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clacksee's reviews
1116 reviews
A Quiet Teacher by Adam Oyebanji
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.75
This story pairs a slow and gentle pace with a dark and all-too-realistic storyline. Intricately crafted characters with heartbreaking flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
When the library where she lives and works is burnt down as part of a revolution, Kiela and her friend Caz (a sentient spider plant) escape. They seek refuge in Kiela’s childhood home.
The first half of the story is about the pair making a life for themselves and a stranger coming to town and threatening to ruin everything. And there’s romance. Really angsty romance (I dislike romance – especially of the angsty variety). Everything gets neatly resolved – and then the second half of the book goes in a different direction.
I liked it – I just didn’t love it. See above with all the angsty romance.
The first half of the story is about the pair making a life for themselves and a stranger coming to town and threatening to ruin everything. And there’s romance. Really angsty romance (I dislike romance – especially of the angsty variety). Everything gets neatly resolved – and then the second half of the book goes in a different direction.
I liked it – I just didn’t love it. See above with all the angsty romance.
The Taiga Ridge Murders by Skyla Dawn Cameron
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
After more than a decade, Maya returns to the hotel where she grew up … and promptly gets snowed in. Isolated and alone, she begins cracking up. Our does she?
I went into this, thinking it was psychological suspense. Shortly after I started it, I read other reviews describing it as horror – and I almost put it down. But it’s not *that* kind of horror. It’s sort of modern gothic horror: creepy and eerie but with minimal gore.
It reminded me a bit of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates. But also not.
If you like a spine-tingler, read this book.
PS: The cat lives.
I went into this, thinking it was psychological suspense. Shortly after I started it, I read other reviews describing it as horror – and I almost put it down. But it’s not *that* kind of horror. It’s sort of modern gothic horror: creepy and eerie but with minimal gore.
It reminded me a bit of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates. But also not.
If you like a spine-tingler, read this book.
PS: The cat lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Rape and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Usual Santas: A Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers by Peter Lovesey, Peter Lovesey
mysterious
3.5
A very odd collection of stories. The only thing they have in common is that they all take place at or near Christmas and they all contain an element of mystery. Some are modern; some are historical. Some involve murder; some don't. A few are very good; some are … not. Most I read; several I skipped over as soon as I realised they were full of racist stereotypes.
I'd already read and thoroughly enjoyed the first story in this collection (part of the Elderly Lady series). The second story with nine Santas in a room (by Mick Herron) was very good, which surprised me as I've not previously enjoyed his writing. The final two stories were good. Everything in the middle was … not for me.
I'd already read and thoroughly enjoyed the first story in this collection (part of the Elderly Lady series). The second story with nine Santas in a room (by Mick Herron) was very good, which surprised me as I've not previously enjoyed his writing. The final two stories were good. Everything in the middle was … not for me.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Insufficient Marvin … otherwise excellent.
Civil Resistance by Erica Chenoweth
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
5.0
There are so many reasons to be depressed and demoralised right now. Everything seems hopeless.
This book restored some of my hope while also reaffirming what I’ve learnt in all my other recent reads: that the only hope fit the human race is by working together.
One thing that absolutely stuck with me is: ‘No movements have failed after getting 10% of the nation’s population to be actively involved in their peak event. Most succeed after mobilising 3.5%.’
Just, you know, saying.
This book restored some of my hope while also reaffirming what I’ve learnt in all my other recent reads: that the only hope fit the human race is by working together.
One thing that absolutely stuck with me is: ‘No movements have failed after getting 10% of the nation’s population to be actively involved in their peak event. Most succeed after mobilising 3.5%.’
Just, you know, saying.
Dying To Know by Rae Cairns
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
On the one hand, the plot was a bit too predictable and there were moments where suspension of disbelief was just a bit too much. On the other hand, the writing was absolutely gripping. I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Sword & Thistle by S.L. Rowland
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
Interestingly, in the first book in the series, an adventurer visited the bar and talked about going on a quest for rare food items. I thought this was surely important – and then there was no further mention and I was confused.
My confusion has now been vanquished! That adventurer was Dobbin – and that quest is the plot of this cosy fantasy novel.
Much like the previous novel, this one is warm, accepting, and hopeful. But this one was also surprising. I expected a continuation of Rhoren and Kallum's story (why, no, I didn't read the blurb – why do you ask?). But, in the end, I'm not even sad that I got something different.
My confusion has now been vanquished! That adventurer was Dobbin – and that quest is the plot of this cosy fantasy novel.
Much like the previous novel, this one is warm, accepting, and hopeful. But this one was also surprising. I expected a continuation of Rhoren and Kallum's story (why, no, I didn't read the blurb – why do you ask?). But, in the end, I'm not even sad that I got something different.
The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Second read. Still love this one. It’s soooooo dark and yet so full of hope and acceptance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Transphobia and Acephobia/Arophobia