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phoebebird's reviews
59 reviews
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a fantastically dark and twisted thriller. Certainly one of the best plot twists I’ve read. I could not put it down. If the deliciously tangled plot and the morbidly fascinating characters aren’t enough to keep you entranced, Michaelides’ gorgeous writing certainly will.
These Great Athenians: Retold Passages for Seldom Heard Voices by Valentine Carter
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
I would say this is more poetry than fiction. It is unusual and uniquely written, and it took some getting used to. Once I was into it, however, I couldn’t put it down. What a charming and creative collection of anecdotes. Not your mom’s mythology retelling. One of the best I’ve read.
Sula by Toni Morrison
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Is the writing middle-school level awful? Yes. Are the characters irritatingly abrasive and sarcastic? Yes. Did I read it in two days? Yes, but I’m extremely ashamed to admit it. I’m here for the dragons and the dragons only, Violet can fall off the Parapet for all I care. “Undeveloped” would be a word to sum up the Fourth Wing experience: undeveloped characters, lazy world building, and immature vocabulary and writing skills limit a mediocre plot. Not sure why everyone is so obsessed with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Dragonwyck by Anya Seton
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I am a huge fan of Anya Seton’s work, but this was an enormous disappointment. Not only did it lack the magic of Katherine and The Winthrop Woman, it also fell short of the Gothic standard it claimed to emulate. Miranda was bratty and unlikeable, and though the claustrophobia of her marriage was well done, Nicholas never really gained the intimidation factor Seton seemed to be striving for. The story was drawn out too slowly, and the switches to the points of view of minor characters were disruptive and confusing. It did keep me interested enough to finish it quickly, but it certainly isn’t one I’d reread or recommend.
O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0