blissofalife's reviews
65 reviews
Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion: 10th Doctor Novelisation by Jenny T. Colgan
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I only wish it was longer! My first Doctor Who book, I loved listening to Camille Coduri’s voice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin
adventurous
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 the first place, the cover art is GORGEOUS so I had to read it. Iris was the perfect character, we obviously know that everything is kind of her fault but you can relate to her and are conflicted with her. Should she be punished? Does she deserve forgiveness? Would I forgive her if I was in the situation? A good amount of banter, my only complaint is I did love the mother-daughter relationship, their interactions were some of my favorite parts. If ever there were a sequel, I would respectfully as for more of that and more of Sara (Sarah? Unsure, I had the audiobook).
Spoiler
I didn't love how quickly (or at least it felt quick?) Iris and Pike go from dislike (or literal terror on Iris' part) to romantic interest. It didn't feel like Pike's character pre-trip and during trip were the same. It felt like two totally unrelated people. Maybe it was supposed to, but I wasn't a huge fan. I LOVED her grandmother's ritual, I wish we had gotten to see more! My heart broke for Iris when it was taken away from her. Fire wishing does not fill the same hole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Child death, and Medical content
Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Probably my least favorite of the series. It felt like there were 3 plots, one right after the other, and none of them were fully fleshed out. It felt like the book either needed to be 200 pages longer or one of the plots cut entirely. A disappointing end.
Spoiler
The 'love' interest fell super flat, and when Alana is distressed that it's not going to work out between them we're supposed to feel for her? He was awful as a lover! Like, he was fine as a friend but even that was a stretch. Several characters died at the end, and we weren't ever given a chance to mourn them or to see Alana grieving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, War, Death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, and Toxic relationship
The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Really fun premise! Loved the diversity in the characters, kind of wish we had dug a little deeper there. It kind of felt like Kit was out for herself and as a bonus she also was able to enact some change but despite having her outright state that she was doing it for everybody...her actions didn't show that. The first half of the book was good, then it slowed waaaay down and nothing really happened until the last few chapters. Definitely more of a deuce ex machina than the characters finding a solution. I'm not totally opposed to that but the ending did feel kind of lazy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Drug use, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall I liked it. It was witty and though I'm not a true crime fan myself (much too anxious) I enjoyed the references sprinkled throughout. I do wish it leaned a little heavier into Phoebe believing Sam could be a serial killer in the beginning, I think I expected this to be horror/thriller-turned-rom/com but it was really just rom/com. A quick listen, didn't love the narrator but they did a good job. Not one I would recommend, but also not one I WOULDN'T recommend. You know?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Cursing
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Medical content
Lots of references to serial killers, but very few (if any) mentions of how they killed.
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A delightful listen! I loved that it was recorded by a full cast, it felt almost like I was listening to a radio show. Well written, just a fun time! Will definitely 'read' the rest of the series. Princess Cimerone fits the "not like other girls" trope to a T but this is pretty much the only time I've ever enjoyed that in a character! Instead of it being used to disparage other princesses, it's just a matter of fact. It doesn't make her better or worse, just different. Which I liked.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Sexism, and Death
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This one was definitely missing the light-hearted back-and-forty that I loved soo much in the first two books. Darker tone and some darker parts than previously seen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Slavery
Moderate: Kidnapping and Child abuse
East by Edith Pattou
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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? No
4.0
Just as enjoyable to read in my mid twenties as it was in high school
Venetia by Georgette Heyer
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A witty delight
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I appreciate the authors attention to detail, events aren’t just happening, they’re unfolding in front of our eyes as the characters observe their world. Our knowledge grows right along with theirs, we aren’t expected to just believe the characters can do or know something. We’re shown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Cursing and Slavery