mschaub2's reviews
1494 reviews

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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

4.75

I’m convinced there’s nothing Julie Soto cannot write!! This book is part final destination, part pretty little liars, and part good girls guide to murder.  (The latter being a popular YA thriller that this genuinely blows out of the water.) I’m 36-not exactly the target audience-and i finished this in one sitting.  It was way too late, and i was a little scared to turn off the light.  
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio

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dark mysterious slow-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

2.0

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid

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

4.0

Preston is a MMC we can all swoon over-the glasses, his undying devotion!  I loved meeting these two characters back at the university setting.  Ava’s prose reallllllly shines in the literary interludes in this book.  They feel so real it makes me wonder if she’s a reincarnation of an 18th century poet.  There are echoes of Coleridge “kubla khan.” (If I’m not mistaken) i found myself so angry for Preston and Effy in their clashes with their peers, and genuinely invested in their academic discoveries! 
The Will of the Many by James Islington

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

5.0

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

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

3.75

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Gorgeous Excitement by Cynthia Weiner

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emotional medium-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

4.5

The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

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

2.75

First 2/3-promising, intricate, really felt like we were going somewhere interesting.  A very literary thriller.  Last 1/3-massive flop, no payoff