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ellemnope's reviews
2357 reviews
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An incredibly emotional ride. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The premise sounded intriguing, but the overall package of the story was really well done.
The writing is at once soft and evocative. The narration style lures you in somewhat comfortingly and then completely betrays your heart and pummels you repeatedly. A love triangle, heartbreak, tragedy, death, and a lot of mystery surround the plot.
The pacing is a little slow in parts and the structure can be a little dizzying as the timeline shifts back and forth from a "before" to 1968, but this book is addicting. I did see some of the twists coming, but that didn't deter my serious intoxication with this read. I did not want to put it down and it pulled me out of a bit of a reading slump totally unexpectedly.
I ran the gamut of emotions with this one. There were wonderful bits of love and affection, some serious toxicity, moments when my gut just felt wrenched, a solid section where I found myself fuming at the main character, and some pieces that had me completely on edge. I will admit that my anger at the MC had me briefly considering ending my read, but I COULD NOT pull myself away from the plot. Was it worth sticking though? Oh, you betcha.
This book hurt me in such a good way.
The writing is at once soft and evocative. The narration style lures you in somewhat comfortingly and then completely betrays your heart and pummels you repeatedly. A love triangle, heartbreak, tragedy, death, and a lot of mystery surround the plot.
The pacing is a little slow in parts and the structure can be a little dizzying as the timeline shifts back and forth from a "before" to 1968, but this book is addicting. I did see some of the twists coming, but that didn't deter my serious intoxication with this read. I did not want to put it down and it pulled me out of a bit of a reading slump totally unexpectedly.
I ran the gamut of emotions with this one. There were wonderful bits of love and affection, some serious toxicity, moments when my gut just felt wrenched, a solid section where I found myself fuming at the main character, and some pieces that had me completely on edge. I will admit that my anger at the MC had me briefly considering ending my read, but I COULD NOT pull myself away from the plot. Was it worth sticking though? Oh, you betcha.
This book hurt me in such a good way.
The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars...very nearly 5 stars.
Okay...I will admit that is just perfectly niche for me. Somehow, despite the fact that I have little interest in celebrity lives in real life, I am absolutely obsessed with books focusing on the lives of musicians. I don't know what it is, but they suck me right in.
This book totally hit the spot for me. I love the heartache and the turmoil. The 90s as the backdrop was also perfection. Little references here and there that clearly pointed to bands or famous figures in real life were like fun little Easter eggs that just made me happy. (Also...weirdly, I pictured Elijah's parents as the Cullens from Twilight. Don't ask me why...my brain works in mysterious ways.)
Stapley's writing was fun and balanced, staying full of tension without being overwhelming. There is plenty of angst in her characters and the music scene comes off appropriately gritty. I loved the imperfect character of Jane and how she handled being pushed to the backseat of her own fame. There was a lot of raw material in this book that resulted in a character who didn't come out perfect in the end. She was consistently flawed, she had hard lessons to learn, and her pathway was quite messy.
There were 2 things that kept this from being a solid 5-star. First...pacing. There was some slow movement in the beginning and a few scenes that could have benefited from some additional exploration; a few areas where transitions between the timelines could have been a little more clear and less bumpy.
Second, the ending. For me, the ending can make or break the entire book. And I was a bit disappointed with this one. It felt a little too easy and not as complex and I think it needed to be after all the setup. Things wrapped up pretty quickly and I just didn't get the emotional punch that I wanted from the narrative.
Despite its flaws, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was one that I didn't want to put down. I ran through a gamut of emotions and I really felt like I could understand Jane's character. It's a book that I will be putting in my permanent collection.
Okay...I will admit that is just perfectly niche for me. Somehow, despite the fact that I have little interest in celebrity lives in real life, I am absolutely obsessed with books focusing on the lives of musicians. I don't know what it is, but they suck me right in.
This book totally hit the spot for me. I love the heartache and the turmoil. The 90s as the backdrop was also perfection. Little references here and there that clearly pointed to bands or famous figures in real life were like fun little Easter eggs that just made me happy. (Also...weirdly, I pictured Elijah's parents as the Cullens from Twilight. Don't ask me why...my brain works in mysterious ways.)
Stapley's writing was fun and balanced, staying full of tension without being overwhelming. There is plenty of angst in her characters and the music scene comes off appropriately gritty. I loved the imperfect character of Jane and how she handled being pushed to the backseat of her own fame. There was a lot of raw material in this book that resulted in a character who didn't come out perfect in the end. She was consistently flawed, she had hard lessons to learn, and her pathway was quite messy.
There were 2 things that kept this from being a solid 5-star. First...pacing. There was some slow movement in the beginning and a few scenes that could have benefited from some additional exploration; a few areas where transitions between the timelines could have been a little more clear and less bumpy.
Second, the ending. For me, the ending can make or break the entire book. And I was a bit disappointed with this one. It felt a little too easy and not as complex and I think it needed to be after all the setup. Things wrapped up pretty quickly and I just didn't get the emotional punch that I wanted from the narrative.
