literatureleaf's reviews
10 reviews
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Age: 15+
Reading time: 3 days
Difficulty level: 1.5/5
Rating: 4.5/5
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid follows our nameless protagonist and her boyfriend Jake as they embark on a road trip to have dinner with Jake’s parents. Plagued by thoughts of ending the relationship, she spends the car ride mulling over how it got to this point, and wondering if this is how it was always meant to be.
Meeting his family does not quell her hesitations, and the journey back home begins in a very similar manner to the trip there. However, after an unplanned stop at the local high school Jake attended as a teenager, things begin to go downhill in a way that neither the characters themselves nor the reader could have predicted.
A genuine literary thriller, I’m Thinking of Ending Things intricately weaves suspense and in-depth, authentic character study together in a way that has never been done before. Without holding anything back, Reid puts a new spin on the concept of a plot twist and utilizes it in a way that can be described as nothing short of poetic.
Atmosphere reigns supreme in this novel. Built up slowly and steadily, through scarce but vivid depictions of a desolate, snowy setting brimming with despair, and an unfiltered look at the flitting, unfettered thoughts and observations of the main protagonist, consistent, permeating feelings of dread and unease slowly creep up as the plot advances.
Written in a deceptively simple, choppy manner, I’m Thinking of Ending Things will sneak up and grab you in a chokehold when you’re least expecting it. As the tale unfolds, and little glimpses of something that is deeply wrong just beneath the surface of what appears to be a straightforward, even somewhat boring, trip between a couple on the brink of a breakup emerge, the reader is left deeply unsettled, wondering what it is that they are missing.
Flaws are few and far between, but so much of the story takes place within the protagonist’s mind, that at times it can be a bit stifling. Inner monologues fill much of the story, only broken up intermittently with the stark, vivid imagery mentioned earlier, and although they are incredibly well written, feeling stuck in the narrator’s head is not an uncommon feeling.
Invoking feelings of longing, despair, unease, and grief for the characters, I’m Thinking of Ending Things reads and feels like a beautiful punch to the gut that will leave you simultaneously longing for more and begging for it to be over. A devastatingly believable account of a life filled with pain, loneliness, and resentment, I’m Thinking of Ending Things will live on in the minds of those who have read it for months after the final page is read and the book itself is closed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicide, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Gore, Stalking, Violence, and Body horror
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Age: 14+
Reading time: 15 days
Difficulty level: 2.5/5
Rating: 2/5
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski is simultaneously the first and second novel in The Witcher series. Published a year prior to The Last Wish, it serves as both the first book in a famous saga, and the continuation of the beloved character of Geralt of Rivia. Each chapter is its own separate, contained story, containing small glimmers of a larger tale that, as the reader falls more and more in love with Geralt and his companions with each turn of the page, simply begs to be told.
In classic Sapkowski fashion, Sword of Destiny proves to be an entertaining loose continuation to The Last Wish. Told in the same short story format, there is no major overarching plot, but rather bite-sized glimpses into the daily happenings of Geralt of Rivia that delight and charm the reader.
A fun read through and through, Sword of Destiny not only serves to entertain, but to promote deeper thinking and discourse. Told through the unique and inventive lens of reimagined fairy tales, themes of good and evil, the natural order of the world and who has a right to disrupt it, corruption, political order, and the circle of life can be found hiding amongst the gritty and glamorous monsters and fantasy worlds of the stories.
Sword of Destiny may be considered the second novel in The Witcher series, but it is Sapkowski’s first book, and throughout the reading process, it becomes evident that he had not quite found his footing as an author yet. The writing is clunky and at times limited, particularly in the first half of the book, and the flow of the stories feels choppy and forced.
Many of the same flaws that can be found in The Last Wish are even more pervasive in Sword of Destiny. Stilted, emotionless dialogue continues to be an issue, and repetition, both in conversation between characters and as a general literary device, is overused and contributes to the stale feeling that permeates the pages of the novel.
Sadly, the characterizations have a more cookie-cutter feel that is not as present in his other works. At times the characters, particularly Geralt and Yennefer, act in ways that are contrary to how they have been set up by Sapkowski to behave, and they seem to waffle back and forth between extremes when it comes to their decision making.
For instance, often a character will state whether they will or will not do something or explain how they are feeling about a certain action, then act in a completely contrarian way to what they have just said, with no further explanation for why they have made the decision. This leads to a jarring reading experience that results in feeling a central disconnect from the main characters.
