dennasus's reviews
707 reviews

Christmas Present by Jodi Taylor

lighthearted fast-paced

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

Another quick short story, which always seem quite over the top plot wise, but are usually good fun 

Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo

slow-paced

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

This story left me underwhelmed, to be honest. I thought the idea had so much potential, but the execution was severly lacking for me. The writing felt full of cliches and too descriptive, but then also flat to me and the plot had so many tropes I don't care for. (28 May 2024)

[I've stopped rating books in May 2024]

A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

That was a wild ride. For a long time I wasn't sure if I want to get on board with the different timeline plot. But in the end I did and in a way it is neat to bring in / back certain people from the previous timeline. It made my head spin quite a bit though. I still think I would prefer it if there were a few more trips through history in each book. I feel some are just for show or filler and don't move the plot along all that much and that can be fine, but shouldn't happen too much. But that's just me. (26 May 2024)

[I've stopped rating books in May 2024] 

Wildflower Bay by Rachael Lucas

4.0

Roman Holiday by Jodi Taylor

lighthearted medium-paced

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

This was a fun, but also quite silly interlude telling the story of a trip to ancient Rome to meet Caesar and Cleopetra. (24 May 2024)

[I've stopped rating books in May 2024] 

A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor

emotional medium-paced

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

Oh this one broke my heart for a while. I still very much enjoy these stories and trips all over / through (?) history, but admit it sometimes felt like a bit too much for one book. What was the point of the trip to see Isaac Newton for instance? Maybe it will be brought up again later. I'm not sure yet (and I'm already almost halfway through the next book, while I'm typing this) what to think of the different timeline idea in general. It's sci-fi / fantasy about timetravel so of course it works on paper and all, but I'm not sure if I'm a fan from the character development angle. Very neat idea though! (24 May 2024)

 [I've stopped rating books in May 2024] 

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

mysterious medium-paced

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

I enjoyed this one for the most part as a story of a young black man who overcomes many obstacles to succeed in the classical music world. I'm well aware that it's a privileged perspective to say that the blatant racism he faces (based on real life experience of the author) surprised and shocked me. And it broke my heart from time to time. I don't know a lot about classical music, but I tried to listen to the pieces that are mentioned in this novel while reading it and I enjoyed that as well. The end of the story left me a bit underwhelmed though, to find out who stole the violin and why. But all in all an entertaining and informative read for me. (20 May 2024)

[I've stopped rating books in May 2024]  

When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

That was another lovely and quite fun story from the St Mary's canon. I loved that it paid tribute to the so often overlooked women in historical records.  (written 14 May 2024)

  [I've stopped rating books in May 2024] 

A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor

lighthearted 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

That was another enjoyable visit at St. Mary's present and future, but my head spins a bit from the back and forth. I like that they DO try and interfere with history after all, though of course they might not do it the way they'd like as all in all self-preservation is the main objective. (written 14 May 2024)

  [I've stopped rating books in May 2024] 

The Very First Damned Thing by Jodi Taylor

lighthearted medium-paced

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

That was a fun quick read to get a bit more background of how St. Mary's came to be. Maybe with a bit too much exposition for future stories?  [I've stopped giving star ratings in May 2024]