melc's reviews
1190 reviews

We Are All Birds of Uganda by Hafsa Zayyan

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

3.0

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

This was clever, full of atmosphere and spooky vibes. 

It's a slow burn, but it has depth. The commentary about the end of the feudal system and the rise of socialism was expertly woven into the plot.

The lonely doctor protagonist reminded me of Stevens in The Remains of the Day.

I also really enjoyed the Warwickshire setting as it's my home county and was full of familiar place references.
Playing Games by Huma Qureshi

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reflective 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? Yes

2.5

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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

5.0

A Dangerous Inheritance: A Novel of Tudor Rivals and the Secret of the Tower by Alison Weir

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emotional informative mysterious sad slow-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

4.5

The Incarnations by Susan Barker

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.0

The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier

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adventurous informative 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? It's complicated

3.5

This was clever and had great parallels drawn to Christ's sacrifice, sin and the occupation of France in WWII. But I found the plot was a bit like wading through treacle. Plus I watched a film adaptation of this earlier in the year and it had a completely different ending which was much more climactic. So that threw me a bit.
The Fell by Sarah Moss

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emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

4.0

Where I End by Sophie White

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

4.5

Where I End is a beautifully written literary horror following the life of Aoileann, a young girl and her lonely life on an Irish island.   This accomplished novel explored issues surrounding motherhood and caregiving and what happens when you diminish in the giving of yourself.   The narrative voice of Aoileann is horrifyingly creepy and reminds me of Merricat in We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Both characters yearn for love and faced abusive, lonely childhoods. However, without the sister bond Merricat had, Aoileann's destruction of her family has a darker ending.  This was a thought provoking own voices novel but trigger warnings for those who are carers or have suffered from post partum depression.  This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.