TMST: Behind-the-Scene - Approach to Writing Reviews

7/6/2021 How do you approach writing reviews?

Honestly, my method has changed over the years. 

Back in the day, I used to take notes and list out my favorite/least favorite characters, favorite quotes, favorite scenes, and so forth. 

I've simplified over the years. I will take the occasional note esp if it is an anthology. I'll do sticky notes or write in my journal. Overall, though, I try to just jump on my computer or phone and quickly write my initial thoughts. I'll return a few hours later when I have a few moments or the next day and refine my thoughts and make it look better/sound better. 

I wait until I have refined everything and then I pick an overall rating. When I am unsure or can't pick a rating, I'll make a list and rate certain parts of the book (ie character-development, plot, narrator if applicable, etc) and do some math. I'll get an average and go from there. 

Once in a while, I'll do a review I call the Good/The Bad and the Ugly/Conclusion. This is where I simply bullet point the good parts and the bad parts and write a quick conclusion. I usually do only a handful of reviews like this a year. Why? Eh - I'll do this version when I'm pressed for time OR I feel like changing it up. Keep it fresh ya know?

I could ramble on about my madness I call reviewing but I'll leave it there ;)

B's Monday Review: The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

368 pages, Paperback

Published: June 18, 2019 by Titan Books Ltd

Apocalyptic

Own

I tried reading this one last year, but I just could not. The world is falling apart cos of The cough, yeah, that was too real. Now it was easier to get into 

Red is all alone in the woods trying to reach her grandmother, yes there is a little red riding hood connection. In flashbacks we meet her family as they plan to make the trek. But yes obvi something happens.

The woods are not without danger. There is the risk of meeting sick people, of meeting soldiers rounding up everyone for quarantine centers, crazy militia people or just effed up people.

I liked it. She was tough, she just wanted to live. There is some utter craziness going on too. I always read everything Henry writes

It's not safe for anyone alone in the woods. There are predators that come out at night: critters and coyotes, snakes and wolves. But the woman in the red jacket has no choice. Not since the Crisis came, decimated the population, and sent those who survived fleeing into quarantine camps that serve as breeding grounds for death, destruction, and disease. She is just a woman trying not to get killed in a world that doesn't look anything like the one she grew up in, the one that was perfectly sane and normal and boring until three months ago.

There are worse threats in the woods than the things that stalk their prey at night. Sometimes, there are men. Men with dark desires, weak wills, and evil intents. Men in uniform with classified information, deadly secrets, and unforgiving orders. And sometimes, just sometimes, there's something worse than all of the horrible people and vicious beasts combined.

Red doesn't like to think of herself as a killer, but she isn't about to let herself get eaten up just because she is a woman alone in the woods...

Audiobook Review: Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard by Kristen Painter

Author: Kristen Painter

Narrator:  Hollis McCarthy

Title: Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard

(Jayne Frost #5)

Genre: Paranormal romance, Fantasy, UF, Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 17th 2018

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Christmas is over, the new year has begun, and life is thankfully slowing down for Jayne, giving her more time to chill with her new guy. That is, until Myra Grimshaw’s death reveals the elderly fae had a strange obsession with Jayne’s royal family and an unauthorized collection of exclusive winter elf objects. Including one very questionable snow globe.

Then a whiteout of magical proportions snows the town in and unraveling the mystery of Myra and the objects becomes job number one. Especially when Jayne suspects one of those objects is behind the dangerous creatures now roaming the town’s streets.

Things take a chilling turn when one of Jayne’s dearest friends is kidnapped and rescuing her means cracking the secrets of Myra’s past. But when Jayne discovers blood really is thicker than water, her own life is suddenly on thin ice. Can she save the town and her crown?

Review:

Yayy! Book 5!

Christmas is finally over and life has slowed down for Jayne for now. Jayne has a new beau and she's beginning to think he is the one. He has a cat that Spider likes and everything seems great. That is...until Myra Grimshaw's death reveals the elderly fae seemed to have a strange obsession with Jayne's royal family and she has a lot of unauthorized objects that should only belong to a winter elf including a very questionable snow globe. Overnight a huge whiteout of magical snowstorm hits the town and Birdie is kidnapped. Can Jayne save the town, her crown, and her friends?

This was of the most intense mysteries Jayne has faced yet! There was a lot at play here and everything was tied together somehow, someway. I'm glad the author upped the game here. The last couple the mystery seemed rather easy to solve, but this one I was unsure how Jayne was going to fix EVERYTHING and figure out what was going on. 

And that twist about Myra. That was great. 

I'm beginning to like Jayne's new boy. I'm sad it didn't work out with the vamp because I adored him, but this new guy seems to be perfect for her and Spider and I am happy. 

Can I just say how happy I am that the original narrator is back!!!!! Don't get me wrong...the guy who did 4.5 was good, but I adore this narrator so much more. Her voices are perfect for the characters. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Probably one of my favorites of the series so far. The mystery was fun and I had no idea how Jayne was going to save everyone and everything. I'm liking the romance and the original narrator is back. Yayy! I'll give this 5 stars. No issues. Adored it. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #38 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Caressed by Ice

(Psy-Changeling #3)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fiction, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Published: September 4th 2007

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives… 

Review:

Making my way through the series. Slowly but surely. Thank goodness for the library ;)

We follow Brenna and Judd. Judd is an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks. He was forced to do terrible things. Now he has become a defector. However, he has to stay cold and pitiless and unfeeling in order to keep his dark abilities in check. Until Brenna comes into his life. Brenna was an innocent, sweet girl until she was abducted by a serial killer who tortured her for funsies. After being saved she is scared that she is slipping to madness and has been tainted by this evil. Judd is her only hope. 

SOBSSSSS! Poor Brenna. I felt so bad for her in the last book and I was excited to see her get a chance to find happiness, peace, and even love. Not sure Judd was the one for the job....but you can't help who you love I guess. 

Okay. I didn't dislike Judd, but he was just too cold. Too empty and void. Yes, Brenna warms him up because that is what changelings do, but sighs it took too long for me. I just wanted Brenna to find her happiness. Girl needed it. 

Once Judd did open up and give in, I liked him better. He's still slightly cold but I liked him by the end. 

This wasn't my favorite of the series I do not think. I liked it, but it took me a while to really get through it because I struggled with Judd sometimes. 

In the end, I can't wait for the next one! I'm glad Brenna found her happiness and is able to heal from her tragic experiences. I struggled with Judd, but it was adorable to see him crack and fall for this sweet girl. I'll give this 3 stars.