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nclcaitlin's reviews
1731 reviews
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
2.5
Knuckle-cracking should not be part of the criteria of choosing a boyfriend.
Liz Buxbaum is a romcom fanatic. Absolutely obsessed. She wants to be swept off her feet. Liz is all romance readers.
She is hoping to kindle a romance with her old crush, Michael, during senior year. Unfortunately, that means relying on her annoying next-door neighbor Wes who she has a long-time grudge over a coveted parking space they compete for.
Of course, we all know what happens.
However, like the romcom movies we watch over and over for comfort even knowing the plot and how it will end, this book has enough charm and banter to make you want to see how the happily ever after is reached.
I did what I had to. All is fair in love and parking.
However, I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and most of them annoyed me. Not to mention, the humour didn’t quite work for me this time around.
There was also a personality-and-uniqueness-over-appearance strand that was constantly revisited. I get it and it is definitely important that girls should know they should be loved for themselves and not change their style for others, yet the obviousness and repetitiveness felt too forced.
I definitely preferred Better than the Movies which I know is a minority opinion!
I will definitely be reading more of Painter’s work!
Liz Buxbaum is a romcom fanatic. Absolutely obsessed. She wants to be swept off her feet. Liz is all romance readers.
She is hoping to kindle a romance with her old crush, Michael, during senior year. Unfortunately, that means relying on her annoying next-door neighbor Wes who she has a long-time grudge over a coveted parking space they compete for.
Of course, we all know what happens.
However, like the romcom movies we watch over and over for comfort even knowing the plot and how it will end, this book has enough charm and banter to make you want to see how the happily ever after is reached.
I did what I had to. All is fair in love and parking.
However, I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and most of them annoyed me. Not to mention, the humour didn’t quite work for me this time around.
There was also a personality-and-uniqueness-over-appearance strand that was constantly revisited. I get it and it is definitely important that girls should know they should be loved for themselves and not change their style for others, yet the obviousness and repetitiveness felt too forced.
I definitely preferred Better than the Movies which I know is a minority opinion!
I will definitely be reading more of Painter’s work!
Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling
3.5
Sixteen year old Alec is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit and is rescued by Seregil - a man of many names. Seregil specialises in the acquisition of goods and information, especially as rumours of a war between the north and south swirl.
Convinced to see the world (and dragons and magic) beyond his small experience, Alec becomes his apprentice.
Alec shrugged, embarrassed. "That wasn't bravery. There just wasn't anything else to do."
Micum laughed grimly. “By Sakor, then you've learned the secret of being brave. All you need is some training."
Alec is shrewd, curious, a fast learner, and, much to Seregil’s chagrin, seemed to place an alarming amount of trust in him. Never having been responsible for anyone but himself, Seregil is not quite certain what to make of it and it was fascinating to see this worry and doubt in a mentor/friend character.
Fun, full of secrets, societies, and camaraderie!
“Luck in the shadows, Alec; you don't question it, you just give thanks and pray it doesn't run out!"
Nothing too groundbreaking or exciting but not a let down!
Convinced to see the world (and dragons and magic) beyond his small experience, Alec becomes his apprentice.
Alec shrugged, embarrassed. "That wasn't bravery. There just wasn't anything else to do."
Micum laughed grimly. “By Sakor, then you've learned the secret of being brave. All you need is some training."
Alec is shrewd, curious, a fast learner, and, much to Seregil’s chagrin, seemed to place an alarming amount of trust in him. Never having been responsible for anyone but himself, Seregil is not quite certain what to make of it and it was fascinating to see this worry and doubt in a mentor/friend character.
Fun, full of secrets, societies, and camaraderie!
“Luck in the shadows, Alec; you don't question it, you just give thanks and pray it doesn't run out!"
Nothing too groundbreaking or exciting but not a let down!
Nine of Swords by Brooklyn Quintana
2.5
This is like if Harry Potter was medieval with Kings and Princes with survival classes rather than magic!
