robin_duguay's reviews
277 reviews

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

The Stranger by Harlan Coben

3.5

Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison

3.0

Gone for Good by Harlan Coben

3.0

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

I’m always wary of a second book after a standout first novel, and I audibly groaned when I learned this was prequel. I expected it to be plagued with clunky foreshadowing and shoehorned in references to Legends & Lattes. 

Instead, this is probably one of the best handled prequels I’ve read. It stands entirely on its own, but still a wonderful complement to Legends & Lattes and development of those characters. 

Warm and cozy goodness with a dash of magical peril and a mustache twirling villain (as the saying goes. The villain does not have a mustache) If I have a mild complaint, it’s only that the stakes were good and could have been more present. 

I’ll happily return to this world and I’m excited to see what Travis Baldree bakes up next. 

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

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

4.5

The Woods by Harlan Coben

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.25

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.5

A fast, fun read. An average Joe inherits his late uncle’s supervillain business operations, and finds himself embroiled in a plot involving an international league of villains (like SPECTRE, but with more bureaucracy and venture capital) his uncle has been feuding with for decades. Charlie’s just a regular guy, but he has to figure out how to be a bad guy, and fast.