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ellemnope's reviews
2362 reviews
Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
This was a crazy ride. There were a couple of twists that sent me reeling and I had to regroup to understand everything that was taking place. There were some very clever moments that had the tension cranked up as if anything could happen...because things kind of went off the rails a bit.
A perfectly enjoyable read and a good plot basis, I had fun with this one. But it does have some issues that lent it to being a more average rated book.
My primary issue: the characters. I really didn't like any of them. There was a lot of whining and self-deprecation and just a whole lot of psychological issues. I didn't feel like the protagonist learned a dang thing and the people around her all had some sort of problem. Is there something in the water in this town? Because everyone is wildly damaged in some way. Obsession is a major issue for a lot of them and everyone seems to be very selfish and insulated. It drove me nuts. I just wanted one person who wasn't a whack-a-do.
Second main issue that prevented a higher rating: The motivation behind the events in the narrative seems a little weak. I mean, I get it, but the set up and background for it wasn't super solid. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, I guess? It just seemed a little thin and didn't really feel emotionally believable. Meh. Maybe I'm just picky.
Anyway...despite my issues with the overall technical merit of the story, I still enjoyed the read. It was fast-paced and interesting and it kept my attention. Not a bad pick for a beach read, travel read, or palate cleanser.
A perfectly enjoyable read and a good plot basis, I had fun with this one. But it does have some issues that lent it to being a more average rated book.
My primary issue: the characters. I really didn't like any of them. There was a lot of whining and self-deprecation and just a whole lot of psychological issues. I didn't feel like the protagonist learned a dang thing and the people around her all had some sort of problem. Is there something in the water in this town? Because everyone is wildly damaged in some way. Obsession is a major issue for a lot of them and everyone seems to be very selfish and insulated. It drove me nuts. I just wanted one person who wasn't a whack-a-do.
Second main issue that prevented a higher rating: The motivation behind the events in the narrative seems a little weak. I mean, I get it, but the set up and background for it wasn't super solid. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, I guess? It just seemed a little thin and didn't really feel emotionally believable. Meh. Maybe I'm just picky.
Anyway...despite my issues with the overall technical merit of the story, I still enjoyed the read. It was fast-paced and interesting and it kept my attention. Not a bad pick for a beach read, travel read, or palate cleanser.
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
What a fun read! I've never read any of Marie Benedict's books before, but a mystery starring a whole group of famous female mystery writers sounded like such a good time that I couldn't let it pass me by.
The story is intriguing and the characters are delightful. I do wish there was a bit more exploration into the different women in the Queens of Crime group, but I felt like the development of Dorothy Sayres's character was very well written. There are some pieces of overly florid atmospheric work, but nothing that really detracted from the story or caused me any issues in reading.
The logic of the "luck" these ladies have in this investigation is, needless to say, a bit far fetched on occasion...so there is some need for a suspension of disbelief. The plot as it pertains to the murder mystery portion and the "whodunit" is really well constructed. I had theories throughout the read and I was correct in one of my guesses, but there was enough at play that it wasn't an obvious answer for me and I enjoyed the way the characters devised their plans.
This is a strongly feminist tale that explores a "woman's place" in 1930s England. There is a lot of discussion of misogyny and the way women were limited in their abilities to find employment, to live single lives, and to engage in personal lives without being judged for their sexual appeal or lack there of.
A good cozy mystery with a fun group of characters and a plot that moved at a decent pace. I enjoyed my read quite a bit and will be looking in to more of Benedict's writing for the future.
The story is intriguing and the characters are delightful. I do wish there was a bit more exploration into the different women in the Queens of Crime group, but I felt like the development of Dorothy Sayres's character was very well written. There are some pieces of overly florid atmospheric work, but nothing that really detracted from the story or caused me any issues in reading.
The logic of the "luck" these ladies have in this investigation is, needless to say, a bit far fetched on occasion...so there is some need for a suspension of disbelief. The plot as it pertains to the murder mystery portion and the "whodunit" is really well constructed. I had theories throughout the read and I was correct in one of my guesses, but there was enough at play that it wasn't an obvious answer for me and I enjoyed the way the characters devised their plans.
