jls6283's reviews
88 reviews

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

So glad I read the physical book first and then did audiobook on a re-read. That would’ve been a lot to take in via audio!

After this (my 1st listen, but second “read”) I have an unhinged theory.

What if Sloan and Dain are the key to curing venin? In fourth wing, Dain says Cath channels more power than most dragons. Cath’s breath smells bad in Iron Flame. Sloan tells Dain he has too much power. WHO IS DAINS MOTHER? Is daddy Aetos venin and has he been for a long time…? Is Dain unknowingly half-venin!? 👀

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

The world building and expansion was INTENSE. I love how secure we are now in our main romance and we can dive more into the fantasy! Thank goodness their miscommunication era of Iron Flame has ended. 😅 So much happened in this one book! It’s crazy!!! And of course now I have a million new questions! 🤣

I think both

Xadan being named Duke of Tyrrendor and Violet (albeit not at first, but eventually) given command of her Quest Squad

was a little more “plot convenience” than something that actually made sense.

I just don’t understand why King Tauri would give Xadan that much power and influence. 🤔

I definitely don’t hate the ending, but

the secret “off-screen wedding” in romantasy is starting to feel like an overused trope. I LOVE that Imogen used her power and we’re all confused (honestly I thought she was going to do that between books 2 and 3, but I love it even more HERE.) I hope we get more of her POV in the future! I’ll be doing a re-read because I’m confused if Garrick turned or Bodhi. I could see it being Brennan somehow too and now he’s back at Aretia undercover. I assume it’s Bodhi since Xadan felt he had to leave Tyrenndor to someone else, but why then is Garrick also missing at the end? Did he distance wield to Deverelli with dragon eggs to get an Army? Maybe Aric ‘saw’ something…?

I love that Rebecca gave us some insights into other female characters POVs at the end. Putting Quinn’s death in her best friend’s POV was gut-wrenching, but also such a great choice. I also strongly think this has to do with Violet’s second signet and she’s not just a dream walker, but a mind walker and was able to see in her friends minds.

Things I hope to see (or am worried about) in book 4 or 5…

I’m worried for Bodhi. He seemed left out and I think that’s why he (possibly) turned and/or is going to betray them somehow. I WANT DAIN TO KILL DADDY AETOS. If that happens in a future book, it’ll get 5 stars immediately. 😅 I’m scared we still don’t know Daddy Aetos’s signet. I could see either him or Melgren being the “Big Bad” (maybe even Darromore) and hiding in plain sight. Brennan and his rune are still suspicious… I’m worried there may be a pregnancy trope. 😬 We all thought at some point that Violet was half venin. What if they do need a half-venin and it’s her and Xadans kid… I would find that a little disappointing. It would make sense for him to come back if he found out she was pregnant in order to not be like his mother… 🫣 I HOPE that’s not the direction we’re going, but I could see it… I assume the “broken” compass Violet got from Zinnhal will help her find Xadan in book 4. I fear for Riddoc as he’s moved into a protector role. Did Rebecca make us love him even more just to make him the next Liam....?😭

After my second read I have an unhinged theory…

Take your well-deserved break Rebecca Yarros, and know we are excited for book 4!

Content Warnings

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling, Newt Scamander

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adventurous informative medium-paced

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

1.75

Hmm I love the Harry Potter series, but this solidified for me that I need stories, characters, and plot for a good time! 😅

I did like the tie-ins to muggle folklore!

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.75

I appreciate the mental health aspects that Abby Jimenez writes into her romance novels. I found this book incredibly sad despite it being tagged as more “funny and hopeful.”

I was pleasantly surprised how much it tied back in with “Part of Your World!”

Content Warnings

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

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adventurous dark emotional 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

Love the series! Severus Snape is what makes this volume a 5-star read for me. Always.

Content Warnings

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

A quick, quirky read for any fan of the Harry Potter series.

Content Warnings

Funny Story by Emily Henry

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

4.5

I’m over here trying to hate the “fake relationship” trope because it’s annoying and I hate lying, but then Emily Henry has to ruin my high horse and make me love and relate to her stupid characters 😂😂😂

Her stories are so relatable and amusing. I find myself putting down so many quotes from her books into my reading journal.

“The same universe that dispassionately takes things away can bring you things you weren’t imaginative enough to dream up.” ❤️

Content Warnings

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

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adventurous dark emotional fast-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

What a wild ride! I do love a villain backstory, tea on all the side characters (looking at you Lupin 👀), and of course everything that is Severus Snape. ❤️

As a kid 3 and 4 were my favorites, but now on my re-read as an adult this is my favorite of the series!

Side note: the movie does NOT give this book justice… Almost every reason I love this book is cut from the movie 😒

Content Warnings

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

This audiobook is full of great reminders for anyone who has trouble getting out of their own head and/or worrying about things outside their control.

While nothing is new or groundbreaking, Mel presents the “Let Them” theory (and some research to back it up) in a way that applies to various aspects and stages of life. Her anecdotes are relatable and she presents actionable steps to apply to some of the topics she goes over. (I wish there was more of that though!)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.25

Wow! The book Order of the Phoenix is immensely better than the movie. I know there are time restraints on them, but the movies fail to capture so much of the character development - especially of the side characters. (And it’s weird that the longest book has the second shortest movie adaptation…)

Parts of this one are annoying to read as you are following a moody 15 year old boy who is dealing with a

mind connection with the dark lord

so his mood swings are A LOT. 😅 (Understandably so!)

I have unanswered questions about

what exactly happened with Sirius and “the veil” / curtain room in general.

It’s heartbreaking to know that if Harry had just used the mirror instead of floo powder to talk to Sirius, he may not have suffered the same fate. 🥺

And of course we’re reminded that the Department of Mysteries has the ability to meddle with time…. So many questions/plot holes there…. I know all the time turners are smashed so they can’t use them AFTER this, but no one could come up with a time-related plan to stop Voldemort before this? Dumbledore casually let 3rd-years use a time turner to save Sirius, yet he wouldn’t mess with time to stop the dark lord?? 🤔🤔🤔

I also start to disagree with Dumbledore in this book. In Goblet of Fire he says “It is my belief that the truth is generally preferable to lies.” (This is one of many great Dumbledore quotes!❤️) Yet in Order of the Phoenix he says

”I cared more for your happiness than your knowing the truth.”

Which is a sentiment I understand, but wholeheartedly disagree with.

Content Warnings

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jls6283's reviews 88 reviews

jls6283's reviews
88 reviews