booksnacks's reviews
1510 reviews

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I love a good train mystery, but this one left me wanting more! 

Our main character Anna, invites all the people involved in destroying her life and family onto a train for revenge, and then things go horribly wrong. Taking place within a number of hours on a train with zero stops, the action is fast-paced and engaging. The highlights for me were the twists, which Sager always does well. Some aspects did veer closer to wacky though. I found Anna flat as well as the rest of the cast, so for me this one was fun but didn’t have the emotional bang that would’ve made justice sweeter. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the ARC! 
The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap

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adventurous dark 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? No

4.0

The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-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

3.0

A fun romp to Fire Island (LOVED the setting!) with a colourful cast of characters, each struggling with their own issues that come to a head over the course of a summer. There was a lot of care and respect put into the focus of the AIDS crisis and how it affected multiple characters, overall striking a balance between serious and sad moments while also keeping it lighthearted with lots of witty quips and fun dialogue. However, I was disappointed in the fantasy aspect- we really only get a taste towards the end, and it was more magical realism. The writing style and pacing was a bit jarring at times and didn’t always flow, but I found it really shined during emotional moments between characters. I very much felt for each one struggling with their personal hardships, and I appreciate the care the author put into showing their growth or resolutions. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC! 
The Wonder Engine by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous funny 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

4.0

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang

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adventurous 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? No

4.0

Neon Yang gives us a world of intrigue in this concise fantasy novella featuring a strong, duty-bound protagonist. Within only a few pages, I was hooked- sharp and engaging writing, interesting character background, and a plot that moves forward at a great pace. I found the romance balanced nicely with the political and fantasy aspects, keeping the reader engaged and invested emotionally. I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a story that can be read in one sitting and leave the reader very satisfied. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the ARC! 
Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A humorous drama focusing on body image and womanhood through the perspective of multiple women within a family (with a dash of male POV’s involved with the drama). I really enjoyed the diversity of the characters in this family and even the friends that shaped Temi’s life, they are all distinct and interesting, even the villains. I wish there was a bit more time spent on the present towards the end, but I very much enjoyed the reflection on each woman’s life and their perspectives on beauty, body, and the role of women. I am looking forward to reading more from Damilare Kuku! 
Noodle & Bao by Shaina Lu

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hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Fool Night, Vol. 1 by Kasumi Yasuda

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0