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honeyreads1066's reviews
349 reviews
Reprieve by James Han Mattson
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was such a thought-provoking and tense book.
Quigley House is a full-contact escape room where teams of 4 attempt to go through 5 cells without saying the safeword to receive a cash prize. We follow a group through the house until just before the last room a man makes his way into the cell and kills one of the contestants. As we weave through the circumstances that brought all these characters to this house we realise just what prejudices and beliefs led to the tragedy occurring.
First off, I thought this was a literary masterpiece. The style of slowly delivered information painting a picture of just who these characters are when you already know the outcome adds a new layer to the usual storytelling. The use of court transcripts embedded between particularly highlighting their perceptions of the event.
It's safe to say that the characters here were written beautifully. I found none but 2 to be likeable, good people but even though we switch POV I didn't find that any of the characters were annoying or uninteresting. I also didn't find that there were any perspectives I didn't want to see. Each gave a new diverse point of view. The characters were so glaringly imperfect humans in such a way that you relate but also find it interesting to see.
The setting itself is something new to me and the idea of a full-contact horror house as the backdrop of this exploration is so different and interesting to me. It's not a generic social horror or thriller and offers conflicting opinions or perspectives while getting its point across.
The only thing that brought this down for me was the ending, while you understand how everything came about I still had a large number of questions. I'm not entirely sure whether it's me just missing the inference but this book did leave me both frustrated and annoyed.
Overall I felt like I got a lot out of it and it was a very interesting read, I would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Lemon is a book that explores just how life and death affect people using the untimely death of a beautiful school girl as its model.
The novella follows the before and after of the death of Kim Hae-on. A beautiful girl whose killer is still free almost 20 years later. Da-on, Hae-on's younger sister goes through a drastic transformation as she tries to come to terms with her grief.
This novellas strongest aspect is that it is not who the killer is the drives this story but rather what this tragedy has done to the people around her and the lasting impacts of it. The small revelations that are littered throughout make this portrait of grief more chilling and upsetting than the average thriller.
The characters themselves are complicated especially considering you only see them briefly in these 200 pages. You get the expression life moves on with them and their hardships only become harder with this death that encircles all of them. The characters seemed normal and overwhelmingly human.
Perhaps what I didn't like is that this book does not give you complete closure, the characters aren't necessarily reliable narrators and while I often enjoy that, here it creates confusion on the actual events.
Despite this, that's not what this book is about at all, it's not a simple thriller about a murdered girl, it is so much more than that and I greatly enjoyed this journey. I would definitely recommend this.
The novella follows the before and after of the death of Kim Hae-on. A beautiful girl whose killer is still free almost 20 years later. Da-on, Hae-on's younger sister goes through a drastic transformation as she tries to come to terms with her grief.
This novellas strongest aspect is that it is not who the killer is the drives this story but rather what this tragedy has done to the people around her and the lasting impacts of it. The small revelations that are littered throughout make this portrait of grief more chilling and upsetting than the average thriller.
The characters themselves are complicated especially considering you only see them briefly in these 200 pages. You get the expression life moves on with them and their hardships only become harder with this death that encircles all of them. The characters seemed normal and overwhelmingly human.
Perhaps what I didn't like is that this book does not give you complete closure, the characters aren't necessarily reliable narrators and while I often enjoy that, here it creates confusion on the actual events.
Despite this, that's not what this book is about at all, it's not a simple thriller about a murdered girl, it is so much more than that and I greatly enjoyed this journey. I would definitely recommend this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
First off, I had pretty damn high expectations from this book so maybe I did just expect too much.
This book follows Robin, a civil servant who gets assigned to a new post that he's never heard of after his predecessor goes missing. After meeting his prickly colleague Edwin and finding himself cursed and amid a search for a magical item that has the power to change everything for all the magicians known, he begins to realise he is well in over his head.
I found that the beginning portion of this book was a lot slower paced than one would think for a fantasy series. There were just so many questions, who even were the villains, what are they looking for, is anyone else not pretty concerned about this curse none of you seems to have heard of. Maybe it's just me but I did feel like the priorities were far out of line.
Despite this, the things you learn about the magic system I adored. Did I completely understand it, no, but it had to be the most original way I've seen magic used in a book before? It also set up a lot of different ways that magic can be used, like domestically and for entertainment, it wasn't just characters throwing fireballs or able to control light and I enjoyed that.
The characters I felt were a little lacklustre. Robin and Edwin had a romance that developed way too quickly for me, while I was convinced at it towards the end I was not at the beginning, that doesn't mean to say that their scenes together weren't great because they really were. I just didn't like either of them and were more excited by the plot, use of magic and 3 of the female characters including 2 sisters that turn up later in the book. I just was not invested in them or their well-being at all.
