melissa_keen's reviews
76 reviews

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Very similar to the film, which I love! Though I must admit there were some parts that dragged and I felt my eyes skimming over.

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

I found this book very different to what I expected. It's a very tame, typical, old fashioned scary story with no real ending or resolution. Quite disappointing!

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

adventurous informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A fantastic story. Not my usual genre, but it was a beautifully written book and easy to read despite the historic setting. The writer is wonderful at creating colourful, vivid descriptions - it is easy to become immersed in this book.

Hide and Seek by James Patterson

dark mysterious fast-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

A bit slow to start, but a satisfying and fast-faced murder mystery with an interesting (but fairly predictable) ending.

Sweet Temptation by Lucy Diamond

inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A lovely, light, quick read with a satisfying ending.

Seven Crows & Cursed by Mel Odom, John Vornholt

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This is 2 books set in the Buffy universe. I liked the first book as Buffy was a central character and I love her relationship with Angel. The second was a bit more complicated and the story was more difficult to keep up with (I felt my eyes glazing over in parts). Buffy is also not featured (unless in passing), which is a shame. 

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

dark emotional sad fast-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

3.5

A really profound, interesting concept for a book for sure. I just wish it had a happier ending... I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series as it doesn't feel right without such a key character.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Really enjoyed this. Found myself genuinely freaked out in a couple of instances, and felt my eyes well with tears of relief towards the end! Very evocative

How I Survived My Summer Vacation by Yvonne Navarro, Nancy Holder, Paul Ruditis, Michelle Sagara West, Cameron Dokey

adventurous fast-paced

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

2.5

Not as good as some of the other Buffy-inspired books I've read. The short stories got progressively worse and I skipped paragraphs towards the end. Not enough Buffy for my liking, but I enjoyed the setting of the summer between the first and second season - it's interesting to think what may have happened during that break.

Ghoul Trouble by John Passarella

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

A lovely read if you're a fan of Buffy - like reading a previously unseen episode when it was at it's all-time best!