leandrathetbrzero's Reviews (412)

Trent's Last Case

E.C. Bentley

3.25

slow-paced

The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands

Sarah Brooks

5.0

adventurous mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I read this for a project that will be revealed in good time, but clearly I really enjoyed it! Full transparency: this book is marketed in some places (including Goodreads) as a fantasy mystery genre blend when, in reality, it is a historical fantasy that is mysterious in tone. The writing and descriptions were gorgeous, there is climate fiction commentary, and the multiple 3rd-person POVs were really well done. AND IT IS SET ON A TRAIN JOURNEY. The book was basically made for me. Not to throw shade, but it had the elements/tone/structure/character investment that I was missing with Annihilation.

I just loved this book!

The Haunting of Velkwood

Gwendolyn Kiste

3.25

dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I may have entered this book with too high expectations. One of my favorite settings in horror is a haunted location, and Kiste certainly provides a fascinating twist on that popular narrative device. The tone was just a bit too melancholy for me, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. I'm really sad about this one!

The Secret Place

Tana French

4.75

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I read this for the Shedunnit Book Club's November pick. And this is my favorite Tana French yet! It's less of a whodunnit, and there is another mystery/question that ends up being most important by the book's end (but I won't say in order to avoid spoilers). Tana's ability to write an entire cast of characters, the way their lives interweave and affect one another, is really brilliant and so entertaining. So many themes and details, and so much commentary to unpack with this one. A *great* option for book clubs!

Cat on the Hero's Lap Vol. 3

Kousuke Iijima

5.0

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

Ruin Road

Lamar Giles

4.5

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I entered this book hesitantly because I find I'm pretty sensitive to teen angst and trendy slang that is likely to "go out of style" within the year. And, admittedly, interaction between teenagers did take some getting used to. With that said, the high stakes of this narrative and the crucial social commentary set this YA horror apart for me. I was really impressed by the range of emotions Lamar Giles infused in this horror focused on themes such as making a deal with the devil, the difference between healthy fear and harmful fear, and generational oppression. I really felt for Cade and his family, and I rooted for him the entire way.

A gripping first experience with this author!

CW: terminal illness

Content Warnings