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totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)
I absolutely loved this novel!
Thomas provides perfect escapism to sunny Sicily, the scenery idyllic and food sounds scrumptious.
The characters easily investible from the beginning. And I love the way the character physical looks are subtly described and the emphasis on personality. The storytelling is beautiful and I love how Mount Etna had a character all of her own! She is definitely enigmatic even in real time to warrant it!! The perfect rich, warm and sunny read for this gorgeous bank holiday weather.
Thanks to Headline Review and Anna for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.
Thomas provides perfect escapism to sunny Sicily, the scenery idyllic and food sounds scrumptious.
The characters easily investible from the beginning. And I love the way the character physical looks are subtly described and the emphasis on personality. The storytelling is beautiful and I love how Mount Etna had a character all of her own! She is definitely enigmatic even in real time to warrant it!! The perfect rich, warm and sunny read for this gorgeous bank holiday weather.
Thanks to Headline Review and Anna for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.
What can I say Craven has done it again... This novel is exceptional! Fast-paced, thrilling & oh so clever. I've said it once and I'll say it again he is a mastermind at his craft.
I was literally counting down the days until I could get my mitts on this! It exceeded my very very high expectations and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it is my favourite of the series (how many days until Dead Ground is out?! Who do I have to kidnap to get an early copy?).
Poe & Tilly are the best crime duo about. I love their relationship, how fiercely protective of each other they are. Their exchanges, and how they have grown to love each other's little quirks. Most of all love that they will go to the ends of the earth for each other but there is no romantic agenda. They are dynamic, funny & will steal a piece of your heart.
This plot is compelling, gruesome & completely original. If you are looking for a crime novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, that you will not be able to put down and one that you will not be able to guess the ending of, look no further. Pick this up and enjoy the ride, you can thank me later! I whole-heartedly recommend this book and if you haven't yet come across Poe & Tilly then definitely treat yourself to the whole series! (You certainly don't have to, to enjoy The Curator but the only person missing out is you).
A huge thanks to Little Brown Books & NetGalley for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
Ps. If you loved this as much as I did and would like to know more about the genius behind it head over to my blog for a Q&A with M. W. Craven himself http://agirlwithherheadstuckinabook.blogspot.com/2020/05/author-of-month-m-w-craven.html
I was literally counting down the days until I could get my mitts on this! It exceeded my very very high expectations and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it is my favourite of the series (how many days until Dead Ground is out?! Who do I have to kidnap to get an early copy?).
Poe & Tilly are the best crime duo about. I love their relationship, how fiercely protective of each other they are. Their exchanges, and how they have grown to love each other's little quirks. Most of all love that they will go to the ends of the earth for each other but there is no romantic agenda. They are dynamic, funny & will steal a piece of your heart.
This plot is compelling, gruesome & completely original. If you are looking for a crime novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, that you will not be able to put down and one that you will not be able to guess the ending of, look no further. Pick this up and enjoy the ride, you can thank me later! I whole-heartedly recommend this book and if you haven't yet come across Poe & Tilly then definitely treat yourself to the whole series! (You certainly don't have to, to enjoy The Curator but the only person missing out is you).
A huge thanks to Little Brown Books & NetGalley for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
Ps. If you loved this as much as I did and would like to know more about the genius behind it head over to my blog for a Q&A with M. W. Craven himself http://agirlwithherheadstuckinabook.blogspot.com/2020/05/author-of-month-m-w-craven.html
It was too clichéd and one dimensional for me. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
A wonderful, thought-provoking debut, full of heart!
Addie is kind, strong, compassionate, and Autistic. Written from her point of view it is a fabulous insight into her neurodivergent mind, her thoughts, and feelings.
This novel, made me laugh and cry, but most of all it made my heart hurt! It is might be a short book but it certainly packs a punch and holds a very important message: celebrate and support people's differences don't punish them!
A read for everyone! From an absolutely amazing new voice in children's fiction.
A huge thanks to Knights Of & EDPR for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Addie is kind, strong, compassionate, and Autistic. Written from her point of view it is a fabulous insight into her neurodivergent mind, her thoughts, and feelings.
