catherinekarol

[catherinekarol]

My copy of Sunrise on the Reaping has arrived. Screaming, crying, plotting to overthrow the Capitol, routing for Haymitch. Review pending!

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 5 - THE HANDMAID'S TALE BY MARGARET ATWOOD

The Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian and theocratic state that has replaced the United States of America.

The birth rate is dropping, women are unable to bear children and the human race is at risk, their only hope is women cloaked in red.

WARNING: Neither this book nor this review is appropriate for minors. I don't recommend minors read this book due to the strong themes of violence and sexual references.

This book? Wow.

Offred as a character? Wow.

That's it, that's the review.

.

.

.

Only kidding, but seriously, this book was fantastic. I immediately enjoyed Offred as a character, she was so bitter and outraged by what was happening to her and the other handmaids around her, that I felt her rage as the reader.

The society that Atwood created was so Orwellian, yet feels so real. The monotony and dullness of the writing style is perfect for what Atwood is trying to convey. At times, the writing is extremely dull, and hard to read, but that's the point. It so perfectly portrays Offred's entire being, I found myself both wishing the chapter would end, and wishing the book would never end. It's not a page-turner, and I don't think it should be. Offred's life isn't easy, it's boring and repetitive, she flits from one detail to another because things rarely change, and I felt that so heavily in the writing style.

I felt like I was Offred, that I was the one walking to the shops with my walking partner, trying to find out who the eye was, that I was the one subjected to Serena Joy and her husband. I felt Offred's anger, I felt her boredom, I felt her desire to escape, and wanted that for her. I don't think I've ever connected so deeply with a character that appears so unlikeable initially.

This book might not be for everyone, especially if you want a fast-paced, high-action, easily likable main character. This book is slow and at times dull (as I said above, purposefully) it's not action-packed, and Offred is bitter and cruel towards others (and understandably given the circumstances) she's not likable and she's not intended to be. But I found this book gripping, and very relevant to today despite being written in 1986.

For that reason, I'm giving The Handmaid's Tale...

[insert drumroll here]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Honestly, I really loved this book and thought Atwood was very clever in the use of her writing style. I also enjoyed the TV series so if the writing style isn't for you, definitely try watching it!

Let me know your thoughts about The Handmaid's Tale if you've read it and if you haven't let me know if you have any plans to give it a go!

If there's any books you want to recommend/would like to see me review feel free to drop them down below, or use the Ask Me tab (I'm more likely to see them there)

Happy International Women's Day!

Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum.

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 5 - (08/03/2025)

(IMAGE IS NOT MINE)

Could there be any book more appropriate for International Women's Day?

Blessed Be the Fruit.

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 4 - AS GOOD AS DEAD BY HOLLY JACKSON

Pip has investigated a murder, she's investigated a missing person, now she's done with investigations. She just wants to focus on her family, her boyfriend Ravi and her university applications. She's definitely done with investigations.

Definitely...

Here it is, the final installment into Pip Fitz-Amobi's journey. She's decided she's done with investigating. She's solved the murder of Andi Bell, she's solved the disappearance of Jamie, and now she can focus on her life, or so she thought.

I know there are a lot of negative reviews regarding this book, lots of thoughts about Pip and how she's changed, or how her behaviour in this book is completely different from how she has been in the previous books, so this review might be quite controversial, but I actually really enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed the change in Pip, and to be honest with what she's previously seen and experienced, I think it makes sense that she's matured the way she has.

One of the criticisms I've seen is people working out early on who is following Pip, I also worked out who it was fairly into the book but I think that was actually the point. Jackson had been foreshadowing this since A Good Girl's Guide to Murder in my opinion, the culprit and Pip have never had a good relationship, and I think that only increased in Good Girl, Bad Blood.

Trying not to give too many spoilers, I will say later on in the book, the descriptions of how a dead body goes through the process of rigor mortis and how temperature can alter this, is accurate (my day job gives me some knowledge and training into this) and I think Jackson does a fantastic job explaining it.

I really enjoyed seeing Pip use everything she's learned in the previous books and apply it. she really outdid herself in this one.

I do understand why people may not like this book as much as the previous books in the series, I also understand how the changes in Pip's behaviour and personality may put readers off, but for me personally, I loved it.

With that in mind, I'm giving As Good As Dead...

[insert drumroll here]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's a solid 4, compared to a tentative 4. I didn't give it a 5 because I don't think it's as good as the first book and also to reflect how the changes in Pip put others off so much. But the middle and end of the book was just fantastic in my opinion and had me on the edge of my seat.

