Scan barcode
leandrathetbrzero's reviews
215 reviews
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands less than a month after finishing book 1 in the series. I loved returning to these characters and the strange world of the faeries. And I was over the moon when we got to see Poe once more because I was pretty heart broken when Fawcett didn't give us a proper goodbye on page last time. Speaking of adorable side characters, the introduction to Snowbell was a glorious addition. I was obsessed with the creature's adorable viciousness.
Having read both books one after the other, I will say that my criticisms for book 1 were easily noticed in book 2 as well: the repetition of details, and the rapid conclusion without much closure after a slow-paced narrative. With that said, I enjoyed the solution/cleverness of Emily in this one when facing the book's main baddie far more than the scenario painted for us in book 1.
book 1: 4.25
book 2: 4.50
Having read both books one after the other, I will say that my criticisms for book 1 were easily noticed in book 2 as well: the repetition of details, and the rapid conclusion without much closure after a slow-paced narrative. With that said, I enjoyed the solution/cleverness of Emily in this one when facing the book's main baddie far more than the scenario painted for us in book 1.
book 1: 4.25
book 2: 4.50
The Body in Question by Jill Ciment
dark
mysterious
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Child death
The Night Raven by Johan Rundberg
dark
informative
mysterious
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? No
3.0
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
tense
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
2.0
Sorry, friends. The hype is not real for this one. Feel free to skip my below criticisms if you adored this book!
1. This isn't a mystery, nor is it a thriller. It's dark academia, yes, but it's more general fiction inspired by and in homage to Shakespeare's tragedies. The overdramatic actions/emotions and the constant quoting from passages support that, so why not just market it appropriately?
2. Our main character, Oliver, is far too naive and dim-witted for me. I can see the attempt to make him into a Nate from The Great Gatsby or Richard in The Secret History, but it just made me so frustrated with him. There is NO reason why he would take the actions he did throughout the book, but especially at the climax. Still shaking my head at the silliness of it all. It's giving "trying to have main character energy but failing brilliantly."
3. The plot/motivation of these characters made little sense. We never learn why the "tyrant" of the group has his behavior change SO rapidly...it just does. The characters have been friends for years; people don't suddenly change like that.
1. This isn't a mystery, nor is it a thriller. It's dark academia, yes, but it's more general fiction inspired by and in homage to Shakespeare's tragedies. The overdramatic actions/emotions and the constant quoting from passages support that, so why not just market it appropriately?
2. Our main character, Oliver, is far too naive and dim-witted for me. I can see the attempt to make him into a Nate from The Great Gatsby or Richard in The Secret History, but it just made me so frustrated with him. There is NO reason why he would take the actions he did throughout the book, but especially at the climax. Still shaking my head at the silliness of it all. It's giving "trying to have main character energy but failing brilliantly."
3. The plot/motivation of these characters made little sense. We never learn why the "tyrant" of the group has his behavior change SO rapidly...it just does. The characters have been friends for years; people don't suddenly change like that.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I am a huge fan of the haunted house setting, and I found Carissa Orlando's take on it to be hugely entertaining. Margaret is such a great older woman character! I loved being in her head, laughing at the absurd situations she finds herself in as she copes with the specters with whom she shares her lodgings. With that laughter came serious topics, however: finding that sense of safety within one's home, domestic abuse, and working through old trauma.
I cannot wait to see what Orlando writes next!
I cannot wait to see what Orlando writes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
There's No Way I'd Die First by Lisa Springer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
In the Woods by Tana French
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I've read this book twice in 2024 already. I just love it so much. Mosscap has my heart, Sibling Dex represents my own worries and desires...a lovely, reflective slice of life narrative on the human condition and finding one's purpose.
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0