This is a strongly feminist tale that explores a "woman's place" in 1930s England. There is a lot of discussion of misogyny and the way women were limited in their abilities to find employment, to live single lives, and to engage in personal lives without being judged for their sexual appeal or lack there of.
A good cozy mystery with a fun group of characters and a plot that moved at a decent pace. I enjoyed my read quite a bit and will be looking in to more of Benedict's writing for the future.
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved Emily J. Taylor's Hotel Magnifique, so I knew I had to try this out. The premise of a world where the postal service has the magic? Weird...and awesome. I loved the development of this world and really had a fun time learning about how everything worked. The basis for the story was also compelling, with a strong female protagonist who is living her life anonymously and constantly on the run. The whole thing is incredibly unique and intriguing.
Marketed as YA, I felt like it really fit better in the New Adult category. There is some violence and intimacy that I feel might fit better for a slightly older audience. I would not recommend to the younger YA set. However, the story is fun enough to entertain anyone from older YA to adult readers.
The writing is great and there is wonderful atmosphere...the world coming off a bit gritty and gray with constant tension. There are some issues with pacing, specifically in the first half, but the last half flies by. This appears to be a standalone rather than exploring it's full potential in a duology or trilogy. There was not a lot of exploration into the schooling aspect and the other world potential was just sitting there aching to be explored. The lack of an expansion of this story into a duology or the development of this story and additional plot into a trilogy is somewhat disappointing to me. I feel like there was a lot left that I wanted to know and learn.
I recommend this for those who enjoy something a little bit different. If you can get through the slow pacing for the world development and plot setup in the first half, then you will be well rewarded in the second half with something that really makes you yearn for more.
Marketed as YA, I felt like it really fit better in the New Adult category. There is some violence and intimacy that I feel might fit better for a slightly older audience. I would not recommend to the younger YA set. However, the story is fun enough to entertain anyone from older YA to adult readers.
The writing is great and there is wonderful atmosphere...the world coming off a bit gritty and gray with constant tension. There are some issues with pacing, specifically in the first half, but the last half flies by. This appears to be a standalone rather than exploring it's full potential in a duology or trilogy. There was not a lot of exploration into the schooling aspect and the other world potential was just sitting there aching to be explored. The lack of an expansion of this story into a duology or the development of this story and additional plot into a trilogy is somewhat disappointing to me. I feel like there was a lot left that I wanted to know and learn.
I recommend this for those who enjoy something a little bit different. If you can get through the slow pacing for the world development and plot setup in the first half, then you will be well rewarded in the second half with something that really makes you yearn for more.
Hum by Helen Phillips
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
This was a solid read that took off right away and was very strong in the beginning. I was incredibly interested in the dystopian atmosphere. However, things started to slow as the read progressed and had some issues gelling with the characters. To be frank, the kids annoyed me. A lot. And May just didn't seem like a strong enough character, in fact, it felt like her flaws just accumulated as the story went on.
Now...if I struggled with those issues, why do I still consider it a solid read? Because the intrigue is peak. There are a lot of bits that parallel with current political climates and pieces that make sense given the world around us and concerns about AI, climate change, overpopulation, etc. There is a lot of introspection for May about her worth as a woman, a wife, a mother. Those pieces of the narrative spoke to me and I felt like it just made sense.
Remember how I mentioned May not being a strong enough character who had a lot of flaws? Turns out that's a double-edged sword. Because while it made me not root for her as much as a character, it also made her more human...and more relatable as a mother. As much as I wanted to dislike her, her flaws and failures simply made me be a little more introspective about my own life and role as a mother. The focus on electronics and connectivity also hit home as screen time is both a comfort and a conflict for most parents.
All in all, not my favorite dystopian read and not what I expected, but an incredibly strong think piece that I could identify with.
