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lisett's reviews
128 reviews
In Daylight by Caroline Flarity
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
I loved the pacing of this book so much I nearly read it in one sitting. Mika's older sister, Naomi, walked out on the family years ago and never returned. Their father is convinced the FBI has been stalking and harassing them attempting to locate Naomi. When he claims he found her through a private investigator, Mika decides it's up to her to confront her sister and possibly even bring her home, but she is not prepared for what she discovers.
The Crane family is plagued with insomnia. Is it a genetic disorder or is something else at play? This book kept me guessing the entire time. Are there aliens involved or could there be a mental disorder affecting the family? Perhaps Mika is imagining it all? I love finding reads that are out of the norm and make me question everything.
There was strong character development, and the atmosphere gave off a bit of a creepy vibe. I was almost waiting for something to jump out of the trees. I would enjoy seeing this as a movie adaptation. The ending took me by complete surprise, and I would not have minded if this book were longer and delved even further. There is so much more to discover. Maybe there is room for a part two?
Thank you, Caroline Flarity, Netgalley, and East Side Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Crane family is plagued with insomnia. Is it a genetic disorder or is something else at play? This book kept me guessing the entire time. Are there aliens involved or could there be a mental disorder affecting the family? Perhaps Mika is imagining it all? I love finding reads that are out of the norm and make me question everything.
There was strong character development, and the atmosphere gave off a bit of a creepy vibe. I was almost waiting for something to jump out of the trees. I would enjoy seeing this as a movie adaptation. The ending took me by complete surprise, and I would not have minded if this book were longer and delved even further. There is so much more to discover. Maybe there is room for a part two?
Thank you, Caroline Flarity, Netgalley, and East Side Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
You had at me at sprayed edges—lavender sprayed edges, no less! Lavender happens to be my favorite color, and just look at this beauty! From the moment I saw it, I knew this book would one day adorn my shelf. And yes, I know looks aren't everything, which is why I'm happy to report that this book is beautiful both inside and out, from it's stunning cottagecore cover art to it's cozy romantasy storyline. I'm. In. Love.
This was the perfect fall read. This low-stakes fantasy was a breath of fresh air. From the introverted FMC to the fantastical creatures she meets along her journey, I was captivated from start to finish.
"It wasn't that she didn't like people. It was only that she liked books more. They didn't fuss or judge or mock or reject. They invited you in, fluffed up the pillows on the couch, offered you tea and toast, and shared their hearts with no expectation that you'd do anything more than absorb what they had to give."
Caz, the sentient spider plant and his quirky personality, Larran, the kind and generous mer-horse herder, plus the flying cats, mer-people, and cloud bears—all made this whimsical story one of the best things I've read all year.
This was the perfect fall read. This low-stakes fantasy was a breath of fresh air. From the introverted FMC to the fantastical creatures she meets along her journey, I was captivated from start to finish.
"It wasn't that she didn't like people. It was only that she liked books more. They didn't fuss or judge or mock or reject. They invited you in, fluffed up the pillows on the couch, offered you tea and toast, and shared their hearts with no expectation that you'd do anything more than absorb what they had to give."
Caz, the sentient spider plant and his quirky personality, Larran, the kind and generous mer-horse herder, plus the flying cats, mer-people, and cloud bears—all made this whimsical story one of the best things I've read all year.
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
This was an interesting world to dive into, with a unique magic system. Scriptomancers are trained to enchant letters, and couriers can deliver them across worlds. Some letters can be enchanted with tracking spells; all that's needed is the recipient's real name and they can be tracked, allowing the letter to be delivered no matter where they are, which can be dangerous if you don't want to be found.
Maeve lost her parents at a young age and has been in hiding, moving from one place to the next. No one knows who she really is, and she wants to keep it that way. Her father was supposedly to blame for unleashing a deadly creature causing the deaths of many people and labeling him a murderer. When Maeve receives a mysterious letter from a "friend" who knew her father and can prove he was innocent, she risks everything to find out the truth.