Let me know your thoughts about As Good As Dead, if you've read it and if you haven't let me know if you have any plans to give it a go!

If there's any books you want to recommend/would like to see me review feel free to drop them down below, or use the Ask Me tab (I'm more likely to see them there)

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 4 - AS GOOD AS DEAD (04/03/2025)

Pip is back, for the third and final time. Her investigation days are most definitely done, she's finished with the secrets of Little Kilton, she wants nothing else to do with the dark side of her town, she's lost too much and she isn't willing to lose anything else.

But when a new threat appears in Little Kilton, everything Pip stands for is about to change, all her promises to herself and her family are broken, for one last case.

The case of Pip Fitz-Amobi.

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 3 - GOOD GIRL, BAD BLOOD BY HOLLY JACKSON

The 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' podcast has gone viral, Pip has finished her EPQ and now she's done with her investigation days, or so she thought.

When Jamie Reynolds goes missing, Pip can't help but step in to find him, before time runs out.

Well, here we are again, two-thirds of the way through the AGGGTM series!

This time, Pip is investigating a missing persons case. Jamie Reynolds, the brother of a close friend of Pip's has gone missing without a trace, her friend has asked her to investigate since neither the community of Little Kilton, nor the police seem particularly interested, believing that Jamie has ran away and, as he's over 18 is allowed to do so. Connor and the rest of his family disagree and are convinced something sinister has happened to him, Pip and her podcast are their last hope to find Jamie alive. But, whilst investigating Jamie's disappearance, Pip finds herself delving deeper into the dark secrets of Little Kilton and begins to realise just how dangerous the people around her can be.

So, a different type of case this time, which I found interesting. I must admit, I definitely expected this to progress into a murder mystery and was surprised when it didn't. Personally, I was really excited to follow Pip on her investigation again, I really do love her as a character, and having finished the entire series (third and final book review to follow) she definitely has a special place in my heart.

To be honest, I didn't feel this book was as strong as the previous one, whilst I enjoyed reading it and once again finished it in about 48-72 hours, I couldn't get into the disappearance case as easily as I could get into the murder case, I think there was just something about the twists and turns of the Andie Bell case that the Jamie Reynolds case didn't have, but I still easily finished the book and overall had a positive experience reading it.

Pip was as witty and clever as ever, and the desperate attempts to juggle her everyday life alongside finishing her A-Levels, are something I can relate to. I love that Pip and Ravi are officially together and I think the dynamic they have is wonderful and a breath of fresh air compared to some of the fictional relationships I've read recently (I'm not going to name-drop right now, that's a conversation for future reviews).

As expected there are twists and turns in this book too that were exciting to read, they just didn't quite have the same charm as the first book, and I found the events in this book less memorable than the first. I think this was partly because there wasn't a clearly established bond between Jamie and Pip compared to Pip and Connor. I found myself not really caring as much about Jamie disappearing as I would have if Connor had been the one to go missing.

But, despite the negatives I've talked about, I did still enjoy this book and like I said, I did finish it in 48-72 hours like the first (I wasn't quite as quick to read it outside work this time) it was nowhere near my 'Did not finish' pile. I think, having now read the third book, I can see the importance of the story and think it was very much a filler/foreshadowing book for the final installment.

With that in mind, I'm giving Good Girl, Bad Blood a...

[Insert drumroll here]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's a tentative 4 as opposed to a solid 4 almost 5. I was considering giving it a 3 until I finished the third book and saw the number of references back to this book and adopted a newfound appreciation for it.

Let me know your thoughts about Good Girl, Bad Blood if you've read it and if you haven't let me know if you have any plans to give it a go!

If there's any books you want to recommend/would like to see me review feel free to drop them down below, or use the Ask Me tab (I'm more likely to see them there)

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 3 - GOOD GIRL, BAD BLOOD (26/02/2025)

(IMAGE IS NOT MINE)

Pip is back and her investigation days are over.

The 'A Good Girl's Guide to murder' podcast has gone viral having just wrapped up the investigation into the murder of Andi Bell. She insists her days as a teenage detective are over, but when a friend's brother goes missing, she realises she's not ready to put investigation behind her yet.

Little Kilton has more dark secrets than Pip had realised, and now she's on the case, she's determined to uncover them.

Jamie Reynolds is missing, and Pip is determined to find him alive.

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 2 - A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER BY HOLLY JACKSON

Pip takes on the monstrous task of investigating the murder of Andie Bell with the view to prove Sal Singh is innocent. However, Pip will soon learn that there is always a price to pay when uncovering the truth.

This is long overdue.

Life got in the way a little bit in regard to reviews but I'm back and ready to review one of my favourite books I've read in a long time.

A Good Girls Guide to Murder follows Pip Fitz-Amobi and her quest to complete her EPQ. She decides to investigate the biggest scandal in Little Kilton, the murder of Andie Bell by her boyfriend. Pip expresses that she has always felt something wasn't quite right about the story provided, and having had previous experience with Sal Singh, she can't bring herself to accept that he was the cause of Andie's death. With a number of twists and turns throughout her investigation, Pip finds out the truth and must decide what is more important to her - uncovering the truth or protecting the lives of those she cares about.

First things first, as someone from the UK who was an A-level student at one point, I loved the representation of the UK education system from an author who has clearly experienced it. It certainly made Pip far more relatable to me, and it's something I haven't seen used in many books.

I found Pip, in my opinion, to be a likable protagonist, especially after forming a close partnership with Ravi Singh (Sal's younger brother), she's witty and clever, has a sense of humour that is sometimes rather dry (classic British and something I find very relatable as a fellow dry humoured individual) I also really enjoyed following along with Pip in her investigation with information only being revealed as Pip found leads and made connections. The use of an EPQ research diary as a device in the book to keep the reader on track with information was a clever idea from the author and definitely helped with immersion and feeling like Pip was a real person.

There are some fantastic side characters included, Ravi Singh in particular and of course Barney (a 10/10 good boy) with complex relationships explored later on in the book, the side characters feel purposeful and have an important role in the plot as opposed to feeling like set pieces in world-building.

The twists and turns in the book had me on the edge of my seat, and to be honest, I finished this book in about 48 hours because I simply couldn't put it down, to the point of reading it in my car outside work when I had the chance.

The only real criticism I have is that the education system is so specific to the UK it could be quite alienating to readers from other countries that don't have this system and could break the immersion for readers who haven't experienced it. However, I feel that whilst it is an important plot factor, it isn't vital to the story to understand what exactly an EPQ is, the book can be enjoyed simply as a teenager investigating a murder simply due to morbid curiosity.

For that reason, I'm giving A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson a...

[Insert drumroll here]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Honestly, I was really impressed by this book and I think its without a doubt, a solid start to a series and a brilliant introduction into a murder mystery/thriller series.

Let me know your thoughts about A Good Girl's Guide to Murder if you've read it and if you haven't let me know if you have any plans to give it a go!

If there's any books you want to recommend/would like to see me review feel free to drop them down below, or use the Ask Me tab (I'm more likely to see them there)

And remember, real men wear floral when trespassing (if you know, you know)

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 2 - 22/02/2025

(IMAGE IS NOT MINE)

So it begins, the quest for Pip's EPQ and to prove once and for all that Sal Singh is innocent.

But, as Pip will soon find out, all is not what it seems, and trying to uncover secrets that someone else is trying to bury, will only result in serious consequences.

Pip's meddling will change lives, and not all for the better.

Someone killed Andie Bell, and if it wasn't her boyfriend Sal Singh, who was it?

[catherinekarol]

REVIEW 1 - KILLJOY BY HOLLY JACKSON

The prequel novella to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

This murder mystery party is to die for...

So, we're kicking off the book reviews with, what I think, is a great series. This is the prequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and introduces us to Pip Fitz-Amobi, future true crime extraordinaire and host of the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder podcast.

Killjoy is set Remy Manor, on a private island off the west cost of Scotland (aka Connor's house), for a family get together celebrating Reginald Remys (Jamie Reynolds) 74th birthday, but all is not what it seems when the guests arrive. Reginald has been found dead and now the guests must find evidence to incriminate each other and keep their own secrets hidden.

Pip is now Celia Bourne, the 29 year old niece of Reginald Remy. She's an orphan who has never truly felt part of the Remy family. Now working as a governess in London, she's bitter about the wealth that Reginald Remy has, and believes he should have offered her financial support.

Now, I actually finished this book in the space of around 4 hours. Given it's a novella, it's a lighter, shorter read than the other books in this series and I think if you're not sure if the series will be for you, it's a great start. You meet a large portion of the main characters from A Good Girls Guide to Murder, and you begin to understand the inner workings of Pip.

Pip reminds me so much of myself at that age, I was just as curious and headstrong as she is. I had the same hunger for knowledge and hated not knowing things. Killjoy touches on this aspect of Pip's personality and foreshadows some potential personality flaws that may hinder her in the future. Something that, after finishing the series, I can really appreciate going back and reading again.

