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sarahlouhope's reviews
225 reviews
The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spinning by Tillie Walden
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
This is my first graphic novel, and I devoured it in an hour. I skated as a child, so this resonated with me in many differing ways. This is a poignant memoir that depicts a coning of age tale that will resonate with many. At points I cried, but throughout it all I remembered. This will stay with me for a long, long time.
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not just for Stephen King fans, this YA suspenseful psychological horror is in my top 5 reads of the year so far! The audiobook is amazing, with a wonderful cast that bring the story to life so well. At times uncomfortable, this is a book I will recommend to everyone, regardless of the genre you prefer to read!
Where He Can't Find You by Darcy Coates
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
For fans of Krystal Sutherland and Caroline O'Donoghue. I devoured this in 24 hours! Just enough horror to make you question turning the lights off. The Jackrabbits are a mishmash bunch of teens, each of whom has some form of link to the Stitcher, the being terrorising the townsfolk of Doubtful. Questions of human or monster are interspersed throughout the drama as a useful pacing tool to keep you questioning right up to the last quarter of the book.
I read the e-book as well as listening to the audio, both of which were great, although the e-book does have the illustrations which are a nice touch.
I read the e-book as well as listening to the audio, both of which were great, although the e-book does have the illustrations which are a nice touch.
The Dark by Emma Haughton
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Party House by Lin Anderson
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I'm a lover of Lin Anderson's books, and was very happy to discover one I had not read! I've avoided reading books that create bridge between fact and fiction on the Covid 19 pandemic for many reasons, but my love of Lin's writing caused me to put that aside. The handling of the pandemic in the book is well done, and the effects of the unnamed pandemic - Covid is never mentioned, just that there had been a pandemic with mutating strains - on the small, fictional Highland community of Blackrig is poignant and respectful of the village communities whose relationship with covid will match closely with what is written here. I dropped this from a 5 star read for a few very small reasons, some of which are spoilers, so I won't mention. I enjoyed the multi plots taking place and the development of the characters as we delved in to their past, as well as the exploration of the ulterior motives of each main character. Certainly a read I would recommend.
The Blade Artist by Irvine Welsh
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The 3rd installment in the Trainspotting series is certainly a tad different to the rest! Following Begbie as he makes a return to his homeland and criminal stomping ground as a supposedly changed man is an interesting development. I don't really think a leopard can change their spots that much, though! Well written, as always, but maybe a stretch too far for die-hard fans of the old Begbie and crew. Can certainly be read as a standalone novel, and I think it may be more enjoyable if you go into it either having never read the previous books, or if it's been years since you last read them, like me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail