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booksonawednesday's reviews
385 reviews
Homewrecker by J.M. Dalgliesh, J.M. Dalgliesh
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to bookouture for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy a good psychological thriller, and there were a lot of things I liked about this book. Sophie is a high-flying TV presenter, living with her husband (also in the media) and their two children. Their youngest child has become troublesome and was recently expelled from school, so they need to get some outside help (enter Deanna) to tutor her. Sophie quickly becomes suspicious of Deanna, and sees her getting a bit too close to her husband.
The dual narration (Sophie and Deanna) worked really well, and while the writing was quite slow at the start, it kept me gripped.
The mental health trope in books like this is a difficult line to tread, but I felt it was done quite well. I really felt Sophie’s confusion and paranoia throughout.
I wasn’t surprised at the twist at the end, as I did partially guess it. The ending wasn’t quite as satisfying as it could be, and there were a few plot inconsistencies. Overall, it’s a solid thriller and worth the read!
I really enjoy a good psychological thriller, and there were a lot of things I liked about this book. Sophie is a high-flying TV presenter, living with her husband (also in the media) and their two children. Their youngest child has become troublesome and was recently expelled from school, so they need to get some outside help (enter Deanna) to tutor her. Sophie quickly becomes suspicious of Deanna, and sees her getting a bit too close to her husband.
The dual narration (Sophie and Deanna) worked really well, and while the writing was quite slow at the start, it kept me gripped.
The mental health trope in books like this is a difficult line to tread, but I felt it was done quite well. I really felt Sophie’s confusion and paranoia throughout.
I wasn’t surprised at the twist at the end, as I did partially guess it. The ending wasn’t quite as satisfying as it could be, and there were a few plot inconsistencies. Overall, it’s a solid thriller and worth the read!
Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I was really impressed with how Yuval Noah Harari explained complex topics in such an easily digestible way.
The rise of AI is an area that is growing, and going to have more of an impact on society in the decades to come. The author talks about things that had never even occurred to me - like the impact of AI on totalitarian states. There were certain parts of this book that will stick with me for a long time, such as the paperclip thought experiment.
You know that you’re reading a special book when you keep referring to it in small talk with people, and it keeps popping up in your head throughout the day.
Unfortunately, I didn’t gel well with the narrator of the audiobook. While it is quite a dry and technical topic in some respects, the narration was a bit too monotonous for me.
I was really impressed with how Yuval Noah Harari explained complex topics in such an easily digestible way.
The rise of AI is an area that is growing, and going to have more of an impact on society in the decades to come. The author talks about things that had never even occurred to me - like the impact of AI on totalitarian states. There were certain parts of this book that will stick with me for a long time, such as the paperclip thought experiment.
You know that you’re reading a special book when you keep referring to it in small talk with people, and it keeps popping up in your head throughout the day.
Unfortunately, I didn’t gel well with the narrator of the audiobook. While it is quite a dry and technical topic in some respects, the narration was a bit too monotonous for me.
Culprits by Gary Phillips, Richard Brewer
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Datura books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The concept of this book immediately drew me in, as it’s so unique: a heist that ends with guns being fired, followed by short stories by different authors from the various perspectives of those involved.
It reminded me a lot of the Netflix show Kaleidoscope, which I really enjoyed. Many of the short stories were self-contained; once you’d read the heist, you could read many of the stories in any old order and it would still make sense.
To say that different authors contributed - presumably with different writing styles - it felt really cohesive and well put together. However, the number of characters and the intricacies of the plot (particularly for such a short book) made it quite hard to follow at points. Some stories stuck with me a lot more than others (my personal favourite was that of the Financier’s).
The concept of this book immediately drew me in, as it’s so unique: a heist that ends with guns being fired, followed by short stories by different authors from the various perspectives of those involved.
It reminded me a lot of the Netflix show Kaleidoscope, which I really enjoyed. Many of the short stories were self-contained; once you’d read the heist, you could read many of the stories in any old order and it would still make sense.
To say that different authors contributed - presumably with different writing styles - it felt really cohesive and well put together. However, the number of characters and the intricacies of the plot (particularly for such a short book) made it quite hard to follow at points. Some stories stuck with me a lot more than others (my personal favourite was that of the Financier’s).
Ashes To Admin: Tales from the Caseload of a Council Funeral Officer by Evie King
informative
lighthearted
4.0
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was original, quirky and yet highly relatable.
Our nameless protagonist lives a privileged life: she’s young, blonde, thin and living comfortably off her parent’s inheritance. Yet her main aspiration is sleep. She wants to spend the majority of her time sleeping to wake up in a renewed and refreshed life.
Our main character is fundamentally unlikeable, but her existential experiences make her very relatable for someone who is also in her 20s (and questioning life too). Her best friend, Reva, is painfully desperate and her psychiatrist can only be described as deranged; they both made interesting recurring characters.
If you’re in the mood for a slow-paced book with dark humour and a slightly unhinged, drug-hazed tone, this is the one for you.
Our nameless protagonist lives a privileged life: she’s young, blonde, thin and living comfortably off her parent’s inheritance. Yet her main aspiration is sleep. She wants to spend the majority of her time sleeping to wake up in a renewed and refreshed life.
Our main character is fundamentally unlikeable, but her existential experiences make her very relatable for someone who is also in her 20s (and questioning life too). Her best friend, Reva, is painfully desperate and her psychiatrist can only be described as deranged; they both made interesting recurring characters.
If you’re in the mood for a slow-paced book with dark humour and a slightly unhinged, drug-hazed tone, this is the one for you.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A stunning gothic romance and reimagining of Dracula’s bride. I’d heard great things about this book for a while, but I’d been putting it off as I wasn’t sure if sexy, polyamorous vampires were up my street. Turns out, they are!
