bfrance99's reviews
255 reviews

Wild by Kristin Hannah

emotional mysterious 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

2.5

This book was an easy read, but with an unforgettable plot. It’s already slipping away from me now. It was quite predictable and the characters didn’t feel fully developed. I didn’t gel with any of the romance, and wasn’t really satisfied with the ending/explanation. That being said, I did nearly cry at points, but I think Kristin Hannah is great at conveying emotion, even when the characters don’t strike a chord. 

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

I couldn’t get into this at all. It’s all well and good writing a book with big ideas and commentary on climate change, and if I wanted to read a bunch of different essays and snippets of thoughts about it, I’d recommend this book. But I wanted to read more about the actual plot, with Frank and Mary! The characters had potential, but with the inconsistent and broken up writing, it felt impossible to be immersed in that world. I couldn’t stomach another 400 pages of it all. 

Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

I love a good historical fiction book, and this one ticked all of the boxes. I’m not super familiar with the Georgian time period, but I truly felt transported back in time. There were a lot of underlying feminist themes throughout, and I enjoyed the two different narratives of the main characters (plus Pamela). I was hooked throughout, and felt satisfied with the ending (can’t be said for many similar books!). Despite the length, it never felt as though it dragged, and I had no clue what the ending was going to be. 

Holly by Stephen King

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Another great Stephen King novel, with a very dark theme. I really like Holly as a character, and Jerome and Barbara too. Reading them unravelling this horrible mystery was fascinating, and the narrator of the audiobook was great. It was a bit preachy at times (and this is coming from a liberal person), but it was interesting to see how someone’s view of COVID influenced how I considered their character.  I don’t know if there’ll be another book with Holly, but if there is, I’d definitely want to read it. 

Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis

adventurous emotional tense 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

5.0

I loved this book a lot - it really lived up to its hype. The characters are well written and varied, and the friendships and relationships blossom throughout. I wasn’t a great fan of the romance storyline at the start and in the middle, but even that grew on me. It was quite fast paced, and I didn’t see the twist at the end coming. It’s set up perfectly for another book, and I will be keeping an eye out for it. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

The good points: the writing is quite witty in places, although challenging at times, and there are a lot of iconic quotes that really make you think. The plot itself is also engaging, and the ending was satisfying. Dorian’s character was annoying but I also appreciated the growth (or rather, the lack of) throughout the novel. The bad points: Lord Henry was the most insufferable, vile character that I’ve come across, and I genuinely hated everything that he said. I also solely blame him for Dorian’s corruption. The writing was very pretentious and cynical at times, especially with Henry’s dialogue. I understand that it was written in the 1800s, but the blatant hatred for women throughout has knocked a star off for me; it was so unnecessary.

The Defence by Steve Cavanagh

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is a good thriller book, but just… not for me. I’m not really into books about the mafia, and that’s all this was. I also didn’t care much for the main character - one moment he was reformed and suave, the next moment he was a back-stabbing conman. It was very fast-paced, with the events taking place over 24 hours or so. It all seemed a bit unrealistic, but I would still be tempted to read another Flynn book, especially the later ones which seem more popular. 

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I had no expectations going into this book, and that made it all the better to read. I love morally grey characters, and Sylvia is no exception - she’s not the heroine but she’s not the villain, she’s just human and that’s all she wants to be. Arin is the perfect enemy, and I loved reading how their relationship changed. The friendship with Sefa and Marek was great as well. There were some points that felt a bit disjointed, and I wish the trials were earlier on in the book, but I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. 

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

dark 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

3.0

I listened to this book as an audiobook, and I don’t know whether that has impacted how I feel about it, but I just don’t think that this book was for me. The writing was okay, the plot was kind of interesting and the characters were… honestly, mostly annoying. I could see where it was going, but I didn’t really like it. I wanted to like it, but I don’t think I’ll continue with the rest of the series. Also, the man who read the audiobook did one of the characters in a really weird voice which was super distracting. 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

dark tense slow-paced

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

4.5

This book was not what I was expecting, but the writing is undeniably beautiful and thematic, the characters as wild as the moors and the plot taking unpredictable turns at points. My only criticisms lie in my difficulty understanding some character motivations:

Spoiler

why did Isabelle marry Heathcliff (and vice versa), why did Heathcliff leave for three years (and come back)

and the most important of all: why does love engender so much hatred? I also wanted to see more of Catherine and Heathcliff together, and I probably could have done without Lockwood’s introduction at the start, since it spoiled what characters died. A great classic that is a must-read!