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jamies_shelves's reviews
530 reviews
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
I thought this was a strong first book in a series.
Good world building and a really fascinating world. I definitely want to learn more.
This is the first time I've ever read a fantasy book and just been so taken aback by some of the names being so hard to pronounce that it took me right out of it. Dom's full name is fucking ridiculous. I stopped even trying/making something up in my head and just skipped over it every time, which definitely affected the flow of reading.
I like all of the POVs and I'm interested to see where each character goes.
Definitely love the relationships, both platonic and romantic, that they're hinting at.
Love the villain power couple.
Good world building and a really fascinating world. I definitely want to learn more.
This is the first time I've ever read a fantasy book and just been so taken aback by some of the names being so hard to pronounce that it took me right out of it. Dom's full name is fucking ridiculous. I stopped even trying/making something up in my head and just skipped over it every time, which definitely affected the flow of reading.
I like all of the POVs and I'm interested to see where each character goes.
Definitely love the relationships, both platonic and romantic, that they're hinting at.
Love the villain power couple.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
adventurous
mysterious
5.0
WOWWWWW!
I had a feeling I was going to really like this book, but I was not expecting to love it so much!
It was definitely Six of Crows vibes, which obviously I love!
Characters
There are six main characters, and each one gets a POV. Two, much less than others (Mikail and Tiyung), but they all got a decent amount. And I can't believe I genuinely loved all of them!
Royo is the first person we see. He is someone you can pay to kill or fuck up someone who you don't like. He is trying to right a wrong that he blames himself for and therefore agrees to be a guard for Aeri on her mission to help assassinate the king. His POV was probably my least favorite, only because sometimes he had lines like, "I ain't know nothing," instead of just saying, "I don't know anything," but only in his thoughts. Like in real life he spoke correctly. And whenever I read something like that it threw me off. But I did like him.
Aeri was someone I loved right away! She was so quirky and fun. Honestly gave me Rapunzel vibes of being overly energetic and just excitable about everything. I continued to love her, but I was less interesting in her romance and plot than others, so she didn't remain my favorite, though I always loved her. I'm very interested in her and can't wait to learn more in book two.
Euyn is the exiled prince and I loved him! It was so interesting to learn why he was exiled and then the little details we got along the way that gave more to the story. He's so fascinating. And the secret he's dealing with! I wonder if it's completely true. And I wonder if he'll tell Sora his connection to her. The one bad thing about Euyn is that he is sexist as fuck. Hoping he learns to outgrow these ideas. We can already see a little of it.
Mikail is probably my favorite! He's so complex and it's just crazy how much of him is a secret. The toll that must take to hide so much of his truth. Especially from Euyn. I really like him as a character and I love how strategic he is. I can't wait to see what more we learn of him in the next book.
Sora was such a fun character! I love the idea of a gorgeous female assassin who doesn't kill through fighting, but by seducing and poisoning them with a kiss. She's so badass. I love that she's doing everything for her sister and that her sister doesn't blame her for their life. That they have a good relationship. Her sister BETTER not die. (view spoiler)
Tiyung is someone I did not expect to like so much (that's a lie I always knew I was going to love him and that he was going to be secretly in love with her) but I love him so much! He's willing to risk so much for Sora and I loved the tidbits we learned about his actions through the years and why he really did some things. His cage might be prettier and have wider windows, but there's no doubt he is still in prison with his father. And the fact that he is so kind and good when he was raised by such a horrible person is amazing.
Relationships
Euyn and Mikail OMG I LOVE THEM!!! I love that they have this whole history and always meant something to each other. I love that we learned slowly about the motives of what Mikail did years ago and they were able to work through things. I think their relationship was the most developed and I think you could truly feel the love they have for each other, but that that love isn't necessarily the most important thing in their world. I can't wait to see how their relationship continues in the next book!
Sora and Tiyung were a couple I really loved!!! I love that Tiyung loved her the whole time and that he was just genuinely good and kind to her. I love that Sora realized she could genuinely trust him and that she realized there could be something there. It was a great enemies to lovers and I can't wait to see what happens in book two!
