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violentte's reviews
95 reviews
The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For starters these kids are bad af, however this book does do a great job at depicting how fast kids are in the UK.
As readers we are baited into thinking something more sinister has happened but,no a death didn’t happen. I thought this maybe a murder mystery but it wasn’t - so you can imagine how disappointed I was. Below are some spoilers.
-
Taylor is the classic UK mean girl. She becomes territorial over the men in her life (Leo and Dylan), and lashes out on the girls around her. Because her own mother is just like her (and encourages this bad/dangerous behavior) there’s no one to fix how she is. The fact that she didn’t get caught annoyed me the most
The only good character in this is Pip, she acts her age and is one of the most harmless kids in this story. I read this for her and I loved the innocence she brought into the book.
Grace is rude, too rude at that, but to give her a fair chance in this review, she is peer pressured into growing up too fast by the group of kids she hangs around. The fact that she covered for the girls that attacked her was insane, but like Pip said, it allows them to continue to do this to others.
Claire is a bad mother, and not a well developed character. I think all of these parents are neglectful in a way, and have a very hands off approach to raising their kids once they are pass the age of 9. She keeps their father away from them which makes sense as to why BUT this isn’t developed enough. There is a lot of things (for all characters) that happens off the pages and we are readers are just supposed to be fine with that. It weakens the characters and the plot. The only smart thing she did was move her family out of that area because all those girls were a danger to her children.
Now that I’m at the end of the book I don’t think Leo is as much as of a threat that Pip makes him to be. I think he is a bit touchy feeling (in the way of someone that hugs almost everyone) but I do not think he’s after any of the girls. That being said, Pip is just really well aware of how fast all those other children are which is why she’s so on edge.
Dylan seems like a nice kid, he cut of Taylor and I think it’s partly because he knows she is CRAZY. But the closer of him and Grace still being together really wasn’t enough.
Overall, I wish the characters were more developed. The parents allowing their children to get away with putting another child in A COMA is crazy. Adele allowing Taylor to move in after all that is stomach turning.
As readers we are baited into thinking something more sinister has happened but,
-
Taylor is the classic UK mean girl. She becomes territorial over the men in her life (Leo and Dylan), and lashes out on the girls around her. Because her own mother is just like her (and encourages this bad/dangerous behavior) there’s no one to fix how she is. The fact that she didn’t get caught annoyed me the most
The only good character in this is Pip, she acts her age and is one of the most harmless kids in this story. I read this for her and I loved the innocence she brought into the book.
Grace is rude, too rude at that, but to give her a fair chance in this review, she is peer pressured into growing up too fast by the group of kids she hangs around. The fact that she covered for the girls that attacked her was insane, but like Pip said, it allows them to continue to do this to others.
Claire is a bad mother, and not a well developed character. I think all of these parents are neglectful in a way, and have a very hands off approach to raising their kids once they are pass the age of 9. She keeps their father away from them which makes sense as to why BUT this isn’t developed enough. There is a lot of things (for all characters) that happens off the pages and we are readers are just supposed to be fine with that. It weakens the characters and the plot. The only smart thing she did was move her family out of that area because all those girls were a danger to her children.
Now that I’m at the end of the book I don’t think Leo is as much as of a threat that Pip makes him to be. I think he is a bit touchy feeling (in the way of someone that hugs almost everyone) but I do not think he’s after any of the girls. That being said, Pip is just really well aware of how fast all those other children are which is why she’s so on edge.
Dylan seems like a nice kid, he cut of Taylor and I think it’s partly because he knows she is CRAZY. But the closer of him and Grace still being together really wasn’t enough.
Overall, I wish the characters were more developed. The parents allowing their children to get away with putting another child in A COMA is crazy. Adele allowing Taylor to move in after all that is stomach turning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
dark
emotional
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Amazing book. Finished in 2 days and just could not put it down!
Believe it or not Josie reminded me a lot of a person my partner knew first year of uni, whom was completely insane and a compulsive liar and it was just crazy seeing the similarities.
Jojo def shows signs either BPD or just a sociopath, and is a big danger (clearly) to those around her, displaying violent outburst, no remorse, obsession, and no empathy whatsoever.
Starting with Walter and her relationship, the age gap is INSANE and was a MAJOR red flag. In any shape or form Walter was a groomer, howeveronce we learn from Pat that Jojo actively went after Walter (knowing not only was he married but also dating her mom) - this showing her as a person (like you’re one of those that ALSO steals people men😭)
She is a perfect example of an unreliable narrator and we don’t begin to see the full picture till after her family begins to speak out.
