pencilled_robin's reviews
87 reviews

Cursebreakers by Madeleine Nakamura

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

Hell For Hire by Rachel Aaron
Did not finish book.

Interesting premise, but the beige prose + constant awkward infodumping made it hard to enjoy.

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

medium-paced

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

3.5

OK book. Wasn't fully impressed by any aspect (and there were a few eye-rolling moments) but it kept me just invested enough to finish it. Slightly disappointed as I enjoyed several other books by the same author. 

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Heartbreakingly beautiful literary fiction. "Masterfully written" is a cliché, but I think it applies here.

Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

dark funny informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Nice story, but a bit too treacly at times (and I say this as someone with a high tolerance for treacle). The contrast between the witch's "evil" and "kind" deeds was jarring and in my opinion, could have been handled better. 

All in all: not something I would re-read, but still a fun use of my time.

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
Did not finish book.

Interesting concept, decent prose, but the writer comes across as so pretentious. 

A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote

emotional funny reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0