Prince Fynneas Fog, fourth in line to the throne, is sent to Morancy Academy of Military Arts after facing tragedy and rising tensions at home. Morancy is much more dangerous than Fynn could ever have imagined and he and his fellow classmates must survive deadly games, gruelling training, and face more than sea monsters lurking around the island.
Fynn is like a lot of YA protagonists: impulsive, naive, abnormally energetic and friendly, and impossibly brave. This created a certain nostalgia for me, throwing me back to 2010-2016 when my YA fantasy and dystopia kick took off.
This book is thick. Yes, I do think there are things that could have been cut, however, it really just created a normalcy and routine in a fantasy book. It reminded me of those cozy moments you would find in Harry Potter as Harry would spend the start in the mundane world, quieter moments in the common room, and in the dinner hall.
There’s insane mentors, great camaraderie, loathful bully cousins.
There’s also dream-calling, a weird book, magic fire, and a man with a peeling face.
Finally, there’s a cute fox called Skulduggery (Dug), and a bat called Buttons.
“You're such an idiot." Hollyn smiled.
Fynn shrugged, smirking all the while. “I know. But I’m your idiot, don’t you remember?"
However, I have to admit to considering putting it aside after 50%. It was just fight after fight, and Fynn getting grievously injured and then miraculously recovering from a deadly injury. Or another character getting injured.
The outcomes were very predictable (it’s YA), and I felt myself getting bored with veryyyy slow progression on the mystery aspect.
Some good writing, funny interactions, good camaraderie and relationships, great settings, yet bogged down with repetition.
”People don't change, Hollyn. Circumstances change people. Tragedy changes people. Triumph changes people. People don't just change for no reason."
Prince Fynneas Fog, fourth in line to the throne, is sent to Morancy Academy of Military Arts after facing tragedy and rising tensions at home. Morancy is much more dangerous than Fynn could ever have imagined and he and his fellow classmates must survive deadly games, gruelling training, and face more than sea monsters lurking around the island.
Fynn is like a lot of YA protagonists: impulsive, naive, abnormally energetic and friendly, and impossibly brave. This created a certain nostalgia for me, throwing me back to 2010-2016 when my YA fantasy and dystopia kick took off.
This book is thick. Yes, I do think there are things that could have been cut, however, it really just created a normalcy and routine in a fantasy book. It reminded me of those cozy moments you would find in Harry Potter as Harry would spend the start in the mundane world, quieter moments in the common room, and in the dinner hall.
There’s insane mentors, great camaraderie, loathful bully cousins.
There’s also dream-calling, a weird book, magic fire, and a man with a peeling face.
Finally, there’s a cute fox called Skulduggery (Dug), and a bat called Buttons.
“You're such an idiot." Hollyn smiled.
Fynn shrugged, smirking all the while. “I know. But I’m your idiot, don’t you remember?"
However, I have to admit to considering putting it aside after 50%. It was just fight after fight, and Fynn getting grievously injured and then miraculously recovering from a deadly injury. Or another character getting injured.
The outcomes were very predictable (it’s YA), and I felt myself getting bored with veryyyy slow progression on the mystery aspect.
Some good writing, funny interactions, good camaraderie and relationships, great settings, yet bogged down with repetition.
”People don't change, Hollyn. Circumstances change people. Tragedy changes people. Triumph changes people. People don't just change for no reason."
Divine Might by Natalie Haynes
3.5
The male gods are always the star of the show. Or have been until Haynes came along to shake things up.
Haynes shares the goddesses side of the story, both major and minor. She shares their strengths and weaknesses and shows why we love or despise them.
Haynes writes (and narrates the audiobook) with humour and wit that has you laughing at centuries old mythology and modern culture references and perceptions.
She makes this relevant for modern readers by describing films that depict characters from Greek mythology including Xanadu and the Disney cartoon Hercules. She talks about comic books and how other popular characters take inspiration from Greek mythology.
Haynes shares the goddesses side of the story, both major and minor. She shares their strengths and weaknesses and shows why we love or despise them.
