Stephanie

Really enjoyed this book. Deuce and Fade are probably my favorite dystopian/apocalypse couple. Also love all of the feminism that is in this book. Great read.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it had strong characters, an interesting plot, and believable character development. I appreciated the cultural diversity it offered as I prefer reading books that explore different cultures over the typical European history and narratives written by white authors. Monserrat, the main character, was a strong character who stood up for herself and her beliefs, while also being relatable because of her feelings for the boy next door. The subplot between Monserrat and Tristan was predictable but still enjoyable. The final scene, from the burning down of the location to Tristan's confession, was my favorite part of the book. The author did an excellent job of describing the settings and the dialogues throughout the story. However, I felt that the book lacked the horror element that a horror book should have, and it felt more like a psychological thriller. The pacing in the beginning was also slow, which made it challenging to get into the story.

For a book with as many accolades as the one this received. I expected a lot more from it. Instead, what I got was a book that had a boring plot, told me a lot about the daily happenings of a boring character, an unsatisfying mystery, and an ending that could not come quickly enough. Has anyone figured out why she was scratching her wrist yet? I won't be reading anything else from this author.

I gave the Atlas Six five stars. I was in love with so many elements of that story. The character building, the relationship dynamics, the magical realism. An interesting and complex plot...the book did it for me. We fast forward to the Atlas Paradox and we have an author who seems to have forgotten what story she is even telling. The strongest elements of this book were Libby, Nico, and Gideon. Their relationship and interactions kept me engaged. Otherwise the other characters have become so pointless and insufferable I was not invested in their story arcs. I was also not invested in what the heck Atlas is trying to do. Which is where the unsatisfying plot tag is coming from. I'm disappointed in this sequel.

I have never been able to understand the trend of cozy mysteries until now. Recently, I was feeling a bit down, and so I decided to finish reading the “The Mystery Guest.” I had read “The Maid” last year and enjoyed it. The protagonist, Molly, is a unique character, and I liked how the books in the series feel self-contained. The book I just finished is about the murder of a mystery book writer, and reading it was an engaging process. There were two well-done plot twists, several clever details that sparkled because of Molly's autism rather than despite it, and a well-paced and timed ending that left me with a smile on my face. The book radiates a sense of warmth and comfort in the best way possible.