I legit cried when Nathan died, I was hoping he wouldn’t and was holding out hope that the marriage would be fixed, but again Jojo’s obsession got in the way of that. I was honestly surprised that she didn’t try stealing HIM away from his family. But after hearing her daughter explain how Walter had to sneak to speak to his kids in America it was just adding on to the long list of red flags for Jo the Roxy plot twist was to be expected, she seems to be worse then her parents/grandparents. I think a spin off book on her would be interesttinnng
I loved the writing style and I will absolutely be reading more from this author. Great little murder mystery.
Believe it or not Josie reminded me a lot of a person my partner knew first year of uni, whom was completely insane and a compulsive liar and it was just crazy seeing the similarities.
Jojo def shows signs either BPD or just a sociopath, and is a big danger (clearly) to those around her, displaying violent outburst, no remorse, obsession, and no empathy whatsoever.
Starting with Walter and her relationship, the age gap is INSANE and was a MAJOR red flag. In any shape or form Walter was a groomer, however
She is a perfect example of an unreliable narrator and we don’t begin to see the full picture till after her family begins to speak out.
I legit cried when Nathan died, I was hoping he wouldn’t and was holding out hope that the marriage would be fixed, but again Jojo’s obsession got in the way of that. I was honestly surprised that she didn’t try stealing HIM away from his family. But after hearing her daughter explain how Walter had to sneak to speak to his kids in America it was just adding on to the long list of red flags for Jo the Roxy plot twist was to be expected, she seems to be worse then her parents/grandparents. I think a spin off book on her would be interesttinnng
I loved the writing style and I will absolutely be reading more from this author. Great little murder mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
The Corset by Laura Purcell
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really good, I started it at 8am finished it at 1:30pm gave off really haunting vibes similar to The Fall Of House Usher great read and loved the twist at the end.
A break down with some spoilers below
For starters, this book grapples with mental illness and with Elise we'll never know if there was something really supernatural going on OR if she was really mentally ill. The stakes were made high from the start from her being pregnant to her brother slowly drifting apart from her.
One thing I would have liked to be expanded on was her own relationship with her parents. Readers later discover that Elsie was the one to push her father into the saw and that he did not in fact fall in to it. Her brother then later states that she smothered her mother with a pillow, however in Elsie‘s eyes she was protecting him from other parents. We understand that her father used to beat her (only explained in 3 lines), but we never really understand what the issue with her mother was (aka what made her think she had to get rid of her). NOW all of this being said, I believe the brother (Jolyon) was Elsie’s son and here are my reasons.
1. Although we are not given a clear reason as to why Elsie hates her mother, we know her father (Edger) abused her and many comments made seemed like he also sexually abused her while the mother ignored it
2. She called Jolyon “my boy” and has an undying love for him and if he is father by her father (making Edger the father/grandfather) it makes sense why Elsie wanted to get rid of both toxic parents
3. Elsie cringes when finding out the staff named her stillborn son Edger
If this is the case I wish the author made it more clear after Jo’s death.
Now with the character of Hetta, I don’t think she was really evil or BORN of evil. Honestly I think her turning point was when her mother smacked her and when her father banned her from the family entertaining the royals. I think she did have powers but out of pettiness of all kids she acted out of it in a VERY sinister way. If she was born evil I think there would have been more signs to that. She felt betrayed by both her parents AND I also believe the Companions played a role into making her evil. Readers find out that she somehow talks to them and the person that sold them to Anne only did so when they found out the Queen was staying with them.
The Companions were the downfall of the family and definitely latched on to Hetta DUE TO her having power and being so young. The man that sold them had to be a demon or something cause he just vanished (and his shop) out of nowhere. After Anne kills, the now possessed, Hetta I believe it locked the “Evil” Hetta in bounding her with The Companions
Anyway
Sarah seemed to be a goner ever since her skin stopped healing. If all of this was supernatural, I believe Hetta took over her once she (Sarah) ran to get help. It was clear the grip she had in Sarah when Sarah 1 didn’t want to burn Hetta’s board 2 stole the necklace out of nowhere. Sarah somehow was the best fit vessel for Hetta, and maybe it was due to both bloodline AND her strong interested in wanting to know more about her family.