Despite its flaws, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was one that I didn't want to put down. I ran through a gamut of emotions and I really felt like I could understand Jane's character. It's a book that I will be putting in my permanent collection.
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.5
The premise behind this novel is a great one and I was really looking forward to the read, but it did not follow through for me in execution. The plot presents a very raw depiction of the progression and suppression of Indigenous life under the control of the United States government; the ways in which the unnecessary "management" of these peoples has led to generational struggles.
There were moments in this book that were very visceral and poignant, but they were scattered here and there while the tone wavered. I had a hard time bonding with the voice behind the book due to the organization of the story. It is appropriately titled as "Wandering". The movement from one story to the next with loose connection and no real transition made me feel untethered and I really had a hard time developing a deep care for the characters. Just as I was beginning to get intot the story and the character introspection started to expand, that piece of the tale would abruptly end and the narrative would shift to another character. It felt very disjointed and I had a hard time sticking with the story.
The message behind this novel is a good one. There do need to be more tales like this, being honest and revealing the secrets that have been held in American history as to how the different cultures in this "melting pot" were treated based on color of skin and location of origin. Humanity needs to learn lessons from the past in order to rectify the present. This particular novel and narrative style just wasn't the right one for me.
There were moments in this book that were very visceral and poignant, but they were scattered here and there while the tone wavered. I had a hard time bonding with the voice behind the book due to the organization of the story. It is appropriately titled as "Wandering". The movement from one story to the next with loose connection and no real transition made me feel untethered and I really had a hard time developing a deep care for the characters. Just as I was beginning to get intot the story and the character introspection started to expand, that piece of the tale would abruptly end and the narrative would shift to another character. It felt very disjointed and I had a hard time sticking with the story.
The message behind this novel is a good one. There do need to be more tales like this, being honest and revealing the secrets that have been held in American history as to how the different cultures in this "melting pot" were treated based on color of skin and location of origin. Humanity needs to learn lessons from the past in order to rectify the present. This particular novel and narrative style just wasn't the right one for me.
Still the Sun by Charlie N. Holmberg
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
My Salty Mary by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will never stop loving these books.
Just like the other books written by this trio, the plot is fun and whimsical. It's a mixture of fairy tale retelling and historical fiction with a bit of romance. It's fast paced and never dull. There is always something happening. Looking for a book to get you out of a slump? This might be just what you're looking for. This is the kind of book that makes you just find joy in reading. It doesn't take itself too seriously, it just takes you on a ride.
The narration is absolutely fantastic and seamless, particularly amazing when you consider that this is the work of three authors combined. Their styles come together in a way that leaves absolutely no gaps. There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek action, with puns and references to modern items/people, but there are also little bits of actual history tossed in. It's pirates made really fun. And for a little extra entertainment, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Just like the other books written by this trio, the plot is fun and whimsical. It's a mixture of fairy tale retelling and historical fiction with a bit of romance. It's fast paced and never dull. There is always something happening. Looking for a book to get you out of a slump? This might be just what you're looking for. This is the kind of book that makes you just find joy in reading. It doesn't take itself too seriously, it just takes you on a ride.
The narration is absolutely fantastic and seamless, particularly amazing when you consider that this is the work of three authors combined. Their styles come together in a way that leaves absolutely no gaps. There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek action, with puns and references to modern items/people, but there are also little bits of actual history tossed in. It's pirates made really fun. And for a little extra entertainment, I highly recommend the audiobook.
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This mid-apocalypse dystopian is a view of the world following the melting of the polar ice caps and the subsequent flooding of previously heavily populated areas. The story begins in New York City with a family harbored in the Natural History Museum and follows through the POV of a young girl.
The story is a bit slow to get started and has some issues with organization of flashbacks, but the concept and intrigue are something special. I enjoyed the use of a child POV, especially one who has very limited knowledge of "The World As it Was". Her view of life and "normalcy" are different than had there been use of an adult POV and I think that allows for a more gentle and critical evaluation of both the situation and the progression of the apocalpytic scenarios.
Once the basis had been established and the plot truly got in motion, the story was very interesting and it held my attention quite well. I do wish the plot had been more heavy on this section of the novel.
The ending wraps up rather quickly. It was written well, but somehow left me feeling a bit whiplashed. After the tenseness of the last third of the book it just felt something like a sudden stop in a way that made the prior section of the novel feel a bit off kilter. It somewhat downplayed the severity of the situation and the difficulty of adaptation and survival. I can't say much more without spoilers, but just know I wish this would have been fleshed out a bit more.
TLDR: An excellent concept with good attention to potential issues, but fell a bit short on the initial pacing and the plot development of the conclusion. A decent think piece for sure.
