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ashrosereads_'s reviews
5 reviews
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read many sapphic romance books but I really enjoyed this one. I loved the dark academia setting with a touch of fantasy. I honestly only read a few sentences of the synopsis and was like, “yup” right away.
Gibson has such a prose-like voice that is simple yet so perfectly ample at the same time.
I really really wished it was longer. I could have certainly lived in this story for even 200 pages more, but I’m always feeling that way when I enjoy the writing.
It explores some pretty dark themes, one which I will personally pen as “grooming” and uneven power dynamics as supplied by Gibson’s content warnings before the book begins. (Which is much appreciated).
Read it! It’s fast and suspenseful and lyrical - then keep it on your shelf always when you need a quick moody sapphic fantasy read.
Gibson has such a prose-like voice that is simple yet so perfectly ample at the same time.
I really really wished it was longer. I could have certainly lived in this story for even 200 pages more, but I’m always feeling that way when I enjoy the writing.
It explores some pretty dark themes, one which I will personally pen as “grooming” and uneven power dynamics as supplied by Gibson’s content warnings before the book begins. (Which is much appreciated).
Read it! It’s fast and suspenseful and lyrical - then keep it on your shelf always when you need a quick moody sapphic fantasy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Blood
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
COM has serious “second book syndrome”… It’s quite slow and picks up only in the last 100 pages. It is very informative, however, and alludes to what is happening and/or what might happen in the world quite often. It’s got important moments and lore but nothing outstanding. Her writing at this point is still developing but you can see the talent there.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I finally got the box set of this series and started my new year off with it. Having read ACOTAR and hearing mixed reviews about TOG I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve actually never read the synopsis of the book or know much about the story at all so I was going in blind.
But oh boy, I was not prepared for this debut novel. While Sarah’s writing in this one is that of the beginning of her career, you can see the talent and style developing before your eyes. This was a huge part of the reading experience for me as I love to evaluate the writing. As I said before, coming from ACOTAR it was such a unique reading experience.
I absolutely loved the story and the characters - Celeana is tough and wild but so cunning - probably one of my favorite characters by her. I loved how we really just jump into the world and follow her along this journey in blood, intrigue and friendships.
I 100% recommend this book. Do not expect spice - expect world building and strong fantasy elements.
But oh boy, I was not prepared for this debut novel. While Sarah’s writing in this one is that of the beginning of her career, you can see the talent and style developing before your eyes. This was a huge part of the reading experience for me as I love to evaluate the writing. As I said before, coming from ACOTAR it was such a unique reading experience.
I absolutely loved the story and the characters - Celeana is tough and wild but so cunning - probably one of my favorite characters by her. I loved how we really just jump into the world and follow her along this journey in blood, intrigue and friendships.
I 100% recommend this book. Do not expect spice - expect world building and strong fantasy elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
'This was a rollercoaster to say the least. I honestly didn’t even know what this book was; thought the cover was cute and thought it was a rom-com… I was very surprised to be only a few pages in to find it was not a wholesome Christmas romance - well not at first.
HJEE is a raunch-com with a really wholesome subplot - which starts after the very sexually graphic first half of the book. I laughed and I definitely cried at the end of this book… It’s definitely a good read especially if these kind of books are your favorite but it’s totally full of tropes. Alas.
HJEE is a raunch-com with a really wholesome subplot - which starts after the very sexually graphic first half of the book. I laughed and I definitely cried at the end of this book… It’s definitely a good read especially if these kind of books are your favorite but it’s totally full of tropes. Alas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“Woman, Eating” is one of those novels that lives in a very dark corner of my literary world. This book feels like it exists in the same world as “American Psycho” with its dark themes and existential focus. Lydia struggles with, what I’ve interpreted to be, mental and emotional abuse strongly centered around the concept of being and whether or not she deserves to live at all and what that means to her. It’s a heavy read but can feel slow and redundant but if you yourself are contemplative and enjoy complex perspectives on the themes mentioned above then I recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
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