athenezadam's reviews
159 reviews

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Heir takes place several years after the events of An Ember in the Ashes series. An orphan from the slums fights for her people, a tracker must magically hunt a murderer, and a crown prince must fight against a new threat that emerges against the empire. The fantasy world is nicely laid out. The story is intricate though slow at times. The characters aren't as intriguing as those in the original series, who play minor roles here, but it's exciting when the various characters cross paths. 

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

adventurous emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

In A Fire Endless, with Jack and Adaira separated and the island's east and west falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike must join forces to fight the North Wind, who seeks dominion over all. This fairy tale world is atmospheric, particularly the elemental spirits, and all of the characters are loveable. The plot is tense at several points and story aspects are seamlessly interwoven. This sequel is a lovely fantasy read.

The City Below the Cloud by T.S. Galindo

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

The City Below the Cloud is about a cleaner in a fungi covered city who discovers the secret above the city. This novella has an interesting premise and the dark fungal setting is aptly described. The characters' inner thoughts insightfully describe the sisters' relationship. The story is a bit rushed but this is a nice, quick dystopian read.

This book was discovered on myindiebookshelf.com.

Warm Up by V.E. Schwab

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Warm Up is about a man who, after months of seclusion trying to manage a new supernatural power, ventures out of his house and meets a new threat. This short story reads more like a deleted scene. The reader learns quite a bit about the main character in just a few pages, and the reveal at the end is expected but a nice touch.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In Vicious, two brilliant college roommates researching supernatural powers conduct experiments when things go horribly wrong. The premise of this book is not unique but this is dealt with head-on. The story is executed well, with arrogant characters who are motivated by jealousy and revenge. The characters are interwoven with each other, and the manner in which powers are gained is well thought out. The constant time shifts, however, are jarring even with the book's short chapters.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In Vampires of El Norte, believing his childhood love to be killed by a monster, a boy runs from his grief only to reconcile with her nine years later on the road to war. Both points of view are a joy to read, especially the male protagonist's, and their perspectives provide insightful explanations for their behaviour. The vampires are uniquely utilized in the story. This is truly a riveting historical fantasy romance.  

The Bound Worlds by Megan E. O'Keefe

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

In The Bound Worlds, assassins ambush Naira and Tarquin's new planetary settlement while Tarquin uncovers a plot to bring about the end of the universe. This story is emotionally turbulent, and the characters are exceptionally written. In fact, there are several moments where the reader is left to wonder how the characters are going to recover from the events. This is a gripping read in a phenomenal science fiction series. 

The Fractured Dark by Megan E. O'Keefe

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

In The Fractured Dark, a rebel and her scientist companion hunt out his family secrets, where the head of his family has disappeared and taken the universe's remaining fuel with him. All the characters are distinct, but the main characters carry this novel. They are well drawn out and endearing, and they have a mature relationship. Most plot turns are unexpected. The plot and several details have nice connections to the first book in the series, making for cohesive storytelling.

In the Name of the Flame by Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook

adventurous emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

In In the Name of the Flame, seeking assistance in a losing war, an estranged prince crosses a literal world Divide, where he learns about their shared history, the deity of fire, and a shared threat between worlds. It takes a bit to learn what overall direction this story will take. The world building is fulsome, and the animals and their bonds are endearing. The protagonist shines as the strongest element of the book, a prince and ship captain with clear morals, a complex backstory, and an excellent development arc. The story has a good resolution. This is a wonderful fantasy read.

This review was written voluntarily, after receiving an Advance Reader Copy.

Thrum by Meg Smitherman

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

Thrum is about a woman who wakes to discover she is the only survivor of her space crew, who sends a distress beacon and boards an alien spaceship where she questions her reality. The story is creepy, and the author expertly conveys the main character's increasingly erratic state. The prose is clear and captivating, with good horror visual imagery. While the novella is mostly a psychological tale, little actually happens, and by the end there are some glaring unanswered questions. Overall, the story is an atmospheric horror read.