The Book Grind
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • By Title
    • By Author
    • By Year Read
    • By Series
    • Advanced Reader Copy Reviews
    • Archive (sortable)
  • Blog
  • Book Store
  • Contact Me
    • Review Policy

Format: Hardcover

  • Book ReviewsContemporary FictionSupernatural

    Matt Haig: The Radleys

    by Jefferz August 17, 2023
    August 17, 2023

    Note: The following original review for this book is old and does not meet current review standards. A fully rewritten review is planned. On paper this book wasn’t going to be my cup of tea as I am generally uninterested and detached from stories focusing on familial drama. While I struggled to stay invested for majority of the first 2/3 of the book, my patience was rewarded by the last 70 or so pages that surprisingly connect all the loose threads in such an explosive and exciting manner (rewarding endings seem to be a trend for me and Matt Haig novels). I was almost taken aback at how much action happens in such a short number of pages vs the rest of the novel that spent so much time setting the characters and pieces into place. As other reviews that covered, the vampire elements and lore take a back seat to the drama and relationships between the Radley family members and suspicious neighbors in the quiet village of Bisthopthorpe, though they do have key moments that are integral to the plot. Would’ve rated the first 2/3 of the book 2 stars and the last 1/3 4 stars so we’ll go with…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Book ReviewsCrimeKorean LiteratureThriller

    Kim Un-Su: The Plotters

    by Jefferz August 11, 2023
    August 11, 2023

    Note: The following original review for this book is old and does not meet current review standards. A fully rewritten review is planned. For a book titled the Plotters, I found the plot of this one ironically to be one of the weakest aspects of the novel that left me disappointed. I love the character dialogue and the protagonist Reseng is quite the relatable anti-hero who was cast into and doesn’t know what life is like outside the dark world of assassins. This is very much a book where the journey is deemed more important than the destination as The Plotters sets up a fascinating scene and takes a good stab at the world of political corruption, underhanded deals, and what money can buy (pun intended). Reseng gets tangled up with a plot to overthrow the status quo of the hitman industry but the book never resolves the plotlines it sets up. He goes through a period of self-reflection and discovery as things go from bad to worse and ends with a moment of grandeur for Reseng similar to the climax of a movie where an epilogue would normally kick in showing the aftermath of the events. Except there isn’t one…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Book ReviewsJapanese Literature

    Haruki Murakami: 1Q84

    by Jefferz July 22, 2023
    July 22, 2023

    Note: My original review for this book is old and does not meet current review standards. A fully rewritten review is planned.

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Book ReviewsJapanese LiteratureMagical RealismOut of Date Review

    Before the Coffee Gets Cold

    by Jefferz May 30, 2023
    May 30, 2023

    Note: My original review for this book is old and does not meet current review standards. A fully rewritten review is planned.

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts

☕ About Me

Reader & Coffee Connoisseur

Reader & Coffee Connoisseur


I am a reading enthusiast and book reviewer who enjoys reading with a warm latte in-hand, breaking down what I read in detail. Although my favorite genres are sci-fi, high/epic fantasy, mystery noir, and a sprinkle of contemporary romance, I consider myself a variety reader.


With a coffee (or favorite beverage) of choice, join me on The Book Grind as we read and sip our way through some great novels.

Professional Reader80%Featured Book ReviewerFeatured Book Reviewer

☕ Currently Reading

Felix Mosse: The Mistral ReviewMackenzie Reed: I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell Review

☕ Recent Reviews

  • Julian Winters: Find My Way Down to You Review

    May 31, 2026
  • Mark Lawrence: Daughter of Crows Review

    May 27, 2026
  • Ken Liu: All That We See Or Seem Review

    May 24, 2026
  • John Wiswell: The Dragon Has Some Complaints Review

    May 21, 2026
  • Heather Fawcett: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter Review

    May 13, 2026
  • J.P. Lacrampe: Valet Review

    May 10, 2026
  • Cat Sebastian: Star Shipped Review

    May 2, 2026
  • Shen Tao: The Poet Empress Review

    May 1, 2026
  • Rosie Danan: Fan Service Review

    April 24, 2026
  • Kylie Lee Baker: Japanese Gothic Review

    April 18, 2026
  • Cameron Sullivan: The Red Winter Review

    April 11, 2026
  • Nisha J. Tuli: Storm Breaker Review

    April 5, 2026
  • Katalina Watt: Saltswept Review

    March 29, 2026
  • Sarah Mughal Rana: Dawn of the Firebird Review

    March 26, 2026
  • Timothy Janovsky: The Invisible Roommate Review

    March 18, 2026
  • Chloe Gong: Coldwire Review

    March 15, 2026

☕ Recent Blog Posts

  • Kindle Unlimited, Is It Worth? – 3 Month Trial Review

    August 7, 2025
  • 2024 Most Disappointing Reads

    February 24, 2025
  • Kindle Unlimited Reading Marathon Picks

    February 9, 2025
  • 2024 Most Pleasantly Surprising Reads

    January 31, 2025
  • 2024 Reading Wrap Up’s

    January 9, 2025
  • 2023 Most Disappointing Reads

    January 29, 2024
  • Goodreads
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email
Footer Logo

@2025 - All Right Reserved.


Back To Top
The Book Grind
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • By Title
    • By Author
    • By Year Read
    • By Series
    • Advanced Reader Copy Reviews
    • Archive (sortable)
  • Blog
  • Book Store
  • Contact Me
    • Review Policy