Despite its flaws, Sword of Destiny is considered by many fantasy fans to be a must-read in the genre. Featuring beloved characters and plotlines that have been adapted for video games and television, the antics and adventures of the Witcher shine in the novels in a way that is unique to written media. Enmeshing adventure and fantasy with a grander understanding of the inner workings of humanity and love, Sword of Destiny captures what many fantasy readers love in a novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Gore, Blood, Infertility, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cursing, War, Alcohol, and Sexual content
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Age: 12+
Reading time: 28 days
Difficulty level: 3.75/5
Rating: 3/5
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas follows Edmond Dantes, a young sailor at the cusp of a very bright future. On the brink of a promising career and loving marriage, the world is his oyster, and the possibility of things going wrong could not be further from his mind. However, all is not as it seems, and, unbeknownst to Edmond and his loved ones, trouble is brewing.
Motivated by jealousy, unrequited love, and power, several men close to Edmond begin to plot against him, ultimately leading to his imprisonment. While in prison, he begins to fixate on revenge, and with the help of an unlikely friend, hidden treasure, and an eventual daring escape, Edmond will stop at nothing to accomplish what he has set out to achieve, no matter what the cost to himself may be.
Spanning countries and decades, The Count is simultaneously a heart wrenching coming-of-age tale and an epic revenge story. Intricately enmeshing politics, relationships, culture, and character, Dumas transports us to a time long past, showcasing the ins and outs of poverty, classism, wealth, and injustice through the eyes of a young man who is simultaneously a victim and a benefactor of his circumstances.
Centering on not only Edmond himself, but the people who surround him and have affected him, for better or for worse, Dumas pens a stunning portrait of a man that has been deeply wronged, not only by chance, greed, and corruption, but by the darkness that resides within him. Consumed with the desire to right the wrongs that have stolen years from his life, Edmond gives the reader a raw glimpse into a psyche ravaged by trauma, and how that trauma colors every aspect of a life.
Potentially a victim of its time, and the fact that it was originally serialized, the pacing is incredibly inconsistent throughout the novel. Dumas tends to waffle back and forth between several major events occurring in the span of a few pages, and small, minute plot points or events dragging out for upwards of twenty pages, leading to a chaotic, and at times unsatisfying, reading experience.
In that same vein, the plot in general struggles with consistency. Key plot points are ignored or glossed over in favor of long-winded descriptions, and side plots are either never wrapped up, or never become relevant to the main story. In combination with the dated language, unsatisfying pacing, and, at times, lack of emotion, The Count can be considered a bit of a slog to get through.
A true classic, The Count of Monte Cristo may miss the mark on some things, but it remains a literary window into a time that’s now long past. Combining elements of character study, thriller, drama, romance, and adventure, Dumas utilizes one man’s plight to explore 19th century French politics, injustice, classism, and, above all else, what a life lived for revenge looks like through the lens of the one who lived it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Confinement, Murder, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Child death
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Slavery, and Misogyny
Needful Things by Stephen King
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Age: 16+
Reading time: 4 days
Difficulty level: 2/5
Rating: 3.75/5
Needful Things by Stephen King follows an eclectic cast of characters as an undetected evil force threatens to take over their idyllic small town in Maine. When someone new shows up in Castle Rock, it’s always a source of gossip for the locals, but when Leland Gaunt, owner and operator of the curio shop Needful Things moves to town, something is different. The residents are instantly taken with him and his store, which seems to truly have something for everyone.
However, underneath Mr. Gaunt’s charming smile and hypnotizing eyes, evil simmers. Motivated not by money, power, or greed, but by dark forces that no one in town truly understands, Mr. Gaunt will stop at nothing until everyone living in Castle Rock has fallen victim to his spell, and the fate of the town ultimately rests with the few citizens who are able to look past the smoke and mirrors and see him for what he really is.
A true slow burn, Needful Things takes it time, both with the plot and the horror. Tension builds slowly but steadily, and as the characters continue about their everyday lives, giving the reader a window into their realities, yet remain oblivious to the wickedness that’s underway in their hometown, the dread mounts. A constant, meandering feeling of unease lingers throughout the pages that’s akin to knowing that something terrible is about to happen but being completely powerless to stop it.
King is a master at crafting both an incredibly detailed, immersive world, and a relatable, morally ambiguous cast that work together to pull you in. Each character not only plays an integral role in the main plot but has their own unique and individual storyline. The multiple viewpoints, in combination with the enmeshing of the overarching story and individuality of the cast’s personalities and experiences, serve to incite genuine empathy, anger and pain from the reader.
As with most King novels, there are cracks in the foundation of an excellent story. At times the dialogue feels incredibly stilted and unrealistic, and many of the scenes written from children’s points of view come across as an adult projecting what they feel a young child would do or say, and not how they would behave in the given situation. With the multi-faceted characterizations and stark, elegant prose that fill the rest of the novel, it’s hard to not be a bit disappointed by subpar dialogue.
Where the book is truly lacking, however, is in the ending. The pacing ramps up very quickly towards the end of the novel, and without giving anything away, it felt as though there had been no real finish planned, and King had to quickly throw something together. Everything seemed very forced, and many of the main characters acted in ways or did things that completely discounted who they had been set up to be throughout the story. It left the impression of a hastily wrapped holiday gift, bow forgotten, and did not match up with the quality of the rest of the book.
