Here at Chapter Break, we don’t always write a full review of every book we read. Well, now we decided to do these monthly wrap-up posts with roundups of our reviews this month and mini-reviews to fill in the gaps. Enjoy!
Mini Book Reviews
Third Eye: This was a fun story and maybe would be a great TV show episode. I liked the characters overall, each with their quirky personalities and some more diabolical than you thought. But the overall audio cast was too much. The voices were annoying and some even shrill, where read in an even tone would have been much more enjoyable. And the narrator himself while a talented author, perhaps his voice does not quite lend to a sarcastic retelling. I loved Felicia Day in Supernatural and am thrilled that she’s doing these fun projects, but acting in visual and acting in audio are differently perceived. I did enjoy the storyline of friendships working together to rid them of the big bad. The twists and surprises were fun as well. There was a lot of humor, which I love in a story like this. A paranormal sit com series would be perfect for adapting this work.
WILL DESTROY THE GALAXY FOR CASH: Another great outing with Jacques McKeown and his exploits as a space pilot, saving the universe. This time around, he teams up with former and reformed baddies! I love the quantum tunnel for an arm in the burglar. All the handy (haha) tools you could use, in the blink of an eye. Also an interesting take on what happens to society when it’s left alone on a planet, with no means of transport or communication. Looking forward to the next, maybe last?, adventure!
A MOST AGREEABLE MURDER: Can a gothic also be cozy? I think so! This novel continues my obsession with ladies who give a big screw you to society. Beatrice is great! She’s way more into solving crimes than embroidery. But also she is feeling the pressure to conform to her small town’s society rules. Did I figure out who the murderer is? Yes. But it’s the journey, not the destination! There were quite a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting. While I don’t currently see any more books in this series, I’d read the heck out of those books!
FOR THE FIRST TIME, AGAIN: I have conflicted feels about this book. I loved it, don’t get me wrong. But the ending was a bit of an emotional gut punch. What is striking for me is Aster, the main character here, is 13-14 throughout the book. Like planning to save the world, buying companies with space contracts, escaping from the army doctors, all at 13. Once she unlocks that historical knowledge of the Kipsu, she’s unstoppable. Neuvel’s books are for both sci fi geeks and non-geeks alike. If you are a proclaimed non-sci fi reader, check out this series or the Themis series. Amazing characters, heart-stopping action, save the world plot. Highly recommended. My biggest challenge here is Imogen Wilde’s normal English accent being subbed in for Aster’s Gulf Coast Mississippi accent didn’t always work. Not bad enough to make the book impossible. But the slang especially was a challenge.
BLACK CAKE: I went into this with ZERO idea outside of siblings and a black cake and a death. This is a multi-generational family saga. And honestly not a book I would have picked up if it weren’t for book club. (Go book club for getting me out of my comfort zone.) I quickly became immersed in Byron and Benny’s story, as well of that of their mother, Eleanor. And I only found myself balling three times while listening. Turns out emotional family stories do that to me. The plot does shift in a non-linear manner between present, recent past, and not so recent past as we learn of Eleanor’s life. There’s tension and estrangement that’s worked out throughout the novel. There’s character growth and development as well.
A SINISTER REVENGE: At 8 books into this series, I’m running out of review ideas that aren’t spoilery. Or dull. This time around, Veronica and Stoker’s relationship is in a rocky patch. But they are working together to keep Tiberius safe. Lots of moody walking along the coast. A dinner party INSIDE of an iguanadon statue. Multiple murders and murders. I did enjoy learning more about Stoker’s childhood and relationships with his brothers. As much as I love Angèle Masters’s narration, the fact is Stoker, Tiberius, and Merryweather;s narrations all sound very similar. Lots of context needed to keep those characters straight. Overall another great mystery solving adventure.
Books we reviewed this month:
- [2 May] Gob the Gnome: The Gnome and the Seedlings by Marilyn Slaughter, Angel Neha ★★★★
- [10 May] Self Made: Combining Financial Knowledge & Self Experiences With Wisdom To Impact The Culture by Manny Showalter ★★★
- [10 May] The Cookie by Manny Showalter, Daylon Showalter ★★★★
- [24 May] The Ghost of Whispering Willow by Amanda M. Thrasher ★★★★
- [25 May] Field Mouse Fairy Lights by Emma Brown, Sally Stephens ★★★½
Don’t forget to join our Book Bingo.
My Books:
Cinderella Liberator–Rebecca Solnit (4 squares): Audiobook, Siblings, Humor, Shifter
The Clue of the Gold Coin–Helen Wells (8 squares): E-Book, In a Series, Unlikely Team/Misfits, Ancient Culture, Betrayal, Travel (Distance), Ghost, Shady/Sketchy Character
The Girl From the Train–Irma Joubert (5 squares): Library Book, Physical Book, Not in a Series, Book Club Read, Free Space
My Video Game Ate My Homework–Dustin Hansen (2 squares): Science Experiment, Art/Architecture
The Jane Austen Society–Natalie Jenner (2 squares): Free Book, Debut Author
The Pilgrim’s Progress–John Bunyan (2 squares): Shelf Love, Abstract Design on the Cover
Garden Spells–Sarah Addison Allen (2 squares): Garden, Gnome
25 squares completed on May 30
Jamie recently posted…Erin’s Book Challenge 21.0
Both of the Audible Originals sound like fun listens! I know the first one was already on my TBR, but the second is new so I’ll have to check it out. Hope you have a good June!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…The Looooong and the Short of It: May 2024 Wrap-Up Post and Looking Forward to June