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lanagio's reviews
306 reviews
The Tiger's Ambush by Tate James
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Torture
The Dragon's Wing by Tate James
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Dawn of the Cursed Queen by Amber V. Nicole
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Another winner in my opinion! I will say I wasn't too much of a fan of Dianna in this one, unlike the others where I totally Team Dianna. I just truly disagreed with a lot of her thought processes and the choices she made in various situations. Like, many situations. Lol. But fortunately, there were some pretty engaging side stories going on with various side characters, so I still had a lot of fun reading this. I really like the side characters and, let me just say, Amber Nicole knows how to write sexy men. I feel like I was crushing on every dude in this book, even the ones that I'm pretty sure I'm still supposed to hate? This book didn't make me cry but it did make angry enough at some characters (*cough*Dianna*cough*) that I had to stop and write a journal entry to vent before I could continue. More than once. To my mind, a book that brings that kind of emotionality out of me, regardless of which emotion, is a well written book. It's going to be a long wait for book 4 but I'm happy to have read these!
The Throne of Broken Gods by Amber V. Nicole
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-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
4.0
**some spoilers**
Really ended up enjoying this book! I'm still a pretty big fan of Dianna. Samkiel is cool, although I've met other book boyfriends who grab me a bit more than him. I like their relationship, their dynamic is pretty good, chemistry as well. I don't remember if I said this in the last book's review but I am a huge fan of the fact that they are BOTH super old immortals. Dianna is not a 20 year old that has caught the interest of the millennia old dude. She herself is over a thousand years old, and it's lived experience. I just like that about this couple.
I love the side characters. I'm rooting for several different people in this series. It's also refreshing that they didn't make Imogen a romantic competitor for Samkiel. I love that she is genuinely not interested in him and that she is kind and wants Dianna's friendship and respects her and all that jazz. It just so often doesn't happen that way. Just another way these books grabbed me.
This book also made me cry more than once. Like, full send crying. The relationship & love btwn Gabby & Dianna really got me in the feels. And I am a huge fan of the "Remember that I love you." It just feels like such a caring thing to say to someone.
I like how this book left things in the end. There is like, a little of, "hey this is how this works bc magic" but I'm okay with that bc I'm still on board with the events that are going on and excited to see how the team will fare in book 3. Already super bummed that book 4 is not due out until May of 2025 but I will persevere!
Really ended up enjoying this book! I'm still a pretty big fan of Dianna. Samkiel is cool, although I've met other book boyfriends who grab me a bit more than him. I like their relationship, their dynamic is pretty good, chemistry as well. I don't remember if I said this in the last book's review but I am a huge fan of the fact that they are BOTH super old immortals. Dianna is not a 20 year old that has caught the interest of the millennia old dude. She herself is over a thousand years old, and it's lived experience. I just like that about this couple.
I love the side characters. I'm rooting for several different people in this series. It's also refreshing that they didn't make Imogen a romantic competitor for Samkiel. I love that she is genuinely not interested in him and that she is kind and wants Dianna's friendship and respects her and all that jazz. It just so often doesn't happen that way. Just another way these books grabbed me.
This book also made me cry more than once. Like, full send crying. The relationship & love btwn Gabby & Dianna really got me in the feels. And I am a huge fan of the "Remember that I love you." It just feels like such a caring thing to say to someone.
I like how this book left things in the end. There is like, a little of, "hey this is how this works bc magic" but I'm okay with that bc I'm still on board with the events that are going on and excited to see how the team will fare in book 3. Already super bummed that book 4 is not due out until May of 2025 but I will persevere!
Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
SO. The world of the Psy is a wild one man. Mental firewalls and shields, surfing a hive mind brain internet, being able to hold people hostage inside their own minds telepathically. The changeling world is of course different as well but way the components are ones I can comprehend and imagine. I don't say that to sound like I don't like the Psy universe bc I do. It's unique and confusing and interesting.
