kari_marie's reviews
490 reviews

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Was a one week check out. I never got pulled in fully enough to get it finished before it was returned. 
Forever by J.R. Ward

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medium-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

2.5

I had not read the first book but usually for Ward books that does not matter. This one I felt lost for the majority of the book and even when I found my way I found it lacked the pull I usually find in books by Ward. I did finish it. Maybe I would have liked it better as a book and not an audiobook.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

Beneath the Frost by Taylor Stark

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

2.5

Death Behind Every Door by Heather Graham

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dark mysterious fast-paced

3.0

Unfinished Business by Nora Roberts

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2.0

I finished it so it gets two stars. Thats all I will say. 
It Waits in the Forest by Sarah Dass

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-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? No

4.5

 It Waits in the Forest by Sarah Doss is a Rick Riordan Presents stand-alone novel with Caribbean Mythology as the focus. This was one of my favorite books of the year. I prefer a character that is not always making the right decisions. Even though she does not always make the right decision, she does not make so stupid of decision that you hate the character or feel like the stupidity is to move the plot along. I liked some of the suspense and it was fast paced. The characters felt real with flaws and the "bad guys" had some good depending on the characters arch. I could see how the characters got to where they were. I liked the mythology weaved through the book but for me that almost took a back seat. The grief of loss and the regret of past interactions is something I have had to contemplate and resonated with me. 
 
I give this 4.5 (4 if I cannot do 5) stars because as somebody who loves fantasy that was honestly the weakest part. This point I am just being picky about because I loved everything else about the book. I think the rest was so high caliber that the twist and mythology was too weak for me. I wish the mythology would have been delved into more. I am definitely going to look for this author again. Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Riordan Presents, and Sarah Doss for the free copy. This was an honest review. 
Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire

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adventurous challenging dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire is the third book in the Alchemical Journeys series. 

I have read the other two books in the series and loved Middlegame. I do not remember the second one really at all. I would rank this one higher than Seasonal Fears (looked that up and gave in 2.5 stars) but not a five star read. I really enjoyed the moon aspect but found the killer to be the obvious conclusion. I wish there had been more depth with that cast. I personally found that there were too many characters so while there was a lot going on and it was hard to follow, the big reveal was there the whole time. 

I am still glad to have read it and I appreciate the world continuing. I hope McGuire is able to find her footing in this world. 3.5 stars. I did not hate and it times I was really intrigued. Thank you to NetGalley, Seanan McGuire, and Tor Publishing Group for the free book. This was an honest review. 
Shadows by Robin McKinley

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

5.0