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talkingchicle's reviews
367 reviews
The Light That Blinds Us by Andy Darcy Theo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don't even know where to start with how much I loved this book! I knew from the moment it started with the MMC trying to drown his therapist in his own blood that I was going to be in for a wild ride and boy did it take me on a journey. What a perfect magical adventure to add to the YA genre. If you're new to the Fantasy genre this will be the perfect starting point. The elemental magic in this is easy to understand, it's fast paced and there's four main characters so it isn't difficult to keep up. Plus the descriptions of the scenery and creatures make it so easy to visualise. There is the perfect amount of nostalgia weaved through these pages that made reminded me of not only why I love Fantasy but how I fell in love with the genre in the first place.
I have to praise Andy on how he approached the topic of mental health in this. I don't think I've quite read a book that handles this particular subject with as much care and respect as he has done here and he should be proud of how brilliantly he has done it.
I also love how the chapters names were words from different languages and it's definition (bring back chapter names). It was a lovely touch and one I hope continues on in the next book.
I'm a sucker for the found family trope and I really enjoyed how it was done here. The four main character may argue and banter like they are siblings but when it comes down to it they have each others backs.
What a fantastic debut novel, I'm already desperate for the next one. If you are a fan of Percy Jackson and The Fantastic Four I highly suggest putting this on your radar. Although be prepared for an emotional roller-coaster, at one point I was a literal mess. Quivering lip and everything!
I don't even know where to start with how much I loved this book! I knew from the moment it started with the MMC trying to drown his therapist in his own blood that I was going to be in for a wild ride and boy did it take me on a journey. What a perfect magical adventure to add to the YA genre. If you're new to the Fantasy genre this will be the perfect starting point. The elemental magic in this is easy to understand, it's fast paced and there's four main characters so it isn't difficult to keep up. Plus the descriptions of the scenery and creatures make it so easy to visualise. There is the perfect amount of nostalgia weaved through these pages that made reminded me of not only why I love Fantasy but how I fell in love with the genre in the first place.
I have to praise Andy on how he approached the topic of mental health in this. I don't think I've quite read a book that handles this particular subject with as much care and respect as he has done here and he should be proud of how brilliantly he has done it.
I also love how the chapters names were words from different languages and it's definition (bring back chapter names). It was a lovely touch and one I hope continues on in the next book.
I'm a sucker for the found family trope and I really enjoyed how it was done here. The four main character may argue and banter like they are siblings but when it comes down to it they have each others backs.
What a fantastic debut novel, I'm already desperate for the next one. If you are a fan of Percy Jackson and The Fantastic Four I highly suggest putting this on your radar. Although be prepared for an emotional roller-coaster, at one point I was a literal mess. Quivering lip and everything!
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I definitely preferred this to the first book. The story picks up where the last book left off and you're thrown right into it. I loved getting to know the characters more and seeing how they interacted with each other. The banter was enjoyable and I found myself laughing a lot through out the book. The one thing I will say about this is the relationship between the two main characters is dragging. It's been two books now and they've just about kissed. At this point either get together or don't, I can't deal with this level of slow burn.
Overall enjoyable but I'm starting to lose interest in the romance.
I definitely preferred this to the first book. The story picks up where the last book left off and you're thrown right into it. I loved getting to know the characters more and seeing how they interacted with each other. The banter was enjoyable and I found myself laughing a lot through out the book. The one thing I will say about this is the relationship between the two main characters is dragging. It's been two books now and they've just about kissed. At this point either get together or don't, I can't deal with this level of slow burn.
Overall enjoyable but I'm starting to lose interest in the romance.