Now...if I struggled with those issues, why do I still consider it a solid read? Because the intrigue is peak. There are a lot of bits that parallel with current political climates and pieces that make sense given the world around us and concerns about AI, climate change, overpopulation, etc. There is a lot of introspection for May about her worth as a woman, a wife, a mother. Those pieces of the narrative spoke to me and I felt like it just made sense.
Remember how I mentioned May not being a strong enough character who had a lot of flaws? Turns out that's a double-edged sword. Because while it made me not root for her as much as a character, it also made her more human...and more relatable as a mother. As much as I wanted to dislike her, her flaws and failures simply made me be a little more introspective about my own life and role as a mother. The focus on electronics and connectivity also hit home as screen time is both a comfort and a conflict for most parents.
All in all, not my favorite dystopian read and not what I expected, but an incredibly strong think piece that I could identify with.
The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
The Family Experiment by John Marrs
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An incredibly emotional ride. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The premise sounded intriguing, but the overall package of the story was really well done.
The writing is at once soft and evocative. The narration style lures you in somewhat comfortingly and then completely betrays your heart and pummels you repeatedly. A love triangle, heartbreak, tragedy, death, and a lot of mystery surround the plot.
The pacing is a little slow in parts and the structure can be a little dizzying as the timeline shifts back and forth from a "before" to 1968, but this book is addicting. I did see some of the twists coming, but that didn't deter my serious intoxication with this read. I did not want to put it down and it pulled me out of a bit of a reading slump totally unexpectedly.
I ran the gamut of emotions with this one. There were wonderful bits of love and affection, some serious toxicity, moments when my gut just felt wrenched, a solid section where I found myself fuming at the main character, and some pieces that had me completely on edge. I will admit that my anger at the MC had me briefly considering ending my read, but I COULD NOT pull myself away from the plot. Was it worth sticking though? Oh, you betcha.
This book hurt me in such a good way.
The writing is at once soft and evocative. The narration style lures you in somewhat comfortingly and then completely betrays your heart and pummels you repeatedly. A love triangle, heartbreak, tragedy, death, and a lot of mystery surround the plot.
The pacing is a little slow in parts and the structure can be a little dizzying as the timeline shifts back and forth from a "before" to 1968, but this book is addicting. I did see some of the twists coming, but that didn't deter my serious intoxication with this read. I did not want to put it down and it pulled me out of a bit of a reading slump totally unexpectedly.
I ran the gamut of emotions with this one. There were wonderful bits of love and affection, some serious toxicity, moments when my gut just felt wrenched, a solid section where I found myself fuming at the main character, and some pieces that had me completely on edge. I will admit that my anger at the MC had me briefly considering ending my read, but I COULD NOT pull myself away from the plot. Was it worth sticking though? Oh, you betcha.
This book hurt me in such a good way.
The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
4.5 stars...very nearly 5 stars.
Okay...I will admit that is just perfectly niche for me. Somehow, despite the fact that I have little interest in celebrity lives in real life, I am absolutely obsessed with books focusing on the lives of musicians. I don't know what it is, but they suck me right in.
This book totally hit the spot for me. I love the heartache and the turmoil. The 90s as the backdrop was also perfection. Little references here and there that clearly pointed to bands or famous figures in real life were like fun little Easter eggs that just made me happy. (Also...weirdly, I pictured Elijah's parents as the Cullens from Twilight. Don't ask me why...my brain works in mysterious ways.)
Stapley's writing was fun and balanced, staying full of tension without being overwhelming. There is plenty of angst in her characters and the music scene comes off appropriately gritty. I loved the imperfect character of Jane and how she handled being pushed to the backseat of her own fame. There was a lot of raw material in this book that resulted in a character who didn't come out perfect in the end. She was consistently flawed, she had hard lessons to learn, and her pathway was quite messy.
There were 2 things that kept this from being a solid 5-star. First...pacing. There was some slow movement in the beginning and a few scenes that could have benefited from some additional exploration; a few areas where transitions between the timelines could have been a little more clear and less bumpy.
