toreadistovoyage's reviews
1519 reviews

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

3.5

REREAD

I think it helped knowing what was going to happen this time. The relationship drama was still annoying, but I knew it was there. I wasn't bored this time, but it may be because I was more focused on details/gathering info to make predictions for book three. It may also have been more engaging listening to the audiobook. 

The School Is Alive! by Jack Chabert

3.5

My 7yo enjoyed this. I think it scared him a bit, as there were a few times he asked me to stop reading (although, he may have just been really ready to go to sleep). The premise is interesting. I hope as the series progresses there is a bit more character development. 

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

challenging mysterious medium-paced

4.0

An engaging literary mystery. I was hooked through most of this book. The ending wasn’t really a let down, as it was entirely realistic and plausible, but it didn’t wow me like the first half of the book. I love how this book explored language and linguistics, family history and dynamics, secrets and loyalty, and, to a certain extent, living through a pandemic (set in June of 2020). This story is layered, full of foreshadowing, and has rich character development. 

Rejection: Fiction by Tony Tulathimutte

challenging dark reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What did I just read? This was…unsettling. Cringey. Somehow both relatable and not at all relatable. 

Rejection is a series of short stories that are interconnected. The ending ties everything together in a truly unique way.

Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

Intriguing storyline, but uneven execution. Inez was all over the place, Whit was secretive and manipulative, the reveals were either predictable or implausible, the pacing was slow until it was fast. I wanted more archaeology. 

Saturday - the Missing Ducks (Total Mayhem #7) by Ralph Lazar

4.0

Another hit with my 7yo. He loved the ducks and especially the warthog. Lots of giggles as we read this one. 

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

4.0

An unsettling, haunting, intimate story. A woman returns home to her wife after a deep sea exploration mission gone wrong - and has returned deeply changed. The story alternates between each wife, with current and past timelines. 

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell

3.0

This had potential. The execution was a bit lackluster. Fun, sort of cozy-ish mystery.

Kill Joy by Holly Jackson

3.25

A fun novella showcasing Pip’s detective skills. No actual murder in this book, but it does a nice job of setting up the series. 

The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

4.0

Overall, a satisfying ending to the series. The way storylines from the previous three books collided in this one was masterful. I had a few issues with pacing and engagement.