michelles_book_nook's reviews
252 reviews

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

⚠️ CW: parental death, murder and kidnapping ⚠️ Wow this book really took me by surprise and was such an easy 5⭐️ as well as being one of my favourite books I've read so far this year! This book follows a young adopted Brooklyn teen called Briseis who has a secret gift, she can grow an apple tree from seed in a heartbeat and flowers bloom at her touch but she's always had to be extra careful with her magic. Yet when she inherits an old house from her aunt she suddenly has the privacy to test her powers for the first time ever. But as she starts to work her magic to bring the rambling grounds of her birth family home back to life she finds out she has also inherited generations of secrets including a hidden garden that is overgrown with the world's most deadly poisonous plants. And as she begins to investigate more she discovers the true extent of the dark legacy that lies in wait for her. This book had me hooked from the very beginning! It's an intoxicating mix of fantasy and greek mythology all intricately weeved into a compelling coming of age story about knowing where you come from and stepping into your power as well as being filled with amazing LGBTQ+ and bipoc representation. I honestly couldn't put this book down and stayed awake all night reading it. I absolutely loved the characters and how they grew throughout the book, especially Bri and Marie. I could rave about this book all day but it's tough without dropping spoilers so all I will say is if you're into YA fantasy and greek mythology then you need to read this book. Overall, I cannot recommend this read highly enough and don't be surprised if you see this in my top 10 reads at the end of the year! 
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In Too Deep by Simon McCleave

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challenging 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? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ CW: gun violence, death, murder, domestic violence, homophobia, misogyny, suicide, mentions of sexual assault and animal cruelty ⚠️ If you're looking for an incredible action packed thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end then you need to read this book! This book follows ex-police negotiator Laura Hart as she rejoins the force as a DI. On her first day an anonymous tip off leads to the discovery of a skeleton in a crumbling castle ruin near Beumaris, Anglesey. Laura can't wait to prove herself by solving the case and when the investigation leads to the MI5 and the Real IRA she knows she's on the trail of something truly explosive. But some people will do anything to stop their secrets coming out. And with the threat drawing in and her family yet again in danger this time Laura starts to wonder if she's in too deep. I absolutely adored this book and how it followed on from book 1, as well as giving us an amazing new case to be gripped by! The story is told through a dual timeline that really immerses you deep into the storyline and the characters. It is one of those books that you really need to concentrate on while reading though because it has a lot of plot points, characters and twists but trust me it is so worth it. Overall, I cannot recommend this book highly enough and I can't wait to get my hands on book 3 when it comes out in June!
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Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley

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dark sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

⚠️ CW: murder, child death and suicidal ideations ⚠️ If classics are your thing then this one will probably be high up on your list but unfortunately it just wasn't for me and I appreciate that may be somewhat of an unpopular opinion 🙈 This book follows Victor Frankenstein who succeeds in giving life to one of his creations. However, rather than it being the perfect specimen he'd imagined it to be, it became a hideous creature that Victor and the townspeople rejected and tried to drive away but this led to the monster seeking revenge through murder and terror. This book really fell quite flat with me and even though it's a good read I felt that the biggest barrier was the language. And yes, I know this book was written in 1818 and a lot has changed since then but I feel like some classics really stand the test of time and can still be understood and enjoyed across generations and while I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book, it was just a difficult one because I felt I needed to keep flipping to the glossary to understand certain words and phrases. Overall, this is a good literary gothic horror and I'm glad I can tick it off of my list but this may be one of the few books where I recommend choosing the film or tv adaptation instead.
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A Truth for a Truth by Carol Wyer

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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