Overall, I enjoyed it, I especially enjoyed the magic and how that was used throughout and honestly that's what made the book for me. Would I recommend it, yes I would but I don't exactly feel strongly about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death, Gore, and Death of parent
The Lodestone Puzzle by Lynn Emery
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
I really just wasn't vibing with this or the characters, it felt like it was taking too long to actually get into the story.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
First off, I've never read anything by Grady Hendrix before so this was a massive thing to go into but I do love a good slasher.
This story is about perseverance, resilience and sisterhood (the less traditional kind).
We follow Lynette, a final girl, who attends a support group with other final girls hence the Final girl support group. After a member of their group dies, Lynette becomes determined to save the rest of them, going on a dangerous journey in the process.
At the beginning of this, I wasn't so keen on the characters, I found them unlikable but as you learn more about them it becomes clear exactly why they are the way they are. Their determination rubs off on you and all their flaws make them that much more human.
The plot itself was tense and fast, it moved quickly with twists and turns that I was not expecting. It made the books seem so much shorter than it was and I flew through this.
Despite this, I felt that the ending pulled out a lot of things that didn't make sense. While I loved the action, I felt that some of the things that happened were pulled out of nowhere or with little build-up.
I also felt that the bits where you learn about the final girl's events that made them final girls, were rushed and at times I didn't remember who's was who's. I just felt like these were such interesting and important sections that they deserved more time on them.
Overall this was fun, I would recommend it, I mean it's a slasher without the usual set of victims. I liked this difference.
This story is about perseverance, resilience and sisterhood (the less traditional kind).
We follow Lynette, a final girl, who attends a support group with other final girls hence the Final girl support group. After a member of their group dies, Lynette becomes determined to save the rest of them, going on a dangerous journey in the process.
At the beginning of this, I wasn't so keen on the characters, I found them unlikable but as you learn more about them it becomes clear exactly why they are the way they are. Their determination rubs off on you and all their flaws make them that much more human.
The plot itself was tense and fast, it moved quickly with twists and turns that I was not expecting. It made the books seem so much shorter than it was and I flew through this.
Despite this, I felt that the ending pulled out a lot of things that didn't make sense. While I loved the action, I felt that some of the things that happened were pulled out of nowhere or with little build-up.
I also felt that the bits where you learn about the final girl's events that made them final girls, were rushed and at times I didn't remember who's was who's. I just felt like these were such interesting and important sections that they deserved more time on them.
Overall this was fun, I would recommend it, I mean it's a slasher without the usual set of victims. I liked this difference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I am not often keen on daily dramas so I wasn't sure what to expect but the premise of this immediately had me drawn in.
This story is ultimately about family, about being able to forgive and how tragedy affects everyone. It is a raw and messy portrayal of family and relationships.
The book follows Leila who has struggled to have kids and her sister Yasmin who has a son Max. After Andrew, (Yasmin's husband) gets an emergency call from work, Leila is asked to drop Max to school. Tragedy befalls the family as on this hot day, Leila leaves max in the car causing his death and the continuing trial for manslaughter changes everything within the family. Was it just a tragedy or something more sinister?
The characters themselves were so fleshed out, I felt like these were people I knew and truly felt the conflicting feelings and they were so human, none of them was all good and always made the right decisions, they were complicated and that made them feel real.
The ending had me reeling, with twist after twist after twist. It didn't feel cheap and it made sense though I wasn't expecting any of it. Overall I absolutely would recommend this though the subject matter is extremely upsetting. This story is so much more than just one event but also the complicated relationship between sisters.
This story is ultimately about family, about being able to forgive and how tragedy affects everyone. It is a raw and messy portrayal of family and relationships.
The book follows Leila who has struggled to have kids and her sister Yasmin who has a son Max. After Andrew, (Yasmin's husband) gets an emergency call from work, Leila is asked to drop Max to school. Tragedy befalls the family as on this hot day, Leila leaves max in the car causing his death and the continuing trial for manslaughter changes everything within the family. Was it just a tragedy or something more sinister?
The characters themselves were so fleshed out, I felt like these were people I knew and truly felt the conflicting feelings and they were so human, none of them was all good and always made the right decisions, they were complicated and that made them feel real.
The ending had me reeling, with twist after twist after twist. It didn't feel cheap and it made sense though I wasn't expecting any of it. Overall I absolutely would recommend this though the subject matter is extremely upsetting. This story is so much more than just one event but also the complicated relationship between sisters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I just found the format really hard to read, and I was not a fan of the art style.