Needful Things is, for the most part, a beautifully crafted horror epic that shines as a true classic, even in the face of its flaws. Entangling supernatural evil with the everyday horrors of being human, such as grief, loss, and corruption, the novel expertly explores what would happen if something caused that thin, tenuous string that holds both us and the world together to snap, and humanity no longer felt obligated to listen to that tiny voice in our heads that separates us from animals, acting purely on instinct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Child death
Minor: Sexual content, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Addiction, and Car accident
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Age: 16+
Reading time: 4 days
Difficulty level: 2/5
Rating: 6.5/10
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn follows Anna Fox, a no-longer practicing child psychologist who finds herself suffering from agoraphobia after tragedy strikes her household. While battling her own mind, Anna passes the time by watching her neighbors. Most of the time she sees nothing but the mundanity of rich, suburban lifestyles, but one fateful day a new family, the Russell’s, move into the neighborhood, and everything changes.
After observing the new neighbors through her windows, and getting to know Jane Russell, the woman of the house, and Ethan Russell, her teenage son, Anna begins to suspect that everything is not quite as it should be within the household, and the root of the domestic strife lies with Alistair, Jane’s husband and Ethan’s father. One night the situation reaches a boiling point, and Anna witnesses something that no one was meant to see, sending her spiraling into a web of deception and mystery where she quickly finds that she can trust no one, not even herself.
Finn pens a gripping portrait of a psyche ravaged by loneliness, substance abuse, and mental illness. Anna is a flawlessly executed unreliable narrator, and an air of tormented despair permeates throughout the book, creating a continuous feeling of dread and uncertainty. At times the narration can become a bit longwinded, and Anna tends to ramble, but for the most part, within the context of her fragile mental state, this works with the story rather than against it.
At the heart, The Woman in the Window is a thriller, and Finn is certainly a master of the genre. The book centers around one large mystery, with several other, smaller, interconnected mysteries at play that intertwine seamlessly into one main plotline. Each element is given just the right amount of attention, and the different subplots serve to flesh out the main story, rather than overshadow it. The suspense scenes are not only plentiful, but executed to near perfection, igniting a feeling akin to holding a live wire. Holding your breath is nearly a guarantee!
Despite the expertly crafted suspense elements, the book struggles with the mysteries themselves. The twists were, for the most part, largely unoriginal, and despite the riveting leadups, the reveals themselves were underwhelming, leading to a feeling much like eating a delicious dinner, then following it up with a prepackaged Hostess cake from the local gas station for dessert. When considering the high caliber of the rest of Finn’s writing, the twists can’t help but feel phoned in.
Unfortunately, the mysteries aren’t the only aspect of the novel that leaves something to be desired. At times, it feels like the book is taking on more than it can handle. Without giving too much away, in addition to being a simple thriller, The Woman in the Window attempts to delve into mental health, family, resiliency, domestic abuse, grief, and drug addiction. While some of these are explored in detail and very well done, others fall by the wayside and are not given the respect and attention that such heavy topics deserve. However, when so much is crammed into one book, it is almost inevitable that certain themes will take precedence over others.
At its core, The Woman in the Window is a fun and suspenseful read that excels at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Anna is an outstanding main character, and Finn makes it startlingly easy to empathize with her, even when revelations are made that don’t cast her in the best light. The plot is solid and entertaining throughout, and, despite the predictable twists and less-than-stellar exploration of some of the heavier themes, Finn is undeniably great at writing a novel that’s no less than a great time.
Reading time: 4 days
Difficulty level: 2/5
Rating: 6.5/10
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn follows Anna Fox, a no-longer practicing child psychologist who finds herself suffering from agoraphobia after tragedy strikes her household. While battling her own mind, Anna passes the time by watching her neighbors. Most of the time she sees nothing but the mundanity of rich, suburban lifestyles, but one fateful day a new family, the Russell’s, move into the neighborhood, and everything changes.
After observing the new neighbors through her windows, and getting to know Jane Russell, the woman of the house, and Ethan Russell, her teenage son, Anna begins to suspect that everything is not quite as it should be within the household, and the root of the domestic strife lies with Alistair, Jane’s husband and Ethan’s father. One night the situation reaches a boiling point, and Anna witnesses something that no one was meant to see, sending her spiraling into a web of deception and mystery where she quickly finds that she can trust no one, not even herself.
Finn pens a gripping portrait of a psyche ravaged by loneliness, substance abuse, and mental illness. Anna is a flawlessly executed unreliable narrator, and an air of tormented despair permeates throughout the book, creating a continuous feeling of dread and uncertainty. At times the narration can become a bit longwinded, and Anna tends to ramble, but for the most part, within the context of her fragile mental state, this works with the story rather than against it.