⚠️ CW: murder, sex trafficking, paedophilia and mentions of rape ⚠️ Carol has done it again and given us another incredible page turning crime thriller! This book is the fourth installment in the DI Kate Young series and follows Kate as she finally confronts her boss, Superintendent John Dickson, who she has known for years is a violent and evil man but their encounter ends in an accidental shooting which she is forced to cover up before anyone can pin it on her. With new revelations about the dark disease of corruption taking place in the police force Kate sets up a trail of evidence to make it seem that Dickson has conveniently vanished. But she knows the corruption doesn't end with him, and as she heads up the team investigating his disappearance she must also pursue other loose ends. Yet as the noose tightens around Kate she finds herself targeted by traffickers, more corrupt cops and even her own team as she battles to stay one step ahead and hopes she can get some justice while also getting away with murder. This book was so amazing and I binged it in two sittings because I just couldn't put it down! I was absolutely hooked from the start from the untrustworthy, morally grey characters to the immense plot that just kept me guessing until the very end when it left me in awe and desperately needing the next book immediately. Overall, I cannot recommend this book highly enough and if you love thrilling crime fictions then you'll adore this series!
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Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

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

4.0

⚠️ CW: graphic content, cannibalism, child death, rape, infertility, sexual assault, animal cruelty and brief mentions of suicide and paedophilia ⚠️ Wow this one is not for the easily grossed out but as a horror fan I loved it! 😳 This book follows Marcos who works at a local processing plant in the business of slaughtering humans for meat. His wife has left him, his father is sinking into Dementia and he tries to not think too hard about how he makes a living in this new world since the GGB virus. First, it was reported that an infectious virus had made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then the government initiated 'the transition' and now eating 'special meat' aka human meat is legal. But as Marcos struggles with his role in this new food chain he sticks to the industry approved terms of numbers, consignments and processing. Until one day he is given a live specimen of the highest quality as a gift and despite the fact that he knows any form of personal contact is forbidden, he just can't help himself to slowly start treating her like a human being again. And soon he becomes tortured by what has been lost and what might still be saved. This book had me in a chokehold from start to finish and even though it is so disturbing I just couldn't stop reading! It is so well written, thought provoking and addictive that it's truly scary because even though the dystopian plot is so far fetched, considering everything that has happened in the world over the last few years it felt like it could be strangely believable. Overall, if you're into horror and dystopian fiction then this one is definitely for you but please make sure to check out all of the CW's because there are so many more than I've been able to add.
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Death Row: The Final Minutes: My life as an execution witness in America's most infamous prison by Michelle Lyons

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dark informative slow-paced

3.0

⚠️ CW: execution, graphic content and mentions of crimes ⚠️ This book follows a reporter and spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as she recorded the final moments of death row inmates. Michelle writes about witnessing some of the most notorious criminals speak their last words as they are administered lethal injections for the crimes they committed. Yet as the number of executions she witnessed began to mount up she began to question the seemingly arbitrary nature of the death penalty. This book gives a really interesting perspective on executions in Texas and the death penalty and while it is a good read I felt that it fell a bit flat in terms of what I was expecting from it. I went into the book expecting it to give an in depth look into the inmates and their crimes in a unbiased way so the reader could form their own opinion on how the death penalty is given out as a conviction and aspects that may impact the ruling. However I felt that the focus was more on prison politics and the writing style came across as very blasé and withdrawn. Overall, it was a tough but interesting read and while it wouldn't be my first recommendation to someone looking to read about death row I would still recommend it because it does offer a unique perspective.
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Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