Haynes writes (and narrates the audiobook) with humour and wit that has you laughing at centuries old mythology and modern culture references and perceptions.
She makes this relevant for modern readers by describing films that depict characters from Greek mythology including Xanadu and the Disney cartoon Hercules. She talks about comic books and how other popular characters take inspiration from Greek mythology.
Tigana: Anniversary Edition by Guy Gavriel Kay
4.0
A story about a group of rebels attempting to overthrow two tyrants and win back their homeland.
The province of Tigana's name was erased from history, from memory, from all records and recollections by a conqueror from across the sea in retaliation for the death of his son. Only those born in Tigana before the invasion can hear or speak its name, or remember it as it was.
We get perspectives from the Prince of Tigana, a musician who is a lost child of Tigana, the daughter and son of a sculptor, and a few more to create a sprawling, impressive, intricate story of loyalty, duty, memory, and love.
Memory was talisman and ward for him, gateway and hearth. It was pride and love, shelter from loss: for if something could be remembered it was not wholly lost.
I loved the way memory is used to evoke such grief and companionship and longing. Is it a spell or a curse? Is it better to be one who doesn’t remember or to remember but not share?
I hear a lot of praise for Kay’s prose, however it didn’t stand out to me as incredibly special. It was better than quite a lot, yet it didn’t shine a light to some others I have read (Ken Liu, Hobb, Erikson, etc).
You can tell Kay’s appreciation for art. In both this and SfA, there was a focus on music and how culture is always bettered by having an appreciation for the sharing of gifts and creativity.
One missed connection was Dianora’s perspective.
Dianora is introduced quite late into the story as a daughter of Tigana come to kill Brandin for his spell, and becomes his lover for the next 12 years. She is drawn to Brandin, betrayal and memory mixed with yearning, to create a complex character who suffers from indecision and contrasting emotions.
I think Dianora had the most potential to become a new favourite character, yet her character arc really annoyed me in the end.
I wasn’t a huge fan of one scene in the middle where it just became a bit more mystical and shadowy and full of creatures stalking the night on one night of the year. I see how Kay was trying to connect evils, yet it felt contrived.
I also have to point out my continuous frustration with sexual scenes, especially with mythical women educating young boys in the way of the body. Just no.
”Do we die as willing victims or while trying to be free? Do we skulk as you have done all these years, hiding from the sorcerers? Or can we not join palm to palm - for once in this folly-ridden peninsula of warring provinces locked into their pride — and drive the two of them away?”
However, that ending was stunning!
One of the most satisfying endings I have read recently and for a standalone too!! Impressive.
Rankings:
1. Tigana 4 stars 🌟
2. A Song for Arbonne 2 stars 🌟
The province of Tigana's name was erased from history, from memory, from all records and recollections by a conqueror from across the sea in retaliation for the death of his son. Only those born in Tigana before the invasion can hear or speak its name, or remember it as it was.
We get perspectives from the Prince of Tigana, a musician who is a lost child of Tigana, the daughter and son of a sculptor, and a few more to create a sprawling, impressive, intricate story of loyalty, duty, memory, and love.
Memory was talisman and ward for him, gateway and hearth. It was pride and love, shelter from loss: for if something could be remembered it was not wholly lost.
I loved the way memory is used to evoke such grief and companionship and longing. Is it a spell or a curse? Is it better to be one who doesn’t remember or to remember but not share?
I hear a lot of praise for Kay’s prose, however it didn’t stand out to me as incredibly special. It was better than quite a lot, yet it didn’t shine a light to some others I have read (Ken Liu, Hobb, Erikson, etc).
You can tell Kay’s appreciation for art. In both this and SfA, there was a focus on music and how culture is always bettered by having an appreciation for the sharing of gifts and creativity.
One missed connection was Dianora’s perspective.
Dianora is introduced quite late into the story as a daughter of Tigana come to kill Brandin for his spell, and becomes his lover for the next 12 years. She is drawn to Brandin, betrayal and memory mixed with yearning, to create a complex character who suffers from indecision and contrasting emotions.