At the heart, The Woman in the Window is a thriller, and Finn is certainly a master of the genre. The book centers around one large mystery, with several other, smaller, interconnected mysteries at play that intertwine seamlessly into one main plotline. Each element is given just the right amount of attention, and the different subplots serve to flesh out the main story, rather than overshadow it. The suspense scenes are not only plentiful, but executed to near perfection, igniting a feeling akin to holding a live wire. Holding your breath is nearly a guarantee!
Despite the expertly crafted suspense elements, the book struggles with the mysteries themselves. The twists were, for the most part, largely unoriginal, and despite the riveting leadups, the reveals themselves were underwhelming, leading to a feeling much like eating a delicious dinner, then following it up with a prepackaged Hostess cake from the local gas station for dessert. When considering the high caliber of the rest of Finn’s writing, the twists can’t help but feel phoned in.
Unfortunately, the mysteries aren’t the only aspect of the novel that leaves something to be desired. At times, it feels like the book is taking on more than it can handle. Without giving too much away, in addition to being a simple thriller, The Woman in the Window attempts to delve into mental health, family, resiliency, domestic abuse, grief, and drug addiction. While some of these are explored in detail and very well done, others fall by the wayside and are not given the respect and attention that such heavy topics deserve. However, when so much is crammed into one book, it is almost inevitable that certain themes will take precedence over others.
At its core, The Woman in the Window is a fun and suspenseful read that excels at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Anna is an outstanding main character, and Finn makes it startlingly easy to empathize with her, even when revelations are made that don’t cast her in the best light. The plot is solid and entertaining throughout, and, despite the predictable twists and less-than-stellar exploration of some of the heavier themes, Finn is undeniably great at writing a novel that’s no less than a great time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Child death, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Reading time: 3 days
Difficulty level: 3/5
Writing Rating: 10/10
*Because this book is nonfiction, I will not be adding content warnings.*
The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland recounts the life of Walter Rosenberg, who would later come to be known as Rudolf (Rudi) Vrba. The novel centers upon his experiences as a young Jewish man living through WWII and the Holocaust. While his familial background and childhood are touched upon, the bulk of the book focuses on Rudi during adolescence and adulthood.
Before his adult life had even begun, Rudi was taken away from the family and friends that he had always known and forced into a life of pain and suffering as a prisoner of Auschwitz. During his time there, he continually dreamed of, and eventually achieved, escape. After leaving the horrors of the concentration camp behind, Rudi made it his mission to share his story, no matter what the eventual cost to himself would be, to save as many lives as possible.
Freedland paints an achingly haunting depiction of what life was like for millions of Jewish men, women, and children during WWII. Biographical information is intertwined with visceral, stunning storytelling in a manner that serves to awe the reader. Written in a matter of fact and easily digestible, yet simultaneously engrossing style, Freedland takes no liberties and does no sugarcoating. No detail, no matter how shocking, is glossed over or left out.
He excels at maintaining the delicate balance between historical accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and emotional writing. Throughout the entire novel, he pulls off the difficult feat that every nonfiction writer aspires to: never inserting himself into the story, but ensuring that his authentic voice as an author shines through.
Enmeshed within the pages of The Escape Artist is a portrait of raw and unfiltered human resilience. The reader witnesses Rudi come of age during the darkest of times, form genuine human connections in horrifying conditions, and develop a sense of purpose and self that cannot be broken, even in the face of circumstances that those alive today would consider unimaginable.
Often alternating between devastatingly heartbreaking and painfully inspiring, Rudi takes the reader on his decades-long journey right along with him. His story deserves not only to be told, but to be repeated so frequently that it becomes a required component of all history textbooks.
Filled with hardships at every step of the way, ranging from government inaction to denial and indifference from the public, Rudi never stopped trying to achieve his ultimate end goal. The Escape Artist not only masterfully documents his journey but serves as a painfully stark reminder of what can happen when humanity turns the other cheek to evils that are happening in their very own backyards.
Difficulty level: 3/5
Writing Rating: 10/10
*Because this book is nonfiction, I will not be adding content warnings.*
The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland recounts the life of Walter Rosenberg, who would later come to be known as Rudolf (Rudi) Vrba. The novel centers upon his experiences as a young Jewish man living through WWII and the Holocaust. While his familial background and childhood are touched upon, the bulk of the book focuses on Rudi during adolescence and adulthood.
Before his adult life had even begun, Rudi was taken away from the family and friends that he had always known and forced into a life of pain and suffering as a prisoner of Auschwitz. During his time there, he continually dreamed of, and eventually achieved, escape. After leaving the horrors of the concentration camp behind, Rudi made it his mission to share his story, no matter what the eventual cost to himself would be, to save as many lives as possible.
Freedland paints an achingly haunting depiction of what life was like for millions of Jewish men, women, and children during WWII. Biographical information is intertwined with visceral, stunning storytelling in a manner that serves to awe the reader. Written in a matter of fact and easily digestible, yet simultaneously engrossing style, Freedland takes no liberties and does no sugarcoating. No detail, no matter how shocking, is glossed over or left out.