Marvel Zombies by Sean Phillips, Robert Kirkman
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
There were just a few things that didn't sit right with me when he came to T'challa's character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-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 haven't read a romance in a long time and boy this was such a great introduction to the genre.
The book follows a woman named Eva who is a famous erotica writer with chronic pain and a tween daughter. Shane Hall in a newly sober literary writer who unexpectedly comes back into Eva's life causing the both of them to confront their painful past and try and overcome it together.
There was a lot I wasn't expecting from the book going in, how dark their pasts are as one. There was a rawness about her way of writing that truly made the characters seem real and really gave me the ability to empathise.
I felt represented, the characters were so diverse and having someone suffer with chronic pain is something that I haven't seen before but I am so glad I did here.
The story itself was interesting from start to finish, there were moments that made me laugh and moments that made me cry, I just felt this book on a real level
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the ending. It felt rushed, the tone was off from the rest of the book and it just felt a bit long. I enjoyed the book so much that maybe the ending disappointed me more than it should have. Overall I would recommend this but please read trigger warnings beforehand.
The book follows a woman named Eva who is a famous erotica writer with chronic pain and a tween daughter. Shane Hall in a newly sober literary writer who unexpectedly comes back into Eva's life causing the both of them to confront their painful past and try and overcome it together.
There was a lot I wasn't expecting from the book going in, how dark their pasts are as one. There was a rawness about her way of writing that truly made the characters seem real and really gave me the ability to empathise.
I felt represented, the characters were so diverse and having someone suffer with chronic pain is something that I haven't seen before but I am so glad I did here.
The story itself was interesting from start to finish, there were moments that made me laugh and moments that made me cry, I just felt this book on a real level
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the ending. It felt rushed, the tone was off from the rest of the book and it just felt a bit long. I enjoyed the book so much that maybe the ending disappointed me more than it should have. Overall I would recommend this but please read trigger warnings beforehand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Car accident
The Murder Box by Olivia Kiernan
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I haven't read a good classic murder mystery in so long.
This book follows Frankie, a detective who is trying to solve the case of a missing tv star. After hitting a wall she receives a mysterious box with clues about the murder of a young girl Lydia Callin. This box leads her to a forum where other places have received a similar version of this box and are in it to win it. However, a girl comes into the station asking Frankie to look into the case of her missing roommate and all of a sudden the murder box seems to hold the answers to everything.
First, off this idea, I have never seen it before. I'm an avid reader of thrillers but the idea of making this an actual game of sorts added another element that I very much enjoyed and found very interesting.
Having not read the previous books (this is the 4th book in the Frankie Sheehan series) before I am not so attached to the characters as I probably would have been, but this book was fine as a stand-alone. While I didn't care for the characters as much as I thought I should I was engrossed enough in the mystery that it didn't seem like a big issue.
The ending itself made a lot of sense. I spend a lot of these type of books trying to figure out just who the killer is but here I was not able to but when you finally did learn who it was, I was pleasantly surprised. While I wasn't expecting it, It did make sense and didn't come out of nowhere which I find is great with a good twist. Despite this I do feel like the climax fell a little flat, maybe if I was more attached to the characters I would have felt differently.
Overall, I enjoyed myself a lot, I love how fast-paced this is and the originality of the idea. While I don't feel particularly strongly about this, I had fun.
This book follows Frankie, a detective who is trying to solve the case of a missing tv star. After hitting a wall she receives a mysterious box with clues about the murder of a young girl Lydia Callin. This box leads her to a forum where other places have received a similar version of this box and are in it to win it. However, a girl comes into the station asking Frankie to look into the case of her missing roommate and all of a sudden the murder box seems to hold the answers to everything.
First, off this idea, I have never seen it before. I'm an avid reader of thrillers but the idea of making this an actual game of sorts added another element that I very much enjoyed and found very interesting.
Having not read the previous books (this is the 4th book in the Frankie Sheehan series) before I am not so attached to the characters as I probably would have been, but this book was fine as a stand-alone. While I didn't care for the characters as much as I thought I should I was engrossed enough in the mystery that it didn't seem like a big issue.
The ending itself made a lot of sense. I spend a lot of these type of books trying to figure out just who the killer is but here I was not able to but when you finally did learn who it was, I was pleasantly surprised. While I wasn't expecting it, It did make sense and didn't come out of nowhere which I find is great with a good twist. Despite this I do feel like the climax fell a little flat, maybe if I was more attached to the characters I would have felt differently.
Overall, I enjoyed myself a lot, I love how fast-paced this is and the originality of the idea. While I don't feel particularly strongly about this, I had fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder