A review by orionmerlin
Cascade Failure by L.M. Sagas

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Characters: 6/10

The characters were serviceable but not particularly memorable. While the main characters had some depth, I felt the secondary characters often blurred together and lacked the distinctiveness necessary to make them stand out. I cared about the central characters to an extent, but they didn’t leave a lasting impression. Describing them to someone else would be possible but not particularly vivid.

Atmosphere/Setting: 7/10

The setting was immersive at times, with a few scenes that stood out as truly vivid and engaging. I could picture the environments and characters reasonably well, but some areas felt underdeveloped or lacked the sensory detail to fully pull me in. While the energy of certain scenes was palpable, others felt flat and didn’t fully convince me.

Writing Style: 6/10

The writing was competent and easy to follow, but it didn’t stand out in any meaningful way. I felt the prose leaned toward being functional rather than artistic, with a straightforward approach that sometimes lacked flair. Dialogue was fine but unremarkable, and while the balance between dialogue and narration worked, I didn’t find myself drawn in by the style. I might read another book by L.M. Sagas, but it wouldn’t be a priority.

Plot: 6.5/10

The plot had moments of intrigue and tension, but overall, it felt uneven. Some sections dragged on and felt tedious, while others moved at a better pace. The twists and reveals were fine but not particularly surprising or satisfying. The overall narrative didn’t feel especially unique or memorable, though it was cohesive enough to keep me engaged in parts.

Intrigue: 7/10

There were moments when I was eager to continue reading, but they were interspersed with stretches where the story struggled to hold my attention. I was curious about certain plot developments and character arcs, but the level of intrigue wasn’t consistent. I found it easy to set the book down at times without feeling a strong pull to pick it back up.

Logic/Relationships: 6/10

The characters’ actions mostly made sense within the context of the story, but a few moments felt contrived or out of place. The worldbuilding was sufficient to establish the setting, though it occasionally felt either too sparse or overly reliant on familiar tropes. I noticed a few plot holes and instances where the logic of the world wasn’t entirely clear, which detracted from the overall experience.

Enjoyment: 6.5/10

While there were parts of the book I enjoyed, my overall experience was mixed. The story had its moments, but they were often overshadowed by a sense of inconsistency. It wasn’t a book I regretted reading, but it also wasn’t one I felt fully satisfied with by the end.