0sc4rsbooksh3lf's reviews
73 reviews

A Vow of Shadows by Elle Backenstoe

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 This book was a great surprise in so many ways, I was stunned by this book. First of all for the originality of the plot: the idea of ​​a ferryman between life and death is not a concept that we often read about (although very classic) but above all, Death as Elle wrote it is not something that we read every day. As I read it was more and more of a surprise, and when Death was introduced I went literally crazy. I didn't really expect this twist, I didn't expect The Ferrier's character and I was truly enthralled throughout the entire book. I sincerely would have preferred it to be a little longer, for both the fantasy and romance plots to have perhaps had a little more space, despite this the book is not rushed but well structured in all its parts. 

Our main character, Katrin, has lived with the shadow of Death upon her skin for years. Katrin seeks out the one who might save her, the Ferrier: a mysterious reaper who agrees to keep her safe for one year. If there's one thing that Elle knows how to do very well, it's creating atmosphere and mood. Whether through dialogue, descriptions or the events themselves, the gothic mood is a certainty. We spend most of the time in Katrin’s mind, living the events with her directly and obviously you’ll end up loving her. The situation is slightly different with the Ferrier: we often also read his pov, which however rarely, especially at the beginning, is dedicated to him but is often directed towards Katrin. I would have liked to know him better, but I understand that this narrative choice was made to maintain an aura of mystery around his character (100% successful).

The Knight of the Trove by Holly Rose

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.75

This book was truly amazing. The first book in the Knights of Mellora Series, a new YA high fantasy series with a damsel in distress, dragons, magical artifacts, adventures and swords. This book made me laugh, have fun, cry, scream and move. I loved the world-building right away: from Ady's trove, to Estria, we discovered the fantastic world of Mellora. In several moments I would certainly have preferred that the settings were a little more described and investigated, but I hope that this will happen in the next books of the series. 
As for the characters, the author has not missed. I loved every single character. The villains were on point, I would have liked to see them in more scenes, in particular I would have liked the last scene (the battle scene) to be longer just to give more space to these characters, especially Seviiranth. For our main characters, I completely and totally fell in love with Kas, a monk, a fighter, our perfect cinnamon roll bookboyfriend, I loved him from the first page to the last. He really changed the standards when it comes to bookboyfriends (especially after the necklace scene). Nesrin, our damsel in distress, our perfect damsel who doesn't need a knight to save her because she can save herself. She's definitely a worthy protagoni
st, strong and combative, I loved every nuance of her. Nesrin is definitely one of the toughest protagonists I've ever read about, who never needed a man, until Kas came along. For the romance plot, let's say that I was lost right from the start: slow-burn and forbidden romance are among my favorite tropes so I already knew I would go crazy for the romance plot. Indeed I was not wrong, Nesrin and Kas' relationship was beautifully written and well-constructed. I can't wait to see how this wonderful story will evolve in the next books. 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2.25

I’ve finally read this book. Even before I started reading I had in mind which elements I would despise and which I would appreciate, and in the end I had predicted correctly. I didn’t like this book. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good. I did enjoy it while reading it but now, after finishing it, I can’t remember a single thing I liked about this book. I need to really focus to remember what I liked. Warner. That’s what I liked. Of all the characters we meet in this first book, he is the only one with a multifaceted personality and who is actually interesting. But as I read I always waited for his scenes because he was a breath of fresh air.

Now I want to talk about the writing style: simple and quick to read but I found the continuous lines on the sentences unbearable. In the first few chapters it was okay, it was original and all, but page after page it was getting on my nerves. I read reviews that said you need to get used to the writing style. I'm not used to it. Let's get with the plot. From the way the book is presented we know that it's a dystopian with some romance. As I said, I've been hearing about this book for years and I knew that the romance element was still a very important part of the book. BUT I didn't think that the dystopian one was so small. Of the whole book, the real dystopian plot will take place in the first 30% of the book, the rest we only see Adam and Juliette's love story evolve (and a bit of Warner but we'll talk more about that later). Right now, if I were to talk about the dystopian plot, I would be in difficulty: full of plot holes, poorly explained and described, uncertain in several moments. My hope is that everything will be clarified in the next books, which I will certainly read at least the second and third, having already bought them. One thing I absolutely have to talk about is the ending: Juliette, in her pretty dress enjoying her life with Adam, as if everything that happened in the book hadn't happened.What is this ending? What does this mean to me? What does it mean? Why would I want to read the second book after an ending like that? I still haven't found the answer. 

