Mini Book Reviews #2

Tuesday, September 05, 2017
Today's post is another mini book review, I published another a few weeks ago with books I was sent by Pushkin Press as well as a book via Book Bridgr. I've been on a roll with my reading over the past few months as I can't seem to stop and August seems to be no different!

*Nemesis by Brendan Reichs - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (443 pages - available now)
How gorgeous is this book cover and the red edges! We follow Min, a teenager in a beautiful but quite remote town, who every other birthday is killed by a man in a black suit but then she wakes up in the forest unhurt and alive...that's all I needed to know about the book as it sounds so unique! It is apparently a combination of Lord Of The Flies and Orphan Black, neither of which I've read/watched so I don't know if that's true!

Min is in therapy and has been taking medication as long as this has been happening but every couple of years, the man returns and kills her. She hasn't told her best friend Tack and she doesn't know how to get over this perceived mental illness then to top it off, an asteroid might collide with the earth. It sounds far fetched and to some extent it definitely is but I found it to be very enjoyable, page turning and familiar but an entertaining way, if that makes sense!

I loved the mystery aspect of it as well as the government secrets, friendship, survival and almost thriller aspect of it but I did find it a little predictable, convenient at times and I wanted more of a final conclusion but it was left very open for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend it as it would make the perfect YA mystery to read this summer to autumn particularly as it is such a fast and entertaining read but for me personally it was a teeny bit disappointing.

*Mister Memory by Marcus Sedgwick - ★★★☆☆, 3/5  (336 pages - available now)
I've wanted to read this book since it came out last year but I never got around to it. I adore the cover and it sounded so intriguing and like something I'd love. I received this book from Mulholland Books via Book Bridgr so thank you!

We follow Marcel who at the beginning of the book has murdered his wife, Ondine so he has been transferred to an asylum in Paris (it sounds amazing doesn't it!) but initially we do get some backstory for Marcel who as he grows up, it becomes clear that he isn't like most children. Later in life his gift is discovered as he can remember everything, hence his cabaret stage name of Mister Memory.

The book is on the shorter side but the text is tiny so I did take me much longer to read than I thought it would and the writing style is very slow, thoughtful and descriptive which compared to the fast paced books I've been reading recently, made it seem like the book was far more time consuming to read which didn't help with my motivation or lack of to pick this book up.

However, I did enjoy the story as a whole, I liked the setting and how quirky the book was as well as the mentions and musings on the prison system, mental illness and deeper topics are touched on briefly such as should we punish those who have committed a crime but suffer with mental illness. I finished this book on holiday and while I did like the mystery, I found it predictable and the book overall wasn't as fantastic as I'd thought it would be. I think if it sounds like a book you'd enjoy then you should pick it up but as with the previous book, I did personally find it a little disappointing if I'm completely honest.

Have you read either of these books? What are you currently reading? 

16 comments

  1. I have not read either of these, they dont sound like the type of genre I enjoy but if you have any romcon suggestions, do let me know!
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  2. Tiny text would put me off reading a book! xx

    Beautylymin

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  3. Can I just say your blog is beautiful! OMG! thanks for sharing great post

    jadieegosh

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  4. Can I just say your blog is beautiful! OMG! thanks for sharing great post

    jadieegosh

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  5. As I was reading about nemesis I thought it would be a book I could get into but it's a shame they didn't leave it in a gripping ending x

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  6. Ooh Nemeis sounds like a good read x

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  7. You put me to shame with all the books you read and no I haven't read either of these x

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  8. They sound so good! I need to read more!

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  9. Nemesis sounds so intriguing!! Shame it disappointed a wee bit though :(
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  10. They don't sound up my street. But great reviews x

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  11. Nemesis sounds so good! I've put it on my list to read x

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  12. These are right up my street -on my to buy list they go x

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  13. I haven't read any of these books yet. Right now I'm reading Frazzled by Ruby Wax.

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  14. I only really read crime / thrillers and only a few times a year but am loving your reviews x

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