stacieladams21's reviews
350 reviews

Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

I see the beginnings of a little found family forming! This is the perfect series for a quick genre change in between reads.  So much fun. 

An Empire as a Betrothal Gift by Fu Bai Qu (浮白曲)

5.0

An Empire as a Betrothal Gift (English title). Another favorite new read that I will be adding the Seven Seas survey for English licensing. This novel was such an enjoyable read that I could not put down. Check some of the other reviews to find really good synopses of the story. 

MC Wei Lian: Beauty (of course the most beautiful in all the land ), looks fragile but is smart, cunning, manipulative?, acts coquettish with JY  

ML Ji Yue: "cruel" tyrant emperor,  smart, ambitious, has endless love for and devotion to WL, has a  constant fear of hurting WL, GREEN FLAG, also gorgeous of course. 

👑enemies to lovers

👑fake relationship

👑power couple (little bit of Mary Sue for MC)- both smart, clever, and good at martial arts

👑Misunderstanding/communication issues with their feelings (not the frustrating kind IMO though)

👑Historical/wuxia

👑Politics/court drama (light)

👑Angst with comedic relief

Things I loved:

♥️WL's inner dialogue and sassiness

♥️Couple dynamic- they are SO perfect for each other. It was achingly sweet at times but it took work to get there. The chemistry is incredible

♥️Both have an inner fear of hurting and losing the other

♥️WL constantly referring to JL as the "older man" when they are two years apart

♥️This book really had me in my feelings- I cried multiple times for JY

Not a perfect novel but still so worth reading.

Some convenient plot devices- so if that kind of thing drives you crazy, just know it's going to happen- especially towards the end of the book.

终极蓝印 The Ultimate Blue Seal by priest

Plot driven sci-fi novel that I wanted to love but never quite connected with.  I think I needed a little bit more character development and interactions between the MC and ML. Sci-fi is not my typical genre however Can Ci Pin (also by Priest) is one of my all time favorites so I thought I might enjoy this for a genre switch. 

I enjoyed Su Qing’s character the most. He is a bit of a problem and at times a scoundrel but there are reasons! 

Overall, it’s a good quick read. I enjoyed it and would recommend if you are a sci-fi fan.

Chinese Myths by Xueting Christine Ni

5.0

This book is SO good if you love to read Chinese novels or just want a quick reference for Chinese mythology, cultural traditions, Daoism, Buddhism, history, etc. 

It’s illustrated, easy to understand, and a great gateway into diving deep into China’s heritage. 

Highly recommend for any danmei reader.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

5.0

If you want to read something outside your typical genre or wheelhouse this might be the book for you! SO MUCH FUN. I read it because someone I trust loved it (ahem, Devon) and it was totally worth it. The Goodreads reviews are accurate so look through a few and give the audiobook a try! 

It’s a wild ride and this is book one of six that are out and I think the seventh is releasing soon.

After Being Forced to Marry the Evil Star General by Gu Sanyue, 顾三跃

5.0

If “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion was a novel, this would be it. This is a historical romance novel with the main focus on Zhao Yelan and Yan Mingting’s relationship development. The plot is simple and easy to follow which as a mood reader, was exactly what I wanted. This is a love story and might be one of the most romance heavy danmei I’ve read.

Characters

Zhao Yelan: cold beauty, frail, smart, conniving, angry, cranky, needs to be coaxed, irritable and unlikable initially, troublesome with a temper, eventually turns in to a tease. He is a rose with a lot of thorns 

Yan Mingting: easy going general, well liked by everyone, teases ZY to provoke him, protector, SO MUCH patience, pure, loyal, greenest of green flags

🔵 Historical fiction/court intrigue

🔵Arranged marriage

🔵Strong dislike/annoyance to adoringly sweet relationship

🔵 Scholar/Political Official x Military General

🔵 Multiple strong females- and all fujoshi and so supportive of them as a couple. An even a cute lesbian couple🥰. For once the females aren’t written just to cause trouble for the MC/ML, be saved, and/or just be prostitutes or concubines 🙄

🔵There is some 🌶️ but it’s in the background and IMO well done.

Some of the things I loved about this book:

❤️ZY finally finding love, a home, and friends who care about him

❤️The confidence and comfort ZY starts to feel with YM

❤️ The cute banter and bickering between them

❤️ Watching them care more and more about each other through their actions

❤️YM’s absolute obsession with YM

This book might have been a teeny bit longer than it should have been but that didn’t bother me because enjoying every second of their relationship. 

Tempest Breaker by Cavan Scott

5.0

What a fantastic character Lourna Dee has turned out to be. Star Wars does an amazing  job with all their audiobooks but their audio dramas with a full cast are top tier. 

It might feel daunting the start the High Republic books but there are several guides and it’s one the most enjoyable eras of Star Wars IMO.

Also love the LGBTQI+ rep 🏳️‍🌈

七爷 [Qī Yé] by priest

5.0

I am shocked at how much I loved this I book since I am one of the few that didn’t *gush* over Faraway Wanderers (still really liked it). Absolutely adored Jing Qi and the little toxin Wu Xi 🥰. I am not sure which story Priest wrote first but I watched Word of Honor, read Faraway Wanderers and then read Lord Seventh. 

✔️Historical fiction

✔️Politics, war, death

✔️Pining/unrequited love

✔️Incredible character development

✔️Romance (my favorite part of this book!) but per usual with Priest, off-screen/fade to black 🌶️

*Priest’s humor just always hits perfectly for me, especially in her novels that might be a little more melancholy

I’m sure most people already know this is the prequel to Faraway Wanderers and I’m curious what the recommended order is. Having Zhou Zushi in this novel  was just icing on the cake IMO and now I want to rewatch WoH and reread Faraway Wanderers!

“In this life, you will be the only one in my heart. In the next life, and the life after that, I will forever remember you, so long as my soul hasn’t scattered.”

Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson

5.0

No spoilers. I read all five Stormlight Archives books thinking that the second era -which won’t come out for another estimated SIX years- was going to be similar to Mistborn Era 2 (different time period, different characters but same universe and magic system). 

Nope. It’s the next ARC, not era. So unfortunately I thought things were going to be resolved in this book 🙄. The last 100 pages I was  constantly worried and wondering how Sanderson was going to conclude this story with so little time.  

I did absolutely love the novel but now I feel empty and it’s going to be the longest wait for book six.

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Comic / Manhua) Vol. 8 by Luo Di Cheng Qiu, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Favorite volume so far.  Lan Xichen is one of my favorite side characters (I think the LA actor influences this 🤣) so I was happy to get more of him. Love Nie Mingjue (he's gorgeous in this adaptation too) and it just breaks my heart what happens to him and Nie Huasiang. And of course my girl Mianmian!
What I loved the most was the Xuanwu slaughter cave time with WY and LZ. 
Six pages of LZ's gay panic with much more detail than the LA version for obvious reasons.