claire_reardon's reviews
110 reviews

The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Melanie has my whole entire heart. Loved how everything wrapped up for each character. If you liked The Last Of Us, you’d probably like this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Animal death, Abortion, and Alcohol

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

lighthearted medium-paced

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

1.0

There’s an alpaca named Harry Styles. There’s a chicken named Lizzo. I am in so much physical pain from this book.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

✨why you so obsessed with me✨

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes

funny mysterious 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

1.0

I’M FREE!!! This book had way too many words. It was the longest 12 hours of my life. I wish that every character died. It started off so promising but quickly became very unorganized and boring. Honestly it could’ve been cut in half. 

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

My third book by Riley Sager and my third time debating my own logic against the paranormal and true crime. Super satisfying ending, especially for Rufus. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Silly and hilarious. Perfect for us crazy cat parents who choose to believe that our cats are actually sentient masterminds. 

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Holy shit. Holy. Shit. Holy shit???????????

Now THAT’S how you do a cliffhanger. Holy shit. 

Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Delilah Green doesn’t care and I don’t care about Delilah Green. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

It took me 107 years to finish this but I’m so happy I did. It’s giving Harry Potter meets ACOTAR meets CC meets TOG.

Also would sacrifice my life for Andarna any day.