melc's reviews
1191 reviews

In the Fifth at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

The Small Museum: A Chilling Historical Mystery Set Against the Gothic Backdrop of Victorian London by Jody Cooksley

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Dull
Girls by Kirsty Capes

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
I started off really engaged with this book. There's no doubt, Capes can write about relationships and mental health really well. But I began to lose interest as the book went on and took me in directions I wasn't so invested in. There were aspects of the dialogue that I started to find jarring and not authentic. Also, the storyline began to feel less and less individual and creative and just a bit clichéd. Think this is a long book which could do with some heavier editing to have really succeeded. DNFd at 43%.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI by Madhumita Murgia

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dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Earth by John Boyne

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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 am really enjoying John Boyne's Elements series. Brilliantly crafted characters and thought provoking themes. Earth examines agency, belonging and ownership. Set in the world of professional football this has a lot to say about abuse and entitlement within this world. But it was also reflecting on homosexuality, trust, identity and finding your place in a world where people expect something different from who you are. Finally, there are deeper themes reflecting colonialism and the relationship between Ireland and England. These are intelligent, compelling brilliantly crafted books and I look forward to the Fire edition.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
House of Shades by Lianne Dillsworth

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adventurous informative mysterious medium-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

2.5

This is a book with potential where the author strives to create an atmospheric, gothic novel exploring slavery and atonement. There are twists and turns and much to pull you in. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel ultimately this novel pulled off what it was trying to do. It lacked nuance and intricacy in it's storytelling and just became a little dull. 
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Overwritten - too much angst in the prose. Way to intense to feel like I'll be able to settle into.
Losing Eden: Why Our Minds Need the Wild by Lucy Jones

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

James by Percival Everett

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
I'm afraid this book led me into a bit of a reading slump and I had to dnf at 50%. I don't really know what all the hype is about this book. I enjoyed The Trees and felt it was innovative and interesting. However, this just felt superficial and lacked depth for me. I felt the insights into the lives of the slaves were a bit trite and not really nuanced or inventive. The prose style was too simplistic and read like a children's book which I know is what this book is based on but it's surely for an adult audience - so write for adults! 
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong

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emotional informative mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5