Second, the ending. For me, the ending can make or break the entire book. And I was a bit disappointed with this one. It felt a little too easy and not as complex and I think it needed to be after all the setup. Things wrapped up pretty quickly and I just didn't get the emotional punch that I wanted from the narrative.
Despite its flaws, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was one that I didn't want to put down. I ran through a gamut of emotions and I really felt like I could understand Jane's character. It's a book that I will be putting in my permanent collection.
Okay...I will admit that is just perfectly niche for me. Somehow, despite the fact that I have little interest in celebrity lives in real life, I am absolutely obsessed with books focusing on the lives of musicians. I don't know what it is, but they suck me right in.
This book totally hit the spot for me. I love the heartache and the turmoil. The 90s as the backdrop was also perfection. Little references here and there that clearly pointed to bands or famous figures in real life were like fun little Easter eggs that just made me happy. (Also...weirdly, I pictured Elijah's parents as the Cullens from Twilight. Don't ask me why...my brain works in mysterious ways.)
Stapley's writing was fun and balanced, staying full of tension without being overwhelming. There is plenty of angst in her characters and the music scene comes off appropriately gritty. I loved the imperfect character of Jane and how she handled being pushed to the backseat of her own fame. There was a lot of raw material in this book that resulted in a character who didn't come out perfect in the end. She was consistently flawed, she had hard lessons to learn, and her pathway was quite messy.
There were 2 things that kept this from being a solid 5-star. First...pacing. There was some slow movement in the beginning and a few scenes that could have benefited from some additional exploration; a few areas where transitions between the timelines could have been a little more clear and less bumpy.
Second, the ending. For me, the ending can make or break the entire book. And I was a bit disappointed with this one. It felt a little too easy and not as complex and I think it needed to be after all the setup. Things wrapped up pretty quickly and I just didn't get the emotional punch that I wanted from the narrative.
Despite its flaws, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was one that I didn't want to put down. I ran through a gamut of emotions and I really felt like I could understand Jane's character. It's a book that I will be putting in my permanent collection.
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The premise behind this novel is a great one and I was really looking forward to the read, but it did not follow through for me in execution. The plot presents a very raw depiction of the progression and suppression of Indigenous life under the control of the United States government; the ways in which the unnecessary "management" of these peoples has led to generational struggles.
There were moments in this book that were very visceral and poignant, but they were scattered here and there while the tone wavered. I had a hard time bonding with the voice behind the book due to the organization of the story. It is appropriately titled as "Wandering". The movement from one story to the next with loose connection and no real transition made me feel untethered and I really had a hard time developing a deep care for the characters. Just as I was beginning to get intot the story and the character introspection started to expand, that piece of the tale would abruptly end and the narrative would shift to another character. It felt very disjointed and I had a hard time sticking with the story.
The message behind this novel is a good one. There do need to be more tales like this, being honest and revealing the secrets that have been held in American history as to how the different cultures in this "melting pot" were treated based on color of skin and location of origin. Humanity needs to learn lessons from the past in order to rectify the present. This particular novel and narrative style just wasn't the right one for me.
There were moments in this book that were very visceral and poignant, but they were scattered here and there while the tone wavered. I had a hard time bonding with the voice behind the book due to the organization of the story. It is appropriately titled as "Wandering". The movement from one story to the next with loose connection and no real transition made me feel untethered and I really had a hard time developing a deep care for the characters. Just as I was beginning to get intot the story and the character introspection started to expand, that piece of the tale would abruptly end and the narrative would shift to another character. It felt very disjointed and I had a hard time sticking with the story.
The message behind this novel is a good one. There do need to be more tales like this, being honest and revealing the secrets that have been held in American history as to how the different cultures in this "melting pot" were treated based on color of skin and location of origin. Humanity needs to learn lessons from the past in order to rectify the present. This particular novel and narrative style just wasn't the right one for me.
Still the Sun by Charlie N. Holmberg
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5