 

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

3.25

This book is a powerful feminist piece (I loved all the suffragettes references), with a powerful story and characters. Our protagonists, the Eastwood sisters Juniper, Agnes and Beatrice, are among the most interesting characters I've ever read about. Despite this, I think that their potential has not been exploited to the fullest. Throughout the novel we are introduced to these fantastic sisters, each with her own very well structured and defined personality and story, despite this they remain distant characters, with whom I struggle to empathize and feel close. I have to say, a month after I finished reading it, the secondary characters have not left any impression on me at all. The strong element of this book, and what actually made it impossible for me to detach myself from the pages, is the magic. Harrow described a very folkloristic type of magic, extremely unique.
Harrow’s style is extremely evocative and lyrical and simply beautiful, at many moments it seemed like I was reading a fairy tale, full of folkloristic references. Still, it seems very out of this world, I never got fully involved in the story.

Game of Gods by Hazel Riley

3.75

Inaspettatamente questo libro mi è piaciuto, e tanto. Però dei problemini ci sono.  

Una cosa positiva che ho notato da subito e che per fortuna si è protratta per tutto il libro è come l’autrice descrive le atmosfere e riesce a trasmetterle, soprattutto nei momenti in cui Hades è presente: un personaggio ben costruito, tenebroso, che riesce a trasmettere un certo tipo di vibes, soprattutto nella prima metà del libro. Da più o meno il 45% in poi ho notato un cambiamento nel personaggio di Hades, come se si fosse addolcito in qualche modo. Rimane un alone di tenebra attorno al suo personaggio ma in un qualche modo perde quel qualcosa che quasi metteva in soggezione non solo Haven ma anche il lettore.

Parliamo ora di Haven: un punto a favore perchè non è la solita protagonista svampita che ha bisogno di essere salvata in ogni situazione e non riesce nemmeno ad allacciarsi le scarpe da sola; un punto però a sfavore perchè è insopportabile, in più momenti ho percepito la sua personalità e combattività nei giochi molto forzata, molti suoi atteggiamenti erano semplicemente “troppo”.  

Un’altro punto forte di questo libro è la tensione tra i due protagonisti, Hades e Haven, che ho percepito in ogni pagina di questo libro, con scene che mai sono risultate scontate o fastidiose. Anche il “triangolo” con Apollo non mi è dispiaciuto nonostante tutto (ci tengo a specificare che il love triangle tropes è uno dei tropes che più mi infastidiscono e che di norma evito come la peste).

Il punto più forte del libro sono i fratelli Lively, in più momenti grazie a loro non sono riuscita a staccarmi dalle pagine. Le loro scene erano le migliori in assoluto. Ognuno di loro ha una personalità ben costruita e in un qualche modo unica, Hermes è diventato da subito il mio personaggio preferito (il suo libro è quello che più aspetto di leggere) così come Aphrodite, sebbene in questo primo volume la vediamo molto meno.

Powerless by Elsie Silver

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A

3.25

in "Heartless" we were already introduced to the main characters of this book and I was very curious to read Jasper and Sloane's story. and this book was actually a good read (certainly better than flawless) but from the premises I expected something more. one thing to say is that this is definitely the spiciest book in the series (I only have to read the last book) and was well written. Sloane didn't really appeal to me and at severeal points she annoyed me. anyway it was an enjoyable read, finished in two reading sessions. recommended.

Heartless by Elsie Silver

3.25

Definitely better than flawless. Unfortunately, Elsie Silver has a writing style that I cannot fully  appreciate. I appreciated both Cade and Willa and their relationship. I also enjoyed the other secondary characters and of course Luke. Unfortunately, I found certain scenes that were supposed to be "funny" to be cringe-worthy and they really slowed down the pace of the book. Will I read the 3rd book? Yes, from what little we got to know about Jasper and Sloane in this book, I was very intrigued.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

3.0

This second book is undoubtedly better than the previous one, we have a more complex plot, the characters grow and become more detailed and complex and we also meet new characters. The political system and the world building are further explored. We have a lot of good elements here, but still I found this book quite boring. I cannot stand Mal, throughout the book he maintains a changeable and mean attitude, often and willingly he fails to support Alina, which is going trough a bad time, and more than once Mal's character got on my nerves. On the other hand, Alina becomes more dynamic, more self-confident and aware of both her situation and the context in which she's forced to live in. She struggles to find her place in this world, where she wants to help the people but also wants a quiete life with Mal. Luckily we have also a good new entry, Nikolai, which at many times was the only reason that pushed me to continue reading.

