jasmyn9's reviews
1700 reviews

Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

3.75

This book seemed to have three separate endings - with the final one getting all the strands tied together. There was a less character growth in the second book of the series - and I still don't like one of the coven members. Which is ok, but I feel like she's just getting worse, and I find it hard to root for her. 

This was definitely more of an adventure with several mystical battles, and had a much more magical feeling to it overall. As Sunny really grows in her power and confidence, I hope she doesnt' become too overpowered and able to do it all on her own.

Also, I want a flying grass cutter now.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

My favorite part of this book was the magic system and how it interacted with the spirit world. From spirit faces, masquerades, and "pouches," it was a system that was new to me, and it was fascinating. The author did a great job of bringing this system to life and explaining it. Of the four main characters, there were two I really didn't like, though. Maybe I wasn't supposed to? It kept things interesting, as I still rooted for them when it really came down to it.

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

This was a really fun story - I loved Ulysses and the fun he has while getting to learn how his new life works.

Of Thorns and Beauty by Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison

dark sad slow-paced

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

1.5

The story was exceptionally long and drawn out. Too much internal dialogue that seemed very repetitive. The bright spot was the twist on the "beast's curse" and who it affected and how.

The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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

4.5

A fantastic look at science fiction from the lens of an Indiana Jones type thief. maya was an amazing character - wanting to do the right thing for her alien friend Auncle. Throw in a helpless academic afraid of space, a robot that wants to be human, and an ex-space marine. The story is equal parts exciting and contemplative how different sentient beings interact - and what a sentient being really is. All this wrapped around the heart of a fantastic space adventure full of discovery and danger.

A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Librarians tracking a serial killer is always going to be a hook that gets me to start reading. A Talent for Murder was a great thriller. I really enjoyed the multiple POV once I realized how it was laid out (no chapter names to help). While there is definitely a "big bad" in the story - they aren't the only "bad" and I liked the play on how a viewpoint of events can really change your perspective.

Beholder by Ryan La Sala

dark emotional tense 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? No

2.5

I really didn't get much of a horror feeling from this story - so I was disappointed in that aspect since I was looking forward to a really tense fantasy horror. So not what I had expected or anticipated. I really liked the look at some Greek traditions an myths that I wasn't really familiar with regarding the evil eye. 

Galaxy's Edge, Part I by Nick Cole, Jason Anspach

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I'm not sure where this series is going yet. While the lead character do converge in the end, it left a lot of questions and doesn't seem to tie back to all of the prequels yet. I think it's heading in a good direction though and I want to see what the big baddie is. (I do get some major Star Wars vibes from parts of it)

When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

1.5

Unfortunately I did not like Chey for some reason. The back and forth between Joe and Dylan - complete opposites.  Listen guys, dump the girl and see if sparks fly between the two of you instead, because her back and forth is tiresome! 

Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

Beautifully written with really amazing characters, but I feel like I missed something it was trying to convey.