michelles_book_nook's reviews
252 reviews

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

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

5.0

⚠️ TW: war, slavery, genocide, murder, death, misogyny, torture, execution and sexual assault ⚠️ Wow, this book blew my mind just as much as the first one did! 🤯 This book continues to follow Karou who finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is and what she is but with this new knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo. She loved the enemy but he betrayed her and a world suffered for it. Now she must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Karou finds herself and Akiva on opposing sides of an age-old war that stirs back to life. While she helps build a monstrous army with her allies in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a battle for redemption and hope. But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream? This series just keeps on giving and I absolutely love it! Again, Laini Taylor flawlessly plunges you into this book with incredible world building, complex characters and the most intense storyline. Most trilogies, for me at least, seem to dip in one of their books but so far this series has me gripped in a magical fantasy vice where I want to binge the third and final book right away but I also don't want it to end yet. There is so much I could rave about this book because I love every last little thing but it's so hard without spoilers. Overall, if you are into epic mythical fantasies then you need to read this series!
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Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-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

⚠️ TW: war, execution, misogyny, rape, torture ⚠️ If you're looking for a beautifully written and mesmerising fantasy series that will have you instantly obsessed then you need to read this! This book follows Karou who has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On one hand she is a 17 year old art student in Prague and on the other she is an errand girl for a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in 'elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work of buying teeth from hunters and murderers nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't whole. When one day the portal doors to elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a nearly destroyed world that may hold the answers she has always sought. This book was everything you could possibly want from a fantasy book and I can't believe it has been sat on my tbr for so long! From the gripping storyline to the vivid characters to the impeccable world building. It left me speechless when I finished it because it was just so good and I dove straight into the second book. Overall, if you are into fantasy then you need to read this book/series because if the other two books are half as great as this one then it is incredibly underrated and needs all of the love! 
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The Convent by Marie Hargreaves

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

⚠️ TW: mental illness, domestic violence, bullying, violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, paedophilia, child death, misogyny ⚠️ If you are looking for a heartbreaking tale of trauma and bravery then this one is for you. This book follows the story of Marie and her life in Oldham growing up in poverty in the 1950's before being taken into a Roman Catholic Convent that was overseen by a cruel and sadistic nun. During her time in the Convent a ritual of physical, sexual and mental abuse took place that shaped her life forever. And years later when a police investigation was launched she realises that the time has finally come to tell the truth. This book broke my heart from the very beginning and just kept hitting to the point I had to take breaks while reading which is rare for me because it was just too much in some parts and anyone that has read this book will understand. It is incredibly hard to review but I think it is a vital story of things that once went on in some children's homes and while sickening and vile it is told so well. Overall, I highly recommend this read but please check the TW's because it really hit me hard.
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KILLING WOMEN: The True Story of Serial Killer Don Miller's Reign of Terror by Rod Sadler

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challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

⚠️ TW: rape, sexual assault, physical assault, violence, murder, multilation, graphic content ⚠️ I first came across this case a few weeks ago when discussing the controversial plea deal that was given to Don Miller, and having never heard about it before I just knew I had to read this book! This book follows the life and crimes of Donald Gene Miller, a serial killer from Lansing, Michigan, who was known for being a quiet, reserved man who was a former youth pastor and a recent graduate of Michigan State University in Criminal Justice at the time of his arrest. He was arrested in 1978 for the attempted murders of two teenagers and during the investigation it was quickly discovered that he was likely responsible for the disappearances of 4 other women. Yet despite this he was offered a controversial plea deal that is still being questioned. And now after 40 years in prison he has served his time and is due to be released in 2031. This book is such an interesting read that examines the crimes, the 'justice' and Miller's impending freedom. We all know I'm a big true crime lover and this case has genuinely shocked me and left me with so many questions that I will be endlessly researching. This is such an unknown case, to my knowledge, and I think that's what makes it scarier because I've since read book reviews from people that lived in the area at the time or went to MSU in the same year but never knew of this case. It seems it was all kept very quiet until the full extent of the plea deal came out within the last decade. Overall, I highly recommend this read if you are into true crime and anyone that is aware of this case please message me 🙈
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The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

⚠️ TW: child abuse, infertility, drug abuse, animal abuse, mental illness, murder, parental death and brief mentions of miscarriages ⚠️ If you're looking for a deeply chilling psychological read that you won't be able to put down then you need to read this book! This book follows Hannah and Christopher Bauer, a happy married nurse and surgeon, who more than anything want a child. Then when Janie, an abandoned little girl, turns up at their hospital Christopher forms an instant connection with her and convinces Hannah they should take her home as their own. However, she's no ordinary child and proves to be more than they bargained for as her behaviour becomes increasingly disturbing. And as Janie’s behavior threatens to tear Christopher and Hannah apart, the truth behind her past surfaces and it might just be enough to push them all over the edge. This book weaves a dark web of suspense that you know is going to end badly but you just can't stop reading, while still having some truly shocking twists! Throughout the whole book you feel the need to check that you're reading a work of fiction because it is written so well that it could easily be a true story. I loved so much about this read but my favourite part was the multiple pov's between Hannah, Christopher and Piper, their social worker, because it made it feel all the more real and like you were experiencing all of the changing emotions as the story progressed. However, the ending felt quite rushed and it was left on a big cliffhanger which left a lot of unanswered questions. Overall though, I highly recommend this book but please take the TW's into account.
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The House of a Hundred Whispers by Graham Masterton

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

3.0

⚠️ TW: gambling addiction, murder, rape, brief mentions of child murders ⚠️ If you're looking for a classic feeling haunted house read then this one is definitely for you! This book follows the story of the Russell family and their childhood home of All Hallows Hall, a rambling Tudor mansion on the edge of the bleak and misty Dartmoor. It is not a place where many would choose to live, yet the former governor of Dartmoor Prison did just that. Then upon his demise his children, who are long estranged, were set to inherit his estate. But when the family come to stay after the old man's death, the atmosphere of the moors seems to drift into every room. Floorboards creak, secret passageways echo and the wind whistles in the house's famous priest hole. And then in the morning when the family decide to leave and never come back, their young son Timmy disappears. This book was a good gothic spooky season read that had the opportunity to be great but unfortunately it did disappoint a little. It immediately grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I was so gripped. However, in the middle it started to really slow down and later on in the book there was a lot of waffling explanations relating to myths, priest exorcisms and witch craft which while interesting to hear it did break up the flow even more and then left me feeling like the ending was rushed. My biggest issue with this book is that there is a rape scene roughly two thirds of the way into the book that is completely unnecessary to the plot and felt very pointless and it definitely ruined it quite a bit for me unfortunately. Overall, other than the things I've mentioned I did like this spooky read and do recommend it if you're wanting a haunted house/exorcism-esque read!
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The Watchers by A.M. Shine

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adventurous challenging 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

⚠️ TW: parental death, child abuse, PTSD ⚠️ If you're looking for a spine chilling read for spooky season that gives you the perfect mix of supernatural and psychological horror then this one is for you! This book follows Mina who during a trip to make some quick cash and help out a friend breaks down and ends up stranded in the remote countryside of Ireland at the edge of an uncharted forest. But little does she know this sinister forest has a dark history and she's about to come face to face with it when she realises she has no other choice but to leave her car to get help. And just as she sets off she hears a woman shouting and urging her to run to a concrete bunker deep in the forest but once the door slams shut behind her the entire building is besieged by screams. She then comes to find herself in a room built of glass with a light that only comes on at nightfall when creatures known as the watchers come above ground to observe their captive humans and terrible things happen to anyone who doesn't reach the bunker in time. This book is incredibly gripping, eerie and claustrophobic and definitely not one you want to read at night. Throughout reading it you can't help but feel jumpy and have that paranoid feeling that you're being watched. It is so well written with multiple pov's from the different characters that just make it so binge worthy as well as having some great twists. The only reason I dropped it down a star is because the ending felt slightly rushed. Overall though, I highly recommend this read!
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Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel by Leigh Bardugo

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

5.0

The perfect origin story to the Darkling and everything Grishaverse! This book follows Eryk and his mother, Lena, who have spent their lives on the run because of who they are and they fear they'll never find a safe haven to call their home. They are not only Grisha but they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, so they must continue hiding their true abilities and identities everywhere they go. But unfortunately sometimes even the deadliest of secrets have a way of revealing themselves. This book was so beautiful from the story to the exceptionally stunning art work within and I just loved every single page so much. It is one of those that you can't say too much about because it would give spoilers for not only this book but the all of the Grishaverse books. Trust me though, it is a must read for Grishaverse fans. Overall, I highly recommend this beauty!
Nasty Little Cuts by Tina Baker

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

⚠️ TW: mental health, drug abuse, alcoholism, domestic abuse, sexual assault, rape, ableism, homophobia, fatphobia, animal abuse, murder, suicide and brief mentions of infertility and miscarriages ⚠️ If you're looking for a dark and haunting read then this one is for you! This book follows Debs and her family when on Christmas Eve a nightmare jolts her awake, but little does she know her nightmare is just beginning as she finds a man in her kitchen wielding a knife. But it's not an intruder, it's her husband Marc. When they first got together their differences were what drew them together and sparked their whirlwind romance. Him an ex-army officer from an upper class family in London and her a fitness instructor who grew up above a pub in Nottingham. But now the differences are all that are left. Haunted by war, Marc screams in his sleep. And Debs hardly knows the person she's become. Yet, neither of them know what the other is capable of. This book had my heart in my mouth all the way through and whilst it was a really tough read in parts it was also a good one too. The various timelines gave a glimpse of the immense amount of threads within this story that lead to not only the progression of the relationship but also the downfall of their marriage. And despite not really liking Debs or Marc, I did like that it showed how they were both incredibly flawed and had their own toxic traits that lead to their explosive life. However, even though I enjoyed the timelines I did struggle with the older ones as they weren't in order and I think it would have helped the flow by taking the reader on the journey throughout their lives and relationship. Overall though this was a really good, compelling read!
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All That's Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien

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

5.0

⚠️ TW: murder, grief, racism, xenophobia, alcoholism, drug abuse, addiction, misogyny, sexism, fatphobia, gang violence, overdose, domestic violence and brief mentions of child abuse ⚠️ Wow, this was a hugely challenging, dark and emotional read that gave such a vivid portrayal of life as a Vietnamese refugee in Sydney in the 90's. This book follows the Tran family as they journey through their grief left following the brutal murder of their son and brother, Denny, whilst also searching for answers as to what happened on that fateful night. Denny was simply out celebrating his high school graduation with friends at a busy restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta, a refugee enclave facing violent crime, an indifferent police force and the worst heroin epidemic in Australian history, when he never made it home. Moving forward to his funeral his sister, Ky, discovers that the police are stumped by her brother's case and that despite a list of people being present that night everyone claims to have seen nothing and they are all staying silent. She then decides to track down the witnesses herself in a quest to learn what truly happened. And as she peels back the layers of the place that shaped her she confronts the complex traumas weighing on those present that night and learns that their silence began well before her brother's murder and so much has been left unsaid about colonialism, the war in Vietnam and the choices everyone made to survive. This book is such a hard hitting read and even though it is fiction with aspects that are based on real life it just absolutely left me speechless. It is beautifully written, compelling, harrowing and so poignant. Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough!
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