6 for 6 – June Mini Reviews

So what with my blogging slump and generally being behind with reviews in general (there are just so many!!), I am very excited to do my June mini reviews. In case you’ve not seen this before, this is just my way of catching up on my ridiculous backlog of unreviewed books. Anyhoo, since I’m currently being buried under the weight of the *insane* number of books I have here, let’s get on with it!

Scorpio Races– first off, this was a very enjoyable and unique- so massive kudos for that! Unfortunately there were gaps in the world building and too many things that went unexplained or didn’t make total sense, which ended up taking me out of the story from time to time. In the end, suspending my disbelief wasn’t as easy as I would have liked and I found it hard to orient myself with regards to the setting. Furthermore, while it was beautifully written, it could be a bit long winded at times. This meant I struggled to relate to the characters as well. I know this may sound like I didn’t like it, but trust me, I did. I just felt that while this was decent, it didn’t blow me away.

Rating: 4/5 bananas

Summer Shadows– so I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this on my blog before, but this is a fun series. That said, like most series that runs on an average concept (psychics with soulmates basically), it can be hit and miss. This particular book started out well. For the last two books, there had been hints (well more like *neon signs*) that Summer, the protagonist here, had a secret. And I have to say that secret didn’t disappoint. What disappointed was the rest of the book- because once said secret was revealed, the story took a total nosedive. The big mission that had been promised for two books was a total shitshow (not in a good way). Add to that a lousy love interest and a main character that ended up being a complete prat and getting on my nerves and you have for a lousy conclusion to a series. Maybe if the premise interests you, read book 1 and leave it at that.

Rating: 2/5 bananas

 

Dark Places– if you’re familiar with Flynn’s work, you’ll know that she is pretty much incapable of writing a bad book or fumbling her prose. This book was as eloquently written as Gone Girl, if a tad long winded with the flashback sequences. Ultimately, though, I liked the Russian doll effect of telling a story this way. Plus, I have to say you never really know if a thriller’s good till the end and this had a very dramatic ending. I saw parts of the big reveal coming, but not all of it, especially not how it all linked together, so I was ultimately very satisfied with this one.

Rating: 4/5 bananas

 

Demons– well if you’re familiar with Dostoevsky, you’ll know that a huge proportion of what makes his books special are the characters. So it was really unfortunate that I struggled to connect with the characters in this one. I did really like Nik, was intrigued by Dostoevsky’s- as usual- insightful philosophy and found the book’s examination of god and nihilism fascinating. But I think my experience was ruined by two things: migraines and the old, clunky style it was written in. Neither of which things can be attributed to Dostoevsky- he’s off the hook completely here- but it did mean I struggled to get through it. For the most part, what I don’t blame on my own head, I blame on the translator- who I found out halfway through reading it hadn’t even got the title totally right (he’d translated it as “Possessed” when the verb in Russian is supposed to be more like “Possessor” aka Demons/Devils). So I wasn’t in love with this one, but given this is my 5^th Dostoevsky, I can’t be expected to love every single one and loving 4/5 is still a good record.

Rating: 3½/5 bananas

  

Dune– *deep breath* everyone: I didn’t connect with this one- I just felt like it hasn’t aged well. The writing style felt stale and was really, really not my thing. It was too dry for me to relate to the characters or the plot… so I didn’t enjoy it at all I’m afraid. Also I had to deduct bananas for having one of those sand snake monster things (maybe even inventing them… I subsequently blame this book for the 80s) #sorrynotsorry

Rating: 2/5 bananas

 

Finding Cinderella– Now I have to say when I downloaded this one I didn’t realise it was a novella and that it was part of a series- I just saw “Colleen Hoover” and “free”- my mistake! That said, judging it on its own, it’s got to be the weirdest starts to a relationship ever… In fact it’s just about one of the weirdest story I’ve ever read. In short, the plot was weird with this one.

Rating: 2/5 bananas

 

So not as many great books this month (I gave more bananas in my last set of mini reviews and there were fewer books!) but I hope you enjoyed that anyway! Have you read any of these? Did you like them? Let me know in the comments!