davinareads's reviews
772 reviews
Animal Farm by George Orwell
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is a striking and concise allegory that explores the complexities of power and knowledge through the lens of a group of farm animals seeking to improve their lives. This unexpected yet engaging narrative takes readers on a thought-provoking journey into a world where animals overthrow their human oppressors, only to discover that education becomes the defining factor in their new hierarchy.
Orwell's storytelling is deceptively simple, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. He skillfully conveys the central theme of how education, particularly the ability to read, think critically, and plot, distinguishes leaders from followers among the animals. This division of knowledge and its impact on the lives of the characters is a thought-provoking commentary on equality and power dynamics.
The book's strength lies in its ability to spark meaningful discussions about the transformative potential of knowledge and the consequences of its application. The events in the story are presented in a straightforward and digestible manner, allowing readers to grasp the underlying themes with ease.
While "Animal Farm" may not be hailed as the best read in the world, it remains an intriguing and valuable short story. George Orwell's narrative, though simple, manages to resonate on a profound level by raising questions about the influence of education and the dynamics of leadership. This classic work continues to be a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, cleverly disguised within a tale of farm animals.
Orwell's storytelling is deceptively simple, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. He skillfully conveys the central theme of how education, particularly the ability to read, think critically, and plot, distinguishes leaders from followers among the animals. This division of knowledge and its impact on the lives of the characters is a thought-provoking commentary on equality and power dynamics.
The book's strength lies in its ability to spark meaningful discussions about the transformative potential of knowledge and the consequences of its application. The events in the story are presented in a straightforward and digestible manner, allowing readers to grasp the underlying themes with ease.
While "Animal Farm" may not be hailed as the best read in the world, it remains an intriguing and valuable short story. George Orwell's narrative, though simple, manages to resonate on a profound level by raising questions about the influence of education and the dynamics of leadership. This classic work continues to be a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, cleverly disguised within a tale of farm animals.
The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" by C.L. Miller begins with a very strong start, immersing the reader in a captivating London atmosphere that promises an exciting murder mystery. The setting is one of the book's highlights, providing that enjoyable London vibe that draws you in. The concept and potential of the story are also commendable, suggesting a great idea at the core.
However, the book falls short in several aspects. One of the main drawbacks is the writing quality, which often feels repetitive and disjointed, with sentences that don't flow well and occasional contradictions. This significantly impacts the overall reading experience, and it's surprising to encounter multiple sentence errors in an advanced reader's copy.
Additionally, the pacing of the story feels stagnant, as the narrative fails to progress adequately, leaving the reader wanting more in terms of plot development. The inclusion of Freya's backstory, while a promising idea, appears haphazardly inserted and distracts from the main storyline.
The use of fortune cookie sayings at the beginning of each chapter, particularly towards the end of the book, feels weak and doesn't add to the narrative. Furthermore, the main characters lacked depth and maturity, making it challenging to connect with or care about their fates.
In summary, "The Antique Hunter's Guide To Murder" shows promise with a captivating start and a great concept, but it's let down by issues in writing quality, pacing, character development, and the integration of certain elements. This murder mystery, in the end, falls short of its potential, resulting in a somewhat weak and disjointed story.
However, the book falls short in several aspects. One of the main drawbacks is the writing quality, which often feels repetitive and disjointed, with sentences that don't flow well and occasional contradictions. This significantly impacts the overall reading experience, and it's surprising to encounter multiple sentence errors in an advanced reader's copy.
Additionally, the pacing of the story feels stagnant, as the narrative fails to progress adequately, leaving the reader wanting more in terms of plot development. The inclusion of Freya's backstory, while a promising idea, appears haphazardly inserted and distracts from the main storyline.
The use of fortune cookie sayings at the beginning of each chapter, particularly towards the end of the book, feels weak and doesn't add to the narrative. Furthermore, the main characters lacked depth and maturity, making it challenging to connect with or care about their fates.
In summary, "The Antique Hunter's Guide To Murder" shows promise with a captivating start and a great concept, but it's let down by issues in writing quality, pacing, character development, and the integration of certain elements. This murder mystery, in the end, falls short of its potential, resulting in a somewhat weak and disjointed story.
