Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
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| Pub Date: 5-6-25 YA - Thriller |
The Thrashers- Julie Soto: New Helvetia High has its fair share of popular kids, but they don't compare to the Thrashers. They're a group of rich, beautiful teens that everyone wishes they could either befriend or become. Jodi Dillon is not your typical Thrasher, but she's been best friends with Zack Thrasher since they were young, so she somehow slotted herself into the group along with Julian, Lucy, and Paige. Unlike the rest of the group, Jodi hates the attention that comes with being together and isn't as harsh to outsiders as the rest. So when Emily Mills, a young girl desperate to become a Thrasher, dies, whispers start circulating that Jodi and her friends had something to do with it. With detectives asking questions and strange occurrences escalating, the group quickly realizes that Emily isn't finished with them yet.
I've loved everything I've read by Soto so far, which was all romances, so I was excited to try out something by her in a different genre. I had such a fun time reading this. It felt like a CW teen drama, like almost Riverdale-ish with the paranormal element. I didn't realize going in that it would have a ghostly aspect, but I thought it helped add to the tension. I liked Jodi as the main character. There were parts of her that reminded me of myself when I was that age, but I appreciated how complex and flawed all of the Thrashers were. They were all struggling in different ways and trying to hide it. As for the mystery, it was engaging and kept me flipping the pages. I liked the ending, but I also found it somewhat underwhelming; however, I'd still recommend it.
I've loved everything I've read by Soto so far, which was all romances, so I was excited to try out something by her in a different genre. I had such a fun time reading this. It felt like a CW teen drama, like almost Riverdale-ish with the paranormal element. I didn't realize going in that it would have a ghostly aspect, but I thought it helped add to the tension. I liked Jodi as the main character. There were parts of her that reminded me of myself when I was that age, but I appreciated how complex and flawed all of the Thrashers were. They were all struggling in different ways and trying to hide it. As for the mystery, it was engaging and kept me flipping the pages. I liked the ending, but I also found it somewhat underwhelming; however, I'd still recommend it.
Rating: 4/5
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| Pub Date: 7-29-25 Adult - Thriller |
Asylum Hotel- Juliet Blackwell: Aubrey Spencer enjoys spending her free time photographing abandoned places. Something about seeing the loneliness of these places through her viewfinder relaxes Aubrey and gives her the perspective her messy life needs at the moment. When she hears about the Hotel Seabrink, a once famous luxury hotel that catered to the Hollywood elite but that now lies derelict overlooking the sea, Aubrey knows it'll be perfect. But when she gets there, she encounters Dimitri Petroff, an online celebrity who shares her fascination with old buildings. The pair hit it off and spent the night together, but in the morning, Dimitri's body was found at the base of a cliff. The local authorities are quick to brush the case off, but Aubrey feels there's more to it, especially when she learns the dark history of the Seabrink. As she digs deeper into the hotel and Dimitri's life, it's clear someone is trying to keep Aubrey from the truth using whatever means necessary.
I love a haunted setting, so I was looking forward to picking this up. The premise sounded so cool. I liked our main character, Aubrey, but I wanted more of an emotional connection. The mystery aspect was intriguing enough. I was just as invested as Aubrey was in uncovering the truth about what was going on. It kept me flipping the pages, and I flew through it in one sitting. Blackwell's writing was descriptive, and I appreciated how much research she did to get all the little details just so. However, I felt the book was overwritten, and a lot of the dialogue felt unrealistic. The ending also felt rushed, and some of the reveals seemed to come out of nowhere. I'd still recommend checking it out if you're looking for a spooky summer read, but it wasn't a new favorite.
I love a haunted setting, so I was looking forward to picking this up. The premise sounded so cool. I liked our main character, Aubrey, but I wanted more of an emotional connection. The mystery aspect was intriguing enough. I was just as invested as Aubrey was in uncovering the truth about what was going on. It kept me flipping the pages, and I flew through it in one sitting. Blackwell's writing was descriptive, and I appreciated how much research she did to get all the little details just so. However, I felt the book was overwritten, and a lot of the dialogue felt unrealistic. The ending also felt rushed, and some of the reveals seemed to come out of nowhere. I'd still recommend checking it out if you're looking for a spooky summer read, but it wasn't a new favorite.
Rating: 3/5
*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!
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| Pub Date: 11-14-17 Adult - Horror |
Into the Drowning Deep- Mira Grant: Seven years ago, a research ship called the Atargatis was tasked by Imagine Networks to film a "mockumentary" about mermaids in the Marianna Trench. The boat was later found drifting way off course with no one on board, and the film that was recovered has been the subject of debate among skeptics and believers ever since. Now, Imagine wants to send another ship out to uncover what truly happened all those years ago. Victoria “Tory” Stewart lost her sister on the Atargatis and has been chasing the truth ever since, so she jumps at the opportunity to participate in the latest voyage. Along with a new crew of scientists, mercenaries, and crew, the Melusine sets sail. But it doesn't take long before they come across what lurks beneath the waves, and their research trip turns into a fight for survival.
I've had this on my TBR for what feels like ages, and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. I had read the prequel novella, so I was pretty sure I knew how this story would go, but I was still hooked. Tensions run high in this book, and Grant had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I appreciated how much research must've gone into getting the story just right. It all added another layer to the story. There are a lot of different characters aboard the ship, but there are a handful we focus on, and I enjoyed all of them, especially Tory. The most compelling part of this whole thing was the sirens. They were fascinating and brutal. I liked learning more about them alongside the characters. If you're looking for an atmospheric and creepy read for the summertime, I highly recommend checking this one out.
I've had this on my TBR for what feels like ages, and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. I had read the prequel novella, so I was pretty sure I knew how this story would go, but I was still hooked. Tensions run high in this book, and Grant had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I appreciated how much research must've gone into getting the story just right. It all added another layer to the story. There are a lot of different characters aboard the ship, but there are a handful we focus on, and I enjoyed all of them, especially Tory. The most compelling part of this whole thing was the sirens. They were fascinating and brutal. I liked learning more about them alongside the characters. If you're looking for an atmospheric and creepy read for the summertime, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Rating: 4/5
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