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funny
informative
medium-paced
West's writing is quippy, sharp & intelligent. She states her opinions clearly with good supporting information and makes the topics themselves very accessible. Those who already share a majority of her viewpoints will most likely be highly entertained. However, she is somewhat heavy-handed in her approach. This reduces her accessibility overall and makes it less likely for her to attract a wide range of readers.
I found her to be very funny and smart. She has a lot of good critical thinking realizations that I honestly had never considered. She is easy to listen to and understand and made talking about boring political topics quite enjoyable. I will admit that she and I see eye-to-eye a lot on our opinions (though not 100%), so I was much more in the "agreeable" camp. Had I not shared the same opinions to a major degree, I may have ended up placing this book in a DNF pile simply due to her aggressive (though highly effective) approach to the topics.
I found her to be very funny and smart. She has a lot of good critical thinking realizations that I honestly had never considered. She is easy to listen to and understand and made talking about boring political topics quite enjoyable. I will admit that she and I see eye-to-eye a lot on our opinions (though not 100%), so I was much more in the "agreeable" camp. Had I not shared the same opinions to a major degree, I may have ended up placing this book in a DNF pile simply due to her aggressive (though highly effective) approach to the topics.
adventurous
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
This is the finale of a trilogy focusing on three different magically tinted women in historical France. The first installment follows The Vine Witch, the second The Glamourist, and now we get the story of Sidra, the Jinni conjurer who is being hunted by someone from her past for a secret she holds and a murder she may have committed.
Had I read this as a standalone, I likely would have given it a lower rating. Though each installment in this trilogy can read as an individual novel, this one really needed the character connections formed in the previous books to give it a boost.
The first portion of the book felt like it moved too fast, with events being rushed and scenery changes lacking a bit of a comfortable transition. This somewhat jerky movement of the narrative happened a few times during the plot, making it feel like the bones of the story were well established, but the blending work of the writing was maybe rushed and not given enough time for the author to fully flesh out. While the writing was still good and the story was intriguing, it didn't really seem to be the same quality of composition as I had seen in the first two books.
That fast movement did have another effect. Though truly a full novel in length, something about this made it feel more like a novella. The pacing was fast, but there was something else at work that I can't quite put my finger on. This feeling was not necessarily a bad thing, but I didn't feel like we got to explore as much of Sidra's life as we had the primary protagonists of the other two books. Because of this, I think I had a hard time connecting to this story as well as I had with her other works. There was a clear conflict that should have felt very tense, but I just didn't have a good investment with Sidra as a character so it felt a little flat. It may have been mostly to due with my not really seeing her as a sympathetic character, so this may not be an issue for other readers.
I loved Smith's creativity and ability to create a very atmospheric setting. She has a knack for making her scenery feel nearly tangible and her supporting characters always have just enough uniqueness to them to feel real without feeling over the top. Some of the plot pieces did feel a bit overly convenient and there was an odd piece in one of the ending sequences where a side character seemed to drop off the map for a bit of the story, but otherwise things moved pretty comfortably and the story felt believable.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this series. It was fun and imaginative and Smith's writing was just so great at being descriptive. Her books are easy, fast reads with good characters and magical twists that make things even more interesting and unpredictable.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Had I read this as a standalone, I likely would have given it a lower rating. Though each installment in this trilogy can read as an individual novel, this one really needed the character connections formed in the previous books to give it a boost.
The first portion of the book felt like it moved too fast, with events being rushed and scenery changes lacking a bit of a comfortable transition. This somewhat jerky movement of the narrative happened a few times during the plot, making it feel like the bones of the story were well established, but the blending work of the writing was maybe rushed and not given enough time for the author to fully flesh out. While the writing was still good and the story was intriguing, it didn't really seem to be the same quality of composition as I had seen in the first two books.