He excels at maintaining the delicate balance between historical accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and emotional writing. Throughout the entire novel, he pulls off the difficult feat that every nonfiction writer aspires to: never inserting himself into the story, but ensuring that his authentic voice as an author shines through.
Enmeshed within the pages of The Escape Artist is a portrait of raw and unfiltered human resilience. The reader witnesses Rudi come of age during the darkest of times, form genuine human connections in horrifying conditions, and develop a sense of purpose and self that cannot be broken, even in the face of circumstances that those alive today would consider unimaginable.
Often alternating between devastatingly heartbreaking and painfully inspiring, Rudi takes the reader on his decades-long journey right along with him. His story deserves not only to be told, but to be repeated so frequently that it becomes a required component of all history textbooks.
Filled with hardships at every step of the way, ranging from government inaction to denial and indifference from the public, Rudi never stopped trying to achieve his ultimate end goal. The Escape Artist not only masterfully documents his journey but serves as a painfully stark reminder of what can happen when humanity turns the other cheek to evils that are happening in their very own backyards.
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Age: 15+
Reading time: 2 days
Difficulty level: 3/5
Overall Rating: 7/10
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski is the second novel in The Witcher series, but it serves as an excellent starting point into the world of the beloved Geralt of Rivia. Told in short story format, with hints of a longer, overarching plotline in between, this book introduces the reader to who Geralt is, what makes him tick, and the characters who will eventually come to play a much larger role in his story.
The bite-sized tales featured in this novel are entertaining, easy to follow, and manage to keep the focus on Geralt while honoring the uniqueness and differentiation of the other characters in the story. Each one feels distinctly separate from the rest but remains in keeping with the overall mood and tone of the book.
Sapkowski excels at taking the short story format and doing something larger than life within it. He maintains a masterful plot, that contains hints of mystery, romance, and an origin story, despite the appearance of a book that, at first glance, seems to be comprised of separate, contained stories that have little to do with one another, aside from the main character.
Where The Last Wish struggles is with dialogue. The conversation is often stilted and repetitive, and many of the side characters felt like carbon copies of one another because of this. Much of the dialogue gave off the impression that it was not well thought out, and that it was written because Sapkowski felt like it needed to be there, rather than for an actual literary need for conversation.
Repetition in general was an issue throughout this book. Lines of prose were repeated quite often, to the point that it made focusing on the story itself difficult. Many passages felt clunky and, much like with the dialogue, as if they were written simply to fill blank spaces on the page rather than to enhance the story. This book was originally written in Polish, so, admittedly, some of these gripes may result from things that were lost in translation.
At its core, The Last Wish is a beloved fantasy novel with cherished characters who have earned well-deserved video game and television adaptations. Packed with action, fight scenes, and fairy tale parallels, it weaves the riveting narrative of a being who is finding his place in a world where he was created to kill. Hidden within the gory battles and captivating fights are bits of perfectly timed sarcasm and dry humor, expertly penned political and class commentary, and not-so-gentle reminders that real evil can be found lurking within humanity, not monsters.
Reading time: 2 days
Difficulty level: 3/5
Overall Rating: 7/10
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski is the second novel in The Witcher series, but it serves as an excellent starting point into the world of the beloved Geralt of Rivia. Told in short story format, with hints of a longer, overarching plotline in between, this book introduces the reader to who Geralt is, what makes him tick, and the characters who will eventually come to play a much larger role in his story.
The bite-sized tales featured in this novel are entertaining, easy to follow, and manage to keep the focus on Geralt while honoring the uniqueness and differentiation of the other characters in the story. Each one feels distinctly separate from the rest but remains in keeping with the overall mood and tone of the book.
Sapkowski excels at taking the short story format and doing something larger than life within it. He maintains a masterful plot, that contains hints of mystery, romance, and an origin story, despite the appearance of a book that, at first glance, seems to be comprised of separate, contained stories that have little to do with one another, aside from the main character.
Where The Last Wish struggles is with dialogue. The conversation is often stilted and repetitive, and many of the side characters felt like carbon copies of one another because of this. Much of the dialogue gave off the impression that it was not well thought out, and that it was written because Sapkowski felt like it needed to be there, rather than for an actual literary need for conversation.
Repetition in general was an issue throughout this book. Lines of prose were repeated quite often, to the point that it made focusing on the story itself difficult. Many passages felt clunky and, much like with the dialogue, as if they were written simply to fill blank spaces on the page rather than to enhance the story. This book was originally written in Polish, so, admittedly, some of these gripes may result from things that were lost in translation.
