b00kw0rms0fthew0rldunite's reviews
711 reviews

Him by J. D. Kirk

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

The Surface Trials by H.M. Waugh

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-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

4.5

This had me hooked when I read the blurb and didn't let me off the line until I was finished! A young adult, science fiction/dystopian story with more twists and turns than I expected.

It is a young persons version of the Hunger Games or Divergent series without the brutality but with the same messages. I am a huge fan of both and now this one too. I think this is the first of a series as there are loads of story lines not yet completed.

A fantastic book with themes of staying true to yourself, outwitting the system, surviving at all costs and working out who your true friends are. Those coupled with hideous beasts, trees of gloop, air attacks and a series of clues in a treasure hunt and who could resist?!

My first HM Waugh book and it definitely won't be the last. 
My very big thanks to Allen and Unwin Publishers for the book, I loved it!

No Sweet Sorrow by Denzil Meyrick

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton

dark funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.0

This was certainly a different type of book! I was sucked in my the title, blurb and cover and when I started reading, I found that it was funny and well written. Based on a dual timeline of only a year in between, we find ourselves immersed in quite a few mysteries at once.

What I liked:
-Kirby was very likable and not just another teen hero
-The humour and relationships between the flatmates
-The background unearthed throughout the book
-The highlight of the perils of social media

What wasn't my cup of tea:
-The somewhat rushed ending
-Because of the rushed ending, the horror of what was happening was glossed over
-The romance never got there

I feel like the book had a very 'funny yet somewhat completely unrealistic' vibe that lends itself to movies like Hot Fuzz. It was a fun read and if you are in the mood for something not too serious, pick this one up!

Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus Publishing for this ARC.

Schrodinger's Cottage by David Luddington

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

This book was absolutely hilarious. My first read by this author but won't be the last.
It was full of intrigue and mystery and could go on for many sequels. A truly mind bending and infinite possibilities paradox of a book... with lots of cats!

Loved it!
With humour very much like, Richard Osman's, if you are a fan of his, don't hesitate to read this book! The narrator of the audiobook is spectacular and really brings Ian into character! 

The Storyteller's Daughter by Victoria Scott

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This is my second read from Victoria Scott and each book is getting better in my opinion. I love books set in WW2 and in dual timelines. The exciting part is to figure out how the two are connected and how the characters are related. Both points of view have strong female protagonists and through their eyes we read more about the challenges facing women in their time frames, especially in the 1940's.

I was interested to learn more about Wicca and 1940's journalism and I know that the author has a personal connection to journalism. The story covers many elements including espionage, divorce, family relationships, finances, societal pressures and betrayal. It is well written and the dynamics of family had me feeling hope to anger and beyond.

I didn't think that the title really fit with most of the book, unfortunately. The Storyteller's Secret may have been more fitting. It is somehow a bit deviating from the plot.

Overall, it was a well written and absorbing book that left me frustrated every time we had to go to the next timeline as I was invested in each chapter. It definitely warms up and gets better from 40% through.

My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC. All opinions stated are my own.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.0

Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.75

George Orwell's 1984: An Audible Original adaptation by George Orwell

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

Daughter of the Drowned by Kerry Williams

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Hot Tree Publishing for the ARC. This is a great start to a new series! All opinions are my own. 4.5 Stars

The premise of this book really grabbed me. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but the book progressed from an everyday world where Lee was very different, to an entirely different way of viewing the world. Quite gripping in parts and emotional but also full of hope and wonder.

I loved how the book changed when Lovely and Tino left England and arrived in New Orleans. Almost like the two venues encapsulated personalities of their own. The cast of supporting characters are fun, kind and knowledgeable. 

The third setting, under the sea was full of colourful characters, vivid descriptions and filled in a lot of questions that the book had left me with thus far.

I knew from halfway through the book that this couldn't possibly be a stand alone and to my delight, discovered it was book one in the series 'Darkness Duet'. Can't wait to read more!