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jenspagesandponderings's reviews
274 reviews
The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
funny
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
4.25
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
I thoroughly enjoyed the quirky dynamic between Gail and her ex, Max; their interactions brought a unique charm to the story. However, the structure of the book, with its long 'Parts' instead of traditional chapters, became a major drawback. The lengthy sections made the pacing feel sluggish, and I often found myself losing interest. Despite its promising start, the story struggled to maintain momentum and depth. By the time I reached the conclusion, it felt rushed and incomplete, leaving me wanting more development and a stronger resolution. While the characters had great potential, the overall execution fell short of delivering a fully engaging experience.
A Court of Frost and Starlight [Dramatized Adaptation] #3.5 by Sarah J. Maas
hopeful
tense
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? No
4.0
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
mysterious
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
3.5
This book strongly veered towards the implausible. While the plot had a few intriguing 'gotcha' moments that kept me momentarily engaged, the overall storyline was hard to buy into. The main character's sudden transformation—from being unable to escape an abusive relationship to plotting and executing multiple murders within a short time frame—was simply too far-fetched. It overly stretched believability, leaving me feeling more exasperated than entertained. Despite some suspenseful elements, the implausibility of the character’s arc ultimately undermined the story's potential.