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laurenleigh's reviews
623 reviews
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A thriller can be such a fun palette cleanser! Even if they are often pretty damn dark and creepy, the fast-paced drama is fun. This was maybe a 3.5 star for most of the book, but then the plot twist I totally didn’t see coming, so extra points for that! All of our characters are morally grey (or just plain bad), but I think that’s pretty common for the genre. Slightly open ended, so fair warning if that’s a huge turn off for you.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
I think I would have ate this up like 15 years ago. I didn’t dislike it by any means, but it felt too YA for me to connect to. The main character was bordering on “not like other girls,” le sigh. I liked the four brothers though; those characters engaged me. Even if the narrator gave them corny Texan accents. Certain plot points felt predictable, and I also was a bit let down with the ending. I know she wanted to set up for the series to continue, but I was hoping for more resolution.
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn’t love the first book in this series, Caraval, but idk I’m guess I’m determined to read this trilogy first before starting OUABH. I actually enjoyed this one more than Caraval though! It’s told through a different sister’s POV, and I liked that better. I still get annoyed when these characters refuse to discuss things with each other, but I understand that’s necessary for the mysterious plot to progress as it does. Despite some frustration, I keep reading just because I have to know what happens in the end!
Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really liked the premise of a magical system in Victorian England, focusing on power structures and characters who are discounted by those in power for being women or mixed race. Unfortunately it didn’t quite click for me. I’m chalking it up to bad timing, because I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing for me. Perhaps I was expecting some more spooky elements since it’s Victorian. Idk, sadly a lot of my reading has been mid lately.
One Life by Emma Brockes, Megan Rapinoe
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I wouldn’t typically pick up a sports memoir, but one of my reading challenges suggested reading about a Olympian. That’s why I do these challenges, because I ended up really enjoying this! The parts where Rapinoe discusses glaring inequality between the men’s and women’s teams were frustrating but illuminating. I think what I liked most was reading someone’s perspective that is so unlike my own. She’s not one to overthink things or second guess herself. It’s refreshing to spend sometime in someone else’s brain like that!
Looking for Alaska by John Green
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sometimes you want to escape adulthood and pretend you’re the intended YA audience for a little bit. This did have some of John Green’s magic, with quirky characters, literary references, and surprisingly heavy topics for teenagers. I like how Green doesn’t talk down to his audience or try and shelter them too much from reality. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of patience for manic pixie dream girls anymore, and our main character’s obsession with her was rather tiresome.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
adventurous
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? No
2.5
Read for a “set in a landlocked country” challenge prompt, since this is primarily in Vatican City. I remember tearing through this and Da Vinci Code in like 2012, thinking they were SO cool. Sadly this didn’t hold up for me at all. I do blame the narrator for making things sound so cheesy and over dramatic, but I think the material itself is too. The immediate and ever present sexualization of basically the only female character left me rolling my eyes. Everything just felt way less believable than I remember it.
The Love Penalty by Stef C.R.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Right book, right time! I was having a rough week when I started this book, and it was such a much needed brain break. I knew truly nothing about hockey and this did a good job of giving me enough information about the sport to follow along, without turning into a hockey manual. The characters felt real and not canned. I also loved their family and friend groups, which always helps add depth to a romance. All around a great fun, quick read!
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Really well done, even if it was extremely sad and not what I was in the mood to read. Zauner is so multi-talented, in both writing and music (Japanese Breakfast is her band), so I’m totally impressed by her. As the cover suggests, food plays a huge role in this memoir and in Zauner’s journey, and that writing was some of my favorites. I hope this process was cathartic for her. If reading about cancer treatment or losing a parent is going to be too sensitive for you, save this read for later.
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I love a haunted house story, and I thought the setting (1823 Mexico, just after their war of independence) was great, but overall this didn’t do it for me. There was little to no character development, so I was left not really caring what happened to anyone. There were good spooky plot points, but they just didn’t hit as hard. I keep reading books that I’m not truly in the mood for, and that’s part of my struggle. I don’t think it was a bad book, just wasn’t the right time for me.