whatsheread's reviews
2092 reviews

Falling Bodies by Rebecca Roanhorse

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

 Falling Bodies by Rebecca Roanhorse is the third selection in the Far Reaches collection published by Amazon. Unlike some of the other short stories in the collection, Falling Bodies focuses more on what it means to be human in a universe filled with aliens. In particular, it raises the question of whether being human is an identity that only comes with being born on Earth or simply by your DNA. The ending of Falling Bodies may be triggering for some readers, but it is an ending that emphasizes the question of what makes a human a human. Falling Bodies is the type of story that haunts you long after you finish it. 

Void by Veronica Roth

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Void is the short story submission by Veronica Roth for the Far Reaches collection. Occurring in the void of space travel between planets, Void is as much a murder mystery as it is an examination of humankind in space. Ms. Roth's story also explores the phenomenon of time dilation and its impact on the human experience. Between its emptiness and the time dilation, space is one scary space. But, one can find solace in the fact that no matter where they happen to be, humans will always be humans. Ms. Roth's Void may not be as sobering as some of the other stories in the Far Reaches collection, but it does make you look at space as something other than the next frontier to overcome. 

How It Unfolds by James S.A. Corey

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

 How It Unfolds by James S. A. Corey is another short story and part of the Far Reaches collection. It is the type of story I had to let sit and marinate for a bit. While John Scalzi's short story gave me chills, I found  How It Unfolds reassuring. There is something calming about the idea that all things live and all things die and that to die is not a failure. It just is. Even more important is the idea that we are never dead as long as we remember and honor those who came before us. How It Unfolds is an impressive story, conveying so much in little space. 

Slow Time Between the Stars by John Scalzi

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

 Slow Time Between the Stars is a short story by John Scalzi and a part of the Far Reaches collection recently released by Amazon. While Mr. Scalzi has made a name for himself writing quirky, comedic science fiction, Slow Time Between the Stars is a serious contemplation of what it means to be human in the vastness of space. Told from the point of view of a sentient AI tasked with finding an inhabitable planet to save the human race, we follow along as the AI shares its observations of humankind while traversing the outer reaches of our Milky Way. In less than an hour, Mr. Scalzi conveys that while we consider ourselves the epitome of evolution, we are so insignificant and alone when viewed alongside the emptiness of space. Slow Time Between the Stars is, in my opinion, one of Mr. Scalzi's best works. It is so well-written and contemplative. I felt myself getting goosebumps as the AI moves farther away from Earth and away from humanity. 

Holly by Stephen King

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

Holly is the latest novel by Stephen King, and it follows one of my favorite characters from his Mr. Mercedes series. I will also say it is probably one of his darkest stories in recent years because there is nothing otherworldly about it. In Holly, the villains are human, albeit despicable, vile ones. 

One of the things I loved about Holly is the fact that while Holly Gibney is the hero, and she is a recurring character, you could consider it to be a standalone novel. While there are references to the goings-on of the Mr. Mercedes series and the other two novels that make up the Holly Gibney series, it has nothing to do with what is happening in this story. In other words, you don't miss anything by not understanding those references. 

I was not prepared for Holly to be as gruesome as it was. There is one particular scene that nauseated me, and I usually have an iron stomach when it comes to disgusting scenes. The odd thing is that it isn't a particularly bloody scene either. It's just that Mr. King does an excellent job describing in detail exactly what the character is experiencing, and it is anything but pleasant. 

Holly takes place during the pandemic, just after the world started opening back up and people were questioning whether we should continue masking or not. It still feels surreal to read stories set during 2020 - 2021 because it was such a weird time. However, it is a comfort to recognize that the characters also feel odd about the entire situation - much like we all did then. 

For the audiobook, Simon & Schuster Audio and Stephen King opted to have Justine Lupe narrate Holly. Since she is the actress who played Holly Gibney in the Mr. Mercedes television series, it is the perfect choice. While not everyone can make the transition to audio narration, Ms. Lupe has no such issues. She brings to her performance the same anxiety and self-doubt that are Holly's biggest faults. In many ways, Ms. Lupe's performance is a welcome homecoming to such a lovable character. 

Seduction in Death by J.D. Robb

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Seduction in Death by J. D. Robb is the thirteenth book in the In Death series. By this time, the series should come with trigger warnings because this is, once again, a truly disturbing story. Ms. Robb's date rape-murder investigation is not for the faint of heart. Not only are the murder scenes upsetting, but she spares no feelings when going into detail about what the victims experienced. It is intense. 