And then we have the Darkling, one of the characters I liked more in the previous book. In this book we see him much less, he returns especially towards the second half of the book: his absence is felt but luckily Nikolai is there to save the situation. One thing that bothered me was the constant physical description of the Darkling in particular how "hot" he is, which was pointed out a few too many times. Anyway, it took me three months to read this book, definitely too long: I'm reading the third one because I'm extremely curious to read Six of Crows and see the development of Nikolai's character.

False Confidence by Sophie Snow

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Here we are, with Sophie Snow's last book. We have Jazz's story now and I've been waiting for this since I finished Legally Binding in February. We already knew our characters from the first book. I had a
lready fallen in love with Jazz in Maggie's story and she confirmed herself as my favorite character in the Sophie Snow universe. I found her an extraordinarily well written character, free spirited and positive, and, most important, a relatable one. In particular, at this moment in my life I find myself sharing many struggles that Jazz faces and seeing her going through all of it, even making mistakes sometimes, comforts me. We saw her grow from chapter to chapter, always supported by Liam and Maggie, and when I read the epilogue I admit I was moved. Liam was perfect for her and her story, always caring, always ready to support Jazz in everything: You can fully feel his deep and true love for Jazz. This book doesn't have a complex storyline. The focus is obviously Jazz's healing process and the search for her true self, along with her relationship with Liam.
Another thing that absolutely works in this book is the spice. Sophie Snow was always been good at writing spicy scenes, but in this one she really outdid herself, she definitely knows what she was doing.

Prima regola: non innamorarsi by Felicia Kingsley

4.25

Questo è a mani basse il romanzo meglio riuscito della Kingsley. Sotto tutti i punti di vista, ma andiamo con ordine. Ero molto scettica prima di iniziare questo romanzo (difatti, è stato nella mia libreria per quasi due annetti prima che effettivamente lo prendessi in mano), in generale non mi è mai capitato di leggere dei romanzi romance aventi come protagonisti due ladri. A lettura conclusa posso dire che è stato il punto forte del libro: i continui colpi di scena, le continue tensioni, l’azione sempre presente e immancabile non mi hanno permesso di staccarmi dalla lettura, ogni pagina più appassionante.
“Voglio che troviate per me il diario segreto di Giacomo Casanova” dice Lord Henry ai nostri protagonisti, Nick e Silvye, quando gli presenta il colpo che dovranno compiere assieme. E’ innegabile l’immenso lavoro di ricerca e costruzione che l’autrice ha fatto per scrivere questo libro, a mio parere sensazionale. I capitoli dedicati non solo all’ effettivo momento del furto, quindi all’azione in sé, ma soprattutto quelli in compagnia del professore M., dove viene spiegata, oltre alla storia di Casanova, le leggende e teorie sul suo conto, sono state estremamente interessanti (specialmente per la sottoscritta che è assolutamente ignorante in materia) ed affascinanti, mi hanno completamente coinvolta.
“Si tende verso di me, come la Psiche di Canova che attende il bacio di amore. Amore e Psiche sono l’alfa e l’omega di ogni favola scritta.”
Nick e Silvye, che dalla mia testa si sono subito figurati come Lupin e Fujiko, hanno una chimica palpabile, ma, del resto, che la Kingsley sapesse scrivere storie d’amore sublimi già si sapeva. Nick, in generale, credo sia uno dei personaggi meglio costruiti dalla Kingsley (se la gioca con Lexi), mi ha lasciato completamente soddisfatta, sempre più incuriosita a conoscerlo un pochino di più. Silvye, che nelle prime pagine non mi aveva totalmente convinto, l’ho invece rivalutata tantissimo nel corso del romanzo: acuta e profonda, leggera e divertente. Alla fine non potevo non amarla. 

Come però tutti ben sappiamo, nulla è o bianco o nero, e sebbene questo libro mia sia molto piaciuto e, come già detto, a mio parere è uno dei migliori dell’autrice, ha anche dei problemi. La trama si svolge in pochi giorni. Veramente tanti, forse troppi, avvenimenti per così pochi giorni, un po’ inverosimile. La valigia perduta di Silvye, un buco di trama mal spiegato ma, mi rendo conto, utile allo svolgimento della storia romance quindi chiudo un occhio. L’ultima parte del libro: mille incomprensioni e mal comunicazioni a mio parere inutili: il libro era già valido così, il dramma finale era evitabile, un extra che non ha dato nulla in più al romanzo. 

Detto ciò: lo consiglio vivamente.