Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly YA Fantasy, 2019 by Scholastic, 352 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Slow start. It felt like it was trying too hard to rely on the story we know and give this character a similar character ARC. Rushed ending. After a slow build up and slow start, I wanted to revel in... Continue Reading →
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs A Mystery/Thriller, 1997 by Scribner, 532 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Slow start. You spend a lot of time building background in this one, which makes sense since it’s the first to introduce us to Temperance Brennan. But that makes for a slow start. I say this every time I... Continue Reading →
The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris MG Fantasy, 2017 by Little Brown, 224 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Be prepared for conversations with middle grade readers about breaking the law/rules with good faith being different than breaking them in bad faith. Mildly predictable, although that’s common in middle grade stories. The audiobook has music... Continue Reading →
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris A Paranormal, 2002 by Publisher, 291 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Bury your gays much? Actually, this is probably only one of MANY tropes featured in the two books of the series I’ve read. If you have tropes that you personally cannot stand, this might be a series... Continue Reading →
The Trespasser by Tana French A Mystery/Thriller, 2016 by Penguin Books, 469 Pages What I Didn’t Like: There are a few guesses the detectives make that come too close to the real thing to feel realistic, if that makes sense. The “everyone is out to get me” attitude from Conway annoyed me just as much... Continue Reading →
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing A Mystery/Thriller, 2019 by Berkley, 390 Pages What I Didn’t Like: This is a dark book: death, implied torture, and overall bad people. Consider it a content warning if you need it. Not a likable character in the cast. This can be a problem for some readers so if... Continue Reading →
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown A Mystery/Thriller, 1998 by St Martin’s Press, 510 Page What I Didn’t Like: Some of the twists in the story felt cliche and stretched too thin. I wanted more from the big reveals, honestly. I didn’t feel overly connected to any character. You spend a little time with a lot... Continue Reading →
Reprieve by James Han Mattson A Horror, 2021 by William Morrow, 406 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Come for the horror and you’ll find the pacing too slow. Is this horrific and thrilling? Yes! But it’s also taking you on a journey. It takes time. None of the characters are explored in depth. That is... Continue Reading →
The Selection by Kiera Cass YA Fantasy, 2012 by Harper Collins, 336 Pages What I Didn’t Like: We’ve definitely heard a version of this before. It’s like all the build up for Hunger Games but that IS the game. I didn’t love the repetition. I wanted more originality. I didn’t love Aspen. This is a... Continue Reading →
The Red Book by James Patterson A Mystery/Thriller, 2021 by Little Brown, 400 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Some of the chapters were cut in weird spots. Once it literally cut mid conversation. This is a habit of Patterson’s lately so I’m on the lookout for it when I pick up one of his books.... Continue Reading →