This book has a wonderful mix of fantasy, dark academia, a bit of mystery, and romance. It was something refreshingly different, which is exactly what I was looking for. This was my first read by Taylor, and I very much enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Maeve lost her parents at a young age and has been in hiding, moving from one place to the next. No one knows who she really is, and she wants to keep it that way. Her father was supposedly to blame for unleashing a deadly creature causing the deaths of many people and labeling him a murderer. When Maeve receives a mysterious letter from a "friend" who knew her father and can prove he was innocent, she risks everything to find out the truth.
This book has a wonderful mix of fantasy, dark academia, a bit of mystery, and romance. It was something refreshingly different, which is exactly what I was looking for. This was my first read by Taylor, and I very much enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to this as an audio book and loved the narration. There are two narrators, Caroline Lee and Geraldine Hakewill, and I thought they both did a wonderful job bringing all the characters to life.
The main character, Cherry, is such a delightfully quirky individual. Known as the 'death lady,' she gains this nickname after she suddenly stands up in the middle of a flight and gives each passenger a prediction of how and when they will die. The story then alternates between Cherry and the passengers from the flight.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of, and it can get a little confusing at times going back and forth between them all. After the flight lands and everyone returns to their lives, one by one, Cherry's predictions begin to come true. The story explores how each person who received a prediction deals with the news in their own way.
The first half of the book was a little slow for me, but once the predictions started coming true, it got more and more interesting. Overall, I thought this book was incredibly unique, and Cherry is such a fascinating character. She reveals the story of her life, and by the end, everything falls into place and makes sense.
The main character, Cherry, is such a delightfully quirky individual. Known as the 'death lady,' she gains this nickname after she suddenly stands up in the middle of a flight and gives each passenger a prediction of how and when they will die. The story then alternates between Cherry and the passengers from the flight.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of, and it can get a little confusing at times going back and forth between them all. After the flight lands and everyone returns to their lives, one by one, Cherry's predictions begin to come true. The story explores how each person who received a prediction deals with the news in their own way.
The first half of the book was a little slow for me, but once the predictions started coming true, it got more and more interesting. Overall, I thought this book was incredibly unique, and Cherry is such a fascinating character. She reveals the story of her life, and by the end, everything falls into place and makes sense.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
I tried. Twice. I really thought I was going to like this one. I wanted to know how it would end, but 58% through and I'm just so bored I stopped caring altogether.
The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
You know a book is truly addictive when you can't be bothered by the hurricane so rudely raging outside, even as the power goes out, and on, back out, and on again (STOP FLICKERING I'M TRYING TO READ!), trees crash down, limbs narrowly missing your car and taking out part of your fence. Thanks, Hurricane Helene, we now have enough firewood to last us the next 20 years!
Is this a book I would recommend to everyone? Nope. Trigger Warning: It touches on just about every sensitive topic including complex PTSD, suicide, body shaming, emotional abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, cannibalism, and the loss of a parent.
I admire Franklin's writing. She handled these very sensitive topics with care, even going as far as providing readers a preemptive warning and advising us "take care of your personal well-being" before beginning. I wish more writers would do this. It would help me decide if I'm in the right mindset to read such heavy subject matters.
Rhi lost her mom at a very young age, her stepmother is abusive, starves and body shames Rhi, which her cold and emotionally detached father does nothing to stop until he is arrested and Rhi is sent to live with her Uncle Jimmy, her late mother's brother. Uncle Jimmy is the real hero of this story, kind, loving, and understanding. He shows Rhi that true kindest exists even after all she's been through.
While working at a wildlife preserve, Rhi stumbles on wolves protecting a distressed pack of wild young women. One of them is injured by an illegal animal trap, and Rhi helps rescue the girls and earns their trust. She soon discovers they were raised by a mysterious man in the wilderness, some self-proclaimed "prophet" who taught them they were Princesses from another realm, destined to save their kingdoms.
But when the girls are torn from their life of absolute freedom, they are separated, put into foster care, forced to abandon all of their beliefs, and become civilized. This book is emotional, heart-wrenching, and inspiring. Definitely not for everyone, but I loved it.