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
"River Sing Me Home" is a highly emotional and poignant journey through history, where we accompany Rachel on her escape from slavery and her quest to reunite with her scattered children in the Caribbean. The depiction of the physical and emotional hardships endured by slaves is both heart-wrenching and almost unfathomable, serving as a stark reminder of a dark chapter in history.
The story of Rachel and her children is undoubtedly the highlight of this book. Their narratives are masterfully crafted, demonstrating a significant amount of effort and dedication by the author to bring their stories to life. The emotional depth and connection between the characters are truly moving, evoking tears at various points in the narrative.
However, the novel falls short in terms of pacing and consistency in the writing. There are moments where the narrative seems to lose its flow, and the writing, although powerful, lacks the consistency that would have made it an even more captivating read. This inconsistency can sometimes detract from the overall experience.
In conclusion, "River Sing Me Home" is a deeply emotional and well-crafted exploration of a painful period in history, with a powerful focus on the characters of Rachel and her children. While it is a moving and impactful read, the uneven pacing and occasional inconsistencies in the writing may leave readers longing for a more polished narrative.
The story of Rachel and her children is undoubtedly the highlight of this book. Their narratives are masterfully crafted, demonstrating a significant amount of effort and dedication by the author to bring their stories to life. The emotional depth and connection between the characters are truly moving, evoking tears at various points in the narrative.
However, the novel falls short in terms of pacing and consistency in the writing. There are moments where the narrative seems to lose its flow, and the writing, although powerful, lacks the consistency that would have made it an even more captivating read. This inconsistency can sometimes detract from the overall experience.
In conclusion, "River Sing Me Home" is a deeply emotional and well-crafted exploration of a painful period in history, with a powerful focus on the characters of Rachel and her children. While it is a moving and impactful read, the uneven pacing and occasional inconsistencies in the writing may leave readers longing for a more polished narrative.
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"The Storm We Made" by Vanessa Chan is an emotional and well-written historical fiction set in Malaysia during the Japanese occupation, offering a unique perspective on the takeover of a British-dominated country.
This unforgettable narrative weaves a gripping tale with compelling characters that will move you to tears. Vanessa's vivid and uncomfortable portrayal of the brutality and unimaginable events showcases her exceptional writing skills. The story's well-paced plot creates a snowball effect, keeping readers engaged throughout.
The novel successfully explores a multitude of themes and viewpoints, blurring the lines between good and bad, challenging our perception of what defines a good person.
Overall, "The Storm We Made" is a wonderful and highly recommended read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking historical fiction experience.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing me with this ARC!
This unforgettable narrative weaves a gripping tale with compelling characters that will move you to tears. Vanessa's vivid and uncomfortable portrayal of the brutality and unimaginable events showcases her exceptional writing skills. The story's well-paced plot creates a snowball effect, keeping readers engaged throughout.
The novel successfully explores a multitude of themes and viewpoints, blurring the lines between good and bad, challenging our perception of what defines a good person.
Overall, "The Storm We Made" is a wonderful and highly recommended read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking historical fiction experience.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing me with this ARC!
Wellness by Nathan Hill
emotional
informative
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I have been loving reflective reads and Wellness did an excellent job in making me think. It was also a beautiful story
Like
- I love Jack and Elizabeth, devouring their story from the start
- The psychology and information on the evolution of emotions and human behavior was interesting to get through and I found myself reflecting on my own actions and thoughts throughout the read
- I throughly enjoyed the random tidbits of human interactions shared
- This is a medium paced book that balanced a reflective story that was fun to read. It was humorous in certain areas and eye watering in others and overall touched on the topics of love, relationships, marriage and how to environment we grow up in can effect tbe person we grow up to be
Dislike
- A few parts felt unnecessarily, making the parts of the story feel dragged out
Like
- I love Jack and Elizabeth, devouring their story from the start
- The psychology and information on the evolution of emotions and human behavior was interesting to get through and I found myself reflecting on my own actions and thoughts throughout the read
- I throughly enjoyed the random tidbits of human interactions shared
- This is a medium paced book that balanced a reflective story that was fun to read. It was humorous in certain areas and eye watering in others and overall touched on the topics of love, relationships, marriage and how to environment we grow up in can effect tbe person we grow up to be
Dislike
- A few parts felt unnecessarily, making the parts of the story feel dragged out
The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fantastic read up until the end. It was a well written murder mystery that got me guessing what truly happened.
