Search
Search results
Make Me Clean
10.0
Rate It
Book
She will leave your surfaces sparkling. But she may well leave you dead... Maria is a good woman...
Trigger warning: domestic violence & murder!
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Colours of Death in Books
Apr 18, 2022
The Colours of Death is a detective novel set in a present day, alternative Lisbon. A minority of the population are Gifted with either telepathy or telekinesis, and they are heavily regulated. When it comes to light that a death on a train might have some Gifted involvement, Inspector Isabel Reis is put on the case with her team. She is a telepath, and her own problems with that gift soon make themselves known.
They’re a fantastic cast of characters, and they work well together )literally, in the case of the police team). It’s another angle on discrimination: instead of religion or skin colour, the Gifted are discriminated against because of their gifts - something they have no choice or control over.
This novel feels a little dystopian in places: when people go ‘missing’ if they lose control of their gifts, for example. And all Gifted are kept on a register where they’re regularly assessed. If they exceed a certain level, they’re removed from society for everyone else’s safety.
I really enjoyed this - the storyline was interesting, gripping, in fact, and exciting when it needed to be. The main character was flawed and very likeable, and the food constantly made me feel hungry!
I will be looking out for the next book in the series.
They’re a fantastic cast of characters, and they work well together )literally, in the case of the police team). It’s another angle on discrimination: instead of religion or skin colour, the Gifted are discriminated against because of their gifts - something they have no choice or control over.
This novel feels a little dystopian in places: when people go ‘missing’ if they lose control of their gifts, for example. And all Gifted are kept on a register where they’re regularly assessed. If they exceed a certain level, they’re removed from society for everyone else’s safety.
I really enjoyed this - the storyline was interesting, gripping, in fact, and exciting when it needed to be. The main character was flawed and very likeable, and the food constantly made me feel hungry!
I will be looking out for the next book in the series.
Metronome is a bleak, dark, gripping dystopian novel - and it gave me some serious Waiting For Godot vibes. Aina and Whitney are waiting for someone (the Warden) who I strongly suspected would never come.
Even though Aina and Whitney are on an island, surrounded by the sea, there was such a claustrophobic atmosphere. They have only had one another’s company for 12 years, with past times linked solely with their survival, what has been left in the croft by previous inhabitants, or what has washed up on the beach.
I don’t know how they have managed to stay sane, and indeed there did seem to be an underlying madness to them both. How could there not be?
And their crime? To have had a baby without permission. Aina is sterilised, their 9 year old son is taken from them, and she and Whitney are sent to the island. Punishment upon punishment.
I loved the ending to this - whilst I do like a nice rounded off ending to a novel, somehow I think the ambiguity to the end of Metronome suits it so well. I would have been disappointed with anything else.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this - another great read!
Even though Aina and Whitney are on an island, surrounded by the sea, there was such a claustrophobic atmosphere. They have only had one another’s company for 12 years, with past times linked solely with their survival, what has been left in the croft by previous inhabitants, or what has washed up on the beach.
I don’t know how they have managed to stay sane, and indeed there did seem to be an underlying madness to them both. How could there not be?
And their crime? To have had a baby without permission. Aina is sterilised, their 9 year old son is taken from them, and she and Whitney are sent to the island. Punishment upon punishment.
I loved the ending to this - whilst I do like a nice rounded off ending to a novel, somehow I think the ambiguity to the end of Metronome suits it so well. I would have been disappointed with anything else.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this - another great read!
Quantum Reaction
Book
Life-altering tech is on the horizon, and someone wants it stopped—permanently. Can a murder...
Science Fiction Mystery
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Charisma Check (Dungeons and Dating #6) in Books
May 28, 2023
What a series!
Jasper runs the tabletop tavern with his close friends and has no intention of letting anybody else in he likes it that way. Matt has gone through yet another breakup and is feeling unlovable what is wrong with him why is he not good enough for any woman? Jasper helps him on his journey of healing but could there be more to it?
I have absolutely loved this series from start to finish! The warmth, emotion, turmoil, love, and everything in between is gripping. There are so many issues dealt with and they are done so in a sensitive heartwarming way. Although this can be read as a stand-alone I would advise reading all of the books as each character has a different story to tell it's easy to see why they support each other so fondly.
Jasper's story is heartbreaking but I'm so happy he has his family to help him get through it even though at times like some of us do we can get quite nasty when we're hurting or unable to process certain things.
It has been such a pleasure reading and learning about each of these characters realizing that no matter what you don't need to feel shame. Thank you Katherine you've done an amazing job.
Jasper runs the tabletop tavern with his close friends and has no intention of letting anybody else in he likes it that way. Matt has gone through yet another breakup and is feeling unlovable what is wrong with him why is he not good enough for any woman? Jasper helps him on his journey of healing but could there be more to it?
