Madalina Mesrefoglu
I picked this up to see what all the hype was about, and it started out incredibly strong. I was really drawn to the concept of insanity, which was brilliantly conveyed through the chaotic stream of consciousness sentences, number-focused descriptions, and strikethroughs. However, as the story progressed, it shifted into a romance-dystopian plot that had me cringing quite a lot. On the bright side, it was a fast read, and I'm still curious to see where the main story goes. I might finish the main series (the first three books) but skip the later ones—it just feels like too much commitment for a series I'd only rate three stars.
3/5 stars
I adored T.J. Klune's narrative in “Under the Whispering Door.” While centered on themes of death and grief, the book offered a profoundly comforting experience, inviting me to snuggle up with a warm blanket and a steaming cup of coffee as I immersed myself in its pages. Klune's storytelling has solidified him as a must-read author, in my opinion.
4.5/5 stars
I regret rushing through this book during a 24-hour readathon; I believe I would have enjoyed it more if I had taken my time with it. This is a story about self-discovery through the simple things in life, set in a future world with robots. Despite being classified as a science-fiction novel, the plot has more of a cozy feel as we follow a tea monk and a curious robot on a journey of mutual understanding—the robot attempting to learn about what humans need, while the monk seeks personal discovery.
My mind was too tired when I was reading this, so it came across as boring at times due to the slow pace of the story. I am hoping to have a better experience reading the second book in the series.
4/5 stars
I started my 24-hour readathon with this book, and it was such a strong beginning. Despite the novel being less than 100 pages long, I found the story to be very engaging, and it took me less than a few pages to become emotionally attached to our characters and feel sad if something happened to them. The world-building and character development were excellent. Everything was so easy to picture in my head. Though I would have preferred a different kind of ending, Tutu's story had a satisfying conclusion. I am very excited to continue reading this series.
4.75/5 stars
This was not the best thriller I have ever read, which explains why it is one of the most frequently found books at thrift stores.
I was so annoyed with the main character while reading this book. I am aware that the author tried to portray her as a real person struggling with alcoholism, still reliant on her ex-husband, and attempting to move on from her past without causing harm to anyone near her. However, these elements were taken to such an extent that I was unable to be on her side. Whenever she drank, she would always go so far as to lose herself in the moment and end up doing something foolish that she would later regret. She was so untrustworthy that, as a reader, I could not rely on her judgment. With each character having their own issues, secrets, and making terrible decisions, I can say that I did not care about any of the three points of view.
At least the last few pages, when reveal after reveal was happening, were what kept me reading and motivated me to finish this. The story's resolution was alright, I suppose, but I would have preferred it if the characters had been held responsible for their actions rather than getting away with everything.
3/5 stars
Another book from my 24-hour readathon. This was the ideal easy, quick, and engaging read. It was surprising that this book, intended for children, turned out to be much scarier than I expected. While the storyline may not be entirely original, I appreciated the fresh perspective the author brought to it. Naturally, there were moments when this felt a little childish, but the atmosphere turned genuinely chilling as the stakes increased towards the end. I adored the vivid storytelling, which combined mystery and supernatural elements to keep me captivated throughout, as well as the charming relationship between our protagonist and her ghostly friend.
Victoria Schwab does not disappoint, with City of Ghosts being as enjoyable as Gallant. After reading her middle grade and young adult books, I'm eager to read more of her work, especially dive into her more adult novels. I am confident I will love them just as much.
4.25/5 stars
This wasn't a short story as I expected, but rather just the first of six chapters. That made it a big disappointment for me, as now I have to read the rest in order to solve the mystery and get some resolution. It felt like a failed attempt at Lovecraftian horror. Hopefully, the other books will be better.
2.5/5
In comparison to the other book from the series that I read, this one was a little boring. Set thousands of years in the future, I had so many conflicting thoughts about the sci-fi world portrayed in this book. It's clear that Asimov wrote this in the 50s because the technological advancements seem to be limited to just space colonization. It's as if humanity's development stopped after conquering space.
3.5/5 stars
Another 5 stars from miss Annabel Monaghan—2/3 books now.
I think this was even better than Nora Goes Off Script. It made me laugh and cry, gave me the same warm fuzzy feelings, and made me want to organize my house:)). I liked the journey Ali takes and how Ethan changes her views of life. I love how this author can capture a lovely romance in less than 400 pages while also effectively illustrating emotions and life lessons through her characters. I cannot wait to read her next book.