I love the twist and turns this book took and was ultimately pleased with the story. We followed Tash - a freelance journalist- take on a job to discover how Sophie died because her mother thinks she was murdered unlike the police who wrote her death as an accident. As the story progresses, we learn Tash is a mother struggling to get her son settled in daycare which lead her to befriending three other mothers along the way who invites her and her son on playdates at their luxurious houses or expensive outings. Consequently enough, these three mothers are tied into the case she is trying to solve and it becomes a dangerous game she is playing.
It was a well paced plot that had me questioning everyones intentions. Suspicious and suspense was created throughout the book and I enjoyed the uncertainty it aroused. I liked Tash as a main character but did question her actions in some areas. The other characters themselves were mysterious in their own ways with more secrets hidden than shared.
I liked how the pieces came together in the end but did notice there were a few loose ends that didn’t feel like it was wrapped up nicely to me. I was expecting one more chapter in the end to really finish it off neatly but was left with the feeling of "that's it?". With this, I think there were some questionable details that should have been addressed to make the story more believable.
Overall, I was absorb in this read and found myself invested. The plot was interesting and unique but I wished the ending could have been a bit better.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing me this ARC.
I love the twist and turns this book took and was ultimately pleased with the story. We followed Tash - a freelance journalist- take on a job to discover how Sophie died because her mother thinks she was murdered unlike the police who wrote her death as an accident. As the story progresses, we learn Tash is a mother struggling to get her son settled in daycare which lead her to befriending three other mothers along the way who invites her and her son on playdates at their luxurious houses or expensive outings. Consequently enough, these three mothers are tied into the case she is trying to solve and it becomes a dangerous game she is playing.
It was a well paced plot that had me questioning everyones intentions. Suspicious and suspense was created throughout the book and I enjoyed the uncertainty it aroused. I liked Tash as a main character but did question her actions in some areas. The other characters themselves were mysterious in their own ways with more secrets hidden than shared.
I liked how the pieces came together in the end but did notice there were a few loose ends that didn’t feel like it was wrapped up nicely to me. I was expecting one more chapter in the end to really finish it off neatly but was left with the feeling of "that's it?". With this, I think there were some questionable details that should have been addressed to make the story more believable.
Overall, I was absorb in this read and found myself invested. The plot was interesting and unique but I wished the ending could have been a bit better.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing me this ARC.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
First 33% of the book had me screaming. Last 66% had me going this is now too much. It is lacking balance.
I absolutely loved this book when I picked it up. We were introduced to some amazing characters with an enemies to lover story ready to bloom. I was giddy with old YA vibes and was so excited to go back into that YA fantasy. The relationship between Paeyden and the prices, especially Kai got me yelling at anyone who would listen. The banter and charm between them were wondeful and perfect. But for once, I do not need more.
As much as I enjoyed Paeyden and Kai's relationship, it was too much. This whole story turned into a Y/N storyline where I felt there was no balance between an actual stronge plot and character dynamics. It had everything you can think of in an enemies to lover story mashed up with the Y/N plot. There was Paeyden being hurt and Kai going "tell me who did it", there was rain and the heated movement, there was a shared bed. Literally every Y/N or tensed relationship plot you can think of is shoved into this one read which caused it to lack any desire to want more character interaction. I wanted a story too.
The story itself is the most basic and predictable YA story line you'll read. There's a bit of Hunger Games mixed in with Brigid Kemmerer's world that I found cool but again, lacking in any creative spin off. There just wasn't a strong enough plot for these characters which made my rating drop. While it's important to have loveable characters which Lauren accomplished, it's equally important to me to have a decent storyline.
Overall, if you're looking for a book that is predominantly character based and specifically filled with the witty back and forth conversations between enemies then give this a read as it succeeded in this area. For me, it was just too much and I found myself craving a story to love as well. However, for a debut read, I think Lauren did an exceptional job in creating easily likable characters and built out their relationship extremely well.
I absolutely loved this book when I picked it up. We were introduced to some amazing characters with an enemies to lover story ready to bloom. I was giddy with old YA vibes and was so excited to go back into that YA fantasy. The relationship between Paeyden and the prices, especially Kai got me yelling at anyone who would listen. The banter and charm between them were wondeful and perfect. But for once, I do not need more.
As much as I enjoyed Paeyden and Kai's relationship, it was too much. This whole story turned into a Y/N storyline where I felt there was no balance between an actual stronge plot and character dynamics. It had everything you can think of in an enemies to lover story mashed up with the Y/N plot. There was Paeyden being hurt and Kai going "tell me who did it", there was rain and the heated movement, there was a shared bed. Literally every Y/N or tensed relationship plot you can think of is shoved into this one read which caused it to lack any desire to want more character interaction. I wanted a story too.
The story itself is the most basic and predictable YA story line you'll read. There's a bit of Hunger Games mixed in with Brigid Kemmerer's world that I found cool but again, lacking in any creative spin off. There just wasn't a strong enough plot for these characters which made my rating drop. While it's important to have loveable characters which Lauren accomplished, it's equally important to me to have a decent storyline.
Overall, if you're looking for a book that is predominantly character based and specifically filled with the witty back and forth conversations between enemies then give this a read as it succeeded in this area. For me, it was just too much and I found myself craving a story to love as well. However, for a debut read, I think Lauren did an exceptional job in creating easily likable characters and built out their relationship extremely well.
The Hike by Drew Magary
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The only way I can describe this read is as a modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland with some deeper meaning buried throughout
Like
- This book is weird. It felt like a wild fevered dream where nothing makes sense but it was good
- The theme is about what a father would do to get back to his family but make it 100 times more insane and unpredictable
- It managed to reach into multiple genres, touching adventure, mystery, humor, horror and had some eye watering moments
- One of my favorite character is a talking CRAB for crying out loud. That's what kind of read it is
- A smart book where all loose ends are tied up. Nothing will make sense until the end where a bit of sense comes back. However, the nonsense part was very enjoyable to get through
- Very creative book and it surprised me in multiple ways
Dislike
- Felt the middle dragging out a bit and why my rating dropped
Like
- This book is weird. It felt like a wild fevered dream where nothing makes sense but it was good
- The theme is about what a father would do to get back to his family but make it 100 times more insane and unpredictable
- It managed to reach into multiple genres, touching adventure, mystery, humor, horror and had some eye watering moments
- One of my favorite character is a talking CRAB for crying out loud. That's what kind of read it is
- A smart book where all loose ends are tied up. Nothing will make sense until the end where a bit of sense comes back. However, the nonsense part was very enjoyable to get through
- Very creative book and it surprised me in multiple ways
Dislike
- Felt the middle dragging out a bit and why my rating dropped
The Jazz Club Spy by Roberta Rich
dark
emotional
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
A really strong start but fell into predictability half way through for this historical ficiton read.
The story started with a brutal scene and I was instantly hooked. It was ugly and raw which gave us the back story to our main character Giddy.
I love Giddy as a character and I think she was well written. She is smart as an individual and has heen forced to grow up too fast at a young age, having witnessed the devastating crime of her village being destroyed, along with the lost of loved ones. However, she still has this innocent in her that made her too trusting to a handsome face that is a constant visitor at the Jazz Club she worked at as a cigarette girl and it leads to a lot of trouble she did not need.
The Jazz Club scenes were excellent and I wanted more. The atmosphere created was wonderful and again, part of the strong start. I felt like all of that disappeared after 25% into the book. Then the story became quite predictable and I wasn’t surprised by any of the following events that took place and a little disappointed by how blinded Giddy was over a handsome stranger's face.
Giddy is a strong, and brave individual who survived through so much to make it to America with her parents that I found it a bit hard that she would fall for someone so quickly. That part didn’t really fit with her character personality to me.
I did enjoy the parts of Giddy being a spy and I love the relationship she has with her ma and little brother. There were many emotional parts with their past history that was excellent to get through.
This being called The Jazz Club spy, I was expecting more spying in the Jazz Club but was disappointed that it wasn’t. The story felt a bit disconnected without real need of the Jazz Club. Giddy could have worked in a restaurant or a clothing store and the story wouldn't have been effected.
The pacing was well done but I felt the writing could have been better. Of course this being an ARC, the writing can change and I am hoping the last few chapters will be revised a little in writing style. The use of common sayings appeared much more frequently and it lowered the quality of writing to me.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read but I felt like there were parts of the story and action that didn’t match with the strong character Giddy is. The writing started out strong as well but again, it tapered off nearing the end. Having read many books over the years, it was a predictable read too so there was nothing surprising to me. However, I will still recommend giving this book a read because it was still interesting and emotional.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for this ARC.
The story started with a brutal scene and I was instantly hooked. It was ugly and raw which gave us the back story to our main character Giddy.
I love Giddy as a character and I think she was well written. She is smart as an individual and has heen forced to grow up too fast at a young age, having witnessed the devastating crime of her village being destroyed, along with the lost of loved ones. However, she still has this innocent in her that made her too trusting to a handsome face that is a constant visitor at the Jazz Club she worked at as a cigarette girl and it leads to a lot of trouble she did not need.
The Jazz Club scenes were excellent and I wanted more. The atmosphere created was wonderful and again, part of the strong start. I felt like all of that disappeared after 25% into the book. Then the story became quite predictable and I wasn’t surprised by any of the following events that took place and a little disappointed by how blinded Giddy was over a handsome stranger's face.
Giddy is a strong, and brave individual who survived through so much to make it to America with her parents that I found it a bit hard that she would fall for someone so quickly. That part didn’t really fit with her character personality to me.
I did enjoy the parts of Giddy being a spy and I love the relationship she has with her ma and little brother. There were many emotional parts with their past history that was excellent to get through.
This being called The Jazz Club spy, I was expecting more spying in the Jazz Club but was disappointed that it wasn’t. The story felt a bit disconnected without real need of the Jazz Club. Giddy could have worked in a restaurant or a clothing store and the story wouldn't have been effected.
The pacing was well done but I felt the writing could have been better. Of course this being an ARC, the writing can change and I am hoping the last few chapters will be revised a little in writing style. The use of common sayings appeared much more frequently and it lowered the quality of writing to me.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read but I felt like there were parts of the story and action that didn’t match with the strong character Giddy is. The writing started out strong as well but again, it tapered off nearing the end. Having read many books over the years, it was a predictable read too so there was nothing surprising to me. However, I will still recommend giving this book a read because it was still interesting and emotional.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for this ARC.
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.0
What a concept and the most unique idea I've read in a while. Definitely worth checking out
Like
- The idea of having a secret school dedicated to educating individuals in committing and getting away with a successful murder is everything
- Very unique voice used. It was funny and unexpected. I loved the entire concept shared and the terrifying thought that went into this book scares me
- The characters themselves with their own goal in murdering their employeer was very fun to read. It was so in depth and so detailed that again, it scares me the thought that went into this book. A very well written read
- I think I have a horribly better idea... if I ever need to commit a crime (WHICH I WILL NOT) on how to do it 💀
- Amazing and interesting read I would recommend to everyone
Dislike
- A lot of characters introduced with not so easy names to pronounce in my head
- Very detailed read so you'll have to pay attention to what you're reading to understand what is happening. The voice used may take some time in getting used to
Like
- The idea of having a secret school dedicated to educating individuals in committing and getting away with a successful murder is everything
- Very unique voice used. It was funny and unexpected. I loved the entire concept shared and the terrifying thought that went into this book scares me
- The characters themselves with their own goal in murdering their employeer was very fun to read. It was so in depth and so detailed that again, it scares me the thought that went into this book. A very well written read
- I think I have a horribly better idea... if I ever need to commit a crime (WHICH I WILL NOT) on how to do it 💀
- Amazing and interesting read I would recommend to everyone
Dislike
- A lot of characters introduced with not so easy names to pronounce in my head
- Very detailed read so you'll have to pay attention to what you're reading to understand what is happening. The voice used may take some time in getting used to