I am beginning to really love watching Eve and Rourke working together. It makes them such a strong couple, but it also shows how much they complement each other. Roarke's technical abilities combined with Eve's street instincts are a formidable force, and I can't wait to see what they join forces on next. 

Susan Erickson does it once again. It continues to amaze me how well she embodies each character. I always look forward to listening to these audiobooks. This is, in part, because of Ms. Robb and the stellar story I know I'm going to get, but also because of Ms. Erickson's performance. 

Interlude in Death by J.D. Robb

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I know that these little novellas within the In Death series are not necessary for completing the series, but I find them fun little interludes. Interlude in Death is a fantastic break between the darkness of the previous novel, allowing fans the chance to catch their breath. To make it even more of a break, the story occurs off-planet. 

Interlude in Death is a fun locked-door/planet mystery. At its heart, however, are Eve and Roarke. While we have seen them work together in the past, this is the first story where we see them wholly reliant on each other. There is no fuss, no arguing. Nothing but cooperation and collaboration. As I said before, it is a nice reprieve from the intensity of the past novels. 

Betrayal in Death by Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

It seems like with every novel, I say that it is the darkest book yet in the In Death series. That trend holds once again with Betrayal in Death. I've concluded that any story that touches on Roarke's past is bound to be dark. In this twelfth book in the series, we not only learn more about his past but also meet some of his friends from that era. It's quite the discovery, and his friends were quite the characters. 

I love that we see Eve taking care of Roarke for once. To me, it is a turning point in their relationship as it shows she recognizes that she needs to give as much as she gets. The other thing I enjoyed about Betrayal in Death is watching Roarke and Eve work together professionally. They've always collaborated, but it is the first time we see Roarke openly welcomed into one of Eve's investigations. I see it corroborating the idea that they are a tremendous couple, perfect for each other in every way. 

Seriously, Susan Erickson can do no wrong as the In Death narrator. I love her voices. I love her performance. She captures Eve so much better than I ever could. Plus, I am especially fond of her Roarke. The combination of Ms. Robb and Ms. Erickson is as good as it gets. 

Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

 

Judgment in Death by J. D. Robb is the eleventh book in the In Death, and boy does it leave a lot to unpack. The biggest topic to discuss is the theme of police corruption. When you think that Ms. Robb released this novel in 2000, it speaks volumes that police corruption remains a hot-button issue twenty-three years later. I love that Eve is such a hardliner, not afraid to expose the rot in her beloved police department because it gives a bad name to a career she cherishes. 

Judgment in Death contains one of the goriest scenes in the series and probably one of the worst scenes I've read. Again, it is a stark reminder that when Nora Roberts dons her J. D. Robb writer's hat, she is not afraid to take her characters to places few will travel and expose them to scenes authors typically don't like to show.

One of the things I loved about Judgment in Death is that we learn more about Roarke's past. More importantly, we get a glimpse of the behavior that gave him such a lasting reputation. We learn more about who Roarke used to be and can finally understand why he has no desire to revisit those days. 

Judgment in Death provides a much-needed step forward for Eve and Roarke's marriage. I always love when they butt heads over her work, but this was the first time where I didn't find it amusing at all. Roarke is so good for Eve, but I am not certain he was right this time. Their disharmony is unsettling as much for the readers as it is for them. 

As always, Susan Erickson's performance is stellar. At this point, I can't picture any actor as these characters because I know their voices will not match any as performed by Ms. Erickson. I look forward to her narration as much as I do to the story itself. 

Witness in Death by J.D. Robb

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Let's face it. J. D. Robb/Nora Roberts has to be a clever person to be able to write so prolifically and keep each one of her novels unique. That being said, Witness in Death, number ten in the In Death series, is particularly clever. Her use of a story within a story is always a fun plot device. But to use an Agatha Christie mystery to establish another murder mystery? That's genius. 

I remain surprised by how dark Ms. Robb is willing to go with this series. While we know most of Eve's childhood traumas, Witness in Death goes even darker. What's more, she can discuss such a taboo subject without glamorizing or trivializing it. Her focus is less on the act itself and more on the mental distress that comes from learning about such actions.

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. I love how every book shows Eve becoming a little more vulnerable. She was so robotic at first, and even though we are only ten books in, she has grown so much. Friendships still baffle her, as do lavish displays of affection, but it is so satisfying to see her become almost human.