The story is a bit slow to get started and has some issues with organization of flashbacks, but the concept and intrigue are something special. I enjoyed the use of a child POV, especially one who has very limited knowledge of "The World As it Was". Her view of life and "normalcy" are different than had there been use of an adult POV and I think that allows for a more gentle and critical evaluation of both the situation and the progression of the apocalpytic scenarios.
Once the basis had been established and the plot truly got in motion, the story was very interesting and it held my attention quite well. I do wish the plot had been more heavy on this section of the novel.
The ending wraps up rather quickly. It was written well, but somehow left me feeling a bit whiplashed. After the tenseness of the last third of the book it just felt something like a sudden stop in a way that made the prior section of the novel feel a bit off kilter. It somewhat downplayed the severity of the situation and the difficulty of adaptation and survival. I can't say much more without spoilers, but just know I wish this would have been fleshed out a bit more.
TLDR: An excellent concept with good attention to potential issues, but fell a bit short on the initial pacing and the plot development of the conclusion. A decent think piece for sure.
This Is the Way the World Ends by Jen Wilde
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is a fairly easy YA thriller/mystery read with a plot that takes a bit to get started. In addition to the slow paced start, there are several moments requiring the suspension of disbelief. If you're cool with that going in, you're likely to have a more enjoyable read.
Things start off with a contemporary romance/dark academia feel but slowly morph into more of a dystopian atmosphere. I can't say much more here without creating spoilers, but the shift in genre feel did leave me feeling a bit disoriented for a while.
There are some fairly intense scenes with good, quick paced writing, and I enjoyed that action in the last third of the book quite a bit.
Putting all the pieces together, this is an okay read. Nothing super spectacular, but not one needing a DNF or a complete avoidance. It wouldn't be my first pick for a recommend, but if someone had it on their list I wouldn't tell them to abandon ship either.
Things start off with a contemporary romance/dark academia feel but slowly morph into more of a dystopian atmosphere. I can't say much more here without creating spoilers, but the shift in genre feel did leave me feeling a bit disoriented for a while.
There are some fairly intense scenes with good, quick paced writing, and I enjoyed that action in the last third of the book quite a bit.
Putting all the pieces together, this is an okay read. Nothing super spectacular, but not one needing a DNF or a complete avoidance. It wouldn't be my first pick for a recommend, but if someone had it on their list I wouldn't tell them to abandon ship either.
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
5.0
Okay. I've read this twice now, so I feel pretty solid in my opinions. My first read was via audio, second via hard copy. Now...while I really loved the audio read and the narrator (Rebecca Soler) does a fantastic job, this book moves super quick when there's action and it's super easy to get lost. So...I was pretty well muddled by the time I reached the end.
The reread via the hard copy cleared a LOT of stuff up. I was able to go back and slowly sift through passages that still left me reeling and I was able to reference the map and the limited character/dragon/signet list. Those things made all the difference.
The story is intense and the pacing ranges from being a little slow to being a full blown whirlwind. Needless to say, this keeps a reader on their toes. There are a LOT of characters, so keeping a reference list is a good idea if you need one beyond what is provided in the beginning. This is also handy to keep track of last names and dragons, because sometimes first names aren't used or the reference in battle is to the dragon instead of the rider.
The relationships and personalities of the secondary characters are explored more in this book and I feel like I know them even better than I did after the first two books. I definitely have my favorites. And there were some really tense moments during the read where I feared Yarros might kill them off. In fact, I'm still holding my breath a bit following the ending...so beware. That ending...it's a doozy.
Now...to weed through all of this rambling...the bottom line is that I really enjoyed this book. It had me held in a vice grip. I have NEVER reread a book immediately after finishing and I still found myself just as intensely absorbed by the plot my second read through. I will now go rock myself in a corner and attempt to console myself in the fact that I have to wait two years to find out what in the world is going on.
The reread via the hard copy cleared a LOT of stuff up. I was able to go back and slowly sift through passages that still left me reeling and I was able to reference the map and the limited character/dragon/signet list. Those things made all the difference.
The story is intense and the pacing ranges from being a little slow to being a full blown whirlwind. Needless to say, this keeps a reader on their toes. There are a LOT of characters, so keeping a reference list is a good idea if you need one beyond what is provided in the beginning. This is also handy to keep track of last names and dragons, because sometimes first names aren't used or the reference in battle is to the dragon instead of the rider.
The relationships and personalities of the secondary characters are explored more in this book and I feel like I know them even better than I did after the first two books. I definitely have my favorites. And there were some really tense moments during the read where I feared Yarros might kill them off. In fact, I'm still holding my breath a bit following the ending...so beware. That ending...it's a doozy.
Now...to weed through all of this rambling...the bottom line is that I really enjoyed this book. It had me held in a vice grip. I have NEVER reread a book immediately after finishing and I still found myself just as intensely absorbed by the plot my second read through. I will now go rock myself in a corner and attempt to console myself in the fact that I have to wait two years to find out what in the world is going on.