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cosmicrusalka's reviews
617 reviews
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker
3.0
Just okay for me. The characters and the story were good, but the world building was severely lacking for me and that is the most important thing in a book for me. Seafire wasn't bad, just not for me.
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
4.0
Overall: ★★★★☆ - Good
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but because of the use of sex bots multiple times, it lost a star.
Themes: Post apocalyptic, no humans, robots/synths, survival, action, wastelands, lost history, mentally losing it, PTSD, war, death
Feelings: Excited, full of wonder, curious, disgust, sadness, worry, intrigue, interest
Were you sparked? Yes. Would make such a good TTRPG.
Things you liked?
Robot named Merca (American soldier - I don't know if it's a play on 'merica, but it made me giggle all the same). Binary code chapters. Brittle is a badass. Loved the imagery. Fantastic world and world building. Very interesting characters. Fun story.
Things you didn't like?
The sex bots and sex shop. I understand it was primarily used for humor, but I didn't find it funny, it was just disgusting to me.
Format: Audiobook - Libby
Recommend by: a list of "Horizon vibe books"
Reading with: no one
Triggers: sex bots are talked about. One is said to be a "sponge" for the neckbeard she belongs to, but there is no detail on acts. They go into an abandoned sex shop. Naked sex bots are used for war. "naked breasts and dongs flying everywhere"
Although there was absolutely no sexual content, I still didn't like this bit, just made me uncomfortable. Thankfully it's a small part of the story and not a main focus.
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but because of the use of sex bots multiple times, it lost a star.
Themes: Post apocalyptic, no humans, robots/synths, survival, action, wastelands, lost history, mentally losing it, PTSD, war, death
Feelings: Excited, full of wonder, curious, disgust, sadness, worry, intrigue, interest
Were you sparked? Yes. Would make such a good TTRPG.
Things you liked?
Robot named Merca (American soldier - I don't know if it's a play on 'merica, but it made me giggle all the same). Binary code chapters. Brittle is a badass. Loved the imagery. Fantastic world and world building. Very interesting characters. Fun story.
Things you didn't like?
The sex bots and sex shop. I understand it was primarily used for humor, but I didn't find it funny, it was just disgusting to me.
Format: Audiobook - Libby
Recommend by: a list of "Horizon vibe books"
Reading with: no one
Triggers: sex bots are talked about. One is said to be a "sponge" for the neckbeard she belongs to, but there is no detail on acts. They go into an abandoned sex shop. Naked sex bots are used for war. "naked breasts and dongs flying everywhere"
Although there was absolutely no sexual content, I still didn't like this bit, just made me uncomfortable. Thankfully it's a small part of the story and not a main focus.
The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
2.0
It fell flat for me. I feel like it started off with so much potential but ended boring and dull. The whole "magic" side of the story seem to just be a background side note, felt entirely pointless.
It also contains a romantic interest that was not tagged at all, so that was upsetting.
It also contains a romantic interest that was not tagged at all, so that was upsetting.
Gossip and Gorgons by Tilly Wallace
5.0
Just as enjoyable as the first 2. I absolutely adore the characters and the story itself is so cozy to me, not to deep or complex, but with enough interest and uniqueness to make it riveting in its own way and a very delightful and easy read.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
2.0
Honestly just not for me. I would have liked it a thousand times more without the romance side plot. It just didn't feel genuine or organic and felt forced and kind of out of place for me.
Stormrise by Jillian Boehme
4.0
Mulan meets Raya. For me, that made this a very cozy easy read for being familiar, bit different enough that I needed to know how it ended.
Writing: ★★★★☆ - solid
Narration: ★★★★☆ - good
Characters: ★★★★☆ - familiar and relatable
Story: ★★★★☆ - nothing super unique, but cozy and enjoyable
Writing: ★★★★☆ - solid
Narration: ★★★★☆ - good
Characters: ★★★★☆ - familiar and relatable
Story: ★★★★☆ - nothing super unique, but cozy and enjoyable
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Absolutely tragic and sad in the most beautiful way. I cried so much, my heart broke for literally every single character. In my opinion, there are no villains in this story, just a bunch of people who are trying to deal with their own broken hearts. I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait for thr next.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Definitely my least favorite of the Narnia books thus far, and as usual, the movie was better.