I think Dianora had the most potential to become a new favourite character, yet her character arc really annoyed me in the end.
I wasn’t a huge fan of one scene in the middle where it just became a bit more mystical and shadowy and full of creatures stalking the night on one night of the year. I see how Kay was trying to connect evils, yet it felt contrived.
I also have to point out my continuous frustration with sexual scenes, especially with mythical women educating young boys in the way of the body. Just no.
”Do we die as willing victims or while trying to be free? Do we skulk as you have done all these years, hiding from the sorcerers? Or can we not join palm to palm - for once in this folly-ridden peninsula of warring provinces locked into their pride — and drive the two of them away?”
However, that ending was stunning!
One of the most satisfying endings I have read recently and for a standalone too!! Impressive.
Rankings:
1. Tigana 4 stars 🌟
2. A Song for Arbonne 2 stars 🌟
The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston
4.0
Imagine Die Hard taking place in a castle with loyal bodyguards, epic battles, and touching moments of honour, duty, and an older done-with-everyone’s-crap female protagonist!
Briar, Commander of the Shields, has managed to keep Lord Regent Alaric Summerson and his nephew, the king-in-waiting, alive despite many assassination attempts.
However, the Summer Solstice celebrations turns quickly into bloodshed when a brigand called the Wildwood Reivers attack and secretly infiltrate themselves deep within the Palace’s catacombs.
Briar is not to be underestimated. She is clever, shrewd, extremely witty, and will fight tooth and nail to protect those she loves.
“Despite what the bards and boasters tell you, not every battle sees you covered in glory - mostly, you just end up covered in blood and shit and tears. The best you can hope for is that it all belongs to some other poor bastard.”
Early on, Briar suffers an injury which makes her question her entire purpose and ability. Pushing past this, recovering physically and mentally, was written deftly with great care and exceeding insight to Briar’s character.
I cannot comment on the accuracy and research Johnston took in writing a disabled character, however he highlighted the differences of Briar’s mindset and experiences at just living and moving around after this injury. Whilst I am not a sensitivity reader, I felt great consideration was taken in writing about this.
They couldn't see the fiery pain inside her, and that was the way she wanted it. The pain she could deal with, mostly, but the disability gnawed at her entire sense of self as a warrior.
Now you might not expect a love story from this, but Briar and Alaric definitely had be some tension and longing between them, but both put duty above any feelings or action. I wasn’t expecting this book to tug on my heart strings! It is very subtle, but just added more tenderness to two characters who seem stone-cold and married to their responsibilities.
This was just amazing! I flew through it! Briar has a strong and funny voice, and Johnston keeps it interesting despite it being a one-woman job.
Plus, there’s a farting, loyal dog. What more could you ask for?
Thank you to Angry Robot for sending me a physical arc in exchange for a review!!
Briar, Commander of the Shields, has managed to keep Lord Regent Alaric Summerson and his nephew, the king-in-waiting, alive despite many assassination attempts.
However, the Summer Solstice celebrations turns quickly into bloodshed when a brigand called the Wildwood Reivers attack and secretly infiltrate themselves deep within the Palace’s catacombs.
Briar is not to be underestimated. She is clever, shrewd, extremely witty, and will fight tooth and nail to protect those she loves.
“Despite what the bards and boasters tell you, not every battle sees you covered in glory - mostly, you just end up covered in blood and shit and tears. The best you can hope for is that it all belongs to some other poor bastard.”
Early on, Briar suffers an injury which makes her question her entire purpose and ability. Pushing past this, recovering physically and mentally, was written deftly with great care and exceeding insight to Briar’s character.
I cannot comment on the accuracy and research Johnston took in writing a disabled character, however he highlighted the differences of Briar’s mindset and experiences at just living and moving around after this injury. Whilst I am not a sensitivity reader, I felt great consideration was taken in writing about this.
They couldn't see the fiery pain inside her, and that was the way she wanted it. The pain she could deal with, mostly, but the disability gnawed at her entire sense of self as a warrior.
Now you might not expect a love story from this, but Briar and Alaric definitely had be some tension and longing between them, but both put duty above any feelings or action. I wasn’t expecting this book to tug on my heart strings! It is very subtle, but just added more tenderness to two characters who seem stone-cold and married to their responsibilities.
This was just amazing! I flew through it! Briar has a strong and funny voice, and Johnston keeps it interesting despite it being a one-woman job.
Plus, there’s a farting, loyal dog. What more could you ask for?
Thank you to Angry Robot for sending me a physical arc in exchange for a review!!
Betting On You by Lynn Painter
3.75
THIS HAD ME SQUEALING AND KICKING MY FEET!
Bailey and Charlie meet on a plane flight where they immediately decide they get on each other’s nerves - polar opposites yet connected over their parents’ divorce.
Three years later, they are both in training for the same job at Planet Funnn where the funniest friendship and text messages occur.
This might be one of the funniest rom-coms I have read. Bailey is an uptight rules follower while Charlie is cynical and charming. Charlie is stellar at getting Bailey involved in his hijinks.
Yet, not only is it light and cute and amusing, it also covers deeper topics, delving into changing family lives and how we can be affected by our parents and their lives. Wanting your own happiness and comfort and security as well as wishing for theirs too even when this may diverge.
I think this is one of those books that worked so well for me as I digested it through audiobook. I think otherwise reading it might have been too cringy for me with the dialogue and teen angst. However, the narrator did a phenomenal job and I throughly enjoyed myself.
Get ready for Taylor Swift references, bookstagram shoutouts, and a cute kitten called Puffball.
Mr Nothing and Glasses have my heart!
Bailey and Charlie meet on a plane flight where they immediately decide they get on each other’s nerves - polar opposites yet connected over their parents’ divorce.
Three years later, they are both in training for the same job at Planet Funnn where the funniest friendship and text messages occur.
This might be one of the funniest rom-coms I have read. Bailey is an uptight rules follower while Charlie is cynical and charming. Charlie is stellar at getting Bailey involved in his hijinks.
Yet, not only is it light and cute and amusing, it also covers deeper topics, delving into changing family lives and how we can be affected by our parents and their lives. Wanting your own happiness and comfort and security as well as wishing for theirs too even when this may diverge.
I think this is one of those books that worked so well for me as I digested it through audiobook. I think otherwise reading it might have been too cringy for me with the dialogue and teen angst. However, the narrator did a phenomenal job and I throughly enjoyed myself.
Get ready for Taylor Swift references, bookstagram shoutouts, and a cute kitten called Puffball.
Mr Nothing and Glasses have my heart!
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
4.0
This is a reader’s love letter. A ballad. An ode.
I was so scared going into this book. People seem to either love it or hate it, and I typically need a driving plot and strong characters to enjoy a story and a lot of reviewers complained this was meandering and plotless. I disagree. I fell in love.
“Do you believe in the mystical, the fantastical, the improbable, or the impossible? Do you believe that things others dismiss as dreams and imagination actually exist? Do you believe in fairy tales?"
Far beneath the surface of the earth, hidden from the sun and the moon, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there is a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories.
Zachary stumbles across a book that narrates a long-ago incident from his past that was never related to anyone. From there, he follows whatever lead he can searching for the Starless Sea hinted at in the volumes contained in this book.
Told non-conventionally, this is a story containing stories that all link to the Starless Sea and the library. It is hard to connect all the pieces together and you echo the confusion faced by our protagonist Zachary. The book itself puts it aptly:
For every connection they make between one book and another there are more that don't fit. Some stories seem completely separate and distant and others feel explicitly connected to the story they have found themselves in together now.
Morgenstern seems to know what readers will be thinking before we can put it into words.
I admit to the first 75% being a lot stronger to the last 25% where it just becomes a lot more surreal, crazy, and loose.
This had the potential to be a 5 star ⭐️ read, but the ending left me disappointed and feeling slightly cheated. However, I have to use Morgenstern’s own words:
Or maybe that's what I got out of it and someone else hearing the same story would see something different.
