Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

April 2022

📖 Goosebumps: Secrets of the Swamp by Marieke Nijkamp 2.5⭐ ~ 121 pages
4/4
📖 She Is Me, Too by T.M. Shivener 4.5 ⭐ ~303 pages
4/5
📖 Tell Me the Truth by Kiersten Modglin 4.0 ⭐ ~216 pages
4/12
📖 My Evil Mother: A Short Story by Margaret Atwood 3.5 ⭐ ~32 pages
4/14
📖 Legendborn by Tracy Deonn 5.0 ⭐ ~511 pages
4/15
📖 Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid 5.0 ⭐ ~88 pages
4/15
📖 Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh 5.0 ⭐ ~337 pages
4/17
📖 Best You by Keith Yocum 3.5⭐ ~179 pages
4/21
📖 Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado 4.0 ⭐ ~352 pages
4/26
📖 The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe 4.0 ⭐ ~192 pages
4/28
📖 Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman 4.0 ⭐ ~278 pages
4/30

Total pages read: 7588 pages (4979 pages + 2609 pages)
Pending Books: 2 books

Finished Books: 11 books

1st Book

She Is Me, Too by T.M. Shivener
4.5 ⭐
303 pages
Kindle/Audiobook
4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Wow just wow! I saw this book on my fb pages recommendation and it's really good! A lot of twist and turns in the story. it's a wild ride as go through every chapter. But the last chapter was a big reveal! Idk maybe it's because of my job but I can really understand the extent of the mental disorder mentioned in this book. Character's POV was on point. Maybe it's because the author is new or what but it is clearly noticed in the way she writes, there's always room for improvement for every writer. But overall it's a 4.5/5 for me.

If you're into psychological thrillers, serial killer, dark and twisted, suspense, and mental disorder kind of reader then you should read this book. But be mindful in reading books if you have triggers!

2nd Book

Tell Me the Truth by Kiersten Modglin
4.0 ⭐
216 pages
Kindle/Audiobook
4/12
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This was such a quick read! One of my fav author is Kiersten Modglin in psychological thriller, exceptional in writing books with twisty, unpredictable, suspense and engaging stories. However, the scenes in this book is not that heavy compare to her other books, they were quite realistic and probably be happening in real life. (view spoiler)[(Not sure with the killing part though) (hide spoiler)] I do like the characters in this book, the gaslighting and cheater "Joe", "Edith" a strong character that survived the cheating husband and gets her befitting revenge, and the best side character, the supportive and always on the go "Dan".

But, overall this is a 4/5 for me.

If you're into psychological thriller type of reader, you should add this to your TBR!

3rd Book

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
5.0 ⭐
511 pages
Kindle/Auduibook
4/15
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

idk why I didn't read this before but this book is one of the promising series I've read. it's not only focus on the cliche YA fantasy genre but it also speaks on some real issues of society such as racism, gender criticism, trauma, oppression, culture, ancestry and dealing with grief (as a Therapist in real life it is rare for YA fantasy to tackle such topics, and I love how the MC deals with the lost of a parent.). This book is wholesome!

Will surely wait for the next book!

If you're into YA Fantasy, this book is highly recommended!

Fav Quotes:
"Don't make your life about the loss. Make it about the love.”

"The most important thing you can do in this world, the most necessary thing, is to survive it. You can't do anything for anyone else if you don't take care of yourself first.”

Some truths only tragedy can teach. The first one I learned is that when people acknowledge your pain, they want your pain to acknowledge them back. They need to witness it in real time, or else you're not doing your part.”

4th Book

Best You by Keith Yocum
3.5⭐
179 pages
Ebook/ARC/NetGalley
4/21
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I find this book interesting. It's a bit funny actually (view spoiler)[The hangover and the pooping scene (hide spoiler)]and it has a compelling aura that will keep you reading chapter by chapter. The storyline is predictable but if you're into chill and quick read, and magical realism then you should read this book. But overall, it's a 3.5/5 for me.

Some of my fave lines on the book
- "Yes, I am sad. So what? People don’t always get what they want."
- "I come back because this is the best you. I like you much this way. Other times you are different. Not so nice. This you is the best you.”
- "Many strange things in life cannot be explained. It is that way now, and it has always been that way."

5th Book

Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
4.0 ⭐
352 pages
Audiobook/ARC/NetGalley
4/26
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Burn Down, Rise Up is a creepy, suspenseful, mysterious and with a bit of supernatural. I really enjoyed reading this book, characters are relatable (I like how the MC grow from start to end), twisty action and adventure of the MC and her friends to save Francisco and Charlize, the real friendship between Raquel and Aaron and their love for the Bronx!

As I read (or listen since I got the audiobook) through it, I keep relating it to our society nowadays, It takes one to stand up for the rotten society. Stand up to stop issues such as racism, gender discrimination and sexual orientation. We need one like Raquel who represent all to stand up and stop the rotten minds of some.

This is such a fast paced book, I sometimes get confused with some details in the story and writing is sometimes flat. But overall, my rating for this book is a 4.0/5.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for giving me an advance copy for this book!

6th Book

The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
4.0 ⭐
192 pages
Kindle/Ebook
4/28
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Peter Pan is a classic, timeless adventure, and a magical world I've known as a child. However, The Never King is a dark, twisted version of Neverland. This book is interesting I kinda like the changes that makes it darker and different from the original story. Characters are mysterious in their own way. (Vane is intruiging. And the Twins!) The ending was a surprised and definitely a cliffhanger! Can't wait to get my hands with 2nd book!

If you're into dark romance, reversed harem and twisted fairytale then I would recommend this book. However, be mindful in reading books if you have trigger warnings. This is not a fairytale you expect to. It comes with intense sex scene and cruelty. But, overall I'll rate this book with a 4.0/5.

(view spoiler)[Some of my fave lines in the books:
- “If you are not the most interesting person you know, then you’re doing it wrong.”
- “Because in this world, and in yours, if you’re not the monster, then you’re the prey.
- “Even the mighty oak believes she is strong until a man comes along with an ax to chop her down.” “Is that you then? Do you have an ax?” “All men are born with an ax in their hands, Darling. To take the measure of a man, you just have to pay attention to how he wields it.” (hide spoiler)]

7th Book

Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
4.0 ⭐
278 pages
Ebook
4/30
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've been planning to read this series before Netflix but just got the time now before watching it. This is so good and Charlie and Nick is so cute together.

So like this first book is more on their first meeting and how their feelings developed as they hang out more often. I like that they both let each other open up and how Charlie let Nick be exposed to his hobby and same with Nick to Charlie. It's a short graphic novels but definitely a page turner!

“You can't tell whether people are gay by what they look like. And gay or straight aren't the only two options.”