3 stars for the storyline for the first 2/3 or the book, enough to keep me hooked on reading for the whodunit when I didn't enjoy the writing itself (2 stars for the writing which felt cliche, full of stereotypes and soap opera tropes) and 1 star for the last third. Ugh.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

I did not know what to expect before I read this book - a colleague had recommended it but had not filled me with any details but I trusted her judgement. I was blown away - the writing was captivating, the descriptions were vivid and I felt as though I was there with the characters, and oooh - the characters - I loved the portrayal of the strong female characters who were the librarians, determined to get books and reading material out to the rural Kentuckians. They were flawed, layered and complex and they defied societal expectations and I found myself rooting for them (especially against misogyny and capitalist greed. Also, "go librarians!!") and I loved the dialogue and that though they were friends, they also fought and argued with one another in a way that felt real. Moyes also writes in a way that is captivating and engaging and kept me on my toes, and I felt myself turning each page, wanting to know what happens next. I felt that the ending was satisfying and this was a wonderful read from beginning to end.

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nyzerman's reviews 387 reviews

nyzerman's reviews
387 reviews