heymarykathryn's reviews
22 reviews
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
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Content Warnings
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Reading this during/at the end of a pandemic that's referenced within the text was a bit jarring. However, I think this is an eerily beautiful story about time and how our actions can impact someone else's life in ways that aren't always obvious at first
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, War, and Death
Minor: Suicide
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
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Content Warnings
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Alice Feeney writes so beautifully. There were moments I read a sentence and audibly said "wow" because it was so GOOD! This story reminded me of my favorite childhood book "The Westing Game," which also centers on a will reading. Daisy's story will take you on many twists and turns, so buckle up!
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Addiction, and Suicide
Bad Mormon by Heather Gay
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I'm not the most critical reader, so maybe I'm not the best to ask but I flew through this and thoroughly enjoyed it. This isn't a very challenging read, it isn't very deep, but it does give more insight into Heather, the Housewives and the Mormon Church. I wish she had focused more on developing her business and finding herself after divorce
The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a great read. Diverse cast of POVs without it being overwhelming and too much to keep track of. Part 2 was so captivating and there were twists and turns all over the place, even up to the last PAGE! A great mystery set at New Year's to kick off the year!
Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun
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Content Warnings
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
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Content Warnings
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I thought this was a great concept, but fell short in execution. I found the casual Shakespeare dialogue to be confusing at times. The plot took forever to develop, like a cop show where you know the killer but it takes FOREVER to reveal. Pretty accurate portrayal of a theater troupe and liberal arts college students. Could have been about 100 pages shorter.
Moderate: Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide and Violence
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards
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Content Warnings
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Drug use, Death, Blood, Stalking, and Car accident