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redplanetreads's reviews
15 reviews
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Favorite Female Character: Sorasa Sarn
Favorite Male Character: Andry Trelland
In a rare instance, I found this sequel to be better than the first book. The character development expanded widely and got much more interesting. I loved seeing the hope still alive in Andry and Corayne, and the slow burn between Sorasa and Domacridhan is fantastically built. Taristan and Erica’s relationship is darkly twisted and fascinating to try and dissect. My main criticism is quickly ending the lives of who could have been some very interesting side characters, but that’s a subjective matter. I’m very excited for the ending to the trilogy!
Favorite Male Character: Andry Trelland
In a rare instance, I found this sequel to be better than the first book. The character development expanded widely and got much more interesting. I loved seeing the hope still alive in Andry and Corayne, and the slow burn between Sorasa and Domacridhan is fantastically built. Taristan and Erica’s relationship is darkly twisted and fascinating to try and dissect. My main criticism is quickly ending the lives of who could have been some very interesting side characters, but that’s a subjective matter. I’m very excited for the ending to the trilogy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Toxic relationship
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Favorite Female Character: Corayne An-Amarat
Favorite Male Character: Andry Trelland
I really liked this one! I’ve been reading work by this author for a while, and I have to say that her writing has grown so much since her first series. RB felt a little non-linear and confusing at times, but once I really got into it I fell in love with the setting and the characters. With an expansive world build and enthralling storyline of danger, deception, and royal intrigue, I would recommend this for fans of LOTR, Six of Crows, and general sweeping fantasy novels.
Favorite Male Character: Andry Trelland
I really liked this one! I’ve been reading work by this author for a while, and I have to say that her writing has grown so much since her first series. RB felt a little non-linear and confusing at times, but once I really got into it I fell in love with the setting and the characters. With an expansive world build and enthralling storyline of danger, deception, and royal intrigue, I would recommend this for fans of LOTR, Six of Crows, and general sweeping fantasy novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Moderate: Grief and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Overall, this book was decent. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it, either. The writing style was fine, good even, but at times it felt more like the author was asserting her own opinions than rewriting a narrative. I appreciated the reframing of the story, and I would read another book by Natalie Haynes (in fact I plan on it), but this one wasn’t a favorite of mine. I prefer less bias and more storytelling in the books I choose to read, especially when the story isn’t the author’s in the first place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Injury/Injury detail
The Seer of Shadows by Avi
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Racism, Child abuse, and Child death
Devil in the Device by Lora Beth Johnson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Favorite Female Character: Doon
Favorite Male Character: Kiv
This was one of the few times I’ve enjoyed the sequel more than the first book. It provided a really interesting commentary on what it means to be human and the advances of AI technology while still being an engaging science fantasy blend. I’m looking forward to see what the author comes out with, next.
Favorite Male Character: Kiv
This was one of the few times I’ve enjoyed the sequel more than the first book. It provided a really interesting commentary on what it means to be human and the advances of AI technology while still being an engaging science fantasy blend. I’m looking forward to see what the author comes out with, next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming
Goddess in the Machine by Lora Beth Johnson
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Favorite Female Character: Lilibet
Favorite Male Character: Lew-Eadin
I had a hard time getting into this book at first. The author’s choice to create her own dialect was strange and took a long time to get used to, but at the same time it provided a stimulating linguistic challenge. The characters are somewhat grating up until the end, but I think I’ve formed bonds with at least some of them. Hard to get through for most of it, but definitely picks up at the end.
Favorite Male Character: Lew-Eadin
I had a hard time getting into this book at first. The author’s choice to create her own dialect was strange and took a long time to get used to, but at the same time it provided a stimulating linguistic challenge. The characters are somewhat grating up until the end, but I think I’ve formed bonds with at least some of them. Hard to get through for most of it, but definitely picks up at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Body shaming
Minor: Blood
What We Harvest by Ann Fraistat
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Favorite Female Character: Wren Warren
Favorite Male Character: Derek Pewter-Flores
Notable Quote: “No one was coming. No one was ever coming to help us.”
This book was great! I haven’t read much horror, but this was a fantastic way to start. Small-town romance and mystery meets magical realism in a brilliant clash of relatable, detailed writing. The characters feel like real people, and the setting could be a place just down the road. Overall, an amazing read. Congratulations to the author on her debut novel.
Favorite Male Character: Derek Pewter-Flores
Notable Quote: “No one was coming. No one was ever coming to help us.”
This book was great! I haven’t read much horror, but this was a fantastic way to start. Small-town romance and mystery meets magical realism in a brilliant clash of relatable, detailed writing. The characters feel like real people, and the setting could be a place just down the road. Overall, an amazing read. Congratulations to the author on her debut novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Animal death
The Ptolemy Project by Kate St. Clair, Kate St. Clair
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Favorite Female Character: Aquila Navarro
Favorite Male Character: Pollux Crane
Notable Quote: “You are not alone. You’re not.”
Similar To: The Testing, Incarceron
*please read content warnings*
I wasn’t super into this book at first, put off by the author’s willingness to directly lean into the worst parts of how people can treat each other. But as I kept reading, I grew more and more attached to the characters and invested in the story. They are all deeply complex people, and I applaud the author’s writing style for being able to so effectively break them open. I will definitely keep reading these.
Favorite Male Character: Pollux Crane
Notable Quote: “You are not alone. You’re not.”
Similar To: The Testing, Incarceron
*please read content warnings*
I wasn’t super into this book at first, put off by the author’s willingness to directly lean into the worst parts of how people can treat each other. But as I kept reading, I grew more and more attached to the characters and invested in the story. They are all deeply complex people, and I applaud the author’s writing style for being able to so effectively break them open. I will definitely keep reading these.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Violence, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Outing
Blood, Metal, Bone by Lindsay Cummings
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Favorite Female Character: Azariah of Stonegrave
Favorite Male Character: Karr Kingston
Notable Quote: “I’ll see you when the stars go dim.”
Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly. But I do think that, at times, the author’s blending of fantasy and science fiction didn’t always work. The characters were complex and interesting, and the plot really picked up towards the end. I would recommend this if you liked Veronica Roth’s Carve the Mark duology.
Favorite Male Character: Karr Kingston
Notable Quote: “I’ll see you when the stars go dim.”
Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly. But I do think that, at times, the author’s blending of fantasy and science fiction didn’t always work. The characters were complex and interesting, and the plot really picked up towards the end. I would recommend this if you liked Veronica Roth’s Carve the Mark duology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Blood, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders