kade_spade's reviews
181 reviews

This Winter by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

2.5

I really wanted to love this little novella more than I did, but I just can’t find a reason to. Maybe if I read it in the middle of Heartstopper Vol. 4 (chronologically) I would’ve liked it better. It’s a very easy and quick read. It is cute and I loved learning more about Tori. The medium change was a bit jarring to go from comic to regular book style. Overall, this novella felt kinda pointless and repetitive to the comics. It’s saving grace was Tori and Oliver’s POVs. 

Big F@!king Deal by Lawrence Allan

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This is a great follow up to the first book. Followed the same tone and was so fun to read. However, the writing seemed slightly slopper than the first book, which occasionally took away from the story. I did still very much enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the third installment! 

American Black Widow by Gregg Olsen

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

2.0

Not that great or interesting book unfortunately. The timeline and transitions at times were hard to follow. There were also so many characters they were hard to keep track of. The author tried to help with that by creating a “character” list at the beginning of the book. I felt like I already knew the whole story from reading the front and back of the book. Nothing interesting happened in between the pages that kept me invested. All that aside, it wasn’t a horrible book, just kind of “meh”. However, criticisms for the book aside, I hope the people whose lives were effected due to Sharon and her horrid actions have found some sort of peace and that this story did them justice in their eyes. 

The Crossbones by Patrick Carman

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This one was a little weak compared to the first two. The vibes were off and it almost felt like a continuation for sake of just continuing, not that there was more to tell of the story. However, I still found the book and videos entertaining and will continue to read the series. 

Skeleton Creek #2: Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Just as fun and entertaining as the first book! Once again horrible acting, maybe even worse than the first book’s videos, but that didn’t take anything away from the story for me.
Great and creative resolution to the mystery and for younger readers I can see the plot twist being huge for them. I will be reading the rest in the series, but the books could’ve ended at this one no problem. I can see how reading these books as a kid/teen could shape someone’s love of horror/thrillers!! 

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

2.0

This book definitely fell flat for me. I found the characters so unrelatable and unrealistic. How they talked and interacted just seemed so fake and the humor didn’t work at all. At lot of the book, especially the first 100 pages, was so repetitive. However, the saving grace for this novel was the 50 some pages that focused on the climax and reveal. Those pages were so good, it made me a little sad that the whole novel didn’t feel that way. I also enjoyed how Tom and Luca were not your typical men that you see in YA or Adult books. The vulnerability of them and how they acted in themselves and their relationships was a fresh and rarely seen trait in books. 

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Overall, it’s a great, uplifting, and inspiring read. There are a few stories I didn’t agree with or enjoy, but I also never except to agree with someone 100%. I really don’t agree with anything dealing with Youth Life, so that did sour my opinion from the beginning a little bit. However, I was eventually able to look past that and found myself genuinely enjoying his stories. Goff does live an inspiring life and while many people can’t afford to live like him this book inspires to live even just a quarter like him. Sometimes people need a little push to do just a little more with their love and this book will do the trick. 

Big Fat F@!k-Up by Lawrence Allan

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An incredibly fun and quick read. The pacing, humor, and writing is excellent. It puts me in mind of like “poor man’s” Knives Out. Can’t wait to continue reading Jimmy Cooper’s story, I feel like it can only get better as we learn more about him and other characters. 

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book is so fun! I first read it when I was in middle school and wanted to relive it. Thankfully, it lived up to what I remember. The pacing feels a bit odd and the acting in the videos is horrible, but it’s still all just so much fun! The videos, though horribly acted,  give a few good jump scares. The whole premise of reading a “journal” and watching accompanying videos is different and kids , especially kids that are fans of spooky things, would eat this concept up. The cliffhanger was good and leaves you wanting more. Great book for kids, but even adults would find this book entertaining. 

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was my first time reading this book since middle school. I’m sad to say I am left slightly disappointed as I remember this book being much just “more” overall. I know I’m no longer a child, so it’s obvious to feel different about the book now, but I’m just slightly let down. However, I can see how as a new reader and to children this book would be fascinating and so fun. I hope this book and author continues to be a staple in many kids lives. I truly believe this book is why spooky books are my main interest as an adult.