I have absolutely loved this series from start to finish! The warmth, emotion, turmoil, love, and everything in between is gripping. There are so many issues dealt with and they are done so in a sensitive heartwarming way. Although this can be read as a stand-alone I would advise reading all of the books as each character has a different story to tell it's easy to see why they support each other so fondly.
Jasper's story is heartbreaking but I'm so happy he has his family to help him get through it even though at times like some of us do we can get quite nasty when we're hurting or unable to process certain things.
It has been such a pleasure reading and learning about each of these characters realizing that no matter what you don't need to feel shame. Thank you Katherine you've done an amazing job.
Merissa (13303 KP) rated Blood Slave (The Nightlife) in Books
May 30, 2023
If you are expecting all things fluffy and light, then my god, you're in for a shock! This is dark, gritty and extremely raw - in places quite literally! This is the story of a young prostitute, who has had a rough childhood that goes through to adulthood. She is making the best she can in a bad situation. Things take a turn for the worse after she meets a client, and she resists (without even realising) a hypnotic trance. This threatens her life, well, that and the gun in the client's hand. It is only later that Hope realises that she could have been killed even without the gun. Hope's story continues as she tries to find her feet and survive in this strange new world.
Dealing with childhood prostitution, adult prostitution, rape, kidnap, torture, and drugs; this is not for the faint-hearted. It is gripping and enthralling though, also being well-written and with no editing or grammatical errors that I found.
If you want to have a dark read, that is painful and hopeful, then I can definitely recommend this.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 19, 2016
Dealing with childhood prostitution, adult prostitution, rape, kidnap, torture, and drugs; this is not for the faint-hearted. It is gripping and enthralling though, also being well-written and with no editing or grammatical errors that I found.
If you want to have a dark read, that is painful and hopeful, then I can definitely recommend this.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 19, 2016
Merissa (13303 KP) rated Ally and her Mad Hatter (The Madness of Wonderland #2) in Books
May 31, 2023
ALLY AND HER MAD HATTER is a dark and twisted re-telling of Alice in Wonderland that comes with a variety of trigger warnings. Please take heed of them!
I found this to be extremely graphic in places as Ally learns more about herself - including the parts she has tried to keep hidden or denied. The characters are easily recognisable and there is a touch of madness throughout - just as it should be in Wonderland.
The ending was perfectly paced and gripping. I'm not sure if it was completely believable with Ally leaving everything behind without a murmur (and, yes, I know how that sounds considering the story! 😂) but it certainly fits with the rest of the story and gave me the ending I wanted.
There were a few slight errors in the editing with words missing and spelling mistakes but nothing too severe that affected my enjoyment of the story.
A dark read that I enjoyed and definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 8, 2023
I found this to be extremely graphic in places as Ally learns more about herself - including the parts she has tried to keep hidden or denied. The characters are easily recognisable and there is a touch of madness throughout - just as it should be in Wonderland.
The ending was perfectly paced and gripping. I'm not sure if it was completely believable with Ally leaving everything behind without a murmur (and, yes, I know how that sounds considering the story! 😂) but it certainly fits with the rest of the story and gave me the ending I wanted.
There were a few slight errors in the editing with words missing and spelling mistakes but nothing too severe that affected my enjoyment of the story.
A dark read that I enjoyed and definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 8, 2023
Merissa (13303 KP) rated Sim 299 (I Am Sleepless #1) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
Aiden is a 12-year-old Prime, who doesn't fit in with his peers because he has two gifts. Most Primes only have one. Being a Prime isn't all fun and games, and death is a very real probability. There are usually twelve in a coterie, but in Aidan's, there is only him and two others. The other coteries don't like him as they fear his multiple gifts. However, things are about to happen that will involve other people with other abilities.
This was a wonderful and gripping story, with in-depth descriptions of the various abilities and what the people look like. The rivalry jumps off the page at you, and you will feel how unfair it may be! With an overall series arc that only gets told towards the end of the book, this is a science fiction novel to enjoy, which will immerse you in the story and leave you wanting more.
With more to each character than originally meets the eye, this is a science fiction novel I have no hesitation in recommending.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 10, 2016
This was a wonderful and gripping story, with in-depth descriptions of the various abilities and what the people look like. The rivalry jumps off the page at you, and you will feel how unfair it may be! With an overall series arc that only gets told towards the end of the book, this is a science fiction novel to enjoy, which will immerse you in the story and leave you wanting more.
With more to each character than originally meets the eye, this is a science fiction novel I have no hesitation in recommending.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 10, 2016
Murder on Madison Square
7.0
Rate It
Book
Sarah and Frank Malloy must catch a scheming killer in this latest gripping installment of the USA...
The Low Road
8.0
Rate It
Book
In 1828, two young women were torn apart as they were sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay....
Women's Fiction Historical Fiction LGBT+