bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)

adventurous challenging dark lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-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

I love that Will Carver's books tend to veer towards the seedy, grimy, and dark side of society, and this is no different. Overall I can say i guess i enjoyed it but would have enjoyed it more without the intense sex focus. I just didn't need that when the initial premise of the story was so strong.

Dracula Park

Dana Grigorcea

DID NOT FINISH: 41%

I couldn't tell you what's happened, a but dull and I've far too many other things to read to continue
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

3.25* overall - curiously unsatisfying and uneaven. Designed to make you uncomfortable and whilst I liked the writing I didn't like some of the grosser and more sexual elements utilised in the stories.
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A thoroughly enjoyable apocalyptic novella. Solid series opener and intrigued enough.to read more.
emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

A gentle read overall but does explore darker elements of society - judgement of someone with a less than salubrious past, and the stigma of illness. Personally i found it a cosy contemporary japanese tale about unlikely friendships, second chances and sweet bean paste.
adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense 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

Disappointing. I loved The Villa but this and The Ice Retreat have been disappointing - thin storylines and characters I couldn't pull for. Definitely a holiday thriller if you're looking for an easy read by the pool in future.
adventurous challenging dark funny informative sad tense medium-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: Complicated

The humans are much more flawed and fallible in the book compared to the film, and I'm glad I've read it but I'll stick to the movie. I prefer the characters and story arc.
hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

I loved reading this month by month. I have  on idea on the validity of some of the ideas presented, but it was certainly a lovely way of tracking the year and marking down my intentions and word of the month and then my reflections at month end.
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Can absolutely appreciate it and for me is a 4 star and certified 20th century classic.

But once was enough.
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

I have been loving working through the works of Charles Dickens and for the most part have loved them.
This one, despite being one of his most famous is one that I haven't liked at all. Found it slow and the story too thin to be such a long book. I'll take David Copperfield instead for a sad and bleak tale of a young mistreated and abandoned boy.