This novel, made me laugh and cry, but most of all it made my heart hurt! It is might be a short book but it certainly packs a punch and holds a very important message: celebrate and support people's differences don't punish them!
A read for everyone! From an absolutely amazing new voice in children's fiction.
A huge thanks to Knights Of & EDPR for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a compelling modern take on Alice in Wonderland.
I absolutely love it, it was gripping fast-paced and once I'd picked it up I couldn't put it down. A compelling addictive exploration of privilege and gender.
It doesn't shy away from tough real-life topics; mental health, self-harm, sexual assault & drug use. Hard-hitting and unapologetic it tackles them head-on with careful consideration and incredible thoughtfulness.
The wonderful nods to the original tale are an added bonus.
This is a must-read!
Thanks to EDPR & Quercus for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely love it, it was gripping fast-paced and once I'd picked it up I couldn't put it down. A compelling addictive exploration of privilege and gender.
It doesn't shy away from tough real-life topics; mental health, self-harm, sexual assault & drug use. Hard-hitting and unapologetic it tackles them head-on with careful consideration and incredible thoughtfulness.
The wonderful nods to the original tale are an added bonus.
This is a must-read!
Thanks to EDPR & Quercus for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An uplifting, beautifully written tale!
I really enjoyed how Smedley wove together Alfie's present-day and his past, she reels you in so seamlessly I sat and read the whole book in one sitting.
It just missed out on 5⭐the ending felt very abrupt to me and I wanted more Alfie, hopefully, we hear from him again soon!
Overall, a moving debut with engaging characters that are hard to leave behind. Perfect for fans of The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & SilverWood Books for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed how Smedley wove together Alfie's present-day and his past, she reels you in so seamlessly I sat and read the whole book in one sitting.
It just missed out on 5⭐the ending felt very abrupt to me and I wanted more Alfie, hopefully, we hear from him again soon!
Overall, a moving debut with engaging characters that are hard to leave behind. Perfect for fans of The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & SilverWood Books for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A real gem! - Quirky, nostalgic & laugh-out-loud.
Evie is the perfect heroine intelligent, hilarious & vibrant! The rest of the cast are well-drawn out, strong women if not all likable (Christine & Vera). The larger than life Mrs. Swithenbank was a brilliant character.
The writing is spot on, the characters leap off the page, the plot is warm and witty. A fabulously joy-filled debut! - I hope there more Evie adventures in the pipeline. Regardless I certainly can't wait for Taylor's next novel.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Scribner for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Evie is the perfect heroine intelligent, hilarious & vibrant! The rest of the cast are well-drawn out, strong women if not all likable (Christine & Vera). The larger than life Mrs. Swithenbank was a brilliant character.
The writing is spot on, the characters leap off the page, the plot is warm and witty. A fabulously joy-filled debut! - I hope there more Evie adventures in the pipeline. Regardless I certainly can't wait for Taylor's next novel.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Scribner for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So much more than 'just a beach read' - Smart, romantic, funny & real!
Gus and August, will lift you up and sweep you up in their messy romance, that perfectly captures the reality of relationships. The miscommunications, the spark, the rollercoaster of emotions - you will be rooting for them from the start.
The writing is incredible, it is authentic and I didn't want it to end. I had laugh-out-loud tears and brimming with sadness tears.
This novel has it all! - fresh, poignant & laugh-out-loud. I absolutely loved it, whole-heartedly recommend it & I think it is a book that everyone can take something away from.
A huge thanks to Georgia Taylor & Viking Books for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gus and August, will lift you up and sweep you up in their messy romance, that perfectly captures the reality of relationships. The miscommunications, the spark, the rollercoaster of emotions - you will be rooting for them from the start.
The writing is incredible, it is authentic and I didn't want it to end. I had laugh-out-loud tears and brimming with sadness tears.
This novel has it all! - fresh, poignant & laugh-out-loud. I absolutely loved it, whole-heartedly recommend it & I think it is a book that everyone can take something away from.
A huge thanks to Georgia Taylor & Viking Books for sending me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
