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katieb94's reviews
722 reviews
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I don’t want to give these books 5 stars even if I really enjoy them because of who wrote them. But I also can’t leave them unrated. At least I can get rid of the book now! 😂
This case in this book was really interesting because of the mixed media aspect. I liked the inclusion of the online messaging forum, the tweets and newspaper articles as Strike and Robin researched an anonymous killer known only as Anomie across different areas of the internet.
The killer is known in the book before the climax but it’s written in a way that it isn’t obvious, any of the suspects could have been the killer.
Strike and Robin seem much more at loggerheads in this book, whether that’s due to them not want to admit they’re in love with each other, because they’re so close, or because they’re annoying each other by being so involved in the case I don’t know. In some areas it was fun to read but with others I just felt could be a bit out of character.
But all is good by the end.
I also liked the addition of new subcontractors within the agency, it showed how popular the agency was and made the book slightly more realistic than if Strike and Robin did it all themselves.
I can understand why people may be put off by this book, JK Rowling (aka Galbraith) writing about internet hate, something she does a lot, seems a bit weird.
I enjoyed the story though and became very invested in the story when I got about 30% into the book.
I would recommend it, if you can separate the art from the artist.
4/5 stars.
This case in this book was really interesting because of the mixed media aspect. I liked the inclusion of the online messaging forum, the tweets and newspaper articles as Strike and Robin researched an anonymous killer known only as Anomie across different areas of the internet.
The killer is known in the book before the climax but it’s written in a way that it isn’t obvious, any of the suspects could have been the killer.
Strike and Robin seem much more at loggerheads in this book, whether that’s due to them not want to admit they’re in love with each other, because they’re so close, or because they’re annoying each other by being so involved in the case I don’t know. In some areas it was fun to read but with others I just felt could be a bit out of character.
But all is good by the end.
I also liked the addition of new subcontractors within the agency, it showed how popular the agency was and made the book slightly more realistic than if Strike and Robin did it all themselves.
I can understand why people may be put off by this book, JK Rowling (aka Galbraith) writing about internet hate, something she does a lot, seems a bit weird.
I enjoyed the story though and became very invested in the story when I got about 30% into the book.
I would recommend it, if you can separate the art from the artist.
4/5 stars.
Third Blow: A Novel of Suspense (Book 3 in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Series) by J.T. Bishop
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
So this one is probably my favourite of the three I’ve read so far. I feel like all the characters felt rounded, none were annoying or self-centred (other than the killer) and it made for a great read!
We’re back with Detectives Daniels and Remalla but originally they’re not on the case of a murder and attempted murder until they realise it all links back The Makeup Artist.
I enjoyed the supernatural aspect a lot more in this one because of the use of tarot cards making it seem more realistic- although the main character of this one can heal people with his touch. I prefer that to throwing things with their minds.
This case was much more interesting considering there was a survivor- it proves to the detectives that their main suspect was not working alone.
He’s enlisted help.
But he’s also helping them?
The finale was very dramatic and I actually got very very worried that someone actually might get dropped off a building. The other killer was very petty with why he was doing what he was doing.
Which goes to show that you can’t always think you know someone.
I really liked this one and I’m looking forward to finishing the series and seeing how it all wraps up!
We’re back with Detectives Daniels and Remalla but originally they’re not on the case of a murder and attempted murder until they realise it all links back The Makeup Artist.
I enjoyed the supernatural aspect a lot more in this one because of the use of tarot cards making it seem more realistic- although the main character of this one can heal people with his touch. I prefer that to throwing things with their minds.
This case was much more interesting considering there was a survivor- it proves to the detectives that their main suspect was not working alone.
He’s enlisted help.
But he’s also helping them?
The finale was very dramatic and I actually got very very worried that someone actually might get dropped off a building. The other killer was very petty with why he was doing what he was doing.
Which goes to show that you can’t always think you know someone.
I really liked this one and I’m looking forward to finishing the series and seeing how it all wraps up!
Mighty Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1: With Great Power… by Steve Ditko, Stan Lee
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Power Rangers: Sins of the Future by Trey Moore
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life by Jon Katz, Jon Katz
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
“I will keep faith with you. I will stay committed to you. We will not quit on each other. We will not give up on each other”- Jon Katz, to Orson.
He lied to his dog :(
The author gets a lot of hate for his choice to put Orson down after he caused severe bites. He does say he had four choices, and in the end he made the one he thought was best and never quite got over it. I understand his decision but it was also horrible to read because Orson was happy and healthy. A lot of vets now put dogs down that bite people. It’s sad but true and I didn’t like reading it.
I have read ‘A Dog Year’ and I really wanted to continue Orson’s story in this book. I really enjoyed the majority of this book, with the anecdotes about the dogs and the farm and their reactions to things. It was cute!
Some parts of the book I didn’t enjoy as much such as the chapters on the authors life pre dogs, they didn’t feel overly relevant. I zoned out on these bits and that’s reflected in my rating.
There was also some repetition from A Dog Year.
Jon Katz is clearly a man who cares for his dogs, even if sometimes he can’t control them. He just doesn’t seem to understand how to help them.
He has an affinity with animals, but mainly dogs, always having more than one at a time.
