jgoz's reviews
468 reviews

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

This was… what was this?! (In a good way). Tbh I might be more confused now than at the beginning… but I am certainly intrigued enough to continue.

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

3.75

Light + fun + autumnal at a time when that’s what I needed. 

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

2.75

Upsettingly, this book had so much potential!!! But I found our main character unbelievably frustrating, naive, self-loathing, lacking nuance of any kind, and shockingly without any survival instincts. It was semi-unbearable being along with her for this journey. I feel like this book would have been so much better from almost any other character’s perspective. 😅 I liked a lot of the elements in this story, but ultimately I found the ending unsatisfying and I won’t be continuing the series. 

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Holy sh*tballs. I never give mystery/thrillers 5🌟, but this was… wow. 

None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney

4.0

Addictive! 

Uncharted Dreams by Pascale Lacelle

4.5

I read this novella after finishing Curious Tides, and I loved getting more of Romie! 

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

emotional sad 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? No

4.5

This was an excellent conclusion to this duology. I LOVE these characters, and was so emotionally invested in their stories. Was it as good as Divine Rivals? I think no. But that’s okay, it was still really great. Cannot wait to see what Rebecca Ross writes next. These were amazing, and her back catalogue has so many gems!

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Jessica would hate this, but I really disliked being in her head. Very forgettable 😆 

Okay, but for real this was interesting! I liked the setting and friend dynamics a fair bit. However, I feel like the killer was revealed REALLY early on* and then I was like ??? does no one see it? 

*When the killer described their parent as a “cuckhold”… yeah. Lotta secretly pent up anger and resentment (and of course, misogyny) in that person.

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

This was more fun than I was anticipating! I feel like it’s a staple of the romantasy genre, and I had to see for myself with all of its mixed reviews. I’m torn on if I’ll continue the series. I hear it goes downhill hard and fast. So I might just enjoy this one, and move along. 

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Well -- this book needs about 10,000% more hype around it. It's seriously one of the best books I've ever read. The kind that makes you go -- holy sh*t. How did this pop out of someone's MIND? The magic system and the world building were unique + incredible. It took awhile to care about the characters, but they were flawed and believable and ultimately great. The reveals came throughout the book -- which I loved. There were big reveals at the end, but the pace of reveals throughout kept me absolutely hooked. I am simply DYING for the next book, and excited to see the author is expanding the series into being a trilogy. 

And not for nothing... This is the closest a book has ever come to filling the "series that shall not be named" size hole in my heart. They are nothing alike -- except the school setting. But... It just has that intricacy and magic system I want to be a part of. 

I loved every second of this. 

Infinity stars.