missyyyreads's reviews
51 reviews

The Lucky Ones by Kiersten Modglin

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A fun, quick read in which an entire neighborhood of 5-6 families is murdered, and only the children survive.  The killer comes back to finish their job, and we follow 1 of the survivors as they try to remain alive. If you enjoy thrillers and mysteries, you can figure out the ending ahead of the “grand reveal.”  I would definitely pick up another book by Kiersten Modglin, though.
More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

What a phenomenal book! I finished it in less than two days because I couldn’t put it down or stop listening to it. As someone who is also bi-racial and light-skinned, I resonated a lot with her conflict of race identity and aligned in understanding that there’s truth and power in community. Her honesty in working as a Black woman in fashion while staying true to her vision is admirable and inspiring.
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

This is my first SA Cosby and not my last! It is an action story based in the South, focusing on the difficult life choices a man/ husband/ father has to make to protect his family in ways he believes he only knows best how to, as a driver during criminal activities. A fast-paced story with vivid descriptions of violent moments and highlighting issues regarding race, class, and family. 
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Honestly this was a filler book, an in between option that wasn’t too heavy. The FMC is kind of annoying and the world building left much to be desired, but I own the physical copy of book 2 & 3, so I will finish the series.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

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adventurous challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A fast-paced read that focused on the POV of 3 main characters. I think a lot of readers of this 2nd book in the series took issue with the back-and-forth moral dilemma, specialty Amari & Inan. I actually enjoyed this as it highlighted the internal struggles that exist between genuine love for someone & doing “what’s right” based on loyalty, mainly via plot twists. Their decisions and feelings of the consequences as a result, felt very realistic & I enjoyed reading.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I found it challenging to get into the book at first, but by the end, I ended up falling in love with this story of a family of women as they struggle with self & personal relationships, while navigating love/ desire & loss. Told through the perspective of women who are sisters, mothers, wives and cousins, at times it was a bit hard to keep up with each perspective, along with the time jumps, but overall I ended up resonating in some way with each character. As a Dominicana, I have a deep appreciation for Acevedo’s work and her inclusion of the Dominican culture, elements of its history & touch of magic.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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dark tense 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? Yes

3.0

A fast-paced page turner for sure, with a predictable ending (think Gone Girl). Not a single like-able character in sight, no character development, and the writing was OK. I don’t think I’ll continue with the rest of the series, but it was a decent quick read between more dense books.
Tropicália: A Novel by Harold Rogers

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

4.0

A book w/ SO MANY words unsaid between characters, that lead to sorrow, missed opportunities, resentment, and so much more. Words & feelings that they internalize and use to shift blame about their life circumstances from themselves to other characters, while simultaneously trying to be “good” people to understanding what being a good person even means. Not a book for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

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adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A beautiful bold story with themes of love, grief, classicism, brutality and power. Magic is at the heart of it, and how those without it have oppressed those with, until enough is enough. Personally, I could’ve done without so much of the romance, but I appreciated it for added layer of heart break & lost of hope. None the less, I Loved it, & can’t wait to continue on with the series & the movies.