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rumplled's reviews
534 reviews
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
fast-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
I don't get it. Flat and boring run-of-the-mill romantasy main characters, with the FMC being incredibly naive, bordering on unbelievably stupid (especially regarding the kingdom and her father). Maybe if Oraya had actually been cloistered inside the castle, it could have been chalked up to cult-like manipulation, but...no.
The world-building was tissue paper thin, which I can forgive in a romantasy if the romance is good. However, the romance here is all lust, no connection. We are told they are in love at multiple points, but not shown any actual relationship development or romantic chemistry.
Then, the central element of the book is the death tournament, which does not matter until the very end, when the very predictable outcome happens. I feel like the success of The Hunger Games made everyone want to include these deadly games, but no one ever followed through. In this case, there are genuinely no stakes because we know the main character and the love interest are not going to die, and Broadbent does not spend an ounce of time making the reader know or care about any of the other characters (sorry, Mische). So all of the wanton death and violence is basically meaningless. Even the bodily harm is pointless since it is healed within ten pages.
This reads as a romance that wanted to be taken seriously as a fantasy but just ended up ruining both the fantasy and the romance. That is what happens when you give vampires feathery angel wings.
The world-building was tissue paper thin, which I can forgive in a romantasy if the romance is good. However, the romance here is all lust, no connection. We are told they are in love at multiple points, but not shown any actual relationship development or romantic chemistry.
Then, the central element of the book is the death tournament, which does not matter until the very end, when the very predictable outcome happens. I feel like the success of The Hunger Games made everyone want to include these deadly games, but no one ever followed through. In this case, there are genuinely no stakes because we know the main character and the love interest are not going to die, and Broadbent does not spend an ounce of time making the reader know or care about any of the other characters (sorry, Mische). So all of the wanton death and violence is basically meaningless. Even the bodily harm is pointless since it is healed within ten pages.
This reads as a romance that wanted to be taken seriously as a fantasy but just ended up ruining both the fantasy and the romance. That is what happens when you give vampires feathery angel wings.
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wish this book had stuck to the fantasy dark academia it sells itself as rather than getting bogged down in civil war and political jockeying.
The engaging parts of this book are the magical research and the relationships between all of the characters (especially between Lorelei and Sylvia), and there could have been an in-depth look at how class and ethnicity affect academia. There could still have been a murder mystery and ghosts, but instead, we got half-baked politics, which was especially disappointing for an adult fantasy.
The engaging parts of this book are the magical research and the relationships between all of the characters (especially between Lorelei and Sylvia), and there could have been an in-depth look at how class and ethnicity affect academia. There could still have been a murder mystery and ghosts, but instead, we got half-baked politics, which was especially disappointing for an adult fantasy.
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think I am just getting too old for most YAs.
The writing was fine, the magic was vague but intriguing, and the romance was okay until the completely unnecessary sex scene. The turn at the end of the book was a good set-up for the next book, but I am just 'eh' about the whole thing.
The writing was fine, the magic was vague but intriguing, and the romance was okay until the completely unnecessary sex scene. The turn at the end of the book was a good set-up for the next book, but I am just 'eh' about the whole thing.
The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While the Arthurian world was the start of something interesting, I do not think Bracken's writing (after three books) is for me.
The unearned magical success at the end is always so unsatisfying.
The unearned magical success at the end is always so unsatisfying.
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really liked Teddy (and Lyla's writing is so solid), so even though this book has a lot of romance tropes that I do not enjoy, I still had a good time.
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
It was just so fun to see Dex and Mosscap interest and grow together. It is nice to have a slow and reflective time.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
reflective
- 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
A cozy little contemplation of purpose and one's place in the world. Dex is so relatable since they give everyone space and grace but hold themselves to an incredibly strict standard. And I relate to that so much.
I feel like this is a book I will come back to multiple times.
I feel like this is a book I will come back to multiple times.
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Rio is great at creating atmosphere and an interesting cast of characters. However, I wanted to know more about everyone and everything.
While not literally scary, the book is tense at times and does focus on some real-life horrors. The story was good, but it left me wanting another full-length ML Rio novel.
While not literally scary, the book is tense at times and does focus on some real-life horrors. The story was good, but it left me wanting another full-length ML Rio novel.
Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was hard to get back into the series when I was satisfied with the ending break we got with Morningstar.
This book sets up a lot, and with the multiple perspectives, there is kind of a lot going on, and somehow, I ended up enjoying Darrow's chapters the least.
While I am committed to finishing the series, this does not really motivate me to pick up the next book.
This book sets up a lot, and with the multiple perspectives, there is kind of a lot going on, and somehow, I ended up enjoying Darrow's chapters the least.
While I am committed to finishing the series, this does not really motivate me to pick up the next book.
Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75