egslcgns's reviews
42 reviews

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

As someone who used to do theatre in school, (and someone who gone through uni living on campus), this was really special. You get sucked into the dynamics of this group of theatre kids, with their kinda pretentious Shakespeare quotes which they speak like a second language. I was truly feeling sad when the group (spoiler) eventually falls apart. The central whodunnit was less of a focus than the aftermath of the death itself, and when there was a development in the former I kinda forgot it existed lol. Would rank this above Bunny in the list of dark academia "classics".

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.0

Ashley Poston is queen of writing lovable characters and intertwining romance with grief. Her books are a warm hug. I was constantly comparing this to Beach Read (which also had a writers block protagonist) during my reading but as the book ended it’s safe to say that they both stand out in their own right! Wouldn’t usuallt reach out for magical (supernatural in this case) romances but this one was thoroughly enjoyable. I, too, find it hard to deal with grief but I think this book made it much easier to think about it.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

adventurous emotional reflective 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

Some books are a joy through and through, and tomorrowx3 is one of them! As a gamer myself I appreciated how video games were integrated into the lives of the protagonists. There is also depth in the characters’ dialogues and interactions that I wouldn’t have caught in the first read, and that makes me want to revisit this book again in the future. THE book for people who grew up in the early 2000s - nostalgic for the world then.

None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Cerebral, intense, satisfying the Mindhunter fan in me. Simon was a captivating serial killer and I found myself rooting hard for the Emma/Bell duo. A page turner, keeps you reading every step of the way.

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

emotional funny medium-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

3.75

Fox and Hannah are definitely the fan favourites. Great character chemistry. Last third had lots of miscommunication tropes so skip it if you don’t like that, but aren’t we all miscommunicating people in some way or another? :”) Sweet couple, spicy book

Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter

mysterious 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

3.75

Really cool writing format, where you’re reading a call sheet and mixed media. It was what drew me to the book and kept me reading till the finale.

I did think the whole bit about the conman was kind of a waste of time… Got a bit boring in the middle. Twist was also somewhat predictable

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Drawings were innovative and quite creepy, story was craftily written, plus the twist and climax at the end was very satisfying. generally agree with criticisms on the conservative slant of the author’s subtle voice.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

I GET the emhen cult. She writes actual rom-com. january’s pain is thoroughly explored and her relationship with gus was very much treated slowly but touchingly(?) would revisit for a feel good read! This was an excellent premise that got me excited about the wager early on in the book… and the sheer thrill of reading about the protagonists running into each other and falling in love was much appreciated.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

adventurous mysterious tense 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? No

4.75

One of a kind. The beginning was slow, but by the second act i could not put this down. Would love to pick this up for a second closer reading and analysis. Mindblowing novel that i wish i could erase from
my brain so i can read this again.

Some spoiler thoughts below:

I loved the exploration of madness/insanity, of the two identities of the protagonist, and how we see the other world vs the real world (which is which?)

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Second Claire Keegan book and it is sublime. Her writing is so vivid with imagery you have no problems picturing it in your head. I appreciated the steadily-paced, show-not-telling characterisation of Furlong and his struggles between what he feels and what everyone says, reminds me much of Alice Munro, and very relatable as well. Didn't know about the Magdalen laundries before this.