mcluster1's reviews
342 reviews

Lilith by Nikki Marmery

dark reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

Love this retelling if creation. The idea that creating and godly intentions have been subverted by men makes a lot of sense

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

challenging mysterious reflective fast-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? No

4.0

This was an excellent read. I was truly intrigued by the twist at the end, I can’t say that I guessed it, but I see how the author set up the twist. 

Be warned this book does get into pandemics, but it is not unbearable. 

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

With Teeth by Kristen Arnett

dark tense slow-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? Yes

3.25

Sammy, Monica, and Sampson are deeply unlikable and not in a good way. I often enjoy stories with unlikable characters, but this group was almost unbearable. The story was very interesting, which redeems how unlikable the mains are. I wonder if Sampson was reallly that weird, or if Sammy was just that off kilter. 

I really enjoyed the vignettes from side characters that interacted with the mains.  It really gave an umph to the story and solidified how weird interactions with the main characters. 

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

lighthearted relaxing 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

This was cute! I enjoyed wells and Gwynn’s relationship a bit more than Rhys and Vivvi’s. I do think the pacing of this book was off. They didn’t really flesh out the conflict with Morgan and her coven, so the final confrontation/kidnapping felt a little out of no where. 

Overall a cute cozy October read. 

Community Board by Tara Conklin

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

Super heartwarming and kind of cozy read. It starts off a little rough, Darcy is initially a little annoying and hopeless, but the story really evolves into a heartwarming story about community and our connections to others. 

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty

adventurous dark mysterious sad slow-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? No

4.75

This had a bit of a slow start for me. Outside of that the characters were interesting and endearing, the storyline made perfect sense, and the conflict between Amina and rakash, Amina the pirate and Amina the mother, and the non magical and magical realms were very well thought out. 

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins

challenging funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

This was such a surreal listen. I quite enjoyed the story, but there were times where things felt very blurred together. I think I might try to physically read this book and reevaluate. 

I personally appreciated the ending note of this book. I think that the idea that you can love someone from far away and that it is ok to take time and space for yourself to figure your shot out…. Even if you are a mother. 

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

emotional funny fast-paced

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

5.0

This was a really great read. I generally don’t enjoy books that include the pandemic, but I feel like the way that this novel handled the pandemic was really good. 

Was Noah a gender bent Taylor swift? It really felt that way, especially with the way his discography and general demeanor was described.