lklitup's reviews
309 reviews

Until August: A novel by Gabriel García Márquez

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emotional reflective 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

I love his writing— so engrossing and sensory
Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott

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adventurous emotional funny 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

4.5

A romping good time of a story even 100 years later. I admired Pat throughout and wish her nothing but Scotch, contentment, and adventures. I saw another review mention Sex and the City but in the 1920s and fully understand and agree with the comparison. 
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk

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dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sad vampire vibes
The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw, Richard Kadrey

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adventurous funny tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

I LOOOVED this book. Definitely gore-horror/sci-fi but with a hodge-podge cast of characters I simultaneously loathed and rooted for and laughed with (sometimes at, too). I can’t wait for the second!
The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy

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emotional funny 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

4.0

Enjoyable historical romance with a Palestinian kickass businesswoman from America and a broody nerdy British Duke. Oh, and the castle. 
Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

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emotional funny medium-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? Yes

3.0

Maybe I need to reread Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen to better understand why the hell so many twists and turns needed to be jammed into this novel. I enjoyed the characters for who they were, but I was getting pretty confused at why some plot points were necessary for inclusion. 
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

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

3.0

I’m admittedly so disappointed from this book. Every aspect felt rushed and under-developed. I didn’t have any connections to the characters, and the historical/Perennial timeline was downright hokey. I’m glad others found this genre bending novel enjoyable, because Tia Williams deserves to be read (hence not going lower than 3 stars). But this one was not for me. 
The Blueprint by Rae Giana Rashad

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I desperately need everyone to pick up and read this book. The Blueprint is astounding. This story follows three timelines: one of Henriette’s in 1801, and two of Solenne’s in the “Then” and “Now.”

The Blueprint explores issues about Black womanhood and personhood; the meaning of freedom and independence; and love and power, and their ability to corrupt. Solenne is physically, mentally, and emotionally kept by the most powerful man in the Order, which draws comparisons to Sally Hemings (a Black woman enslaved by Thomas Jefferson and kept as his concubine). Solenne is acutely aware of her station in life and how it affects how she acts/reacts within the world. She’s brilliant.

This novel is beautifully written. It brings out almost every emotion from the characters and from the reader. The Blueprint is the best book I’ve read in recent memory. I will be on the lookout for more from Rae Giana Rashad, a debut (!!!) author. Amazing.
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

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adventurous dark medium-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? Yes

3.5

Creepy story. I enjoyed all of the supernatural elements woven throughout, more so how they were described and built up than the characters themselves (the Aunties and Night Doctors scenes particularly). I was lost at points with the amount of information action being packed into one moment. I’d read more by this author. 
Good Material by Dolly Alderton

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emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The last chapter of this book was especially heart rending. I loved the use of call backs, lists, and texts— I thought all added to the cadence of the story. Andy was self-indulgent and, frankly, pitiful at most times yet I was still hoping for the best for him. My first Dolly Alderton but I’d absolutely read more of her writing!