lili718's reviews
58 reviews

Wool by Hugh Howey

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I started reading this book after watching the S1 of silo on Apple TV. I enjoyed the show and thought, why not? I am so glad I decided to read this book. The mystery of the silo and its origin was amazing to unravel. I became so invested in all the characters and what would be their outcome. Hugh Howey did an amazing job with building this “world”, the hierarchy, social structure and politics of the silo. 

I can’t wait to read the other 2 books in this series, along with the short stories. It will be interesting to see how the tv adaptation continues to grow!

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.75

I have very mixed feelings about this book. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Were there things that irked me to no end? Yes. Would I recommend? I don’t know.

I read this book for one of my Bookclubs and had high hopes. This book is a typical detective novel where a murder occurs around an “infamous” family for crime, and the main character Ernest investigates the murder while also investigating and telling us about each of his family members and the “murders” they have committed.

As far as the mystery and detective aspect of the book, I think it did great. I didn’t expect the ending by any means and enjoyed most of the stories about the family members. 

What brings the rating down for me is the writing. I didn’t like how the “author” or narrator continually broke the 4th wall. After a while it became a bit much and made the book feel corny. Also with the way it is written, sometimes Ernest has to go back to add details to a previously told story or change things completely. Sometimes this became confusing and I feel like some aspects didn’t make sense once amended. 

Overall still a solid read. I don’t feel like I wasted my time and I enjoyed the book but not high on my recommendation list. 

The Authors note mentions this book is being adapted into an HBO TV series. I do think this could make a very good show and look forward to it!

BEASTARS, Vol. 2 by Paru Itagaki

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Spider's Bait: A Risky Alister Knight Mystery (The Griffin Knight Series) by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

4.5 stars

This was a very nice short novella that with a well thought out story that didn’t feel rushed in the end. The story keeps you fully engaged with multiple POVs, giving you insight into the minds and actions of the gang members and detectives/vigilantes. I enjoyed this book a lot. 

Having not read any of the other Griffin Knight books prior to reading this one, I am inspired to check out the other books in this series to learn more about Griffin and Alister Knight and their adventures.

Thank you to BookSirens and Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr for the eARC of this book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

BEASTARS, Vol. 1 by Paru Itagaki

adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Who TF Did I Marry by Reesa Teesa

adventurous challenging emotional funny informative reflective fast-paced

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

You've Been Summoned by Lindsey Lamar

adventurous challenging mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

Prepare to become a detective and try to solve not 1, but 2 mysteries! You are taken through the journeys of 2 sets of twin sisters, Macie and Mary in the past and sillie and Jane in the present. Through case files you discover evidence about the mysterious disappearance of Sillie at her and the disappearance of Macie and Mary in the 1940s. In the end you try to figure out who committed the crimes. 

I was hesitant to read an “interactive” book not knowing what to expect and if it would be done well but I really enjoyed this book. I took the advice of the PI at the end of each case file and tried to take notes on what I had learned from each piece of evidence to see if I could solve the mystery myself. In the end I am proud to say I was able to guess the culprit successfully. I loved that it was designed and broken up by case files of similar evidence, each piece adding a new layer to the characters and the cases. In the end you get to see how those case files helped the investigators figure out who committed the crime. 

This was a well written and engaging book. As a fan of puzzles and mystery rooms, I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to more books from the author!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to ARC read this book.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

While some parts of this book read like fanfiction and dialogue with the main character violet was cringy at time, I still enjoyed this book.

The enemies to lovers trope is very apparent from the beginning but still eased into very well. Very much so a slow burn with the spice coming in the last few chapters. 

 With the basis of this book still being fantasy, I wish they had spent more time building the world and its history/ lore. The way they did it with violet repeating history facts to stay calm during high stress periods seemed like a cop out. Though I did enjoy the book and journal entry snippets at the beginning of each chapter which sometimes included history or law related things.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to start the second book, especially with the cliff hanger at the end. 

This book reminded me to take nothing at face value and to remember who is telling history. History is written by the victors.

 

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

2.0