internationalreads's reviews
1622 reviews

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

So short I listened to this in one sitting. I can’t decide if I wish it had been longer or if it’s perfect just the way it is.

Vengeance Is Mine by Marie NDiaye

mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

2.0

I think I get what the author was trying to do but the execution was totally off.

John Adams by David McCullough

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Friends & Dark Shapes by Kavita Bedford

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Solid character-driven novel. Don’t read if you need plot. Great writing about grief (of a parent) and sense of place (Sydney).

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

adventurous funny mysterious fast-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

3.5

I loved the characters but the spy plot felt a bit flat/predictable.

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Pina by Titaua Peu

challenging dark informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Classism

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews

challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

Girls of a Certain Age by Maria Adelmann

dark reflective tense fast-paced

4.0