shadymist's reviews
92 reviews

Wartime with the Tram Girls by Lynn Johnson

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Loved this! Read this before back in 2021. Re-read in 2025!

Connie starts as a well reformed young lady fighting for women’s rights back in WW1. She gets into trouble and her wedding day ends in disaster after her husband to be discovers her indiscretions. She decides to get a job as a clippie on the trams. It’s a must read. 




Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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

A wonderful Chinese mythology story that leaves you hooked. The book was fun to read, the characters were enjoyable and it was a visually appealing tale to embark on. I loved daughter of the moon goddess (Sue Lynn Tans first novel.) I want to continue reading more on the Celestial Kingdom.

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Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki

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adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.0


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The Gilded Crown by Marianne Gordon

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

3.0

The book starts off as a promising start but 1/3 in started becoming difficult to keep the attention. It seemed to focus on insignificant details rather than giving the characters more chance to explore themselves and their own experiences. 

The ending does show promise and I hope book 2 continues with the characters depth and character. 
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden

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funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

A fun read to start 2025. A good start for hopefully a good year.

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The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? N/A

5.0

I wish I could give this book a higher score on StoryGraph and it’s been a real pleasure to have shared with Sanaka’s fabulous creativity. Her words were not only wonderful to read to envision and feel like you are embarking on the journey with the characters. 

Three separate stories that share the same value and a pov from them all. Their memories and personalities that shaped and moulded them into the people they were before they deceased. The book retells of a live after death but before you encounter your destiny. Before heaven, hell or reincarnation. It’s the place to watch your cinematic records shortened by 1 memory for each year you were alive. Truly a masterpiece and I would love to read more from Sanaka Hiiragi.

A perfect finish for 2024 for me. Happy new year to all whom read this :)

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Oliver twist by Charles Dickens

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dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

3.0


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Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

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

2.5

Honestly I thought there were parts that were entertaining and lovable but most of it was all waffle. I didn’t find much character development other than Minjun. I think it would have been better if there was more of a plot and more character depth.
Fate Be Changed by Farrah Rochon

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adventurous lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.75

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.25