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katieb94's reviews
725 reviews
This Winter by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Such a cute little festive Novella featuring Charlie, Tori, Oliver and Nick. Perfect as an extra little story featuring the Heartstopper characters. It’s really short but filled with emotion and I really enjoyed it!
Batman: Noël by Lee Bermejo
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
A really great retelling of A Christmas Carol!
The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
emotional
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review. From the blurb I was expecting a murder mystery type thing but it ended up being a family drama and I became really disinterested.
I did finish the book just because I wanted to see if the main character, Nora, ended up being a cheat or faithful. Thankfully she remained faithful as if she hadn’t I would have thrown my Kindle across the room.
The characters are okay, I actually preferred the bits where we went back in time to Liam and Cody’s relationship instead of the modern stuff with Nora and Sam. I just didn’t like the siblings, they didn’t get on and it was grating how their attitudes got in the way of the mystery.
The ending wasn’t even that much of a shock.
I didn’t work out what happened but it just felt lacklustre after all of the drama surrounding them.
I’m not sure if it’s a 2.5 or a 3 as I did finish it but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. It was alright.
I’m glad I read it.
I just wasn’t keen on the story in the end.
I did finish the book just because I wanted to see if the main character, Nora, ended up being a cheat or faithful. Thankfully she remained faithful as if she hadn’t I would have thrown my Kindle across the room.
The characters are okay, I actually preferred the bits where we went back in time to Liam and Cody’s relationship instead of the modern stuff with Nora and Sam. I just didn’t like the siblings, they didn’t get on and it was grating how their attitudes got in the way of the mystery.
The ending wasn’t even that much of a shock.
I didn’t work out what happened but it just felt lacklustre after all of the drama surrounding them.
I’m not sure if it’s a 2.5 or a 3 as I did finish it but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. It was alright.
I’m glad I read it.
I just wasn’t keen on the story in the end.
Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed Horowitz’s other Holmes novel so I wanted to read this one!
I went into this book knowing that Holmes and Watson were unlikely to appear as it takes place after the events of the Reichenbach Falls when Holmes dies fighting Moriarty, and they both plunge to their deaths.
So because of that I did enjoy it! We follow a British detective and an American Pinkerton as they try and stop a crime wave that is happening on the event of Moriarty’s demise.
Some of the scenes were quite graphic and I could visualise the crime for a long time after but that’s what makes it good writing.
I made a prediction quite early on in the book but it turned out to be wrong, however this book is great until the ending. The ending completely ruined it for me, because knowing what I know about the Holmes lore and Moriarty, it was out of character and unexpected. I was so disappointed with the ending and that’s why I’ve given this book 3 stars.
The characters were so well rounded and then the ending happens and I just felt like I’d been duped- I know that was the point but it just seemed pointless? It could have been revealed much earlier and made for a more compelling finale.
For the most part it’s a good book with a great case, and I did enjoy it, it’s just a shame the ending let me down.
3/5 stars.
I went into this book knowing that Holmes and Watson were unlikely to appear as it takes place after the events of the Reichenbach Falls when Holmes dies fighting Moriarty, and they both plunge to their deaths.
So because of that I did enjoy it! We follow a British detective and an American Pinkerton as they try and stop a crime wave that is happening on the event of Moriarty’s demise.
Some of the scenes were quite graphic and I could visualise the crime for a long time after but that’s what makes it good writing.
I made a prediction quite early on in the book but it turned out to be wrong, however this book is great until the ending. The ending completely ruined it for me, because knowing what I know about the Holmes lore and Moriarty, it was out of character and unexpected. I was so disappointed with the ending and that’s why I’ve given this book 3 stars.
The characters were so well rounded and then the ending happens and I just felt like I’d been duped- I know that was the point but it just seemed pointless? It could have been revealed much earlier and made for a more compelling finale.
For the most part it’s a good book with a great case, and I did enjoy it, it’s just a shame the ending let me down.
3/5 stars.
The House Of Smoke by Sam Christer
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Considering the book says it features Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty, they don’t feature predominantly in the story and to be honest this did make the book enjoyable as it meant as a reader I could really delve into Simeon’s story.
Simeon is a killer, in prison and facing the noose for crimes he committed. It seems open and shut and that’s that but as his story progresses we discover more about him and the work he did while employed in the house of Moriarty.
I enjoyed the Victorian setting of the prison and the flashbacks to his life before he was arrested. It’s quite a tough read in places due to the brutality of the prison and the murders.
However, it was well researched for the time period and the author gave the main character a really interesting voice. It showed that criminals can be eloquent and not all of them come from the streets- Simeon did but Moriarty didn’t.
The only problem I had was the ending.
It was obvious from the way Simeon was talking was that he didn’t want to keep killing after the dramatic events before his arrest.
So with Mycroft coming in and hiring him as an assassin I was a bit perplexed. Why would he want an assassin? The man worked for his brother’s nemesis.
Overall a good piece of gothic literature.
4/5 stars
Simeon is a killer, in prison and facing the noose for crimes he committed. It seems open and shut and that’s that but as his story progresses we discover more about him and the work he did while employed in the house of Moriarty.
I enjoyed the Victorian setting of the prison and the flashbacks to his life before he was arrested. It’s quite a tough read in places due to the brutality of the prison and the murders.
However, it was well researched for the time period and the author gave the main character a really interesting voice. It showed that criminals can be eloquent and not all of them come from the streets- Simeon did but Moriarty didn’t.
The only problem I had was the ending.
It was obvious from the way Simeon was talking was that he didn’t want to keep killing after the dramatic events before his arrest.
So with Mycroft coming in and hiring him as an assassin I was a bit perplexed. Why would he want an assassin? The man worked for his brother’s nemesis.
Overall a good piece of gothic literature.