What I really enjoyed about this book (particularly since this was my introduction to the series) is that you have information revealed to you at the same time as Pip, you follow her thought processes and I loved coming to the same conclusions she did and seeing how wrong I was and Pip was. She's a genuinely intelligent character that I feel Jackson has brought the reader a lot closer to through this layout choice. I also loved the nod to the future books in the series towards the end (no spoilers!)

There are some things I didn't enjoy so much, I found the start of the book a little difficult to get into (even though it only took 4 hours to finish) with the introductions of characters and the lay out of the murder mystery game, but I think it was a necessary slow introduction and once the game actually started, I forgot all about this.

Something I think may throw some potential readers off is the education system. I loved that Jackson used the UK system of A Levels and an EPQ because, as a British reader, this is exactly the system that I'm used to and it becomes more relatable for me, however I think there is a risk of closing the audience demographic and potentially making Pip less relatable to some younger readers who may not have experienced/understand this education system.

Overall, I think this was a great start to the series and, since it's such a short book, there isn't so many positives and negatives that I can write about. The written voice is relatable, the style easy to follow, the story slow initially but gripping once the murder mystery begins and Pip is just a great main character (in my opinion).

Therefore, I'm giving Killjoy by Holly Jackson a rating of...

[insert drum roll here]

⭐⭐⭐

I just wish it was longer, and think that at least a short explanation from Pip's perspective as to what an EPQ actually is (as it's mentioned multiple times in the book) may be beneficial. I think this may potentially put people off the rest of the series as this is ultimately the main focus of the first book.

Also, Pip definitely should have been right with the answer to the murder mystery. (again no spoilers)

Killjoy probably would have been a 4/5 stars if I didn't have such strong opinions about the rest of the series, but more on the later...

TLDR: This is a good place to start if you aren't sure on the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, it'll give you a good idea of Pip and her personality as well as Jackson's writing style.

Let me know your thoughts and if you have/are planning to read Killjoy!

If there's any books you want to recommend/would like to see me review feel free to drop them down below, or use the Ask Me tab (I'm more likely to see them there)

[catherinekarol]

Charity shout out!

BookTrust is a charity in the UK that gets children from low income and vulnerably family backgrounds reading.

The Letterbox Club is a scheme that sends book parcels to the most vulnerable children and contains age appropriate reading and numeracy resources in an attempt to bridge the education gap between social classes.

During the festive season, BookTrust are currently running a campaign to gift vulnerable children books, for some of these children, their BookTrust parcel may be the only gift they receive this christmas.

Donate, raise awareness of vulnerable children and the education gap, share the charity, anything helps!

[catherinekarol]

(IMAGE IS NOT MINE)

REVIEW 1 - 07/12/2024

A group of friends of friends meet to celebrate the "74th" birthday of Reginald Remy (aka Jamie Reynolds - definitely not 74) for an unforgettable murder mystery extravaganza.

[catherinekarol]

This!

I don't read to keep up with people on booktok or bookstagram.

(And in my opinion alot of people seem to repeat the same criticisms/praise over and over again which makes be suspicious that they actually read the book in the first place)

I read books to enjoy them.

How about in 2024 we stop it with reading books with the goal in mind to finish the book so you can add it to your list of read books and start reading books slowly and intentionally with the goal to rip it into pieces with your mind and be touched by it and formed by it and changed by it

[catherinekarol]

Hi! I'm Catherine Karol, but you can call me Cat!

I'm hoping to build a book loving community/find mutuals that shares recommendations, reviews and engage in discussions about books (controversial opinions welcome!)

As long as you're nice and enjoy reading books feel free to get involved!

PLEASE NOTE:

Whilst I will not be posting inappropriate topics more than a spice rating on reviews detailed with "🌶" (and will be leaving a disclaimer at the top of the review) therefore minors are welcome onto my page/in the community.

If you are under the age of 18, please do not engage in inappropriate behaviour here. If you do, you will be removed. Also, please don't try and directly contact me in a private setting, anything inappropriate again, will be removed.

Thank you! 🌻

[catherinekarol]

Looking for book recs!

I enjoy:

- YA

- New adult

- Fantasy

- Murder mystery/crime

- Historical fiction

- Fiction that covers difficult topics.

I'm not a massive fan of feel good books or romance. I prefer the more morbid books and harder hitting topics or fantastical worlds.

Please not ACOTAR - I have the full series and may have a controversial opinion towards them (review may be inbound regarding that at some point).

Anything else is welcome!