Overall great book.
Ps The death of the priest seemed random af and was just another way to raise the stakes WHICH WAS NOT NEEDED.
A break down with some spoilers below
For starters, this book grapples with mental illness and with Elise we'll never know if there was something really supernatural going on OR if she was really mentally ill. The stakes were made high from the start from her being pregnant to her brother slowly drifting apart from her.
One thing I would have liked to be expanded on was her own relationship with her parents. Readers later discover that Elsie was the one to push her father into the saw and that he did not in fact fall in to it. Her brother then later states that she smothered her mother with a pillow, however in Elsie‘s eyes she was protecting him from other parents. We understand that her father used to beat her (only explained in 3 lines), but we never really understand what the issue with her mother was (aka what made her think she had to get rid of her). NOW all of this being said, I believe the brother (Jolyon) was Elsie’s son and here are my reasons.
1. Although we are not given a clear reason as to why Elsie hates her mother, we know her father (Edger) abused her and many comments made seemed like he also sexually abused her while the mother ignored it
2. She called Jolyon “my boy” and has an undying love for him and if he is father by her father (making Edger the father/grandfather) it makes sense why Elsie wanted to get rid of both toxic parents
3. Elsie cringes when finding out the staff named her stillborn son Edger
If this is the case I wish the author made it more clear after Jo’s death.
Now with the character of Hetta, I don’t think she was really evil or BORN of evil. Honestly I think her turning point was when her mother smacked her and when her father banned her from the family entertaining the royals. I think she did have powers but out of pettiness of all kids she acted out of it in a VERY sinister way. If she was born evil I think there would have been more signs to that. She felt betrayed by both her parents AND I also believe the Companions played a role into making her evil. Readers find out that she somehow talks to them and the person that sold them to Anne only did so when they found out the Queen was staying with them.
The Companions were the downfall of the family and definitely latched on to Hetta DUE TO her having power and being so young. The man that sold them had to be a demon or something cause he just vanished (and his shop) out of nowhere. After Anne kills, the now possessed, Hetta I believe it locked the “Evil” Hetta in bounding her with The Companions
Anyway
Sarah seemed to be a goner ever since her skin stopped healing. If all of this was supernatural, I believe Hetta took over her once she (Sarah) ran to get help. It was clear the grip she had in Sarah when Sarah 1 didn’t want to burn Hetta’s board 2 stole the necklace out of nowhere. Sarah somehow was the best fit vessel for Hetta, and maybe it was due to both bloodline AND her strong interested in wanting to know more about her family.
Overall great book.
Ps The death of the priest seemed random af and was just another way to raise the stakes WHICH WAS NOT NEEDED.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Remember LOVING this series growing up but it was way to fast-paced for be reading as an adult and too cheesy.
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's not as entertaining as its Mother Series, but still. pretty good read. It is hard for me to give a full 4/5 stars for most series books I read since it is still world-building. I love this series because of the blend between the real world and the fantasy world. Even though The Stolen Heir was not THAT GOOD, it's a two-part series so I might as well finish it. I am not in a rush to be getting into Book 2, but will at some point of the year.
Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian
adventurous
medium-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? Yes
3.0
Not bad, but I won't be continuing with the series. Foreshadowing wasn't that good and everything was very predictable. The love triangle that seems to be forming seems boring. Like i said before the foreshadowing is a strong give aways of what will happen, no surprising plot twist - the only reason why i didn't put it down was that it wasn't THAT BAD but def not something I would reread again.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
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
5.0
Great build up and had me tearing up during many parts, thus my reasoning for 5 stars, however once again Sarah strips away female characters of any powers they have. The fact that she took all of Aelin's powers to the point that she can only make a spark was CRAZY for me and seems to be an ongoing thing with her (I mean just look at Nesta) adding on to this Sarah just chose to hand out princess and queen titles to EVERYONE in the end like what???? My problem with ACOTAR is that she had to make every character a couple and she did the same thing with TOG. I was happy with how Dorian and M ended with their relationship still developing, however Choal and Y was not what I wanted at all, PLUS making her pregnant ????? like what - I also did not like how Aelin's create was taken from her due to Y healing all the demons out of everyone - like yes saving the world was a team effort but Aelin and Manon have given up the MOST out of everyone like bffr. Chaol is still cringy and having to say my wife" all the time made me ick so bad. I was not expecting the 13 to get KILLED but that's another rant for another review