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bookishpriest's reviews
217 reviews
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Fabulous premise and setting, loved the writing style, could not engage with the characters. They feel either flat and uninteresting or contrived for the sake of the story, particularly the narrator. Richard Pepin feels like a character designed to be a narrator rather than an agent present in the story. Maybe this was a nod to Virgil and the Divine Comedy, but if so it wasn't clear enough to land for me.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This novel tells a complicated and emotional story through engaging, well-written prose. The characters evoke care and sympathy, especially as their histories are revealed and the consequences of past choices become clear to the reader. The complexities of families, social expectations, PTSD, and grief are vividly present without being cloying or melodramatic.
The book suffers from poor marketing on the publisher's part. The synopsis suggests that it is a suspenseful thriller. It was recommended to me on this basis. It is not this. These Silent Woods is an excellent story, well-told and very much worth reading, but it is not frightening, spooky, or a thriller.
The audiobook is excellently narrated by Bronson Pinchot.
The book suffers from poor marketing on the publisher's part. The synopsis suggests that it is a suspenseful thriller. It was recommended to me on this basis. It is not this. These Silent Woods is an excellent story, well-told and very much worth reading, but it is not frightening, spooky, or a thriller.
The audiobook is excellently narrated by Bronson Pinchot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Seasons of Wonder: 52 Weeks of Projects, Prayers, and Practices to Make the Ordinary Sacred by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Called Out: 100 Devotions for LGBTQ Christians by Emily C. Heath
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Called Out: 100 Devotions for LGBTQ Christians is exactly what it says in the title: A collection of 100 devotions for Christians who are LGBTQ. This book was written by the Rev. E. Carrington Heath of the United Church of Christ and is published by Westminster John Knox Press. Called Out is being released on 27 September 2022.
There are no surprises in Called Out. It does precisely what it claims it will do and this is, for me, a great point in its favour. I love a product that does what it says on the box and this book is a fine example of this virtue.
Overall, I think this is an excellent collection of devotions. Specifically for LGBTQ+ Christians as many of the reflections and prayers will be deeply relatable to their own lived experiences. However, I think anyone looking for an open, affirming, welcoming theology described in this devotional format will find this book a fine investment.
A longer review is available at bookishpriest.com
A longer review is available at bookishpriest.com
Thank you to WJK Press and NetGalley.com for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Berserk Deluxe Volume 2 by Kentaro Miura
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Francesca May's writing is lovely. The premise of the story is fantastic. The whole thing drips with atmosphere.
But for me, reading, it felt like a flat, still life painting. I tried reading this twice and could not get invested in the characters. They seemed two-dimensional and uninteresting with relationships and interests that sprung to serve the premise rather than from a believable place of personal development. I can go a long way with flat characters in a ripping plot, but that wasn't here for me either.
Maybe it's the wrong time or maybe the book just isn't for me. Too bad; I had high hopes for this one!
But for me, reading, it felt like a flat, still life painting. I tried reading this twice and could not get invested in the characters. They seemed two-dimensional and uninteresting with relationships and interests that sprung to serve the premise rather than from a believable place of personal development. I can go a long way with flat characters in a ripping plot, but that wasn't here for me either.
Maybe it's the wrong time or maybe the book just isn't for me. Too bad; I had high hopes for this one!