tysbooks's reviews
353 reviews

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This one took a while before I truly became invested in the story and by the end it still left me with a few questions. I did really enjoy how the book was broken into different parts surrounding a different character and how the timelines were used. I liked some of the reveals because I had no idea they were coming and I liked how the book started to move a little faster towards the half way point allowing me to fully dive in. However, some of the reveals we got didn’t quite add up to me. One secret in particular that was revealed made no sense and in my opinion didn’t even need to be a secret. The ending left a few questions with certain characters because it seemed like a few issues weren’t even addressed or resolved by the end. I didn’t really have any expectations going into this and it was fine overall, but I do wish I could have enjoyed it more…..

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I'm slowly learning that this is the type of horror that I enjoy. This revolves around a religious cult but also gives you the creepy and gruesome scenes that are typically found in horror stories. This book was about a person fighting their own demons in order to lead the life they want and I liked how this message was given figuratively and literally. The focus of the story is around Camp Damascus, a gay conversion camp that uses religious practices in a unethical way. I liked following the main character Rose and watched as she figures out the truth of what she has been taught her entire life and accepting herself without worrying about the church. I liked that the book brought up how the church will interpret the bible in ways to fit their own agenda and also how quickly you will be shunned if you don't follow their teachings the way they want. This was my first book by Chuck Tingle and it will not be my last.

Rouge by Mona Awad
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.

DNF @ 43%. This was painfully slow and boring. I get this was talking about the beauty industry and beauty standards but after 157 pages I was over reading about skincare and skincare routines. I don’t know what the plot of this was supposed to be and there was no ‘horror’ to be found. This was partially my fault to even pick this up because I was NOT a fan of Bunny, but this one sounded intriguing. I unfortunately could not stick around to find out if this got any better. I see people have been enjoying this but this was not for me. 

Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

 This one just didn't do it for me. I'm not really sure what Eric LaRocca was trying to accomplish with this story but I think parts of it could have been executed better. There are two different plot lines we follow for majority of the story which both kept my interest well enough to finish the story. I got lost and disappointed in this when a brutal sexual assault scene was used in my opinion as a way to tie the two plot lines together when there could have been a different way. These type of scenes don't necessarily bother me, but I didn't like the way I felt it was used in this story. I think both of the plot lines in this could have worked well on their own, but this ultimately didn't come together for me in the end. This is not my favorite from this author but I'm still willing to try more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual assault

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was fantastic and my favorite I've read from Lisa Jewell by far. I love a good podcast element in stories and this one did it right. I would highly recommend the audiobook in order to experience the different narrators and sound effects used to bring the story to life. The mystery behind this story Josie wanted to tell was so intriguing and kept me invested in the story from start to finish. It was fun to figure out what was the truth and what was the lie. The ending of this book was everything and it didn't end the way I expected which was even better. I haven't read all of Jewell's books, but this one I would highly recommend!!

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

This was fine. Unfortunately this won't be a romance that will stay on my mind. I did like how the characters were drastically different from each other. We have Ari who is impulsive and a little erratic while Josh is more quiet and reserved. It was fun to see these two characters run into each other every few years eventually building a friendship. I appreciated that we got to see these characters as friends before watching them develop romantic feelings. However, I wish there was a better balance between the time we got with them as friends to when their feelings turned romantic. It felt like the relationship was rushed by the end. This is inspired by When Harry Met Sally, so if you enjoyed that I believe this would work for you. 

Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I don't read many demonic possession stories but this was a fun take on one. It delivered on just the right amount of horror and disturbing scenes while also providing a bit a humor to keep the story entertaining. I enjoyed that this was set in a suburban neighborhood with mothers that are only focused on their kids who now have to deal with this demonic presence. Not only did we get horror, but it also brought up the importance of friendship, motherhood and how it takes a village to raise children. While I enjoyed most of this story, I wish the ending scenes were a little longer and not so rushed. If you are looking for a more lighthearted horror story that doesn't seem to take itself too seriously then this would be the one for you!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I can actually believe the hype for this book and I had a fun time reading it. I do think some of the plot points within the story were very predictable and these characters did read a bit younger than they were supposed to, but I enjoyed this despite those things. The academy setting was interesting and I liked how the dragons were depicted in this story. I was intrigued with the magic and how it worked for the riders. I was invested in the love triangle and the tension between Violet, Xaden and Dain. I did not go into this expecting to enjoy it but I can’t wait for the next book!

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This story had a lot going on. We have a missing girl from the 1950's, another unsolved case, one case that was solved but more information was being found out then a haunting at a all girl boarding school but this book did a good job with putting all the pieces together. I was never left feeling confused and the pacing was nice because something was always happening. There was a past and present timeline that doesn't always work for me, but in this I was engaged in each timeline. I enjoyed the reveals at the end and how all of this came together. I overall enjoyed the story, but I don't think this will be one that will stick with me.

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This is a slow burn mystery that touches on motherhood and the different relationships mothers have with their daughters. The beginning of the story was extremely slow to me, but the second half really picked up and became the page turner I wished the entire book would have been. We follow four main characters and I enjoyed the twists at the end that revealed how all these characters were actually connected. I love a book with short chapters, which this book delivers on, but I do think with this story the short chapters prevented you from being able to really know the characters and care about their backstory. I’m not sure if everyone would enjoy this as much as Alice Feeney’s other books, but I think if you could stick with it the ending will be very satisfying.