My rating? 4.5 stars. Why not 5? I was left wanting more resolution about the girls' origins and the real identity of "Mother," the man who raised them. Those questions were never fully answered. Aside from that, this was a wonderful read that I won't forget any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
This book summed up in one word: Delightful.
Inspired by The Princess Bride, one of my all-time favorite movies, Sanderson has managed to create a story with a similar fun and quirky feel, but with a twist where the heroine takes center stage in a journey to save the one she loves. I'm sold!
Before I started this book, I read some reviews by people who didn't enjoy the humor. But for me, the humor and silliness were exactly what made it such a joy to read. Sanderson excels in writing incredible, epic fantasies, so getting a glimpse of his lighthearted side was such a treat.
This book was a refreshing palate cleanser after all the psychological mysteries and thrillers I have been consuming lately. Don't get me wrong, I love the twists and turns of a dark thriller, but following Tress on her journey to save her beloved was exactly the kind of cozy, lighthearted read I didn't even know I needed. This one left me smiling.
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was my first read by Stuart Turton, and I had such high hopes for it. The premise was intriguing: only 125 people remain on Earth, living on a post-apocalyptic island surrounded by an insect-infested fog. The narrator is an AI advisor communicating through the thoughts of the villagers and scientists, created to keep them alive and safe. When a murder is committed, we are thrown into a murder investigation with only 92 hours to solve the crime or all of civilization will die. Why? Because... well... reasons? I still don't have a clue.
The setting is fascinating. The idea of a dwindling human population isolated on a desolate island enveloped by a deadly fog sets the stage for a gripping story. Turton’s choice of an AI narrator is a unique move. This AI, designed to protect and guide the remaining humans, offers a unique perspective on the unfolding events. The blend of science fiction and mystery is compelling, and the stakes couldn't be higher with the survival of the last humans hanging in the balance.
The first half of the story had me completely invested. I loved the originality, and I thought I knew where the book was heading. The buildup was intense, and the premise held so much promise. However, once the murder investigation really took off, I found myself losing interest. The plot began to meander, and the urgency that initially hooked me started to dissipate.
The murder investigation left me with more questions than answers. The 92-hour deadline to solve the crime added tension, but the reasons behind this ticking clock were unclear and, ultimately, unsatisfying. I struggled to stay engaged. By the end, I was left feeling confused and frustrated, with too many questions unanswered.
This is a book that I feel I would get a lot more out of on a second read-through, but I just don't have the desire to go through it a second time. I love Turton's out-of-the-box writing style, and I'm excited to give his book The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle a read. I'm so sad this one didn't work for me. While it has an intriguing premise and a unique narrative approach, the execution left much to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I didn't realize there was animal cruelty. I stopped before I got to it.
Making Fairy Garden Accessories: 22 Enchanting Projects for Your Backyard by Andrew Fahmy, Anna-Marie Fahmy
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
"Making Fairy Garden Accessories" by Anna-Marie and Andrew Fahmy, a talented husband-and-wife team, is the most delightful read. The pictures and illustrations are incredibly inspiring, and their step-by-step instructions on how to create whimsical homes, staircases, doors, wishing wells, and more are so simple and easy to follow.
I have a collection of small fairy garden accessories that will work wonderfully with many of the adorable crafting projects in this book. I'm so excited to finally have the inspiration to use them. The book has sparked my creativity and motivated me to start crafting.
I have always loved the tiny Hobbit doors I've seen on Pinterest boards decorating fairy gardens, and now I know exactly how to make my own. The detailed instructions and tips have made me confident in my ability to create these enchanting pieces. I also realized I have a lot of popsicle sticks to collect for all the little fairy decor I will be making for my garden.
"Making Fairy Garden Accessories" is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for anyone interested in fairy gardens. The Fahmys' clear guidance and charming projects make this book a must-have for both beginners and seasoned crafters. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to add a touch of magic to their garden.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for providing this inspiring book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.