emmreadsbooks's reviews
1143 reviews

Murdle: Volume 1 by G.T. Karber

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mysterious

5.0

I freaking love Murdle and this encapsulates all of the daily puzzle fun in book form. They also add some elements of story to the mix with Detective Logico's past. Plus the time trial for the Elementary section? BANANAS! I definitely want a physical copy so I can try out a speed-run and the "all in the mind" challenge. They also add fun elements like the Astrological Primer, decoder ring, and even an over-arching mystery. Plus hints and quick solutions in the back, where you have to actually seek them out. Looooooove.

*Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'll be honest - I got a widget for this book because of my glowing review of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.... which is really confusing given how dramatically different the books are. The Rachel Incident is a literary fiction account of the life of Rachel Murray as she struggles to break into the publishing industry. It focuses a lot on life in Ireland and the abortion ban there. I definitely went in expecting a salacious relationship with a teacher, and it's not that. Instead we watch Rachel self-sabotage until she's near rock bottom. The narrator did a phenomenal job with the book, I just wanted more tension and plot rather than all the character-motivated business.

*Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the eARC and PRH Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review*
A Crooked Mark by Linda Kao

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


Going in, I definitely thought this would be a fantasy book akin to The Hearts We Sold. It's definitely more of a supernatural mystery instead - tracking down those marked by the devil, as uncertainty grows about the nature of this organization. Matt is on his first solo assignment, but he quickly begins to lose objectivity when he meets Rachel. To be fair - who would assign a cute teenager as a "project" to a young boy? There are some chilling twists thrown in, but overall it's a pretty straightforward supernatural thriller.

*Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

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challenging dark 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? Yes

4.25

God this book was fun. While I called the perpetrator almost immediately, I still really enjoyed it. It also felt realistic as far as YA thrillers go - well-rationalized as to why the cops aren't being involved, characters' actions make sense, etc. The audio made it feel extra intense, just because of how much emotion the narrator put into it. The ending was a little weird, but I still bought it. So far I've been reading her books in reverse publication order and they just keep getting better and better. Love me some Diana Urban.
Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

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hopeful inspiring 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

3.5

Relationships are complicated, and Nada and Baz's is no exception. Uzma Jalaluddin continues her Jane Austen retellings, though the title is a bit deceptive. Between a tech start-up, the premiere Muslim conference, and a hot boy band, there's a lot going on. Add in the alternating timelines and all of the family drama, and it definitely takes a keen eye to keep everything straight. I loved the references to her previous books in the Golden Crescent, as well as all of the business ideas that Nada spawns. This felt decidedly less romantic than the previous books, but it's certainly a great contemporary novel.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
That Weekend by Kara Thomas

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dark 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? Yes

2.0

BLERRRRRRGH. This book had been so hyped for me, but it just didn't land for me. The narrators were phenomenal, but they couldn't make up for what happens after the halfway mark of the book. The ending was wholly unsatisfactory in my eyes. Like..... what the actual fuck?
Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I was unfortunately kind of meh about this book. Modeling it after a Choose Your Own Adventure was cute, but it got a bit confusing as only 1 of the timelines can truly be "real" to a reader. You can alternatively view it as a multiverse experience, where both relationships happen simultaneously (just not to the same version of Natalya). Some moments do occur in both timelines, in a parallel way that almost felt klunky? There isn't much conflict in Ellie's timeline, while the conflict in Adam's felt unnatural. BUT apart from my criticisms, I really enjoyed the bisexual and Jewish rep, as well as getting to explore NYC and LA. I think that the Sliding Doors format just isn't for me, but I'm still a huge fan of Dahlia Adler and can't wait to read her future work.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a majesty of a book. This is nothing like R.F. Kuang's previous books, but she shows that she can really write any genre. Pivoting from fantasy to a literary fiction thriller, we follow Juniper as she commits publishing crime after publishing crime with little to no consequence. This book critiques so many aspects of the book industry, especially that of author toxicity and the effect of publicity. The best part of it all? That no one in this story is "good". These are predominantly morally gray characters, only looking out for their best interest. There are a few allusions to Kuang's own life, with all of Yale references and notes on translations. Some critiques mention it being a bit on the nose which is true. But I'd rather have it be on the nose than indecipherable. And honestly, watching Juniper descend into madness was delectable.
All The Right Notes by Dominic Lim

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emotional hopeful sad fast-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

5.0

This book crumpled me up in a ball then threw me in the recycling, and I loved it. You get the musical content, both of Broadway and of compositions, and major Glee vibes (back when it was good). Told in alternating timelines, we watch Quito and Emmett tiptoe towards love in such a beautifully real way. I also loved so many of the side characters - Jee and Quito's dad are so fleshed out and vibrant characters. The book flew by, though it totally blindsided me near the end. Such a stunning debut, Dominic Lim!

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey

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

5.0

Sleepaway camp for adults? Count me in. Add in a divorcee coming to terms with her new life, her family, and her first ever feelings for a woman? Sheer perfection. We really get to watch Garland grow through her week at camp (yes, just a WEEK!!). Between chasing after a man she had a premonition about but falling for her sister, getting up close and personal with her fears during the camp's color war, and discovering who she really wants to be post-marriage, Garland has a VERY busy summer. There's a little puff of steam, but not too much for those on the sweeter side of romance readers.

I don't care that it's insta-love or that there aren't many areas of conflict - Garland and Stevie were made for each other. It is soft, cozy, and makes me want a butler to do a secret handshake with. It's a celebration of queerness, love, and summer camp. What else could you ask for?

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC and PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*