among Serpents by Marc J Gregson

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adventurous emotional 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

4.5

First, thanks to Prhaudio for this complimentary audiobook! I loved getting back into this world of high flying adventures facing off against gargantuan dragons and new monsters (don't want to spoil anything) .
Some new revelations come about and the struggle for power continues! Excited for more folks to read this one when it comes out so I can chat em up! 
All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Great comic and the combination of Grant and Quietly is SOO good! I don't read a lot of Superman but I really loved this trade!
What Comes After Rock Bottom?: A Story of Surviving, Healing, and Embracing a New Beginning by Tyrone Reid, Tyrone Reid

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is a book for anyone struggling with life. You are not alone and Reid's story really connected with me. I have a lot of commonality with his personal struggles so it gives me hope and maybe can give you hope too!
Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi

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adventurous emotional lighthearted sad 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? Yes

3.5

This was a strange book to review because it was basically the 3rd book The Lost Colony but from Zoe's Perspective and an additional bit towards the end to make it a different thing. I didn't hate it but felt like it could have maybe been a novella or 3.5 book. IT DOES move the plot for the next book tho... so it is necessary. 
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

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dark 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

5.0

Loved this book! (Might be some slight spoilers in my review) thanks to SagaPress for the #promo book! What a great and for me really original horror twist!! Dug the campy horror movie thrills and from the killers perspective no less? Tolly is a character who even though totally a killer, you kind of want him to be successful?! Definitely puts you in a weird headspace rooting for the villain.