I am very glad I did read this!
There’s a sentient kitchen, lots of cats, owls, an abundance of pastries and tea.
I would be hesitant to compare this to other books but I would recommend this if you enjoyed (or even if you didn’t as I admit to not loving all of the following):
- Ten Thousand Doors of January
- Piranesi
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror
- Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
I was so scared going into this book. People seem to either love it or hate it, and I typically need a driving plot and strong characters to enjoy a story and a lot of reviewers complained this was meandering and plotless. I disagree. I fell in love.
“Do you believe in the mystical, the fantastical, the improbable, or the impossible? Do you believe that things others dismiss as dreams and imagination actually exist? Do you believe in fairy tales?"
Far beneath the surface of the earth, hidden from the sun and the moon, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there is a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories.
Zachary stumbles across a book that narrates a long-ago incident from his past that was never related to anyone. From there, he follows whatever lead he can searching for the Starless Sea hinted at in the volumes contained in this book.
Told non-conventionally, this is a story containing stories that all link to the Starless Sea and the library. It is hard to connect all the pieces together and you echo the confusion faced by our protagonist Zachary. The book itself puts it aptly:
For every connection they make between one book and another there are more that don't fit. Some stories seem completely separate and distant and others feel explicitly connected to the story they have found themselves in together now.
Morgenstern seems to know what readers will be thinking before we can put it into words.
I admit to the first 75% being a lot stronger to the last 25% where it just becomes a lot more surreal, crazy, and loose.
This had the potential to be a 5 star ⭐️ read, but the ending left me disappointed and feeling slightly cheated. However, I have to use Morgenstern’s own words:
Or maybe that's what I got out of it and someone else hearing the same story would see something different.
I am very glad I did read this!
There’s a sentient kitchen, lots of cats, owls, an abundance of pastries and tea.
I would be hesitant to compare this to other books but I would recommend this if you enjoyed (or even if you didn’t as I admit to not loving all of the following):
- Ten Thousand Doors of January
- Piranesi
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror
- Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
The Blood Dimmed Tide by Stephen Aryan
4.25
Kokochin, one of Hulagu's many wives, is forced to track down Temujin, the Emperor’s son who has gone rogue, the Empress holding her lover Layla captive.
Temujin has vowed to destroy his father knowing that his power as a Kozan can’t fall into his hands and joins other Kozan who agree to teach him and influence fate.
Persian General Kaivon is trusted to be the on the Khan's council allowing him to feed information back to Esme, a Persian doctor and member of the House of Grace seeking freedom for Persia from the Mongols.
Thankfully, Aryan provides a recap for you at the start of the book! All authors please do this!!!
This book was just as incredible and heart-pounding as book one!
If you have been following my reviews, you may be aware battles and action sequences quickly lose my interest. However, Aryan kept me gripped with each and every scene! His descriptions, manoeuvrings… Awe-astounding!
It still amazed Zoran that there were so many different bits stuffed inside a body. It was so pink, and some parts were purple. He even saw a beating heart for a few seconds before it stopped. The killing went on and on, but eventually it ended.
The amount of research and Aryan’s dedication is impressive and stunningly displayed. Never boring, he gives up a sprawling look at the movements of different key players. Not to mention, the fantasy element lets him reflect on events even further back such as Jesus’s birth and the Wise Men and who these men of influence and wisdom might have been in the context of this story.
Finally, I have to comment on the characters. There are a lot of POV characters and each chapter tends to be a new perspective. However, I was gripped by each story and when the focus changed, I would get annoyed and then get annoyed again when I had to move on from that character! That is extremely rare to find in a multi-POV story!
”Great men and women can create wonders in their lifetime that last for generations, even centuries. Is that not how humans can become immortal? Extending their reach through history, beyond even our limits?"
Thank you to Angry Robot for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Temujin has vowed to destroy his father knowing that his power as a Kozan can’t fall into his hands and joins other Kozan who agree to teach him and influence fate.