The writing was just beautiful and I really liked the second person narrative throughout most of the book. Not a lot happens, but the characters are well-written and addictive. It’s a short book, and I could hardly put it down.
The perfect Halloween read! I will definitely be reading more of S T Gibson’s books.
The writing was just beautiful and I really liked the second person narrative throughout most of the book. Not a lot happens, but the characters are well-written and addictive. It’s a short book, and I could hardly put it down.
The perfect Halloween read! I will definitely be reading more of S T Gibson’s books.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I’m not sure how I can put into words the impact that this book has. While there is a slow start and build up, it set the scene for the evermore devastating events that took place. I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know much about the Syrian war, but the devastation to the country and its people was made clear.
The writing was simplistic yet beautiful, and it made me cry. Several times. The characters were relatable and well-written.
Despite the awful nature of the war and the difficult scenes, I was left with a feeling of hope and inspiration. Salama and Kenan show us that love will always find a way in dark times.
The writing was simplistic yet beautiful, and it made me cry. Several times. The characters were relatable and well-written.
Despite the awful nature of the war and the difficult scenes, I was left with a feeling of hope and inspiration. Salama and Kenan show us that love will always find a way in dark times.
The Folly by Gemma Amor
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A haunting, gothic thriller set on the rugged Cornish coast.
Morgan’s father, Owen, is released from prison having been acquitted for murdering Morgan’s mother. Morgan has always known that he was innocent, and so to escape the ghosts of the past, the two of them decide to leave their family home to become caretakers of an empty property in Cornwall.
Soon after they arrive, they are visited by a mysterious bald-headed man, who is eerily similar to Morgan’s mother.
I thought this novella was well written and chillingly addictive. I read it in one sitting. There were themes of family, mental illness, and regret. I also really enjoy stories where you’re not quite sure if there is an unreliable narrator.
If you’re after a quick read during spooky season, this is for you!
Morgan’s father, Owen, is released from prison having been acquitted for murdering Morgan’s mother. Morgan has always known that he was innocent, and so to escape the ghosts of the past, the two of them decide to leave their family home to become caretakers of an empty property in Cornwall.
Soon after they arrive, they are visited by a mysterious bald-headed man, who is eerily similar to Morgan’s mother.
I thought this novella was well written and chillingly addictive. I read it in one sitting. There were themes of family, mental illness, and regret. I also really enjoy stories where you’re not quite sure if there is an unreliable narrator.
If you’re after a quick read during spooky season, this is for you!
Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures by Stephen Fry
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
After reading (well, listening to) Mythos recently, I knew I needed to read (well, listen to) Stephen Fry’s other books on Greek mythology.
Rather than focusing on the Gods, Fry now looks at the heroes: both demigods and mortals. I already knew most of the stories, but in every character, Fry highlighted something I hadn’t considered or heard before.
Having read a lot of Greek mythology books, one thing I didn’t appreciate was the lack of female perspective. Yes: most of the heroes are male. But there are so many interesting stories with women, and they were mostly glazed over.
I will certainly be reading (well, listening to - Stephen Fry’s narration is fantastic, aside from the odd, randomly chosen Irish accent) the rest of the series.
Rather than focusing on the Gods, Fry now looks at the heroes: both demigods and mortals. I already knew most of the stories, but in every character, Fry highlighted something I hadn’t considered or heard before.
Having read a lot of Greek mythology books, one thing I didn’t appreciate was the lack of female perspective. Yes: most of the heroes are male. But there are so many interesting stories with women, and they were mostly glazed over.
I will certainly be reading (well, listening to - Stephen Fry’s narration is fantastic, aside from the odd, randomly chosen Irish accent) the rest of the series.
The Married Man by K.L Slater
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Liv’s husband, Richard, disappeared under strange circumstances eleven years ago, leaving her with their young son. Yet Liv knows his ‘disappearance’ was part of their plan, and she’s expecting to hear from him very soon.
Liv’s plan starts to fall apart from the seams as her now-teenage son, Maddox, gets into the wrong crowd and she learns that her husband may have started a new life with another woman.
I was really gripped by the first half of the book, and I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. The different POVs and the timelines became a bit much in the latter half, and I lost track.
(As a side note, I’m not sure if there were mistakes in my proof copy, as names were seemingly mixed up throughout the book, i.e. Richard instead of Daniel, Olivia instead of Alicia.)
I didn’t see the twists coming, and I found myself thinking of different theories in between reading sessions (the sign of a good thriller). I enjoyed going back to the perspectives of the police too.
I would have liked to see more character development for Kait and Liv, and a bit more background for Kait as well.
I will be looking out for K. L. Slater’s other books!
Thank you to Bookourture for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Liv’s plan starts to fall apart from the seams as her now-teenage son, Maddox, gets into the wrong crowd and she learns that her husband may have started a new life with another woman.
I was really gripped by the first half of the book, and I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. The different POVs and the timelines became a bit much in the latter half, and I lost track.
(As a side note, I’m not sure if there were mistakes in my proof copy, as names were seemingly mixed up throughout the book, i.e. Richard instead of Daniel, Olivia instead of Alicia.)
I didn’t see the twists coming, and I found myself thinking of different theories in between reading sessions (the sign of a good thriller). I enjoyed going back to the perspectives of the police too.
I would have liked to see more character development for Kait and Liv, and a bit more background for Kait as well.
I will be looking out for K. L. Slater’s other books!
Thank you to Bookourture for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.