loop_laurens's reviews
38 reviews

The Martian by Andy Weir

adventurous funny hopeful tense 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? No

5.0

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

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

5.0

A captivating story that balances humour and tenseness perfectly, with an ending so heart-warming it brought me to tears.

The main character is immediately loveable, and the narration humourous yet still explains the stakes and science in an easy to understand way that enables the reader to feel the tenseness when things go wrong. The science side of the plot was interesting enough to keep intrigue, but it was the emotional plot that really elevates the story; it's a story about saving earth, but also about friendship and selflessness and what if aliens were just as excited to meet us as we were to meet them? 

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

adventurous 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? No

3.5

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

challenging tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The pacing started off slow but did pick up, and kept me invested enough to finish reading in one sitting. The main character wasn't particularly memorable, but the description and intensity of the plot had me rooting for him regardless. Overall an enjoyable and (for the latter half) tense read.

Sherlock Holmes and Mr Hyde by Christian Klaver

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Just like the first, this is an utterly ridiculous plot written so well it actually works. Though not as enjoyable as its prequel, it still very much felt like a love letter to the original stories, and made for an enjoyable and humerous read.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen, Ben H. Winters

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

A laugh-out-loud homage to the original, utterly ridiculous and utterly charming. Bonus points for the great illustrations.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

A thoroughly enjoyable, fun read with a delightful cast of characters!

This book was exactly the type of book I'm always searching for; a humorous, lighthearted fantasy with a diverse, lovable cast, and low stakes well written enough to keep you invested in the outcome. The worldbuilding was excellent, the relationships between the characters delightful, and the plot and character growth so engaging I couldn't help but read the entire thing in one sitting. Would highly recommend!

The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour by Clint McElroy

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.5

Another excellent instalment in the series!

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

A novel format, but rather slow paced and less exciting than the premise made it seem. The narrator felt a little flat as a character which made it hard to root for her. Overall not the author's best work but hasn't put me off reading any future books.