Aeri and Royo are the couple I care least about, though I do still enjoy them! I thought they were cute and I like that Royo was realizing he could like someone again. And I like that she enjoyed seeing him open up and really loved the small glimpses she got into him beyond the tough exterior. I am so excited to see where it goes the next book though because I think where they ended was the most intriguing for the future.
Overall
The plot was fun and while I did predict who the liar was decently early on, I did NOT see it coming where everything landed with that.
So many twists and turns along the way and so fun!
It's been a while since I've been so excited about a new fantasy series. I seriously loved it and can't wait for book two!
I had a feeling I was going to really like this book, but I was not expecting to love it so much!
It was definitely Six of Crows vibes, which obviously I love!
Characters
There are six main characters, and each one gets a POV. Two, much less than others (Mikail and Tiyung), but they all got a decent amount. And I can't believe I genuinely loved all of them!
Royo is the first person we see. He is someone you can pay to kill or fuck up someone who you don't like. He is trying to right a wrong that he blames himself for and therefore agrees to be a guard for Aeri on her mission to help assassinate the king. His POV was probably my least favorite, only because sometimes he had lines like, "I ain't know nothing," instead of just saying, "I don't know anything," but only in his thoughts. Like in real life he spoke correctly. And whenever I read something like that it threw me off. But I did like him.
Aeri was someone I loved right away! She was so quirky and fun. Honestly gave me Rapunzel vibes of being overly energetic and just excitable about everything. I continued to love her, but I was less interesting in her romance and plot than others, so she didn't remain my favorite, though I always loved her. I'm very interested in her and can't wait to learn more in book two.
Euyn is the exiled prince and I loved him! It was so interesting to learn why he was exiled and then the little details we got along the way that gave more to the story. He's so fascinating. And the secret he's dealing with! I wonder if it's completely true. And I wonder if he'll tell Sora his connection to her. The one bad thing about Euyn is that he is sexist as fuck. Hoping he learns to outgrow these ideas. We can already see a little of it.
Mikail is probably my favorite! He's so complex and it's just crazy how much of him is a secret. The toll that must take to hide so much of his truth. Especially from Euyn. I really like him as a character and I love how strategic he is. I can't wait to see what more we learn of him in the next book.
Sora was such a fun character! I love the idea of a gorgeous female assassin who doesn't kill through fighting, but by seducing and poisoning them with a kiss. She's so badass. I love that she's doing everything for her sister and that her sister doesn't blame her for their life. That they have a good relationship. Her sister BETTER not die. (view spoiler)
Tiyung is someone I did not expect to like so much (that's a lie I always knew I was going to love him and that he was going to be secretly in love with her) but I love him so much! He's willing to risk so much for Sora and I loved the tidbits we learned about his actions through the years and why he really did some things. His cage might be prettier and have wider windows, but there's no doubt he is still in prison with his father. And the fact that he is so kind and good when he was raised by such a horrible person is amazing.
Relationships
Euyn and Mikail OMG I LOVE THEM!!! I love that they have this whole history and always meant something to each other. I love that we learned slowly about the motives of what Mikail did years ago and they were able to work through things. I think their relationship was the most developed and I think you could truly feel the love they have for each other, but that that love isn't necessarily the most important thing in their world. I can't wait to see how their relationship continues in the next book!
Sora and Tiyung were a couple I really loved!!! I love that Tiyung loved her the whole time and that he was just genuinely good and kind to her. I love that Sora realized she could genuinely trust him and that she realized there could be something there. It was a great enemies to lovers and I can't wait to see what happens in book two!
Aeri and Royo are the couple I care least about, though I do still enjoy them! I thought they were cute and I like that Royo was realizing he could like someone again. And I like that she enjoyed seeing him open up and really loved the small glimpses she got into him beyond the tough exterior. I am so excited to see where it goes the next book though because I think where they ended was the most intriguing for the future.
