fernfuentes's reviews
351 reviews

Strega by Johanne Lykke Holm

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Strega is a beautifully written debut, with a fantastic translation by Saskia Vogel. Almost nothing happens throughout this entire novel. To call it a slow burn is an understatement, but the writing is so beautiful you can’t help but to get lost in this wonderfully crafted dark world of Strega and the Olympic Hotel. The theme of the expected violence against women throughout the book really hit home with what’s going on in the United States today. This was a short read, but one packed with so much imagery.

Does This World Want Me to Have Problems? by Douglas Piccinnini

hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

This was a great collection of new and old poems from Douglas, and as always, he just scratches a certain itch with his words. Vanilla was probably my favorite in this collection, which is unusual for me since I’m usually more partial to his longer poems.

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The cover is beautiful, the writing is beautiful, the story is beautiful. This is easily the best novel I’ve read this year. I could see this being an A24 original movie and I’m kind of surprised they haven’t jumped on it already. I immediately want to see what else Kelly has written. Absolutely wonderful book, and so haunting.

The Stoned Family Robinson by Joselin Linder, Johann David Wyss

slow-paced

0.25

This is, without a doubt, one of the worst books to ever be written. So bad I really don’t want to waste more time on it than I already have by writing a long review. Horrible writing, weirdly religious, heavily homophobic??? Anyways, I found this in the “little free library” on my block and thought maybe I’d like it given my career in cannabis. I threw this in the trash after I read it. It’s one of those books that fills you with sadness at the thought of paper being wasted to print this nonsense.

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional funny fast-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

[Slight Spoilers]

I can’t believe I’ve done it! The journey I began on January 1st, 2024 is now completed. Even though I’d read ACOTAR a few years ago, I set out at the beginning of this year to read it again, followed by ToG and now CC. I can say with confidence that the Crescent City trilogy was definitely my favorite. In fact, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m not sure how ACOTAR is the most famous of her series’ as it’s easily my least favorite (I love ACOTAR, not bad mouthing it, it’s just at the bottom for me).

HOFAS was in my opinion, a fantastic end to this trilogy. It was all the things I loved about all of SJM’s series’ packed into one book. I can’t think of one single character who I thought was badly written. Pollux was such a good villain it’s hard to even consider him a B villain. I’d say he’s just as evil as Rigelus. Just beautifully done. My only complaint with this book is that the spice scenes seem soooo forced. Remember that one scene in the ACOTAR series where Feyre and Rhys did the deed in a camp surrounded by dying people? I feel like SJM tripled down and threw scenes like that all over the place, to the point where I found myself skimming over those parts because it was a bit cringe.

But on that topic, holy crossover, Batman!! Seriously, SJM was able to turn me into a full on Nesta fan with a couple of chapters here better than she ever did in a whole ass Nesta book! That final exchange between Nesta and Ember? Absolutely heartbreaking. I NEEEEEEED the chapters showing what happened while Bryce’s parents were in that world.

I’m really happy I read all these books back to back. Did it take me 11 months? Yes. Was it worth it? That depends. I thought so. I feel like these books are family at this point and I can’t wait for the next one, whatever it may be 🖤

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The whole way through this book I loved it but thought it was just slightly less amazing than Book 1, but then I read that last chapter and I wish I could give it 10 stars 😭

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad fast-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

NOW 👏🏻WE’RE👏🏻TALKING👏🏻

It took 13 SJM books but it seems she finally got down the formula. This book was PHENOMENAL!! Her best one yet. I swallowed this book whole! The characters were fantastic, I loved the plot, and honestly did not see the twists coming. I feel like all the things I hated from ACOTAR and ToG are gone, and she just wrote a near perfect book. I honestly didn’t expect to love this so much. I bash SJM for not sticking to her choices and always back tracking but she really stuck to her guns here. There are ACTUAL consequences to actions in this one. Didn’t see that coming at all. My faith in her is fully restored, and I can’t believe ACOTAR is more popular than CC. Immediately diving into the next one 🫡

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

I really liked this story. The journey from Throne of Glass all the way to the end of Kingdom of Ash was indeed an epic tale, and often I forget that they’re even in the same series. The character growth was fantastic, and SJM has a special skill for making sure EVERYONE’S story is wrapped up. I really don’t think she forgot anyone. Throughout the series I was really frustrated with Sarah constantly giving us a character death, only to take it back a few minutes later and saving their life deus ex machina style. Then we got to KoA where death happens and I realized she’s just not good at writing death scenes. Gavriel was so important and his death was so side of stage and paid him no real respect. And don’t get me started on Asterin and the 13. Something about the way she described it just felt a bit dry? But what I think I hated more than that, was Sarah’s obsession with writing phrases and repeating them in 3s. She needs to find a new way to convey emotion because “she climbed, and climbed, and climbed, makes me feel like I’m reading a Dr. Seuss book. She’s a great story teller, but not a great writer, if that makes sense. It’s enough to keep me reading, and when new books come out I’ll read those, too, but I don’t see myself going back and re-reading her books again, sadly.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

I did the tandem read, so I’m just going to review Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn as one. Pretty much everyone I spoke to agrees that tandem is the only way to do it with these books, and I can see why. The back and forth was a hassle, especially given that I read hardcovers, but it was worth it in the end. Although I mostly see it as a single entity, if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Tower of Dawn. I absolutely love the relationship between Chaol and Yrene, and I think Chaol is just such a redeemable character. But I will say Manon’s transformation since she was first introduced has also been awesome to see.

Empire had such a tragic ending, and all I can say is finally!!! No spoilers, but It was nice to see SJM write something tragic, and not backpedal on it 5 minutes later.

But then again, she did exactly that for the ending of Tower, but I find it more acceptable because there’s still a lot to lose with that choice.

Overall, it’s crazy to think how this story has evolved since the first book. It truly is an epic story with so many parts. I can’t wait to see how it wraps up in the gargantuan Kingdom of Ash!

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

I did the tandem read, so I’m just going to review Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn as one. Pretty much everyone I spoke to agrees that tandem is the only way to do it with these books, and I can see why. The back and forth was a hassle, especially given that I read hardcovers, but it was worth it in the end. Although I mostly see it as a single entity, if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Tower of Dawn. I absolutely love the relationship between Chaol and Yrene, and I think Chaol is just such a redeemable character. But I will say Manon’s transformation since she was first introduced has also been awesome to see.

Empire had such a tragic ending, and all I can say is finally!!! No spoilers, but It was nice to see SJM write something tragic, and not backpedal on it 5 minutes later.

But then again, she did exactly that for the ending of Tower, but I find it more acceptable because there’s still a lot to lose with that choice.

Overall, it’s crazy to think how this story has evolved since the first book. It truly is an epic story with so many parts. I can’t wait to see how it wraps up in the gargantuan Kingdom of Ash!