kellylam's reviews
387 reviews

Looking Glass by Christina Henry

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Saltblood by Francesca De Tores

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

 This is a fictional account of Mary Read and her adventurous life, told from her own perspective. Mary leads a fascinating life, from the moment she’s born and must assume the identity of her deceased brother Mark, to her time as a female pirate and the trials and tribulations she faces in between. This is not only a story about adventure but of self discovery and resilience.

I absolutely loved this! The writing is beautifully poetic and the story is paced just right so that it keeps you captivated to the end. Marys character is so well developed and believable, I really wanted to just read this in one sitting. Best book I’ve read this year so far.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the pleasure of reading this ARC
Rose Madder by Stephen King

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense 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? No

4.0

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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

4.0

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

A Class Act: Life as a working-class man in a middle-class world by Rob Beckett

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

The Girl in the Eagle's Talons by Karin Smirnoff

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dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, although Lisbeth (and Mikael) have lost some of their original depth since they were first created, no surprise since this is the 3rd author to add to the series. The storyline and the way that everything comes together is clever and enjoyable, the book is dark but not too graphic and I think the author has a done a great job of creating new characters who I’m hoping we’ll meet again. I’m really happy I had a chance to read this, thank you to NetGalley and the Author/Publisher
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I tried so hard to love this book, the writing itself is so lyrical and enchanting, but unfortunately I just found the story lacking so much. I really struggled to get through this one, I feel like a good 70% was just boring and nothing really happens. I enjoyed the character building and the relationship between Preston and Effy but that dragged on far longer than it needed to. 

Thank you so much to the author and to NetGalley for the ARC.
Troy by Stephen Fry

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informative medium-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

Epic of Helinthia by M.J. Pankey

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Perfect for fans of fantasy and mythology, this story is unique and new, as the author has created her own world and characters rather than this being a retelling of an old tale. 

I struggled to get into the story at first, I did have to pick it up a few times to really get going but in the end it was an interesting story and had a sense of mystery that kept me going. At the very end especially I struggled to put it down! I enjoyed that it was told from different characters viewpoints.
I really hope there will be a sequel, it seems like the author has left it open for one. In the mean time, I can’t wait for publication so that I can add a physical copy to my mythology collection! 
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.