That fast movement did have another effect. Though truly a full novel in length, something about this made it feel more like a novella. The pacing was fast, but there was something else at work that I can't quite put my finger on. This feeling was not necessarily a bad thing, but I didn't feel like we got to explore as much of Sidra's life as we had the primary protagonists of the other two books. Because of this, I think I had a hard time connecting to this story as well as I had with her other works. There was a clear conflict that should have felt very tense, but I just didn't have a good investment with Sidra as a character so it felt a little flat. It may have been mostly to due with my not really seeing her as a sympathetic character, so this may not be an issue for other readers.
I loved Smith's creativity and ability to create a very atmospheric setting. She has a knack for making her scenery feel nearly tangible and her supporting characters always have just enough uniqueness to them to feel real without feeling over the top. Some of the plot pieces did feel a bit overly convenient and there was an odd piece in one of the ending sequences where a side character seemed to drop off the map for a bit of the story, but otherwise things moved pretty comfortably and the story felt believable.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this series. It was fun and imaginative and Smith's writing was just so great at being descriptive. Her books are easy, fast reads with good characters and magical twists that make things even more interesting and unpredictable.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
inspiring
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:
Yes
This book was just what I never knew I wanted. Books about books are always up my alley and this one takes place in a library as well. Bonus! The use of the library and references to historical literature were a huge plus.
Davis's writing is lovely. It felt natural, yet highly imbued with detail and historical content. The dual timeline was fun and well-woven. It kept things interesting. There were slight moments when I did get my timelines and characters confused, but things generally straightened out fairly quickly due to Davis's knack for including context detail that immediately clued me in to the time period.
The characters were fun and I particularly enjoyed seeing Laura's character development throughout the narrative arc. I love reading books with strong female characters and both Laura and Sadie felt like they traveled the path to being stronger from start to end. It was a good progression that felt natural and rewarding.
I LOVED the setting and the time periods used. I have a fascination with the early 20th century and this narrative brought in so much of the historical content, especially focusing on the budding feminist movement of the area.
The tension throughout the plot was fairly well handled. It didn't feel over-the-top, but there was clear pressure on the characters that came through the narrative. The big mysteries of the plot were well-hidden with decently intriguing reveals. There were pieces that were predictable, but not in an overly irritating way.
The romantic elements in both timelines were somewhat awkward, with Laura's feeling a bit too obvious and Sadie's feeling somewhat forced. I didn't seriously mind either, but I do think the story could have been perfectly fine had they not been parts of the plot. For me they just detracted from the story and the intrigue.
Ah, the ending. It was very well handled. I admittedly left the story wanting more, but mostly in a good way. This is typically a sign for me that the author has done the perfect job wrapping things up while letting the reader envision beyond the ending. The big questions were answered and there really weren't any loose ends. I just liked the characters and particularly enjoyed the setting...I wanted to move right in to this book.
Davis's writing is lovely. It felt natural, yet highly imbued with detail and historical content. The dual timeline was fun and well-woven. It kept things interesting. There were slight moments when I did get my timelines and characters confused, but things generally straightened out fairly quickly due to Davis's knack for including context detail that immediately clued me in to the time period.
The characters were fun and I particularly enjoyed seeing Laura's character development throughout the narrative arc. I love reading books with strong female characters and both Laura and Sadie felt like they traveled the path to being stronger from start to end. It was a good progression that felt natural and rewarding.
I LOVED the setting and the time periods used. I have a fascination with the early 20th century and this narrative brought in so much of the historical content, especially focusing on the budding feminist movement of the area.
The tension throughout the plot was fairly well handled. It didn't feel over-the-top, but there was clear pressure on the characters that came through the narrative. The big mysteries of the plot were well-hidden with decently intriguing reveals. There were pieces that were predictable, but not in an overly irritating way.
The romantic elements in both timelines were somewhat awkward, with Laura's feeling a bit too obvious and Sadie's feeling somewhat forced. I didn't seriously mind either, but I do think the story could have been perfectly fine had they not been parts of the plot. For me they just detracted from the story and the intrigue.
