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path_through_pages's reviews
235 reviews
A Pirate's Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
An absolutely fun and enjoyable ride! Just as good, if not better than book 1! Rain and Kay seem to have really settled and solidified in their relationship. Reading them now feels like talking to old friendsa!
There was so much more adventure, but all the characters felt so well formed, the dualogue so natural, and the comedic timing was perfect!
Also, the Dastardly Pirate Dreggs gave everything such a Dread Pirate Roberts/Princess Bride feel that i loved!
Can't wait for book 3!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes
There was so much more adventure, but all the characters felt so well formed, the dualogue so natural, and the comedic timing was perfect!
Also, the Dastardly Pirate Dreggs gave everything such a Dread Pirate Roberts/Princess Bride feel that i loved!
Can't wait for book 3!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Such an enjoyable read!
I honestly liked book 2 much more than book 1. Learning more about the mystery that is Elizabeth and getting to see more of Stephen was a really treat!
And i also have to say, i enjoyed Bogdan far more than I thought i would! He's officially a new favorite character!
Ps. No MC pregnancy tropes
I honestly liked book 2 much more than book 1. Learning more about the mystery that is Elizabeth and getting to see more of Stephen was a really treat!
And i also have to say, i enjoyed Bogdan far more than I thought i would! He's officially a new favorite character!
Ps. No MC pregnancy tropes
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For a relatively short book (under 300 pages), so much is packed in!
The commentary on social, racial, cultural, feminist, generational traumas, and economic issues was superb! It was written in a way that didn't feel pandering, it feel real. It felt like you were living the life of the FMC, feeling her disgust, her anger, her hopelessness and her and building animosity.
Ironically one of the least disturbing parts was about eating eyeballs! 😂
I have never been so happy see a killer reach their peak. The evolution from bookish 18 year old student to cannibal serial killer with their final coup de grace was ✨️chefs kiss✨️.
Absolutely a new favorite horror read!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
This is one of those times where I really have to say the book is worth the hype!
I enjoyed book two so much more than book 1! That isn't to say i didn't enjoy book 1, but this one felt more evolved!
It took a bit to get into it, and i found some elements predictable, but I haven't been reading this series to be shocked. I've been reading it to be entertained, and I absolutely was!
I love it when YA books acknowledge that YA readers are intelligent. This book was well written, a fast read, and added a new level of character complexity that stretched right to the very end.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to finish the series!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes
I enjoyed book two so much more than book 1! That isn't to say i didn't enjoy book 1, but this one felt more evolved!
It took a bit to get into it, and i found some elements predictable, but I haven't been reading this series to be shocked. I've been reading it to be entertained, and I absolutely was!
I love it when YA books acknowledge that YA readers are intelligent. This book was well written, a fast read, and added a new level of character complexity that stretched right to the very end.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to finish the series!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes
The Good Lie by A.R. Torre
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5!
So I'm a bit torn in this one.
I really liked the story, the writing style, and the overall mystery. It was well crafted!
I am also SO THANKFUL that the psychoanalysis throughout was grounded in reality and didn't feel like the author read 1 book on serial killers and suddenly knew it all.
I unfortunately found it a bit predictable (which isn't new for me with thrillers or mystery).
And the romantic element was something I could have done without. It tainted the realism and undercut what could have been an amazing FMC with unprofessionalism and a flair of incompetence.
Other than that, it was a good, fast read!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes.
So I'm a bit torn in this one.
I really liked the story, the writing style, and the overall mystery. It was well crafted!
I am also SO THANKFUL that the psychoanalysis throughout was grounded in reality and didn't feel like the author read 1 book on serial killers and suddenly knew it all.
I unfortunately found it a bit predictable (which isn't new for me with thrillers or mystery).
And the romantic element was something I could have done without. It tainted the realism and undercut what could have been an amazing FMC with unprofessionalism and a flair of incompetence.
Other than that, it was a good, fast read!
P.s. no MC pregnancy tropes.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
3.5!
This is only my second Lisa Jewell book, and I will say I am still so impressed by her writing style and storytelling!
Any negative part of this review I want to promise is purely due to personal preference and not the quality of the book or story.
Although I found the 'twists' somewhat predictable, it didn't diminish the enjoyment of the story.
The multiple POVs and time periods were well done, and I think it built a great picture of each character and gave us a 360 look at the different responses to tragedy and loss.
This book is VERY motherhood heavy. For many, that's going to be a great plus! But for someone like me who won't ever connect with a character on that level, I felt like I got the points the author was trying to make rather thoroughly and the continuous references back to birth and motherhood began to feel more tedious than character building.
Other than that, it's an enjoyable read!
P.S. Not tokophobia friendly
This is only my second Lisa Jewell book, and I will say I am still so impressed by her writing style and storytelling!
Any negative part of this review I want to promise is purely due to personal preference and not the quality of the book or story.
Although I found the 'twists' somewhat predictable, it didn't diminish the enjoyment of the story.
The multiple POVs and time periods were well done, and I think it built a great picture of each character and gave us a 360 look at the different responses to tragedy and loss.
