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nancykz's reviews
493 reviews
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
An entertaining, engaging read with great representation.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is not “exactly like” The Secret History. Got it?
Yes, it’s dark academia. Yes, there is a cohort of brilliant students at a school for elite talent, but the writing, pacing and plotting are not Tarttian.
A highly-entertaining read. It’s rumored to be coming to television and I will absolutely watch it.
Yes, it’s dark academia. Yes, there is a cohort of brilliant students at a school for elite talent, but the writing, pacing and plotting are not Tarttian.
A highly-entertaining read. It’s rumored to be coming to television and I will absolutely watch it.
Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
lighthearted
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? Yes
2.75
Took a while to hit its stride. Lots of exposition dumping toward the end.
Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan Lethem
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Police brutality
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
At some point I’m going to find romantasy that works for me. This wasn’t it.
Day by Michael Cunningham
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Suicidal thoughts
Upgrade by Blake Crouch
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Quick, little laggy and preach at the end, but I’ll take it! I love the way Crouch introduces tech that improves life only to slam us with questions of the moral implications (and leaves us to come up with our own conclusions).
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.25
This isn’t something I would ever pick up on my own. I don’t know why. I love to read anything and everything and despite myself knowing this, I am certain I’ve had passed over it.
Caroline and James are about to enjoy two weeks in London as a celebration of their tenth wedding anniversary when Caroline sees a text that unravels their marriage. Taking her best friend’s advice, Caroline goes on the trip solo to have the space she needs to figure things out.
Told along two timelines, Caroline is intrigued by a glass vial etched with a bear she finds while mudlarking — a complete whim brought her to join a group. As she traces back the origin and story of the vial in real time, we move through the vials owners in the past.
Well written and executed. The last chapter could have been removed — felt like it was there for readers who may have missed the point. I like to be trusted as a reader.
Caroline and James are about to enjoy two weeks in London as a celebration of their tenth wedding anniversary when Caroline sees a text that unravels their marriage. Taking her best friend’s advice, Caroline goes on the trip solo to have the space she needs to figure things out.
Told along two timelines, Caroline is intrigued by a glass vial etched with a bear she finds while mudlarking — a complete whim brought her to join a group. As she traces back the origin and story of the vial in real time, we move through the vials owners in the past.
Well written and executed. The last chapter could have been removed — felt like it was there for readers who may have missed the point. I like to be trusted as a reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
Personally I thought the sensitive/triggering things were handled gently. That’s not to say others’ reactions won’t be different.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
I. Devoured. This.
Started yesterday while waiting for a parade to stop and before bed and the. Downloaded the audio this morning and listened to in my 4 hour drive home at 1.5x speed so I could finish it. Right after one of the biggest twists my car decided it didn’t want to keep playing it and I was so annoyed. Listened to the last 20 minutes (sped up) in the evening before bed and I am just SO enamored.
The writing is punchy and perfectly paced, the characters are endearing, and while it hits on some really serious stuff that I normally avoid, it did it in a gentle, light way instead of going the grief porn route, which I appreciate.
Started yesterday while waiting for a parade to stop and before bed and the. Downloaded the audio this morning and listened to in my 4 hour drive home at 1.5x speed so I could finish it. Right after one of the biggest twists my car decided it didn’t want to keep playing it and I was so annoyed. Listened to the last 20 minutes (sped up) in the evening before bed and I am just SO enamored.
The writing is punchy and perfectly paced, the characters are endearing, and while it hits on some really serious stuff that I normally avoid, it did it in a gentle, light way instead of going the grief porn route, which I appreciate.
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5