Overall
The plot was fun and while I did predict who the liar was decently early on, I did NOT see it coming where everything landed with that.
So many twists and turns along the way and so fun!
It's been a while since I've been so excited about a new fantasy series. I seriously loved it and can't wait for book two!
Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
3.5
I really liked the first 3/4 of of this, might have even gone to 4 stars, but then I thought it got stupid.
I don't get at all why Lana decided to go in the town hall. Especially when Jake said repeatedly it wasn't necessary. Just felt like it was pointless and for the drama and suspense, but honestly I felt none of that. It was very clear how it was going to end.
The reveal of the original killer was definitely supposed to be a hug moment, but it was so anticlimactic because it was so fucking obvious who it was.
I liked the epilogue.
Overall I thought this series was a decent time, but I seriously don't get the hype. I can't imagine I'd reread.
I don't get at all why Lana decided to go in the town hall. Especially when Jake said repeatedly it wasn't necessary. Just felt like it was pointless and for the drama and suspense, but honestly I felt none of that. It was very clear how it was going to end.
The reveal of the original killer was definitely supposed to be a hug moment, but it was so anticlimactic because it was so fucking obvious who it was.
I liked the epilogue.
Overall I thought this series was a decent time, but I seriously don't get the hype. I can't imagine I'd reread.
All the Lies by S.T. Abby
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I really enjoyed this one! I loved seeing Lana terrorize the town, especially after we learned the truth of everything that happened.
What they tried to make Marcus do was sick, but I totally knew. Except, I thought they forced him and he did it. I'm glad he didn't. That would be impossible to live with.
I'm interested to see who the original killer of the Sheriff's daughter was, especially since they're making it seem like it wasn't Kyle. (What he tried to make Marcus do would've made sense if it was.)
Still lots of cringey dialogue. And I can't STAND the "not like other girls" complex Lana's got going on. And the writing of Lisa is crazy. What is she, a middle school girl? Adult women do not act like this, especially about an ex they aren't even into.
But I liked this one and that ENDING! Can't wait to see how it all ends!
What they tried to make Marcus do was sick, but I totally knew. Except, I thought they forced him and he did it. I'm glad he didn't. That would be impossible to live with.
I'm interested to see who the original killer of the Sheriff's daughter was, especially since they're making it seem like it wasn't Kyle. (What he tried to make Marcus do would've made sense if it was.)
Still lots of cringey dialogue. And I can't STAND the "not like other girls" complex Lana's got going on. And the writing of Lisa is crazy. What is she, a middle school girl? Adult women do not act like this, especially about an ex they aren't even into.
But I liked this one and that ENDING! Can't wait to see how it all ends!
Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Probably my favorite of the series so far! Most likely because I'm more into the plot.
But holy fuck these FBI agents are dumb as shit. Like, it's wild.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn the truth about everything that happened! I'm so interested to know what the FBI's agent involvement is and why he's covering everything up.
But holy fuck these FBI agents are dumb as shit. Like, it's wild.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn the truth about everything that happened! I'm so interested to know what the FBI's agent involvement is and why he's covering everything up.
Sidetracked by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This was definitely a filler book, but it was short and enjoyable. I'm definitely interested in Hadley. I feel like she's going to find it out first and help. I also have a theory of what they did to the brother, or should I say made him do, and I'm hoping I'm wrong.
The ending though... it made me interested in what's about to happen but COME ON. The need for suspension of belief is insane. This girl with all she's been through and planning and paranoid as she is KNOWING a serial killer is after her walks into her home and hears music and goes hmmm I guess I left music on. Weird. COME ON. And that last line of the book. Feel like it was supposed to be intense but I BURST out laughing.
Overall, still not as invested in the relationship as I thought I'd be, but I'm here for the revenge tour.
The ending though... it made me interested in what's about to happen but COME ON. The need for suspension of belief is insane. This girl with all she's been through and planning and paranoid as she is KNOWING a serial killer is after her walks into her home and hears music and goes hmmm I guess I left music on. Weird. COME ON. And that last line of the book. Feel like it was supposed to be intense but I BURST out laughing.