Ah, the ending. It was very well handled. I admittedly left the story wanting more, but mostly in a good way. This is typically a sign for me that the author has done the perfect job wrapping things up while letting the reader envision beyond the ending. The big questions were answered and there really weren't any loose ends. I just liked the characters and particularly enjoyed the setting...I wanted to move right in to this book.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
4.5 stars. This is a cute "Parent Trap"-esque read. The plot moves very quickly and it is a comfortable, easy read. It would be a great beach or otherwise escape read.
The premise is unique, but will likely get a little dated easily. I appreciated the nods to current culture, but there are some readers who may find this problematic. Right now, it feels perfect for the reading climate to me. I thought it was fun, light, and still handled some interesting current event topics.
The characters are enjoyable, likable, and distinct. There is naturally presented diversity that doesn't feel contrived and is well-executed. The teenagers felt age appropriate and natural and their interactions felt genuine. I loved the friendships and relationships that developed and felt that the choices addressed and made by the characters seemed realistic. The adults did not feel quite as genuine. Though the relationships were clearly defined and the characters themselves were believable, the parental conflicts felt over the top D-R-A-M-A. I laughed and rolled my eyes a bit at a couple of scenes, but they didn't take too much away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
The primary storyline is well-crafted and I liked the twists and turns that things took. I also enjoyed the side plot with Finn, but did feel that it was roughly finished. He was a good character and I wanted to see more of him. (Maybe he will become the focus of a future Emma Lord novel...one can hope!) Similarly, I would have liked a more well-rounded exploration of Leo's side plot. We never meet his twin sister to see her point of view regarding their history and I would have liked to have seen that perspective. I would have traded the view of the sister for Connie's involvement in the plot, as she was a bit of a convenience character and didn't really seem relevant other than a plot device to push things along.
I really did enjoy this read and found it to be a good palate cleanser from heavier works. I was able to just fall into the read and enjoy the movement of the narrative. Emma Lord's writing is spunky and flippant, and totally up my alley. Her style made things a lot of fun and kept the narrative flowing with a good pace and comfortable transitions. This was my second read from Emma Lord and I do quite enjoy her works. I enjoyed Tweet Cute and I loved You Have a Match even more.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The premise is unique, but will likely get a little dated easily. I appreciated the nods to current culture, but there are some readers who may find this problematic. Right now, it feels perfect for the reading climate to me. I thought it was fun, light, and still handled some interesting current event topics.
The characters are enjoyable, likable, and distinct. There is naturally presented diversity that doesn't feel contrived and is well-executed. The teenagers felt age appropriate and natural and their interactions felt genuine. I loved the friendships and relationships that developed and felt that the choices addressed and made by the characters seemed realistic. The adults did not feel quite as genuine. Though the relationships were clearly defined and the characters themselves were believable, the parental conflicts felt over the top D-R-A-M-A. I laughed and rolled my eyes a bit at a couple of scenes, but they didn't take too much away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
The primary storyline is well-crafted and I liked the twists and turns that things took. I also enjoyed the side plot with Finn, but did feel that it was roughly finished. He was a good character and I wanted to see more of him. (Maybe he will become the focus of a future Emma Lord novel...one can hope!) Similarly, I would have liked a more well-rounded exploration of Leo's side plot. We never meet his twin sister to see her point of view regarding their history and I would have liked to have seen that perspective. I would have traded the view of the sister for Connie's involvement in the plot, as she was a bit of a convenience character and didn't really seem relevant other than a plot device to push things along.
I really did enjoy this read and found it to be a good palate cleanser from heavier works. I was able to just fall into the read and enjoy the movement of the narrative. Emma Lord's writing is spunky and flippant, and totally up my alley. Her style made things a lot of fun and kept the narrative flowing with a good pace and comfortable transitions. This was my second read from Emma Lord and I do quite enjoy her works. I enjoyed Tweet Cute and I loved You Have a Match even more.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5.
Another hard-hitting read from Nic Stone. This is a powerful read for such a short read. It is admittedly not as impactful as Dear Martin, but it is effective in its own way.
The use of Quan as the protagonist is interesting and unique. Though it is a little sunnier and "convenient" in the way things turn out compared to average reality, the examination of the young, black male experience from an incarcerated POV is interesting and well done. This narration is incredibly emotional and lays bare the way the system is stacked against certain individuals from the start.
The writing style is comfortable and well-crafted. The voice of Quan feels very authentic, both in terms of age and maturity/educational level. Not all authors can manage this and it really does work to engage the reader. The structure of the read is interesting and the use of letters as well as internal reflection and external narration give a good well-rounded picture of Quan's experience. However, the tendency toward stunted, prose-like interjections was distracting. I assume these pieces were intended to slow the flow and attract attention, but they were somewhat awkward.
I highly recommend reading this immediately after Dear Martin. The transition between the first book and this one is rough. Unless you have very recently read Dear Martin, it is easy to forget the specifics. This leads to a decent amount of confusion because important information from the first novel is not reintroduced fully. There were several times that I found myself lost in what was going on and had to jog my memory about what happened in the first installment.
Though not a necessary follow-up, this short novel does present an important point-of-view and information that highlights the need for improvements in social justice. It's a well crafted work and has a definite place in bringing the possibilities of the sometimes prejudiced black male experience to light.
Another hard-hitting read from Nic Stone. This is a powerful read for such a short read. It is admittedly not as impactful as Dear Martin, but it is effective in its own way.
The use of Quan as the protagonist is interesting and unique. Though it is a little sunnier and "convenient" in the way things turn out compared to average reality, the examination of the young, black male experience from an incarcerated POV is interesting and well done. This narration is incredibly emotional and lays bare the way the system is stacked against certain individuals from the start.
The writing style is comfortable and well-crafted. The voice of Quan feels very authentic, both in terms of age and maturity/educational level. Not all authors can manage this and it really does work to engage the reader. The structure of the read is interesting and the use of letters as well as internal reflection and external narration give a good well-rounded picture of Quan's experience. However, the tendency toward stunted, prose-like interjections was distracting. I assume these pieces were intended to slow the flow and attract attention, but they were somewhat awkward.
I highly recommend reading this immediately after Dear Martin. The transition between the first book and this one is rough. Unless you have very recently read Dear Martin, it is easy to forget the specifics. This leads to a decent amount of confusion because important information from the first novel is not reintroduced fully. There were several times that I found myself lost in what was going on and had to jog my memory about what happened in the first installment.
Though not a necessary follow-up, this short novel does present an important point-of-view and information that highlights the need for improvements in social justice. It's a well crafted work and has a definite place in bringing the possibilities of the sometimes prejudiced black male experience to light.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars.
This was a complicated knot of a read that really wound a lot up in a wandering plot. The first half of the book is confusing and it is difficult to sort out who the characters are and how the multiple plot lines are going to work themselves together. The movement of the different stories slowly toward one another is intriguing, but the jolting movements from place to place, time to time, and character to character, make things very convoluted. It requires a slow and in-depth read. This is an okay feeling to have and can make for a wonderful read, but it did create some frustration in the reading process and made the pacing drag down a bit as I tried to sort out all the interlocking pieces.
Beyond my struggles with plot organization and pacing, this was a good read. The characters were interesting and there was a lot of character development via the multiple plot lines. There is a lot of introspection and growth for the characters amidst a lot of chaos and difficulty. The weaving together of the plot lines is intriguing and does occur in a slowly revealed and interesting way. It's a very unique plot movement with a writing style that somehow reminds me of Stieg Larsson and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Though I did have issues with my read of this novel, I will say that the writing style is appealing and I am interested to see what this author produces in the future. She clearly has a good imagination and skill at developing a complicated plot. A debut novel with good promise for the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This was a complicated knot of a read that really wound a lot up in a wandering plot. The first half of the book is confusing and it is difficult to sort out who the characters are and how the multiple plot lines are going to work themselves together. The movement of the different stories slowly toward one another is intriguing, but the jolting movements from place to place, time to time, and character to character, make things very convoluted. It requires a slow and in-depth read. This is an okay feeling to have and can make for a wonderful read, but it did create some frustration in the reading process and made the pacing drag down a bit as I tried to sort out all the interlocking pieces.
Beyond my struggles with plot organization and pacing, this was a good read. The characters were interesting and there was a lot of character development via the multiple plot lines. There is a lot of introspection and growth for the characters amidst a lot of chaos and difficulty. The weaving together of the plot lines is intriguing and does occur in a slowly revealed and interesting way. It's a very unique plot movement with a writing style that somehow reminds me of Stieg Larsson and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Though I did have issues with my read of this novel, I will say that the writing style is appealing and I am interested to see what this author produces in the future. She clearly has a good imagination and skill at developing a complicated plot. A debut novel with good promise for the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Wonderful & beautiful. I loved this book so very much. It ended up being one of my two favorites for 2020 and I recommend it highly. This was my first read from Schwab and I adore her writing. It flows incredibly smoothly and I just felt completely wrapped in the story. The premise was intriguing and the execution was both unique and fascinating.
Everything felt real and believable as Addie shifted through time periods and locations. Her pathway of understanding her situation was tense, but oh so curious. I couldn't get enough. The relationship between Addie and Luc made my heart just ache. Apparently I'm just a sucker for the bad guy? I don't know, but Schwab's approach made me seriously care about all of the characters and just want the best for them all...yes...including Luc.
This is one of those books I could read over and over again, I am sure. I loved the feeling of the book from beginning to end and consider it to be one of those books that would be a good rainy day comfort read. Just watch your heart, because Addie's amazing and unusual life will make it strain and potentially break.
Everything felt real and believable as Addie shifted through time periods and locations. Her pathway of understanding her situation was tense, but oh so curious. I couldn't get enough. The relationship between Addie and Luc made my heart just ache. Apparently I'm just a sucker for the bad guy? I don't know, but Schwab's approach made me seriously care about all of the characters and just want the best for them all...yes...including Luc.
This is one of those books I could read over and over again, I am sure. I loved the feeling of the book from beginning to end and consider it to be one of those books that would be a good rainy day comfort read. Just watch your heart, because Addie's amazing and unusual life will make it strain and potentially break.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
Warmaidens is the second installment in the Gravemaidens duology. I was a big fan of the first book and the amount of action it contained. I was really looking forward to seeing how the story continued.
Kelly Coon's writing is fun and descriptive, creating a great atmosphere with world-building that is concise, but effective. I love the use of the Egyptian influences. This installment is not quite as action-packed and does carry a little more political movement than the first. The feeling of the book is a little dark and tense. There is a lot of conflict on different fronts that really adds complexity and makes the story take a lot of twists and turns.
The characters are full-bodied and interact well, though there is some circling to the plot as the characters resist change and choices that will encourage forward movement in the plot. There were a lot of side quests that distracted from the main goal and dragged down the pacing just a little bit. However, I very much enjoyed the character interactions that resulted from these endeavors. There is some great relationship building and some difficult situations that force the protagonist to become more mature in her decisions. Kammani is intelligent and fierce and I loved her. She is independent and works to protect herself as well as others, but she has to learn to balance her instinct and conflict to make wise decision.
The ending turned out well and I like that everything was resolved in a reasonable way. There weren't any moments where it felt overly convenient and there weren't loose ends that left me unfulfilled. There was a little corniness in one of the end scenes that felt excessively chummy, but I gave it a pass since I really did enjoy the writing for the grand majority of the book.
