shannonvonpesach's reviews
229 reviews

The Odd Sisters: A Villains Novel by Serena Valentino

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Really liked this part of the book. I do have a feeling it's getting darker along the way!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Blood

Minor: War

Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy by Serena Valentino

adventurous dark reflective sad 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? No

4.0

After Eden by Helen Douglas

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 
It's okay. I was a bit confused when Eden met Cassie in chapter two. And Ryan told her it's his "sister". And in chapter three she meets Cassie again and she all of a sudden asks Ryan if that was his sister?

I did not like the suggestive tone of Travis later in the book that he wouldn't mind to have some "fun" with her.

Also Eden was at some moments not so bright. Like about the cleaners, several times it has been mentioned what would happen and the only thing she asks, what's already been told, is: 'what will happen to me?'

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

Snow & Poison by Melissa de la Cruz

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It was okay, I find it slowpaced like it should've been longer. The details about the food, clothing and surroundings are great.
The characters are a bit annoying for me, and thus not loveable.

Jacoba, Dochter van Holland by Simone van der Vlugt

emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Really loved this book! It's superfunny!

Sea Witch Rising by Sarah Henning

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

Plot was niet duidelijk. Te weinig over Evie. Viel heel erg tegen na deel 1.

Life Love Books: Advice You Wish Your Parents Had Given You by Mark Manson

challenging funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Zeven keer trouwen? Ik moet er niet aan denken!

Taylor Jenkins Reid neemt je mee naar een wereld vol glamour in de 50's. We kijken vanuit de ogen van Evelyn Hugo terwijl ze aan Monique Grant haar "wilde" leven verteld voor een biografie. Uiteraard zitten hier nog wat haken en ogen aan...

Het boek leest lekker weg, de schrijfstyle van Taylor is superfijn om te lezen. Het is ook vrijwel fast paced! Een "once you start you can't stop" boek. 

Toch ontdekte ik wat puntjes die voor mij niet zo lekker liepen. De magazine/krantenknipsels kwamen niet echt over voor mij. Daarnaast zit vrijwel aan het einde een twist die superonnodig was en een beetje vreemd, ik verklap het niet voor mensen die het boek nog willen lezen. 
Verder is Evelyn geen likeable karakter. Ze is manipulatief en erg self centered (dit was ook het doel) dus op dit gebied heeft de schrijfster dit goed geschreven. 

En de "mannen pakken toch wat ze willen dus ik liet het toe" houding vond ik vaak een "ik leg het boek zo even weg" moment. Het speelt zich af in tijden dat het ook vaak zo gebeurde, maar ik kon het niet zo goed hebben.

Het boek is lgbtq+ vriendelijk en de schrijfster heeft de struggles van toen goed geschreven.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abortion

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.0

It's a tad too slow for me. Loved the chapters unfolding everything! Also loved the descriptions of everything.