Overall, still not as invested in the relationship as I thought I'd be, but I'm here for the revenge tour.
The Risk by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This was a decent start to the series, but felt a bit meh.
I love the idea of the romance. A serial killer going after her rapists falling for the FBI agent on her case. YES. I'm not super invested in them yet, but I'm hoping it'll come.
It's giving Promising Young Woman vibes, but if she actually killed all the dudes like I was hoping she would. And I love that movie, so I'm here for it. Let's just hope for a different ending. It works for the movie, would not make me happy here.
I love how meticulously her and Jake have planned all this out! And I love the profiling from Logan, it's very Criminal Minds.
Some of the dialogue is a bit cringe. "You should've killed me deader" had me CACKLING out loud. Definitely not the intention as she's murdering someone.
The ending though has me SAT. And I'm excited to see where it goes!
I love the idea of the romance. A serial killer going after her rapists falling for the FBI agent on her case. YES. I'm not super invested in them yet, but I'm hoping it'll come.
It's giving Promising Young Woman vibes, but if she actually killed all the dudes like I was hoping she would. And I love that movie, so I'm here for it. Let's just hope for a different ending. It works for the movie, would not make me happy here.
I love how meticulously her and Jake have planned all this out! And I love the profiling from Logan, it's very Criminal Minds.
Some of the dialogue is a bit cringe. "You should've killed me deader" had me CACKLING out loud. Definitely not the intention as she's murdering someone.
The ending though has me SAT. And I'm excited to see where it goes!
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
5.0
Oh, FUCK YOU Jay Kristoff.
The Bastard and the Heir by Eden Finley, Saxon James
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Look. I love Eden and Saxon's writing. And so I'll enjoy any book they write because I get sucked in and find it fun. But not even they could make me get behind this plot. And they couldn't save it from being cringey as fuck.
The fact that Darcy first saw Wren and immediately thought how much he looked just like his dad. And then immediately after wants to fuck him.
What?
Were you attracted to your dad?
And then he CONSTANTLY thinks about how much they look alike.
I was fucking GAGGING.
And then you finally think it's moving past that or you could forget it, and nope it comes up again. Or Darcy thinks about how Wren looks just like his brothers. Do you secretly want to fuck your real brothers?!? It was so fucking nasty.
There was no reason she had to make Wren a carbon copy of Warren and Junior.
And the fact that Wren started to lust after Darcy when he genuinely believed he was his brother?!? WHYYYYYY.
And them being like, people will get over it. NO THEY FUCKING WOULDN'T.
I'm just imagining all of the TikToks and articles tearing them apart. Yeah I'm sure the company would eventually bounce back because of how many rich people are involved, but no one would ever not think they were disgusting. And then to adopt a daughter and bring her into that?!? Poor girl.
I did like Darcy and Wren as characters though. And Junior and Toby.
And I loved the Remy, Gabe, and Elle cameos.
The fact that Darcy first saw Wren and immediately thought how much he looked just like his dad. And then immediately after wants to fuck him.
What?
Were you attracted to your dad?
And then he CONSTANTLY thinks about how much they look alike.
I was fucking GAGGING.
And then you finally think it's moving past that or you could forget it, and nope it comes up again. Or Darcy thinks about how Wren looks just like his brothers. Do you secretly want to fuck your real brothers?!? It was so fucking nasty.
There was no reason she had to make Wren a carbon copy of Warren and Junior.
And the fact that Wren started to lust after Darcy when he genuinely believed he was his brother?!? WHYYYYYY.
And them being like, people will get over it. NO THEY FUCKING WOULDN'T.
I'm just imagining all of the TikToks and articles tearing them apart. Yeah I'm sure the company would eventually bounce back because of how many rich people are involved, but no one would ever not think they were disgusting. And then to adopt a daughter and bring her into that?!? Poor girl.
I did like Darcy and Wren as characters though. And Junior and Toby.
And I loved the Remy, Gabe, and Elle cameos.