Persian General Kaivon is trusted to be the on the Khan's council allowing him to feed information back to Esme, a Persian doctor and member of the House of Grace seeking freedom for Persia from the Mongols.
Thankfully, Aryan provides a recap for you at the start of the book! All authors please do this!!!
This book was just as incredible and heart-pounding as book one!
If you have been following my reviews, you may be aware battles and action sequences quickly lose my interest. However, Aryan kept me gripped with each and every scene! His descriptions, manoeuvrings… Awe-astounding!
It still amazed Zoran that there were so many different bits stuffed inside a body. It was so pink, and some parts were purple. He even saw a beating heart for a few seconds before it stopped. The killing went on and on, but eventually it ended.
The amount of research and Aryan’s dedication is impressive and stunningly displayed. Never boring, he gives up a sprawling look at the movements of different key players. Not to mention, the fantasy element lets him reflect on events even further back such as Jesus’s birth and the Wise Men and who these men of influence and wisdom might have been in the context of this story.
Finally, I have to comment on the characters. There are a lot of POV characters and each chapter tends to be a new perspective. However, I was gripped by each story and when the focus changed, I would get annoyed and then get annoyed again when I had to move on from that character! That is extremely rare to find in a multi-POV story!
”Great men and women can create wonders in their lifetime that last for generations, even centuries. Is that not how humans can become immortal? Extending their reach through history, beyond even our limits?"
Thank you to Angry Robot for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
3.0
Reclusive Sally Diamond is thrust into the media spotlight when she tries to incinerate her dead father, causing widespread outrage.
Now she's the center of attention from curious reporters and investigating police detectives. Also, playing into the thriller aspect, disturbing information from her past that she can’t remember but is being brought to the light.
I don’t know if I would call this a straight thriller. It takes a while to get to the ‘thriller’ aspect and even then it doesn’t feel like it takes centre stage.
This is a really hard book to describe without spoiling anything!
There are two narrators.
Sally is so fun - odd, socially awkward, funny. The other narrator takes us on a totally different journey with a totally dark story and I cannot say anything more without giving things away!
“Every decade or so, we come up with new labels to categorize people. You could have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder or PTSD. Some might even have said you have autistic spectrum disorder or that you have an attachment disorder. The fact is that you are a bit odd, that’s all. You are you. As unique and different as every other person on the planet. Your oddities are not disabilities (although we call them disabilities to get your welfare allowance), they are mere quirks of your personality.”
I would recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (character-wise) and The Reappearance of Rachel Price (plot-wise) if you enjoyed this!
Minor spoilers:
The ending kind of sucked.
If you want a healing book, a closed ending, a happy ever after, this book will not deliver.
The ending made it feel like a lot of the book was pointless.
And yes, I did have to google ‘ending explained’ because it felt like the book ended extremely prematurely.
Now she's the center of attention from curious reporters and investigating police detectives. Also, playing into the thriller aspect, disturbing information from her past that she can’t remember but is being brought to the light.
I don’t know if I would call this a straight thriller. It takes a while to get to the ‘thriller’ aspect and even then it doesn’t feel like it takes centre stage.
This is a really hard book to describe without spoiling anything!
There are two narrators.
Sally is so fun - odd, socially awkward, funny. The other narrator takes us on a totally different journey with a totally dark story and I cannot say anything more without giving things away!
“Every decade or so, we come up with new labels to categorize people. You could have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder or PTSD. Some might even have said you have autistic spectrum disorder or that you have an attachment disorder. The fact is that you are a bit odd, that’s all. You are you. As unique and different as every other person on the planet. Your oddities are not disabilities (although we call them disabilities to get your welfare allowance), they are mere quirks of your personality.”
I would recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (character-wise) and The Reappearance of Rachel Price (plot-wise) if you enjoyed this!
Minor spoilers:
The ending kind of sucked.
If you want a healing book, a closed ending, a happy ever after, this book will not deliver.
The ending made it feel like a lot of the book was pointless.
And yes, I did have to google ‘ending explained’ because it felt like the book ended extremely prematurely.