nikki_ruby's reviews
83 reviews

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

Really good, a tad slow but clearly the transition ARC. Also SUPPPERRR happy I read AB right before this. Pausing here to read AB would feel like whiplash. 

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Disclaimer - I read this 3rd in the series. 
Why 3rd

I was still undecided on when to read this up until I finished COM. Ending COM finding out about Aelin made me want "closure" on Celeana before we go full Aelin. Now as Celeana transitions, I can mentally be with her and ready for it. I'm curious how I'll feel after HoF, that was the other recommended order. Also, SJM said AB 3rd sooooo I valued the author's opinion since she knows how to emotionally damage me

AB Review:

I really like that the Novella bundle aspect, firstly it gave nice spots to pause reading. Secondly, they all blended together nicely without the lag between arcs, cool cool. 
Sam, at least you got to tell her your feelings and know you're loved in return. Unfortunately, totally a rookie move buy not immediately getting tf outta dodge. Why would ANYONE let you both go with no fuss?! The assassin King and any of the other Leaders don't need the money, but they do need your permanent silence. This is not the job you just walk away from because your done. Instead of trying to make some quick cash he should have left with her immediately after getting "permission". 

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I literally just finished this and the only way I can do any sliver of a review is by spoiler warning the whole dam thing soooo here we go. 

1) I f**kin knew she was Aelin. Called it! (in the best way) The end of Book 1 the dead queen makes a comment of "my blood" to Celaena, the white stag appearing, Chaol noting that she ran faster than him on horseback (obvi fae power). Package that up with her being an orphan, whistling a royal blood line hymn and you've got yourself the Fae Anastasia! Take bow you assassin queen of badass. 

2) Nehemia - ya'll..... I'm shooketh. Lemme paint this picture for you. I was about to start chapter 30. I JUST mentioned to a co-worker how much I loved Nehemia, then I clock off have dinner and start reading.... not 4 pages later SHES DEAD!! I was LIVID! I killed her with my words, why did I say I liked her, so I thoroughly enjoyed Celaena's wrathful rampage, and I relived that emotion when she gutted that MF Archer. (whom I never liked BTW) 

3) Obsidian Rings - It's still a bit of a crackpot theory buuuutt I'm pretty sure the rings worn by the king of Otterland, Duke and Rolland's rings are the 3 keys Celaena learned about. 

4) Chaol & Dorian - Maybe I'm just "old" and burned by males buuutt Dorian and Chaol give me stage 3 clinger vibes. idk I'm not feelin it folks. Of course Chaol is like "I love you mushy mushy" all Caleana had to do was hand him stew and he was in love, an ounce of kindness and he's hooked. PS is there a theme here of SJM feeding men soup to establish relationships... ACOTAR iykyk. Dorian is in the same boat for me, plus he's defiant so of course the pretty woman at court that he can't be with is who he wants. IDK, happy to be proven wrong but she dont need no man. 

5) Mort - All I picture is the doorknob from the animated 90s movie Alive in Wonderland. The goofy voice and exaggerated features. I hope someone does a wellness check on him in upcoming books, poor things just alone. 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I was sooo intimidated by this series, especially coming off the complete Graphic Audio collection of ACOTAR. (I did not read AB 1st). I took a solid 6 month break between ACOTAR and TOG.. here we go....
I really liked this one, didn't quite hit enough for a 5 star but very very solid 4. Obviously there's a lot of plots and characters being set up so this has typical book 1 feel where the outline is drawn... now onto to COM!

Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

EOS is an immersive, archeological adventure where "Romancing the Stone" meets the "The Mummy". Ellie and Bates take you on a journey through the Honduras jungle in search of an ancient city. While the journey is adventurous the book does lag a bit in the middle, I found myself pausing for an extended period of time instead of having the impulse to move through it. EOS did end strong, without a crazy cliffhanger and Book #2 set to release in October 2024. 

🎧Audiobook: 16 1/2 hours on 1x
Narrator: Alex Picard 
I thought Alex did a wonderful job and put personality into the different cast of characters. Her narration was full of personality and expression that grabs your attention. 

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ALC in exchange for a review of the audiobook. 

The Hunted Heir by Holly Renee

adventurous challenging tense fast-paced

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

2.75

Well I just verbally said “what tf was that” Where’s the other half of the book?!?! It just ended so abruptly and in the middle of a scene! It’s only 240 pages so I was expecting fast but not nothing. I want to go two but that feels too harsh so we’re gonna throw this at mid. 

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

It's a borderline 4, would go 3.75. I liked it, but didnt love it. There wasn't a WOW enough throughout the book to go higher. 
Also, the audiobook is a little misleading, it shows two narrators however the actual book is our FMC, while 1 chapter is the MMC. 

Ancient Magic by Alexandra Ivy

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 I've really enjoyed this series and how it's simultaneously independent and interwoven. I really enjoyed this one, to be fair, not as much as the 1st but book 2 was by no means a let down. Action packed, easy reading 300ish pages, sprinkle in romance. Waiting for Book #3! 

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

 If you're not listening to the audibooks you're severley missing out. Rebecca Norfolk and Alex Wingfield perform Duet style and nail it. 5 stars for their performance. (14 hrs on 1x)

As for the book, it was a little long for my liking, I had my moments of "how much longer" but overall it was a great story. I appreciate the closure of this duology. 

The Coven by Harper L. Woods

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I think I've decided that I would like this book more if I had read it upon release or 2023 in general. A year and a half later there's several similar titles/tropes/vibes, this doesn't quite feel as unique. 
I was also was put off by the introduction of the romance/spice. it's just "we're gonna bone down and you're gonna like it", dam dude, buy a girl some dinner first or something. Annnd being the naive teenager she falls right into it even though she has so much more potential with the plot. End Scene.