halogirl350's reviews
72 reviews

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I’ve waited 2 years for this book that I just devoured in 2 days and phew…that was a lot. This book is plot heavy. 

I’m kinda sad that I’m just not invested in any of the relationships in this series the way I am in ACOTAR and TOG. Reading those two had me kicking my feet in the air and giggling but for CC I just find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. I mean this is the third book (and it’s a conclusion?? maybe?? idk it feels like it but also some characters’ story lines are left open) but every time Bryce and Hunt were like “that’s my mate 😡” or “I love you 😍🤤” I’m just thinking “but are they??” and “but do you?? really??” Every Lidia and Ruhn scene i’m like…okay…i guess this is happening… Tharion and Sathia were interesting but that was there for 5 seconds. Flynn and Ariadne were just completely abandoned. I thought Ithan and Sigrid were maybe gonna be a thing but then wtf even happened to Sigrid? Like is that her whole story line? Is she gone? Then it hinted at Ithan and Perry but again are there gonna be more books in this series? Baxian is just there since Danika is dead and he has no purpose anymore.

Bryce was a little annoying in this one. All of her decisions were spontaneous, instinctual, and reckless but I’m supposed to believe she could create these devious plans within plans that outwitted an extra-immortal Big Bad who’s been in power for 15,000 years?? Sorry, I’m just not buying it.

 

I’ve come to accept that the final battle in any Sarah J Maas novel is going to be won way too easily with a main character who sacrifices themself but is brought back to life with the power of love. Plus there will never be anyone more important than a peripheral main character killed off. And you know what? I’m fine with thqt. That’s the perfect amount of stakes for my kind of romantasy.

The biggest thing I got out of this book is my anticipation for ACOTAR5. Nesta and Azriel have been set up for whatever is about to go down next and I am ready for it. Let’s get Azriel some love already!!!

I liked the crossover between ACOTAR and CC with the little TOG tie ins. I guess I was expecting Bryce to see a little more of Prythian but so much went on in this book it makes sense that was only a small part. The shifters being the fae from TOG was awesome. Lidia and Aelin are related, right? Also what was the Under King? Valg? It’s been so long since I read TOG but I thought the Valg were the Astari but idk.

Overall thoughts: This was exciting and fast-paced but the relationships and character development suffered due to how much was constantly happening. The logic for a lot of the decisions was shaky at best and all of the villains were defeated just a little too easily. Regardless, I had a good time reading it and it was a satisfying enough conclusion to this arc of CC.

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This is the first NR book I’ve ever read and I have to say I did devour it! The plot drew me in and I just had to keep reading (although ofc I wish I didn’t have to wait a year to read the next one - major cliffhanger warning!!). 

Some things did bother me while I was reading. First, there were multiple times where the dog’s name, Yoda, was misspelled as Yoga. Second, I know Sonya is a graphic designer, which means she is spending most of her day designing, but I felt like there were times the book got caught up in going through her work process. It got a little repetitive and boring. 

Lastly, everybody was just a little too perfect (except the ex fiancé I guess). Sonya is perfect, Cleo is perfect, Trey is perfect, and so on. It’s nice if you’re looking for that kind of read but it wasn’t as compelling as it could have been. 

Girls of Brackenhill by Kate Moretti

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.5

I think the reason I don’t read more thrillers is that a large chunk of the plot relies on the characters refusing to just freaking talk to each other! Maybe it’s because I go to therapy but jesus, Hannah, you’re a 32-year-old grown woman please just communicate like an adult! 

Hannah is exceedingly horny both past and present and she makes all her decisions with her dick. I found myself wishing we could focus less on the sex and more on wtf was up with the house.

The ending left a lot to be desired, in my opinion. I understand wanting to leave things a little open for the ~mystery~ but there are many unanswered questions. Nothing about the house’s paranormal situation is ever explained and honestly I don’t think I actually have any idea what the answer to the plot’s central mystery is. There is an implication but it really just doesn’t feel like it adds up. It felt like a “and then I woke up and realized it was all just a dream” type of ending. 

It was still a fun and fast paced read though so I’m not mad at it lol

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

4.0

In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

I wanted to read something with a cozy and witchy autumn ambience and this was perfect! A quick, charming read that also somehow tackled the difficult themes of grief, loss, and regret - I even teared up at the end. Looking forward to reading the next one!

Night by Elie Wiesel

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

A gripping narrative of the author’s experience in the Holocaust. Relatively short but packs an emotional punch - Wiesel’s prose is devastatingly beautiful and paints a picture of the absolute devastation the worst of humanity can wreak.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Murder, and War

Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian

emotional mysterious reflective slow-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

3.5

This book was very beautifully written -  the prose transported me into one of the many ASMR ambience youtube videos I love to have on in the background. The characters felt very real and their development as individuals and as a couple kept me reading.

However, as the book was very character-driven, the actual plot of the book felt very much like a subplot in its own story. At times I felt like this would’ve been better off as a slice of life without the mystery/villain as it just wasn’t explored or explained enough. I understand wanting to show and not tell but the climax left me with a “that’s it?” feeling. I would have really enjoyed more exploration into who this villain was, what she wanted, and why she felt like this was the way to accomplish her goals. 

The romance was intriguing for me. Fantasy, or at least the fantasy I usually read, favors HEA endings and that is not what happened here. Aurelia and Teddy’s love blossoms slowly but deeply and left me hurting at the end when it seems to become a Right-Person-Wrong-Time sort of thing. I think there may be a second book coming out so it might alleviate some of this (Gemma’s storyline is certainly left wide open as well).

Overall, I feel this was a very strong debut. The author certainly has her voice and prose down but could benefit from a little more direction/editing plot wise. 

Medea by Euripides

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.” Amazing how men haven’t changed at all in 2,500 years!

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

SO MANY QUESTIONS

I want to know what Barrons is SO. BADLY. What is Mac’s family history/lineage? Who/what is the Lord Master? What is going on???

Also this is the slowest of slow burns and I cannot wait for the payoff. I flew through this one much faster than the first.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

funny 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? No

3.0

I have to be honest and say the mystery wasn’t really all that interesting. The best parts were when people made fun of the narrator to his face - especially when he didn’t pick up on it.

I think the book would have benefitted from being a bit shorter. I was beginning to get as frustrated as Hastings when Poirot would have a eureka moment and then just move right on without sharing anything. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racial slurs and Antisemitism