At its core, The Last Wish is a beloved fantasy novel with cherished characters who have earned well-deserved video game and television adaptations. Packed with action, fight scenes, and fairy tale parallels, it weaves the riveting narrative of a being who is finding his place in a world where he was created to kill. Hidden within the gory battles and captivating fights are bits of perfectly timed sarcasm and dry humor, expertly penned political and class commentary, and not-so-gentle reminders that real evil can be found lurking within humanity, not monsters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape, Murder, Death, Sexism, Misogyny, Incest, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Age: 15+
Reading time: 5 days
Difficulty level: 3/5
Overall Rating: 9/10
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a beautiful book that weaves a splendid tale about growing up, friendship, love, and the things we carry with us throughout our lives. Told against the backdrop of the unique world of video games, both playing and designing them, Zevin brings the story of Sam and Sadie, friends, then foes, then friends again, to life. The characters are rife with strengths and flaws, and each player in the story is both lovable and infuriating, much like the ones we hold near and dear to us in our own lives.
A beautiful depiction of deep suffering and genuine happiness, reading this book without feeling raw, untethered emotions for Sadie and Sam is impossible. Their joy, sorrow, pain, humor, grief, and love are so vivid that they reach up and grab you by the throat, unleashing a torrent of nostalgia so thick that, soon, you’ll be calling up lovers and friends past, asking them where it all went wrong.
Zevin paints an unfiltered picture of all the things, both small and large, hilarious and tragic, beautiful and ugly, that make us who we are. Her powerful imagery and witty dialogue elevate the story to new heights, and she tackles tough subject matter with a poise and grace that brings a tear to the reader’s eye. Everything feels effortless, and the story flows so seamlessly that you’ll find yourself wishing for such excellent pacing in your own life.
Despite being a near flawless story, the one area in which this book missed the mark is in the characterization of Marx. When compared to Sadie and Sam, Marx lacked much of the depth and dimension lavished upon his comrades. He was largely without fault, and his main purpose in the story seemed to be as a catalyst for many of Sam and Sadie’s antics. When put up against characters who are so incredibly complex, Marx’s shallowness is hard to miss, and being that he ends up playing such a large role in the story, seeing a bit more from him would have been the icing on the cake of a wonderful book.
With Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Zevin has penned a haunting ode to the human experience. She takes the mundane and traumatizing aspects of life, and the emotions that we sometimes wish we did not have to feel and uses them to pay homage to all the things that make for a life well-lived, reminding us that we are never as alone as we think we are.
Reading time: 5 days
Difficulty level: 3/5
Overall Rating: 9/10
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a beautiful book that weaves a splendid tale about growing up, friendship, love, and the things we carry with us throughout our lives. Told against the backdrop of the unique world of video games, both playing and designing them, Zevin brings the story of Sam and Sadie, friends, then foes, then friends again, to life. The characters are rife with strengths and flaws, and each player in the story is both lovable and infuriating, much like the ones we hold near and dear to us in our own lives.
A beautiful depiction of deep suffering and genuine happiness, reading this book without feeling raw, untethered emotions for Sadie and Sam is impossible. Their joy, sorrow, pain, humor, grief, and love are so vivid that they reach up and grab you by the throat, unleashing a torrent of nostalgia so thick that, soon, you’ll be calling up lovers and friends past, asking them where it all went wrong.
Zevin paints an unfiltered picture of all the things, both small and large, hilarious and tragic, beautiful and ugly, that make us who we are. Her powerful imagery and witty dialogue elevate the story to new heights, and she tackles tough subject matter with a poise and grace that brings a tear to the reader’s eye. Everything feels effortless, and the story flows so seamlessly that you’ll find yourself wishing for such excellent pacing in your own life.
Despite being a near flawless story, the one area in which this book missed the mark is in the characterization of Marx. When compared to Sadie and Sam, Marx lacked much of the depth and dimension lavished upon his comrades. He was largely without fault, and his main purpose in the story seemed to be as a catalyst for many of Sam and Sadie’s antics. When put up against characters who are so incredibly complex, Marx’s shallowness is hard to miss, and being that he ends up playing such a large role in the story, seeing a bit more from him would have been the icing on the cake of a wonderful book.
With Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Zevin has penned a haunting ode to the human experience. She takes the mundane and traumatizing aspects of life, and the emotions that we sometimes wish we did not have to feel and uses them to pay homage to all the things that make for a life well-lived, reminding us that we are never as alone as we think we are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Death, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexism, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Ableism, Pregnancy, Abortion, Cancer, Medical content, Cursing, and Sexual content
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Age: 18+
Reading time: 1 day
Difficulty level: 1 out of 5
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
The best part of this book was the suspense. The plot was entertaining and easy to follow, and each chapter did an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing and wanting to read “just a few more pages” to find out what would happen to Verity, Lowen, and Jeremy. The pacing was relatively well done, and there were several jaw-dropping, visceral moments that were depicted so vividly, it was as if the words were jumping off the page and onto a movie screen.
