nocturnalbookworm's reviews
73 reviews

challenging dark emotional sad

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

5.0

it was AMAZING! Definitely all the trigger warnings for this one but if you can handle very dark subject matter this one has a complex plot that comes together so well in addition to all the hotness.

I personally loved the way things in Faye, Cole, and Luke's pasts are revealed and relate to each other. I felt like this book did a good job of keeping the tension throughout. I had a couple of moments of like "oh no oh no oh shit oh fuck!"

Content Warnings

The Embalmer, Volume 2 by Mitsukazu Mihara, 三原ミツカズ

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5.0

Elemental Arcane by Phaedra Weldon

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2.0

Dolls, Vol. 1 by Yumiko Kawahara

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challenging reflective

5.0

The Devil's Fingers by Hunter Shea

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challenging lighthearted fast-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? No

3.0

This read just like a B-Movie creature feature which was exactly what I was looking for. There were a couple of troupes and moments of characters doing stupid or seemingly out of character things that kinda took me out of it at some points but overall i still enjoyed the story.

I received a free copy of this book through netgally in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Content Warnings

Dead Leaves: 9 Tales from the Witching Season by Kealan Patrick Burke

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2.5

Darkwalker on Moonshae by Douglas Niles

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adventurous

3.75

This one reads just like the tale of a tabletop D&D party’s adventure in novel form. I would say this is neither good nor bad, it really depends on what you are wanting/expecting from reading this. It struck a nice balance between it’s tense and somber moments and its more jovial adventure ones.

Plot

As stated above this book takes place in the forgotten realms, a campaign setting for D&D. Specifically in the southern most of the Moonshae Isles, Gwynneth. The world felt sufficiently fleshed out, and unlike some other fantasy novels did not feel overwhelming in the amount of information throw at the reader. The introduction of people, places, culture, and history felt very smooth and natural.

World Building

I’ll be honest, I didn’t like Tristian. He still isn’t my favorite but it was nice to see him grow at least a little bit. I hope as the rest of the trilogy unfolds he grows and matures substantially more. Robyn is my favorite hands down, I really enjoyed her take no nonsense attitude, and I was pleasantly surprised to see badass female characters like her and the Sisters of Synnoria in an older fantasy novel.

Characters

I’s a fan of multiple POV fantasy anyway but I really enjoyed the way this book handled it. The transitions were almost always at some sort of cliffhanger, leaving you with wondering tension as you read. Some may not be a fan but for me personally it helped keep me interested.

Writing Style

I found this to be genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes you are just in the mood for troupe filled, good vs evil, high fantasy, and this book scratches that itch.

Enjoyment

Overall Rating 3.7/5

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