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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
34 reviews
Look Closer by David Ellis
dark
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
5.0
Best thriller I've read in a long time! It made me want to read everything else Ellis has written.
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Simon's dedication to the long con is absolutely unmatched. He's truly diabolical, and somehow completely justified. What an amazing character.
Would absolutely recommend!
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Would absolutely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
This series just keeps getting better! I think Piper and Galen were such a lovely pair, and the secret to what was causing the deaths being explored in the beginning was a fun adventure.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book read like a memoir or a stream of consciousness. Like memories pieced together. It was an intimate POV of a first generation experience, of growing up black in the south, of the changing nature of faith and religion, of what it's like to see your family struggle with mental health issues and addiction. You really get to know who Gifty is and what drives her throughout this novel.
I would recommend this if you're drawn to memoirs or particularly reflective fiction.
My biggest qualm with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for the book to pick up a plot line that it never did. I also don't read a lot of books this tied up in Christianity, so I may have not been the perfect audience.The hard cut at the end to her being in a relationship with Han having already experienced her mom's passing felt too sudden for me too.
I would recommend this if you're drawn to memoirs or particularly reflective fiction.
My biggest qualm with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for the book to pick up a plot line that it never did. I also don't read a lot of books this tied up in Christianity, so I may have not been the perfect audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Would maybe come back to this
I just immediately felt so sorry for the main character and slightly embarrassed for him and it was not the vibe
I just immediately felt so sorry for the main character and slightly embarrassed for him and it was not the vibe
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A quick and easy read! Would be great for a flight or a rainy day.
I thought I was settling in for something a little meatier. In my opinion, the story introduced the conflict right away and didn't do much to surprise the reader throughout.
However, I did like Millie's role in the plot - she was more clever than people wanted to give her credit for. I also liked the battle of wills between Jack and Grace. The "who will win" of it all kept me reading.
I thought I was settling in for something a little meatier. In my opinion, the story introduced the conflict right away and didn't do much to surprise the reader throughout.
However, I did like Millie's role in the plot - she was more clever than people wanted to give her credit for. I also liked the battle of wills between Jack and Grace. The "who will win" of it all kept me reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Infertility and Forced institutionalization
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Emily Henry always makes great things happen. I knew this would be good before I even opened it. I think this book is a relatable exploration of living and falling in love even through grief and brokenness.
I will say some of the true romance of this novel felt a little over the top for me to the point that I didn't resonate with this one nearly as much as the last couple Henry books I read. Still good and worth reading though!
I will say some of the true romance of this novel felt a little over the top for me to the point that I didn't resonate with this one nearly as much as the last couple Henry books I read. Still good and worth reading though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
The author of this book did such an incredible job weaving together facts about our current industrial prison system and details about the prison system of this universe. So much so that it definitely feels like real corporate Amerikkka could make the decision to move in this direction.
This undeniable parallel to the real world that was interspersed with real laws and real instances of police brutality didn't detract from the fact that this was absolutely beautiful fiction. The characters were so rich. I was fully invested in Loretta & Hamara's relationship - their circumstances made me feel real emotions. And the stories of prisoners who were tortured or controlled to the extent that this gladiator fighting became their only option kept me riveted as well.
I was convinced at the beginning, because it's sometimes hard for me to sink into fiction that requires a ton of world building, that this would land as a 4 for me. By the end I was smashing that 5 star button HARD.
No notes. Everyone should read this.
This undeniable parallel to the real world that was interspersed with real laws and real instances of police brutality didn't detract from the fact that this was absolutely beautiful fiction. The characters were so rich. I was fully invested in Loretta & Hamara's relationship - their circumstances made me feel real emotions. And the stories of prisoners who were tortured or controlled to the extent that this gladiator fighting became their only option kept me riveted as well.
I was convinced at the beginning, because it's sometimes hard for me to sink into fiction that requires a ton of world building, that this would land as a 4 for me. By the end I was smashing that 5 star button HARD.
No notes. Everyone should read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Classism
The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
In terms of my actual enjoyment of the book, my rating could probably be lower. Every thing that happens in the plot was gratingly convenient. The characters are more caricatures than characters with depth. Huge things would happen like the main character more or less trying to die or a woman walking away from her abusive husband and the plot would continue like, "Ahh, we're glad that's over."
However, I read this with friends and lots of them loved this. If you go in with the mindset that everything wraps up happily in the fairytale of a world where every problem can be solved with a plan and a book, you might like it too.
However, I read this with friends and lots of them loved this. If you go in with the mindset that everything wraps up happily in the fairytale of a world where every problem can be solved with a plan and a book, you might like it too.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun twist on a haunted house story for sure. I walked into the book expecting a good cozy horror mystery. I walked out of it feeling like I got my fill of a good haunted house tale AND a thoughtful exploration into how our lives and the people in them can shape the decisions we make.
Margaret was a character that you couldn't help but root for.
Margaret was a character that you couldn't help but root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Vomit
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too.
This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring.
A wonderful read.
The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too.
This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring.
A wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders