per_fictionist's reviews
1162 reviews

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

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5.0

Insightful and thought provoking. I never knew 192 pages got over so fast.
3 Truths and a Lie by Lisa Gardner

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4.0

My first GARDNER and I picked it up just because I needed something short! And of course now I have another thriller writer whose books I'd end up collecting
Every Stolen Breath by Kimberly Gabriel

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4.0

Every Stolen Breath by Kimberly Gabriel is a standout when it comes to fast paced, exhilarating thrillers. And will definitely linger with me for a good time. The story follows our protagonist, Lia,16 who loses her father to the Swarm, a mob that conspires attacks and kills whoever comes closer to them. And as Lia, seeks out for vengeance, she learns secrets and lies that have the potential to shake the foundation of her city.

As I mentioned, Every Stolen Breath keeps you on the edge right from the start, and as the story starts building up the emotion intensifies. The characterization of Lia is on point, keeping in mind the fact that she is just a teenager, Kimberly has crafted her with utmost care, that doesn't make her a "know-it-all", and it is almost a treat to watch her work out the clues and build up her story almost single-handedly. LIA speaks volumes to me when it comes to "courage" and "standing up for what is right".

Cullen, the mayor's son was another character that felt so close to being real and he in my opinion can be considered as the poster kid for ones who vies for "public opinion". Cullen felt like a conflicted teenager to me and I definitely would love to have known more about his side of the story. His relationship with the Mayor kinda could've been explored more adding another layer to the story.

Ryan was another dubious character and although he stuck by Lia, most of the times, his image as a whole was questionable.

So, unequivocally the women in Every Stolen Breath steals the show, be it Lia's fighting spirit or Emi,the journalist's journey to unraveling the secrets out in the open!

The Swarm in question, didn't feel like a fictional entity, but a force that could be evidently real and a phenomena that is plausible and present or something that might happen in the near future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling, nail biting and thriller with a social message!

If you are looking for a thriller with a brilliant plot and a strong female MC this one is for you.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

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5.0

With rich characters and exquisite storytelling , Naomi Novik has weaved a brilliant fantasy, a Rumpelstiltskin retelling that I just can’t get over. Spinning Silver being my first Novik novel , I honestly didn’t know what to expect. And oh Lord, did it take my heart by storm? OOOOOHHH YESSSSS!!!!!

Spinning Silver opens up with Miriyem who is the daughter of a broke and expectionally kind moneylender who is failing in his business. With an ailing mother and winter that is so close to home, Miryem decides to take matters in her own hands and makes a drastic decision. Wanda, on the other hand with her drunkard of a father and two brothers live in the edge of the woods and their financial condition is no better. Irina, however lives a lavish life being the daughter of a merchant but fate strikes a cruel note and she is forced to live with someone she dreads.

Novik chronicles the journey of these three females and the hardships they face with a brilliant narrative. Miryem, Wanda and Irina though had contrasting personalities, the parallels between them is vivid in terms of their fight against patriarchy and unrequited love for their dear ones. The three of them are selfless, independent and are a force to be reckoned with. We experience love in different forms throughout the book be it Wanda who wants to despise her brothers for snatching their mother away unknowingly loves and cares for them with all her being. Miryem’s love for her family that pushes her to the mouth of danger and Irina being soft whenever required.

Spinning Silver has a mesmerizing start full of intrigue and keeps you on the edge from the very first chapter. Although I admit, the writing is a bit different and a tad difficult to get into but it slowly grows on you and the impeccable use of Novik’s words makes the book stand out. Novik in her book sketches the theme of feminism and of girls fending for themselves that acts as an icing on the cake.

Unique, a fantasy like no other, full of adventure and plot twists, characters carved with precision makes the book a memorable and stays with you for quite some time.
Confessions About Colton by Colourlessness

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5.0

Another one of my wattpad favorites. Cannot believe it's not been published yet. A fantastic thriller with numerous twists and turns to keep you hooked.
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

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4.0

Middlegame by Sennan Mcguire was a book that had me conflicted! A hard-hitting, delicious blend of sci-fi that abstractly dwells on parallel universes was bound to grab my interest and that's what MIDDLEGAME did to my Sci-fi loving heart.

Roger and Dodger are two twins that aren't exactly human but are prodigies of science, one of the duo is an expert in Mathematics and the other thrives in wordplay. Oblivious of the other's existence and thousands of miles that separate them,they find a way to connect with each of through telepathy and discover that there is a rather unusual thread connecting the two. Sounds interesting enough?

I adored the whole concept of time travel, parallel universes and a evil genius who controls them all! But at a lot of places, the story felt languidly slow and some facts felt repetitive. The main plotline felt superfluously extended at times and the so called villain didn't have much scree presence and considering the fact that he was the main spinner of the story, aka the creator or Roger and Dodger, I expected more from his part! My attachment with the MCs however made me continue with the book and I am so glad I did, because the climax was "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
Date Night by Samantha Hayes

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4.0

Nailbitting thriller.

Such a perfect paced, engrossing thriller after so long.
I was on the edge through out the book.
The pace was absolutely as I like, not too fast and not too dragging.
The characters I felt needed a bit polishing but I couldn't help admire how Hayes managed to keep me guessing who was the murderer.
Even though I figured out who it was, I coukdn't help but love how the author built up for the climax.


Loved it.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley

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2.0

Guessed it very early on ugh