This book is VERY motherhood heavy. For many, that's going to be a great plus! But for someone like me who won't ever connect with a character on that level, I felt like I got the points the author was trying to make rather thoroughly and the continuous references back to birth and motherhood began to feel more tedious than character building.
Other than that, it's an enjoyable read!
P.S. Not tokophobia friendly
Beholder by Ryan La Sala
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I thought it was a really unique concept and the POVs were done in a really intriguing way!
But I just can't pinpoint why I didn't love it. Something about the book made it really hard for me to focus.
It wasn't boring, and it was engaging, but I kept feeling my mind wander. It was hard for me to just sit down and go through it for some reason and I can't figure out why.
P s. No MC pregnancy tropes
But I just can't pinpoint why I didn't love it. Something about the book made it really hard for me to focus.
It wasn't boring, and it was engaging, but I kept feeling my mind wander. It was hard for me to just sit down and go through it for some reason and I can't figure out why.
P s. No MC pregnancy tropes
The Dissonance: A Novel by Shaun Hamill
For a book that is nearly 500 pages, this story honestly just FLEW by!
I know a lot of readers struggle with multiple POV and flashback storylines, but this was done so well that it felt like the book was broken up into bite-sized stories.
The different time period storylines were so well developed that at times, it felt like I was reading a prequel and a sequel at the same time.
The magic system was really well devised. There were complex magical aspects that were explained in a way that you could understand without feeling panderred to.
I also really like how the teenagers were written because they actually felt like teenagers! They weren't annoying for the sake of trying to show a lack of maturity. The author gave credit to the intelligence that teens actually have while still balancing it with angst, uncertainty, and a lack of life experience.
The only true fault I have with it is that at the end, I still had SO many questions! This feels like a stand-alone, but I almost wish there were some novellas where I could get just a smidgen more answers so I can feel complete 😅
But I will say! There is a vocally CF FMC and no MC pregnancy tropes!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
For a book that is nearly 500 pages, this story honestly just FLEW by!
I know a lot of readers struggle with multiple POV and flashback storylines, but this was done so well that it felt like the book was broken up into bite-sized stories.
The different time period storylines were so well developed that at times, it felt like I was reading a prequel and a sequel at the same time.
The magic system was really well devised. There were complex magical aspects that were explained in a way that you could understand without feeling panderred to.
I also really like how the teenagers were written because they actually felt like teenagers! They weren't annoying for the sake of trying to show a lack of maturity. The author gave credit to the intelligence that teens actually have while still balancing it with angst, uncertainty, and a lack of life experience.
The only true fault I have with it is that at the end, I still had SO many questions! This feels like a stand-alone, but I almost wish there were some novellas where I could get just a smidgen more answers so I can feel complete 😅
But I will say! There is a vocally CF FMC and no MC pregnancy tropes!
White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
3.5!
I think I had the wrong expectations going into this book, and that's 100% my fault. The title plus people referring to it as a 'fun read' led me to expect something lighter, maybe even cozy.
That absolutely was not this book, haha
But! It was well written, unique, imaginative, and touched on a lot of complicated and difficult themes while still keeping the focus on the story.
For the first in the series, I think it did an excellent job at both setting the stage, building characters, and diving into a unique magical world.
Ps. TW, TTC, miscarriages, not tokophobia friendly
I think I had the wrong expectations going into this book, and that's 100% my fault. The title plus people referring to it as a 'fun read' led me to expect something lighter, maybe even cozy.
That absolutely was not this book, haha
But! It was well written, unique, imaginative, and touched on a lot of complicated and difficult themes while still keeping the focus on the story.
For the first in the series, I think it did an excellent job at both setting the stage, building characters, and diving into a unique magical world.
Ps. TW, TTC, miscarriages, not tokophobia friendly
Wanted: A Roommate Who Isn't Evil by Jennifer Kropf
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
For such a short book, it is 100% jam-packed with adventure!
The different storylines are so well formed and blend together in a way that feels full without it feeling rushed.
I am always sad when there isn't more Shayne in the story, but knowing that the next book is going to be Shayne heavy makes me so excited to read the next book in the series!
It was so nice to get to know Dranian more, and the addition of Dog-Shayne is a whole new favorite of mine! Not to mention the 100% real and undeniably true enchanted nature of ice cream.
We've heard of enemies to lovers, but enemies to frenemies is such an underutilized trope, and this book does it so well!
Can't wait for what's next!
PS. No MC pregnancy tropes
The different storylines are so well formed and blend together in a way that feels full without it feeling rushed.
I am always sad when there isn't more Shayne in the story, but knowing that the next book is going to be Shayne heavy makes me so excited to read the next book in the series!
It was so nice to get to know Dranian more, and the addition of Dog-Shayne is a whole new favorite of mine! Not to mention the 100% real and undeniably true enchanted nature of ice cream.
We've heard of enemies to lovers, but enemies to frenemies is such an underutilized trope, and this book does it so well!
Can't wait for what's next!
PS. No MC pregnancy tropes