that_bookworm_guy's reviews
736 reviews
The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a brilliant book and series!!
I can't believe that I've not read these before, but I'm so glad I have now. I feel like this would be a great series to reread over and over
I can't believe that I've not read these before, but I'm so glad I have now. I feel like this would be a great series to reread over and over
An Advertisement for Toothpaste by Ryszard Kapuściński
medium-paced
3.5
Actually more enjoyable than I thought, was pleasantly surprised
The Creeping Shadow by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this may be one of my favourite books from the series!!
The characters are developing really nicely and it's great to see how they all interact with each other. We're definitely seeing different sides to them all.
The plot is also developing at a great pace and its getting really interesting. I'm excited to see where it will go
The characters are developing really nicely and it's great to see how they all interact with each other. We're definitely seeing different sides to them all.
The plot is also developing at a great pace and its getting really interesting. I'm excited to see where it will go
The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really enjoying this series so far. I loved the overall storyline as well as the development with the characters.
The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm so glad I bought all the books because honestly, I can't wait for the next one. Which I am going to start now
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A gripping story
I watched the netflix series 2 times in a row. Then rewatched it again. And now I've rewatching it again.... it took a while to find the first book because everyone seemed to have had the same idea and gone out to buy the books. But now I have the whole series I'm starting my read of them.
I haven't devoured a book like this in ages. I've been in reading slumps pretty much the whole year and this one was just the book to break me out of a slump. It's easy to read, with a strong story and great characters.
I watched the netflix series 2 times in a row. Then rewatched it again. And now I've rewatching it again.... it took a while to find the first book because everyone seemed to have had the same idea and gone out to buy the books. But now I have the whole series I'm starting my read of them.
I haven't devoured a book like this in ages. I've been in reading slumps pretty much the whole year and this one was just the book to break me out of a slump. It's easy to read, with a strong story and great characters.
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I did enjoy this book, but overall, I felt like something was missing but I don't really know what it was.
Death on the Pier by Jamie West
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
I do love a good mystery and this certainly was a good one.
With clues laid out throughout, this is a great story that will have you guessing, who, why, and how.
I've seen some reviews where people have said they guessed who it was, but I think that's rather the point. It takes skills to have you guessing who it is, but leaves you with questions until the end. I do love a story where the reader can work things out for themselves and the plot twist isn't done out of shock value. But even right up until the reveal, there are still questions. I honestly love that!!
I love Bertie as a character and I adore how his queerness is just a part of who he is, but not a huge thing. I honestly love stories were characters can be queer and it's just normal.
The character building and development throughout is great, as well as the setting to the story. I love all the tiny little details that add up to create a much more vivid story.
With clues laid out throughout, this is a great story that will have you guessing, who, why, and how.
I've seen some reviews where people have said they guessed who it was, but I think that's rather the point. It takes skills to have you guessing who it is, but leaves you with questions until the end. I do love a story where the reader can work things out for themselves and the plot twist isn't done out of shock value. But even right up until the reveal, there are still questions. I honestly love that!!
I love Bertie as a character and I adore how his queerness is just a part of who he is, but not a huge thing. I honestly love stories were characters can be queer and it's just normal.
The character building and development throughout is great, as well as the setting to the story. I love all the tiny little details that add up to create a much more vivid story.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I found this book a little slow and hard to get into right at the start, but this 100% could have been because I'm in a bit of a slump. But as I was reading more, I was gripped.
June is so unlikeable, but I love how throughout it seemed like she was trying to change and make amends, but only for herself, until the end. It's so interesting following her and having the story told in her voice. She is so oblivious to what she says or maybe she truly believes it. She thinks she's one of the good ones, but shows to the reader that she really isn't.
An intriguing read, I will definitely be looking out for future books by this author
June is so unlikeable, but I love how throughout it seemed like she was trying to change and make amends, but only for herself, until the end. It's so interesting following her and having the story told in her voice. She is so oblivious to what she says or maybe she truly believes it. She thinks she's one of the good ones, but shows to the reader that she really isn't.
An intriguing read, I will definitely be looking out for future books by this author
How To Die Famous by Benjamin Dean
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
How to Die Famous is a YA thriller set around the fictional Hollywood life of a 'cursed' TV show. From the actors having to hide who they are, to exposing the Web of lies that go further than they think, this book will have you gripped from the moment you start reading.
It's hard to know what's real and what's some kind of elaborate plan set up by those pulling all of the stings. Which leads to many twists and turns until the very last page.
It's hard to know what's real and what's some kind of elaborate plan set up by those pulling all of the stings. Which leads to many twists and turns until the very last page.