bybookandbone's reviews
386 reviews

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

 Ah! I have so many feelings!

For one, I'm finally invested in Akiva as a character though this is mainly because of his brother and sister (particularly his sister Liraz). I have absolutely zero interest in his and Karou's possible reconciliation. Lovers to enemies is absolutely perfect for this story. He facilitated and took part in the genocide of her people. There's no coming back from that! Best he can do is die to redeem himself in book three.
I much prefer Ziri and Karou's possible relationship if I'm honest, particularly with the ending of the book. It's just so much more pure and the barriers more interesting to see worked through.

Karou herself is even better in book two. I was worried that she would be gone and Madrigal would return (I liked her much less). Laini Taylor handled this past-life memories situation very well.

I think this series gets a rough time and I'm not 100% sure why. 

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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

4.5

Pike by Anthony McGowan

dark 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

2.0

Not nearly as well written as the first

The Afterlife of the Party by Marlene Perez

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

Terrible. Don't waste your time or money

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0

Pony by R.J. Palacio

adventurous dark funny mysterious slow-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? No

3.0

My Mother's Eyes: A Short Story by Jeremy Ray

challenging emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Brock by Anthony McGowan

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0