The overall series plot is already beginning to thicken in this and it's only book 2. Vaughn is the MMC for this one, and I do like him. All the men in this whole series are pretty swoon worthy, particularly the changeling ones who are all alpha-male and claiming mates left and right etc etc. Vaughn is a little rougher around the edges than Lucas in Slave to Sensation and I enjoyed that bit about him. FMC Faith is also pretty likable. **Spoilers** There are parts when the changelings are telling her things about the Psy council and she's denying pretty obvious facts that I get a bit annoyed with her character. But really, considering they're all brainwashed from the day their born, I should really cut her some slack for having a difficult time grasping that a lot of the Psy governing body and their underlings are total shitbags. The story around her and Vaughn getting together is in some ways quite perfect and in other ways somewhat forced.
This series is a little tricky in that a lot of it does lean towards the men-do-the-fighting women-do-the-womening kind of plots which isn't always well received. But even in these early books, the women are revered for their various strengths and skills which do not always involve throwing knives or shoot guns (building mental shields, healing, TELLING THE FUTURE, which I like. So anyway, I totally recommend this series, and even though the individual books may receive not 4 or 5 stars from me, the over series is definitely a worthwhile journey.
Is this too long of a review? Hard to know. Oh well, accept me as I am!
The overall series plot is already beginning to thicken in this and it's only book 2. Vaughn is the MMC for this one, and I do like him. All the men in this whole series are pretty swoon worthy, particularly the changeling ones who are all alpha-male and claiming mates left and right etc etc. Vaughn is a little rougher around the edges than Lucas in Slave to Sensation and I enjoyed that bit about him. FMC Faith is also pretty likable. **Spoilers** There are parts when the changelings are telling her things about the Psy council and she's denying pretty obvious facts that I get a bit annoyed with her character. But really, considering they're all brainwashed from the day their born, I should really cut her some slack for having a difficult time grasping that a lot of the Psy governing body and their underlings are total shitbags. The story around her and Vaughn getting together is in some ways quite perfect and in other ways somewhat forced.
This series is a little tricky in that a lot of it does lean towards the men-do-the-fighting women-do-the-womening kind of plots which isn't always well received. But even in these early books, the women are revered for their various strengths and skills which do not always involve throwing knives or shoot guns (building mental shields, healing, TELLING THE FUTURE, which I like. So anyway, I totally recommend this series, and even though the individual books may receive not 4 or 5 stars from me, the over series is definitely a worthwhile journey.
Is this too long of a review? Hard to know. Oh well, accept me as I am!
Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
adventurous
emotional
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
2.5
Bro. This was a tough follow to Dark Desires after Dusk. I loved Cadeon & Holly! I do not harbor many positive feelings for Sabine. And I'm like okayyy on Rydstrom.
I did like the plot line in this book, it's all carrying the overall story arc of the series along perfectly.
However, I strongly dislike almost everything Sabine does. I like the love she & her sister have for each other. Their bond is clear & strong & I'm here for it. I don't like that Sabine seems to have a lot of double standards and gives Rydstrom a lot of shit for various things but doesn't ever totally own up to the fact that she started the whole thing with some truly fucked up behavior. She's also just sort of bratty which I don't find super attractive. I'm really trying to look at this and see whether I have different standards for behaviors for FMCs & MMCs but as for right now, Sabine is a no from me.
Towards the very end of the book, she redeems herself a bit but overall, she is not one of my preferred FMCs.
I like Rydstrom's whole finally-cutting-loose situation but I'm not super drawn to him either. I giggled a bunch in the previous book in this series, and Kiss of a Demon King is just a different vibe, which makes sense, bc duh, different characters. But still, I wanted a few more laughs. Rydstrom is a bit boring to my mind. Sexy af and all that jazz for sure. But still sort of boring.
So alas, a lower rating than I hoped to give. Let's see what happens next!
I did like the plot line in this book, it's all carrying the overall story arc of the series along perfectly.