This book’s best moments are in the sections that comprise Verity’s autobiography. Hoover did an excellent job of distinguishing Lowen and Verity’s individual voices, and the quality of Verity’s sections outshine Lowen’s in every way. If this was intentional, it was executed nearly perfectly. Even though the sections detailing Lowen’s experiences were not on par with Verity’s, there were some shining moments there as well. Lowen’s thoughts and feelings when she was struggling with imposter syndrome, anxiety, and depression were well written, and were the only times that she felt genuine.
Unfortunately, this book is lacking in several arenas. The writing style comes off as overly simplistic, which is not necessarily a bad thing if done for the ease of reading, but the feeling that the book was intentionally “dumbed down” permeated the story. There were several sequences and sub plotlines that, well written well, felt like they were shoehorned in. In the book, it is explained that Lowen struggles with sleepwalking, and familial trauma that stems from her episodes of sleepwalking as a child. This would come up at seemingly random times, and did not seem to have much to do with the overall story, leading to these scenes coming off as a bit unpalatable.
The characterizations in this story also missed the mark. Lowen feels unlikable and unrelatable to the reader, and her character feels fairly one dimensional. She tends to express certain feelings towards her situation and the people around her that do not make sense, and this aspect of the book ends up feeling like a poor attempt at foreshadowing. This carries over into the other characters in the story, including Jeremy and his son, Crew. The dialogue between them feels flat, stilted, and, frequently, plainly unrealistic. The pacing of Jeremy and Lowen’s romance, especially when considering the circumstances that brought them together, feels untrue to life. Some stories call for characters and situations that feel fantastical when compared to typical everyday living, but sadly this is not one of them.
Undoubtedly, Verity is a flawed book, but it has redeeming qualities that make it worth reading. It’s fast paced and suspenseful, and the unique story and thrilling cliffhangers make it a relatively fun and enjoyable read, even in the face of bland, unrelatable characters and, at times, subpar writing.
Reading time: 1 day
Difficulty level: 1 out of 5
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
The best part of this book was the suspense. The plot was entertaining and easy to follow, and each chapter did an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing and wanting to read “just a few more pages” to find out what would happen to Verity, Lowen, and Jeremy. The pacing was relatively well done, and there were several jaw-dropping, visceral moments that were depicted so vividly, it was as if the words were jumping off the page and onto a movie screen.
This book’s best moments are in the sections that comprise Verity’s autobiography. Hoover did an excellent job of distinguishing Lowen and Verity’s individual voices, and the quality of Verity’s sections outshine Lowen’s in every way. If this was intentional, it was executed nearly perfectly. Even though the sections detailing Lowen’s experiences were not on par with Verity’s, there were some shining moments there as well. Lowen’s thoughts and feelings when she was struggling with imposter syndrome, anxiety, and depression were well written, and were the only times that she felt genuine.
Unfortunately, this book is lacking in several arenas. The writing style comes off as overly simplistic, which is not necessarily a bad thing if done for the ease of reading, but the feeling that the book was intentionally “dumbed down” permeated the story. There were several sequences and sub plotlines that, well written well, felt like they were shoehorned in. In the book, it is explained that Lowen struggles with sleepwalking, and familial trauma that stems from her episodes of sleepwalking as a child. This would come up at seemingly random times, and did not seem to have much to do with the overall story, leading to these scenes coming off as a bit unpalatable.
The characterizations in this story also missed the mark. Lowen feels unlikable and unrelatable to the reader, and her character feels fairly one dimensional. She tends to express certain feelings towards her situation and the people around her that do not make sense, and this aspect of the book ends up feeling like a poor attempt at foreshadowing. This carries over into the other characters in the story, including Jeremy and his son, Crew. The dialogue between them feels flat, stilted, and, frequently, plainly unrealistic. The pacing of Jeremy and Lowen’s romance, especially when considering the circumstances that brought them together, feels untrue to life. Some stories call for characters and situations that feel fantastical when compared to typical everyday living, but sadly this is not one of them.
Undoubtedly, Verity is a flawed book, but it has redeeming qualities that make it worth reading. It’s fast paced and suspenseful, and the unique story and thrilling cliffhangers make it a relatively fun and enjoyable read, even in the face of bland, unrelatable characters and, at times, subpar writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Abortion and Emotional abuse
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Age: 18+
Reading time: 2 days
Difficulty level: 2 out of 5
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things follows protagonist Wavy as she comes of age in a small midwestern town where the most lucrative business opportunity is dealing, and by default doing, drugs. Her parents are caught up in this lifestyle, and the raising of her younger brother, Donal, falls to her. That is, until she meets an unlikely savior in the form of Kellen, a beefy biker who does business with her father. As Wavy ages, her relationship with Kellen deepens into something seen as wrong and broken by the world, but beautiful to them.