4/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
One Last First Date by Kate O'Keeffe
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
I’m a bit disappointed I called the ending romance but I did enjoy this book. As soon as we meet the male work colleague who our MC hates I just knew it was a hate to lovers book.
I didn’t want to be right…..but I was.
And that’s the only reason I dropped a star because the story was actually super cute!
We follow three friends, Cassie, Marissa and Paige as they make a pact that their next date will be the one they marry. This book is Cassie’s story. When Cassie goes on a date with handsome doctor Parker Hamilton it seems as though she has found her future husband.
And it all seems to be going well- but is it too good to be true?
I found it great following Cassie and Parker’s relationship as they tried to find each other and it wasn’t any less heartbreaking when they eventually split up and he got back with his ex.
I didn’t want her with Will.
But I judged wrong and he ended up being perfect for her.
It was also great reading a book set in New Zealand as I’ve not read one set there before!
4/5 stars
A cute and quick read and I’d recommend it.
I didn’t want to be right…..but I was.
And that’s the only reason I dropped a star because the story was actually super cute!
We follow three friends, Cassie, Marissa and Paige as they make a pact that their next date will be the one they marry. This book is Cassie’s story. When Cassie goes on a date with handsome doctor Parker Hamilton it seems as though she has found her future husband.
And it all seems to be going well- but is it too good to be true?
I found it great following Cassie and Parker’s relationship as they tried to find each other and it wasn’t any less heartbreaking when they eventually split up and he got back with his ex.
I didn’t want her with Will.
But I judged wrong and he ended up being perfect for her.
It was also great reading a book set in New Zealand as I’ve not read one set there before!
4/5 stars
A cute and quick read and I’d recommend it.
One Square Mile by Kristin H. Sample
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I read this book in exchange for an honest review thanks to the author and Voracious Readers.
This book follows Elizabeth Bauer as she grows up in the 90s, with each chapter telling us the month and the year that each event is happening. This made it incredibly easy to read and I flew through it!
Considering Elizabeth is a teenager, the writing did reflect that and her voice changed as she got older. I enjoyed reading how things changed as she grew up, moved away from the area she spent her childhood in, made friends and navigated high school with all the mean girls and hot boys that came with it.
The chapter on her starting her period was great because it had such a childish mindset to it that it was really believable that it was the first time she started.
The only thing I wasn’t too keen on was the continuous reference to the fact she has big boobs. As soon as she developed that’s all she mentioned even so that when she went to her old friend’s quincenera it was mentioned how the dad stared at her chest? Not needed really.
However, it was an enjoyable book, it had the naivety of a coming of age story, the humour of discovering that and I like the friendships in the book too, they all felt really natural.
3/5 stars.
This book follows Elizabeth Bauer as she grows up in the 90s, with each chapter telling us the month and the year that each event is happening. This made it incredibly easy to read and I flew through it!
Considering Elizabeth is a teenager, the writing did reflect that and her voice changed as she got older. I enjoyed reading how things changed as she grew up, moved away from the area she spent her childhood in, made friends and navigated high school with all the mean girls and hot boys that came with it.
The chapter on her starting her period was great because it had such a childish mindset to it that it was really believable that it was the first time she started.
The only thing I wasn’t too keen on was the continuous reference to the fact she has big boobs. As soon as she developed that’s all she mentioned even so that when she went to her old friend’s quincenera it was mentioned how the dad stared at her chest? Not needed really.
However, it was an enjoyable book, it had the naivety of a coming of age story, the humour of discovering that and I like the friendships in the book too, they all felt really natural.
3/5 stars.
Green Arrow, Vol. 6: Trial of Two Cities by Benjamin Percy
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Green Arrow, Vol. 5: Hard Travelin' Hero by Benjamin Percy
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sins of the Mother by Anna Rigg
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Firstly, thank you to the author Anna Rigg for letting me read this review copy through Voracious Readers.
I will admit this book took me a while to get into, and I kept putting it down to do other things but I always give a book 100 pages and it definitely picked up and I ended up enjoying the story. There is such a mix of characters and personalities that I kept reading.
We meet Charles Barber, Penelope, her sister and her Aunt and the story follows Charles and Penelope’s marriage, their children and the dramatic events that surround them due to the actions of Charles’ brother Will.
Some of the scenes were that well written they were quite difficult to read, so be aware that there are trigger warnings for rape, amongst other things.
All the characters are great but I HATED Mary. I don’t usually hate characters but in this case I really did. She’s a bitch. Her attitude stinks and I just didn’t want to read anymore about her.
The story is great, and the time passes quickly in the book because it’s not marked, you just read on and time has passed. This made it quite an easy read as it all flowed.
I did enjoy the story come the end, and I’d be interested to see where the families story goes as the series moves on.
3.5/5 stars.
I would have rated it higher but it had a really slow start.
I will admit this book took me a while to get into, and I kept putting it down to do other things but I always give a book 100 pages and it definitely picked up and I ended up enjoying the story. There is such a mix of characters and personalities that I kept reading.
We meet Charles Barber, Penelope, her sister and her Aunt and the story follows Charles and Penelope’s marriage, their children and the dramatic events that surround them due to the actions of Charles’ brother Will.
Some of the scenes were that well written they were quite difficult to read, so be aware that there are trigger warnings for rape, amongst other things.
All the characters are great but I HATED Mary. I don’t usually hate characters but in this case I really did. She’s a bitch. Her attitude stinks and I just didn’t want to read anymore about her.
The story is great, and the time passes quickly in the book because it’s not marked, you just read on and time has passed. This made it quite an easy read as it all flowed.
I did enjoy the story come the end, and I’d be interested to see where the families story goes as the series moves on.
3.5/5 stars.
I would have rated it higher but it had a really slow start.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Child death