However, I strongly dislike almost everything Sabine does. I like the love she & her sister have for each other. Their bond is clear & strong & I'm here for it. I don't like that Sabine seems to have a lot of double standards and gives Rydstrom a lot of shit for various things but doesn't ever totally own up to the fact that she started the whole thing with some truly fucked up behavior. She's also just sort of bratty which I don't find super attractive. I'm really trying to look at this and see whether I have different standards for behaviors for FMCs & MMCs but as for right now, Sabine is a no from me.
Towards the very end of the book, she redeems herself a bit but overall, she is not one of my preferred FMCs.
I like Rydstrom's whole finally-cutting-loose situation but I'm not super drawn to him either. I giggled a bunch in the previous book in this series, and Kiss of a Demon King is just a different vibe, which makes sense, bc duh, different characters. But still, I wanted a few more laughs. Rydstrom is a bit boring to my mind. Sexy af and all that jazz for sure. But still sort of boring.
So alas, a lower rating than I hoped to give. Let's see what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Minor: Kidnapping
Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole
adventurous
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
I really loved this book. MCs had great chemistry, the plot line was interesting and made sense, the side characters are fun and I just really love their world, the world of The Lore. All the fun creatures showing up and mixing together.
I like both Holly & Cadeon a lot; Cade made me laugh out loud several times. He's going to be a tough MMC to follow but I have hope that this means there are more giggles to be had in the next Immortals After Dark books. Not much else to say but I do highly recommend this book, even if you opt out of the full series!
I like both Holly & Cadeon a lot; Cade made me laugh out loud several times. He's going to be a tough MMC to follow but I have hope that this means there are more giggles to be had in the next Immortals After Dark books. Not much else to say but I do highly recommend this book, even if you opt out of the full series!
The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
**possible spoilers** I never know what is actually considered a spoiler.
I did enjoy this book! At times, I felt that the plot dragged a bit. The progression of Dianna & Liam's relationship was at some points really natural and at one or 2 points felt a little forced. But I like them together and I quite like Dianna. It's nice to have a morally grey FMC. Why should our MMCs get to have all the red flags? A bit too much of the "playful slapping" of arms and chests for my liking though. Like Dianna is a total fucking boss bitch and I love that she is fun and flirty and owns her sexuality. But the constant little slaps on the arm etc just didn't feel like it lined up with her overall personality.
I also like that everyone is an actual adult age in this book! It's a nice change from the teenage or very early 20 year old characters (particularly FMCs) that are often found in this genre.
The storyline was solid and made sense to me. At first I worried that the backstory of the Gods War and how the celestials came to be on Onuna would bog me down in too many confusing details but once the story was told, it was a realistic foundation and not at all too complicated. I like Liam's character development throughout the book as well. His lack of emotional connection in the beginning and his process of working through that, even when at first he didn't even care to try.
And a perfect cliffhanger ending that opened up the new avenues for book 2 beautifully!
I did enjoy this book! At times, I felt that the plot dragged a bit. The progression of Dianna & Liam's relationship was at some points really natural and at one or 2 points felt a little forced. But I like them together and I quite like Dianna. It's nice to have a morally grey FMC. Why should our MMCs get to have all the red flags? A bit too much of the "playful slapping" of arms and chests for my liking though. Like Dianna is a total fucking boss bitch and I love that she is fun and flirty and owns her sexuality. But the constant little slaps on the arm etc just didn't feel like it lined up with her overall personality.
I also like that everyone is an actual adult age in this book! It's a nice change from the teenage or very early 20 year old characters (particularly FMCs) that are often found in this genre.
The storyline was solid and made sense to me. At first I worried that the backstory of the Gods War and how the celestials came to be on Onuna would bog me down in too many confusing details but once the story was told, it was a realistic foundation and not at all too complicated. I like Liam's character development throughout the book as well. His lack of emotional connection in the beginning and his process of working through that, even when at first he didn't even care to try.
And a perfect cliffhanger ending that opened up the new avenues for book 2 beautifully!