This book had more than a few moments that caused me to stop reading and gasp, or even throw the book across the room. I alternated between feeling visceral disgust, complete shock, deep sadness, and genuine compassion for what I was reading. The writing was raw and inspiring, yet easy to digest. The plot was solid, and, again easy to follow without feeling too simplistic or childish. The characterizations were executed extremely well, and the author was able to invoke genuine feelings of empathy for characters that, by and large, society sees as inhuman and disgusting in the real world.
The story is told through the viewpoint of many different characters throughout the book, including Wavy herself, Kellen, Wavy’s cousin Amy, and several adults who witness different aspects of Wavy and Kellen’s relationship throughout the story. I thought these differing perspectives added a lot of depth to the book, and the contrast between how Wavy and Kellen viewed their bond, and how it appeared to the rest of the world, was painfully realistic and raw. It also served to remind the reader of the innate inappropriateness of the relationship that they may have found themselves beginning to root for.
Despite how much I enjoyed this book, I must admit that it was not perfect. Overall, the first half of the book was much stronger than the latter half. There is a turning point in the story that results in the separation of Wavy and Kellen, and from there the story moves through time at a much faster pace. The overall chapter length becomes shorter, and much of the beautiful prose and stylistic character and setting depictions from earlier in the book become scarce. I felt rushed while reading the second portion of this book, as if the author was just hurrying through events to get to the end.
Character development was also lacking in the latter half of the book. I thought that Wavy and Kellen became stagnant, almost as though they were stuck at the same ages they were when they first separated. This felt unrealistic to me, as the amount of time that passed during their separation would almost certainly result in neither character feeling the same when they finally reunite. The second part of the book also has a much more dramatic feel to it than the first half. Certain sequences feel dramatized for dramas sake, and the actions and feelings of the characters did not reflect how the author had set them up to think, feel, and behave throughout the course of the story.
Regardless of the flaws of this book, I would wholly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and easy read that will leave you thinking about it for weeks to come. This book toes the line between order and deviancy, love and hate, and empathy and disgust, while simultaneously taking the reader on a beautiful ride of lyrical prose, genuine dialogue, and thought-provoking interactions that will leave them questioning everything they thought they understood about life, love, and growing up.
Reading time: 2 days
Difficulty level: 2 out of 5
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things follows protagonist Wavy as she comes of age in a small midwestern town where the most lucrative business opportunity is dealing, and by default doing, drugs. Her parents are caught up in this lifestyle, and the raising of her younger brother, Donal, falls to her. That is, until she meets an unlikely savior in the form of Kellen, a beefy biker who does business with her father. As Wavy ages, her relationship with Kellen deepens into something seen as wrong and broken by the world, but beautiful to them.
This book had more than a few moments that caused me to stop reading and gasp, or even throw the book across the room. I alternated between feeling visceral disgust, complete shock, deep sadness, and genuine compassion for what I was reading. The writing was raw and inspiring, yet easy to digest. The plot was solid, and, again easy to follow without feeling too simplistic or childish. The characterizations were executed extremely well, and the author was able to invoke genuine feelings of empathy for characters that, by and large, society sees as inhuman and disgusting in the real world.
The story is told through the viewpoint of many different characters throughout the book, including Wavy herself, Kellen, Wavy’s cousin Amy, and several adults who witness different aspects of Wavy and Kellen’s relationship throughout the story. I thought these differing perspectives added a lot of depth to the book, and the contrast between how Wavy and Kellen viewed their bond, and how it appeared to the rest of the world, was painfully realistic and raw. It also served to remind the reader of the innate inappropriateness of the relationship that they may have found themselves beginning to root for.
Despite how much I enjoyed this book, I must admit that it was not perfect. Overall, the first half of the book was much stronger than the latter half. There is a turning point in the story that results in the separation of Wavy and Kellen, and from there the story moves through time at a much faster pace. The overall chapter length becomes shorter, and much of the beautiful prose and stylistic character and setting depictions from earlier in the book become scarce. I felt rushed while reading the second portion of this book, as if the author was just hurrying through events to get to the end.
Character development was also lacking in the latter half of the book. I thought that Wavy and Kellen became stagnant, almost as though they were stuck at the same ages they were when they first separated. This felt unrealistic to me, as the amount of time that passed during their separation would almost certainly result in neither character feeling the same when they finally reunite. The second part of the book also has a much more dramatic feel to it than the first half. Certain sequences feel dramatized for dramas sake, and the actions and feelings of the characters did not reflect how the author had set them up to think, feel, and behave throughout the course of the story.
Regardless of the flaws of this book, I would wholly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and easy read that will leave you thinking about it for weeks to come. This book toes the line between order and deviancy, love and hate, and empathy and disgust, while simultaneously taking the reader on a beautiful ride of lyrical prose, genuine dialogue, and thought-provoking interactions that will leave them questioning everything they thought they understood about life, love, and growing up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death and Eating disorder
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