This duology was a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing what else Kelly Coon has up her sleeve.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Kelly Coon's writing is fun and descriptive, creating a great atmosphere with world-building that is concise, but effective. I love the use of the Egyptian influences. This installment is not quite as action-packed and does carry a little more political movement than the first. The feeling of the book is a little dark and tense. There is a lot of conflict on different fronts that really adds complexity and makes the story take a lot of twists and turns.
The characters are full-bodied and interact well, though there is some circling to the plot as the characters resist change and choices that will encourage forward movement in the plot. There were a lot of side quests that distracted from the main goal and dragged down the pacing just a little bit. However, I very much enjoyed the character interactions that resulted from these endeavors. There is some great relationship building and some difficult situations that force the protagonist to become more mature in her decisions. Kammani is intelligent and fierce and I loved her. She is independent and works to protect herself as well as others, but she has to learn to balance her instinct and conflict to make wise decision.
The ending turned out well and I like that everything was resolved in a reasonable way. There weren't any moments where it felt overly convenient and there weren't loose ends that left me unfulfilled. There was a little corniness in one of the end scenes that felt excessively chummy, but I gave it a pass since I really did enjoy the writing for the grand majority of the book.
This duology was a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing what else Kelly Coon has up her sleeve.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-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
3.5 stars.
This is a rich and complicated book with a lot going on. It is a colorful and intimate exploration of sexuality and community. As far as a book for representation, I thought this was wonderfully handled. The diversity is great and the attention to issues based on both race and gender identity were presented and explored in a way that was immersive, yet not judgmental in any way. There is a lot of internal insight into the protagonist as they work to discover how they feel their sexual and gender preferences might be most accurately expressed. It is a sometimes heart-wrenching read.
Because of how much is packed into this novel, it is a necessarily slow read. The organization into alternating narrators can make things slightly disorienting and there is a lot to take in an a lot to consider. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, displaying emotion in a very moving way. There are moments where it can be convoluted and confusing.
I admit that this is a fairly new foray for me into understanding the trans experience. My ability to comprehend the feelings and complications of the situation was (and really still is) quite naive. I was able to gain some insight from my read, but I still left the situation feeling a little unclear and lost. It was a beautiful read, but my lack of exposure made my reading experience a little clunky. I do think that I would glean more from a second read and...now that I've had time to sit with the experience...would likely have a higher rating to give at that time. It's just so very much to handle.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This is a rich and complicated book with a lot going on. It is a colorful and intimate exploration of sexuality and community. As far as a book for representation, I thought this was wonderfully handled. The diversity is great and the attention to issues based on both race and gender identity were presented and explored in a way that was immersive, yet not judgmental in any way. There is a lot of internal insight into the protagonist as they work to discover how they feel their sexual and gender preferences might be most accurately expressed. It is a sometimes heart-wrenching read.
Because of how much is packed into this novel, it is a necessarily slow read. The organization into alternating narrators can make things slightly disorienting and there is a lot to take in an a lot to consider. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, displaying emotion in a very moving way. There are moments where it can be convoluted and confusing.
I admit that this is a fairly new foray for me into understanding the trans experience. My ability to comprehend the feelings and complications of the situation was (and really still is) quite naive. I was able to gain some insight from my read, but I still left the situation feeling a little unclear and lost. It was a beautiful read, but my lack of exposure made my reading experience a little clunky. I do think that I would glean more from a second read and...now that I've had time to sit with the experience...would likely have a higher rating to give at that time. It's just so very much to handle.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
This book was my return to King after not having read his books for nearly 2 decades. It was a good pick to settle back in. This is a science fiction novel that feels mostly like magical realism, but does have some thriller/horror elements. The writing was good and comfortable and the movement through the plot was somewhat subtle. The characters were nicely constructed and everything felt a little like a dreamscape. There were moments where I felt gripped and emotionally connected to the character in a way that felt amazingly deep for such a short book. Hats off to Mr. King for that marvelous ability to suck me in. This is a gentle immersion into the works of Stephen King and good for those who are afraid of the more...umm...assertive works in his backlist. It's a good sampling of what he can do. The man knows his craft.