⚠️ CW: gun violence, mental health, PTSD, medical trauma, grief, drug abuse and addiction ⚠️ Lucy Score has got me hook, line and sinker again! 👏🏼 This book takes us back to the small town of Knockemout but this time it follows Nash Morgan, the good guy chief of police and brother to bad boy Knox, who after being shot in the line of duty is struggling mentally with severe panic attacks and nightmares and feels like a shell of the man he once was but he refuses to let anyone know. This is until his new neighbour, Lina, and old time friend of Knox's sees through his facade. She's smart, sexy and not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it but she soon finds out that Nash's touch is different and he feels it too. The connection between them is immense, it makes Nash feel alive and makes Lina worried that she can't resist exploring the risk. But Lina has secrets of her own and if Nash finds out the real reason she's in town he'll never forgive her. And even though she doesn't do relationships she knows that Knockemout has a way of getting under people's skin. This book was so, so good and gave me everything I wanted from the sequel to TWNGO!! I loved the good guy falls for the bad girl trope more than I thought I would and tbh I love a man in uniform so 'those scenes' were 🥵. I also really loved seeing a new side to Nash and getting to know him more as well as continuing to see the lives and goings-on of our favourite Knockemout residents. And just like with the first book I cannot wait for the next one! Overall, I highly recommend this book.
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We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ CW: murder, alcoholism, drug abuse, suicidal ideations, violence, child abuse, brief mentions of self harm, ableism and racism ⚠️ Wow sometimes you just know when a book is going to stay with you long after you close it, and this is definitely one of them. This book follows the complicated and heartbreaking lives of Duchess and Robin Radley, two young siblings who have had to do a lot of growing up way too soon. Duchess is a 13 year old self-proclaimed outlaw, and at school her and her brother are constantly picked on or avoided for their torn clothes and messy hair. But while the other kids throw sticks, Duchess will counter with stones. On the outside she is seen as troubled and broken but really she is just trying her best to survive and be the best sister-parent to her 5 year old brother as well as take care of her mother, Star. On the other side of their story is the dependable childhood friend of their mother, Chief Walker. He's healing from the deep wounds of the past and despite never moving on from their small town roots he has continuously fought to protect Duchess and Robin while Star slid ever further into self-destruction. But as the past comes back to greet them all things become even more complicated but they know they have no other choice but to deal with it somehow. This book has my whole heart and had me up until 5am binge reading it through tears! It is the most beautiful but messy representation of found family all wrapped up in a page turning crime mystery and I loved it so much! It is so hard to review without giving spoilers but it so powerful and hard hitting that I wish I'd read it sooner and as soon as I closed the book I wanted to read it all over again just so I didn't have to part with the characters. Overall, I highly recommend this book but be warned it may leave you in a book hangover with how amazing it is!
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Dripping by Adriana Herrera

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adventurous lighthearted 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? N/A

4.0

If you're looking for a short and steamy f/f novella that will have you begging for more then this one is definitely for you! 🥵 This sapphic novella follows Julissa Mora, a beautiful and playful plus-size model, as she shoots fashion campaigns with the legendary House of Dauphiné and Freya Lund, the captivating and sultry jewellery house's head of security, as they potentially approach their final night together after having hidden their year long spicy escapades in plain sight at work. But as things get hot and heavy for their final night will they decide to rip themselves away from each other in the morning and part ways or continue and make their relationship more permanent? Wow Adriana Herrera definitely knows how to turn the temperature all the way up! This is the first book I've ever read by her and it certainly won't be my last. And even though this is only 21 pages it really packs the heat and the only thing I would change is that I wish it was longer. Overall, I highly recommend this novella and will definitely be choosing an average sized book when I next pick something up from this author 😅
The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

⚠️ CW: death, murder, child abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, cannibalism, suicide, brief mentions of school shootings and sexual abuse ⚠️ Well this book was definitely one that flipped my brain upside down and inside out. This book follows the Graves family and their return to Nate's rural childhood home in Pennsylvania upon the death of his father who left him the house in his will. Now married to his wife, Maddie, along with their son, Oliver, all they want is some peace from city living but as they return their dark pasts come back to haunt them as supernatural happenings start taking place and a sinister battle of good versus evil comes knocking at their door. This book was a good read that makes you question all of the little things that happen in your life as it takes you on a sci-fi/occult twisting journey throughout generations and timelines in a mind melting rollercoaster ride, but it is so hard to review without giving spoilers. While the plot of this book was really interesting I struggled to follow it at times because there was just so much going on. Also throughout I found the pacing was quite off and went from being fast and page turning to slow and drawn out and due to this I think it made the end feel really rushed. Overall, I enjoyed this read and if you're looking for a intensely deep, twisting and terrifying horror then I definitely recommend picking up this book.
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