morganmay's reviews
87 reviews

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

fast-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

Ehhhh there’s quite a bit of weird racist remarks from/about characters. And I reallllly am not a fan of “it was just a coincidence” type endings :P

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

dark sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Ehh? First of all, it’s a huge bummer. I think I’m just the wrong audience maybe? I did not love reading about a life altering pandemic so soon after Covid. AND there’s soooo many stressful reminders about things like climate change and late stage capitalism in every chapter. ALSO I just generally don’t love when a book does have classic beginning/middle/end structure. This is written like a bunch of diary entries from like 30 people who all live in the same universe, but who (mostly) don’t know each other. Idk. I was bored the last half. It seems like what each character wanted to say was “Man. Living here in the future sucks and is so stressful. I wish the people I loved hadn’t died!!” The euthanization theme park was interesting! I would’ve enjoyed a whole book about just the folks from that chapter! 

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I love suburban momstery thriller!!!! I had no idea what was happening and I loved it!! I read the entire second half of the book all in one sitting basically bc I couldn’t put it down. 

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

dark fast-paced

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

3.5

3.5 stars. I really liked the concept, and I like that the sisters’ relationship was believable, but the story is super predictable and wasn’t the most exciting. 

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

dark funny informative sad tense 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

I love dinosaurs and I love Dr. Grant!!! I cannot believe how different this is from the movie and I can’t wait to see what the other books are about??? 

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this! Which is saying a lot bc I am NOT a romance girlie. Definitely a beautiful depiction of finding love after grief. 

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

dark funny sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

4.5 stars!!! I love women!!! I love feminine rage!!! Also was genuinely so surprised by some of the events which kept me on my toes! Will definitely be seeking out Layne’s other works. 

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

dark tense fast-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 okay. Definitely stand by it being so compelling and interesting when I was a teen, but as an adult there’s kind of a lot of homophobia and also it does NOT seem to be written by someone who has actually experienced addiction, just someone who has watched someone else have one. 

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

dark sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

3.5 stars. I was obsessed with this series in 10th grade, and I’m excited to see how it holds up. This was great, but I kind of wish there was more??? It’s a super easy read though which is great bc I’ve been in a reading slump. 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

This is truly so validating to anyone who had dealt with grief and it is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Michelle.