thisbookishcat's reviews
607 reviews

Circe by Madeline Miller

adventurous reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

I will say, given that Circe is often mentioned in stories but she is not necessarily often the focus, this was well-done in weaving those tales together into making the timeline more clear and more like it is her history and not just that she is a part of the history of others.

That said, I did find it kind of boring - the way it was written I didn't find that captivating, despite how interesting Greek mythology is. 

A King of Beasts by Beena Khan

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

2.25

Man, thank goodness for the ending because 70% of this book was a hard read. I'm talking, needing to hug my husband and puppy difficult because I needed to remember that love and sanity exist.

We all knew Enzo was a piece of work but this was just insane, and none of it in a sexy way.

That said, you know I'm going to read the next book because I'm too nosy for my own good. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder

The Preacher by Camilla Läckberg

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.25

I'll admit, I was a bit sad that this one followed other characters more closely than in the first book, but, that said, I like that it also gives us a better sense of the dynamics in this little town and indeed in the police force. Do I hope for the next books in the series that there's more of a balance? Absolutely. The only reason I didn't round this up to 5-stars is because I'm so tired of the pregnancy tropes in entertainment as a whole.

That said, I had my guess about halfway through the book and aside from one surprise, my guess was correct, but not for the reasons I initially guessed them for which was really exciting. I am, however, glad this is only fiction because this was horrific in the pychological sense. People suck.

I recommend this if you like Swedish crime novels.

American Panda by Gloria Chao

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

I wasn't expecting this book to break my heart as much as it did, but oh my God. I had some friends in school who were first generation, and now as an adult I'm friends with the parents raising first generations, and it's such a hard thing to balance, but this was extreme and broke my heart. I'd like to think and hope this doesn't really happen, but I'm sure it does. Now I just want to go hug my friends and tell them how much I love them. 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

Given how much everyone raves about this story in particular I'd been expecting a bit more from it. That's not to say that this one isnt fun of its own merit, and that it had some fun elements going on, but I had expected a little more from it from all the hype. That said, I can understand why so many people have since been inspired by this for their own art, it's very fun.

Behind the Red Door by Megan Collins

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

If you have an axiety disorder this book will probably be difficult to me because oh my gosh does the author NAIL anxious thought-spirals and tendancies to the point that it triggered mine.

Throughout the whole book I had so many theories and opinions, turns out I was wrong about all of them, but I'm okay with that because it really felt like I as the reader was in line with Fern as she was going through it and getting her memories back.

That said

I need to know if Ted got his because FUCK that guy and his sad excuse of being a parent

.

Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

What a jarring read. I really wasn't about all of the details at the beginning, that just seemed like too much to start with, but by the time I got to the end of the book I really understood why that choice was made and the impact it has. Criminal investigations are no joke and for those of us who do not have this as a part of our everyday lives are able to live in a sort of blissful ignorance while people like Paul bear the brunt of the brutality (and at times hopelessness) of it all.

If you like true crime as a genre I'd recommend this since it adds an element of humanity not just to the victims but to the investigators who seek justice for the victims. 

Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty by Cameron Dokey

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

What a stupidly happy and gushy book. And yes, I did cry at the end. And yes, I enjoyed every moment of this. This was the pick-me-up I needed.

I love love but

I can do without cousins being in love with each other...that part is weird

. 

Vorclaw by Jason Kalinowski

adventurous slow-paced

2.0

That was something...

To be fair, I think this book had potential. I think there was a lot of intrigue from the building of the secret society, and of capture and sort of integration into a new/different society. Even towards the end this seemingly out-of-place pyramid was quite cool and could have had a lot going for it. Plus, call me basic, but I too have a little crush on Lief.

That said the publisher should have done their due diligence and done some editing because at a certain point I was getting distracted with the errors that were happening and would end up having to reread whole paragraphs to make sure I understood what was happening. Not to mention there were some things I wanted to pay off but I didn't feel they did. It could be they pay off in the next book but I don't think I'll be continuing with the series. 

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

challenging dark emotional reflective

3.75

Ouch, this one hurt my heart.

Not only can I relate and empathize with so much of this, but it also helps me to better understand my friends who I know have had similar life experiences and who have reacted in very similar ways. Now I just want to go hug all of my loved ones.