lmrajt's reviews
1022 reviews

Age of Vice, by Deepti Kapoor

challenging dark slow-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

Wow, there was a lot here. Almost too much - might have benefitted from some editing. This lady reminded me of an Indian Toni Morrison. That said, it was very compelling and I loved the setting and enjoyed the way the narrative unfolded. Neda in particular depressed me. Heck, they all depressed me! Very dark, elusive, inscrutable. Would recommend for anyone looking for something different.

Shrines of Gaiety, by Kate Atkinson

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Very slow start - I wasn’t into it until halfway through and almost gave up a few times. Second half was GREAT - characters really came to life, witty dialogue, much more interesting. Roaring 20s indeed. Perfect ending, too.

The Last Party, by Clare Mackintosh

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This was just okay for me - I don’t think I liked it as much as her other books. The characters seemed like…caricatures. Something about it felt a little off. Definitely suspenseful though!

The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O'Farrell

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow. Such an intriguing setting and historical period, made all the more so because much of this book was inspired by real events. The writing was incredibly propulsive and I couldn't put it down. Just wow.

Fairy Tale, by Stephen King

adventurous slow-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

2.5

I love uncle Stevie, aka Horror Daddy, but this didn't do it for me. I had to do some strategic skipping through the second half of the fantasy section in order to finish. 

Killers of a Certain Age, by Deanna Raybourn

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

What a fun little romp! As if Elin Hilderbrand wrote a book about a squad of female, retired, sixty-something assassins. I was totally entertained from start to finish. Would love to read more about this author.

Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

This was simply too melodramatic for me right now.

Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

challenging dark 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

4.5

It's not hyperbole to say this book is a masterpiece and I fully expect it will win all the awards. That said, I wasn't prepared for how totally bleak and depressing it was. I mean, heartbreaking. For real. It's been 25 years since I read "the original" and I just wasn't processing how a book about addiction and child maltreatment would impact me as a forty-something parent of two teenagers. Riveting, gorgeous, and sad.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time, by Gillian McAllister
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

Idk, I just don't like time travel books {shrug}

All Good People Here, by Ashley Flowers

dark mysterious 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

3.25

Love the idea of a true crime junkie deciding to up and write a novel :-). This was a solid addition to the suspense/mystery genre. Some of the plot twists I saw from a mile away, and it felt a smidge convoluted at points, but it kept me reading and engaged throughout and I would recommend to others.