I can understand why people hate this book. It is a complete shock. It’s not happy, but I enjoyed following Orson’s story.
3.5/5 stars.
He lied to his dog :(
The author gets a lot of hate for his choice to put Orson down after he caused severe bites. He does say he had four choices, and in the end he made the one he thought was best and never quite got over it. I understand his decision but it was also horrible to read because Orson was happy and healthy. A lot of vets now put dogs down that bite people. It’s sad but true and I didn’t like reading it.
I have read ‘A Dog Year’ and I really wanted to continue Orson’s story in this book. I really enjoyed the majority of this book, with the anecdotes about the dogs and the farm and their reactions to things. It was cute!
Some parts of the book I didn’t enjoy as much such as the chapters on the authors life pre dogs, they didn’t feel overly relevant. I zoned out on these bits and that’s reflected in my rating.
There was also some repetition from A Dog Year.
Jon Katz is clearly a man who cares for his dogs, even if sometimes he can’t control them. He just doesn’t seem to understand how to help them.
He has an affinity with animals, but mainly dogs, always having more than one at a time.
I can understand why people hate this book. It is a complete shock. It’s not happy, but I enjoyed following Orson’s story.
3.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Second Slice by J.T. Bishop
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Did not realise it was going to be linked to the case of the previous one! That made this book a little more exciting.
Considering this series focuses around Detectives Daniel and Remalla they don’t turn up for a few chapters, as there is a lot of world building and character building before hand to lead up to the murder.
We follow a group of couples, all well off, living on a lake, partying and having a good time when one of the husbands is killed- and the wife is the main suspect. Add in the drama of adultery and lies, it actually makes for a good read- yet again I did not work out who the killer was! It came as a bit of a shock because the character was actually likeable.
Unlike the main character- who was really irritating and made all the wrong decisions! I genuinely thought she was gonna go down for the murder of her husband. It would have been her own fault!
The element of supernatural/telekinesis/psychics wasn’t as much of a problem for me than this one but it did seem a bit odd. I know it’s going to lead to something in the other books but I don’t know, for a crime thriller it just seems weird. I can deal with it though as it adds to the connection between each book.
I’m interested to see where the rest of the series is going to go.
I really like Rem and Daniel’s relationship and I hope it continues to get stronger.
4/5 stars
Considering this series focuses around Detectives Daniel and Remalla they don’t turn up for a few chapters, as there is a lot of world building and character building before hand to lead up to the murder.
We follow a group of couples, all well off, living on a lake, partying and having a good time when one of the husbands is killed- and the wife is the main suspect. Add in the drama of adultery and lies, it actually makes for a good read- yet again I did not work out who the killer was! It came as a bit of a shock because the character was actually likeable.
Unlike the main character- who was really irritating and made all the wrong decisions! I genuinely thought she was gonna go down for the murder of her husband. It would have been her own fault!
The element of supernatural/telekinesis/psychics wasn’t as much of a problem for me than this one but it did seem a bit odd. I know it’s going to lead to something in the other books but I don’t know, for a crime thriller it just seems weird. I can deal with it though as it adds to the connection between each book.
I’m interested to see where the rest of the series is going to go.
I really like Rem and Daniel’s relationship and I hope it continues to get stronger.
4/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Toxic friendship
Superior Spider-Man Vol. 1: Full Otto by Christos Gage
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
First Cut by J.T. Bishop
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I actually enjoyed this book. I’m reading this as part of the four book bind up but wanted to list them separately. I did enjoy this book, but the reason I’ve given it a four stars is because despite this being a great detective story- there were things that let it down.
Firstly, the two main detectives take the back burner when Jill Jacob’s turns up due to her connection with the case previously. It then became all about her as the serial killer is obsessed with her.
There is also the element of the supernatural in the fact that Jill has ‘the sight’ and has visions linking to the murders. This made it feel a bit far fetched and less believable.
I must admit, I didn’t work it out who the killer was. I thought it was someone else, it seemed like all the clues went that way and then BANG it was someone else. I should have figured when they turned up out of the blue for no reason.
I’m interested in where the series is going to go as there were definitely some unanswered questions left at the end.
I will continue with the series, I liked the characters and it’s written really well.
4/5 stars.
Firstly, the two main detectives take the back burner when Jill Jacob’s turns up due to her connection with the case previously. It then became all about her as the serial killer is obsessed with her.
There is also the element of the supernatural in the fact that Jill has ‘the sight’ and has visions linking to the murders. This made it feel a bit far fetched and less believable.
I must admit, I didn’t work it out who the killer was. I thought it was someone else, it seemed like all the clues went that way and then BANG it was someone else. I should have figured when they turned up out of the blue for no reason.
I’m interested in where the series is going to go as there were definitely some unanswered questions left at the end.
I will continue with the series, I liked the characters and it’s written really well.
4/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Murder
False Vacuum by Phillip Carter
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
A great mix of poetry!
There were some darker themes surrounding the end of the world, love, and things like anxiety. I read some of them aloud as poetry should be read and others in my head but it was still and enjoyable reading experience.
There were some darker themes surrounding the end of the world, love, and things like anxiety. I read some of them aloud as poetry should be read and others in my head but it was still and enjoyable reading experience.
Branch Density by Phillip Carter
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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