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thehushedearth's reviews
23 reviews
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
I loved this book so much. The writing style was hilarious and full of life. The characters were lovable and unique. The Vega twins, even as twins, are so uniquely themselves, it was easy to differentiate them. I loved the side characters, though I wished I got to see more of them. Hopefully in the future books.
The world was very well thought out. We really only got to see the Academy, but everything is placed perfectly and cohesive. I loved the descriptions that were given.
The different Orders in this book under the Fae was so interesting. Usually the Fae are different from things like Vampires, but for that to be an Order under the Fae was interesting and highly original.
Overall, I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
The world was very well thought out. We really only got to see the Academy, but everything is placed perfectly and cohesive. I loved the descriptions that were given.
The different Orders in this book under the Fae was so interesting. Usually the Fae are different from things like Vampires, but for that to be an Order under the Fae was interesting and highly original.
Overall, I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
This story is insanely unique and inventive in a sea of fairy tale retellings. It somehow seamlessly blends a Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast retelling into one.
The world: I found that the writing in this book was beautiful and lyrical. The prose reminded me of many of the dark fairy tales that I have read without being overtly dark to accomplish this feat. Whitten brings her world, setting, and characters to life in startling and fresh detail. I found that the dichotomy of beauty and darkness, light and shadow, in this novel were as fascinating as they were lovely.
The characters: All of Whitten's characters have a fierceness about them in one way or another that I loved. The cast of characters in this book are diverse and full of strong voices. Each of the cast of side characters had an interesting story and were unique to themselves. I would have liked to see a little more development or involvement of some of the side characters.
Red (Redarys) was born a second daughter and was therefore destined for the Wolf. While at first, I was a little put off by Red's attitude, her tenacity and strength won me over in the end. She can be a little crass, stubborn, and selfish at times, but overall I feel like this lends to her being human and flawed which makes her more relatable.
Neve (Neverah) is the first daughter and therefore, for the throne. She comes off as kind and cares for her sister in such a fierce way. Over the course of the book, we watch her character make an arc from a more meek and gentle girl to a powerful and determined woman.
I enjoyed the bond between Red and Neve, the fierce loyalty and protectiveness that the sisters share. It did lead to some less than smart decisions on both of their parts admittedly. But overall, I feel like the bond that they had was formidable and added much needed tension throughout the story as they were being pulled back together by the love that they shared.
The Wolf I think was my favorite character. He was the perfect mixture of brooding, mysterious, protective, and kind. He is the character type that I am the most in love with: the dark, intimidating, mysterious one that is secretly the sweetest, kindest person who only wants to take care of those that he loves. He is made flawed and more relatable in his awkwardness and his almost fundamental need to protect those that he cares for by himself.
Overall, I loved the story and cannot wait to see how it unfolds further in the second book.
The world: I found that the writing in this book was beautiful and lyrical. The prose reminded me of many of the dark fairy tales that I have read without being overtly dark to accomplish this feat. Whitten brings her world, setting, and characters to life in startling and fresh detail. I found that the dichotomy of beauty and darkness, light and shadow, in this novel were as fascinating as they were lovely.
The characters: All of Whitten's characters have a fierceness about them in one way or another that I loved. The cast of characters in this book are diverse and full of strong voices. Each of the cast of side characters had an interesting story and were unique to themselves. I would have liked to see a little more development or involvement of some of the side characters.
Red (Redarys) was born a second daughter and was therefore destined for the Wolf. While at first, I was a little put off by Red's attitude, her tenacity and strength won me over in the end. She can be a little crass, stubborn, and selfish at times, but overall I feel like this lends to her being human and flawed which makes her more relatable.
Neve (Neverah) is the first daughter and therefore, for the throne. She comes off as kind and cares for her sister in such a fierce way. Over the course of the book, we watch her character make an arc from a more meek and gentle girl to a powerful and determined woman.
I enjoyed the bond between Red and Neve, the fierce loyalty and protectiveness that the sisters share. It did lead to some less than smart decisions on both of their parts admittedly. But overall, I feel like the bond that they had was formidable and added much needed tension throughout the story as they were being pulled back together by the love that they shared.
The Wolf I think was my favorite character. He was the perfect mixture of brooding, mysterious, protective, and kind. He is the character type that I am the most in love with: the dark, intimidating, mysterious one that is secretly the sweetest, kindest person who only wants to take care of those that he loves. He is made flawed and more relatable in his awkwardness and his almost fundamental need to protect those that he cares for by himself.
Overall, I loved the story and cannot wait to see how it unfolds further in the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement
Blood and self-harm used for magic purposes, not due to mental health issues.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was exactly like watching an MTV documentary “then and now” but in book format. The actual format of the book was not what I was talking expecting going into it. I didn’t expect it to be interview style.
It was very much sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll.
Daisy Jones was a very likable character even with her major flaw being that of an addict who didn’t care if an entire family fell apart for her desires. She was who she was unapologetically and I loved that about her.
Billy Dunne was kind of annoying in that he always had to be right. I get the whole recovering addict thing. It was the ‘60s and ‘70s; if you weren’t a current addict, you were recovering. But to make that your entire personality is kind of much. His relationship with Camila was fantastic. I loved that for him. It was very abnormal for the time given that he was basically allowed to do whatever he wanted and she would be there for him, and vice versa. The fact that she knew he loved Daisy and didn’t do anything but ask Daisy to leave so they could stop hurting each other is beyond me.
I felt bad for Graham. Karen was being incredibly selfish in their relationship knowing that he loved her and knowing that she couldn’t. The whole baby situation was just the straw that broke the camels back.
Eddie was annoying as fuck. I honestly hated his character.
Thought Pete was dead the entire book only to have him say like one thing at the end.
Poor Teddy. He was such a good guy. He and Rod deserve a fruit basket and a massage and a vacation for all they put up with. <\spoiler>
All in all, it was a good book if you’re in it for the drama and mayhem of a 70s rock band. It’s not usually my style, but it was good.
It was very much sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll.
Daisy Jones was a very likable character even with her major flaw being that of an addict who didn’t care if an entire family fell apart for her desires. She was who she was unapologetically and I loved that about her.
Billy Dunne was kind of annoying in that he always had to be right.
I felt bad for Graham. Karen was being incredibly selfish in their relationship knowing that he loved her and knowing that she couldn’t. The whole baby situation was just the straw that broke the camels back.
Eddie was annoying as fuck. I honestly hated his character.
Thought Pete was dead the entire book only to have him say like one thing at the end.
Poor Teddy. He was such a good guy. He and Rod deserve a fruit basket and a massage and a vacation for all they put up with. <\spoiler>
All in all, it was a good book if you’re in it for the drama and mayhem of a 70s rock band. It’s not usually my style, but it was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
In this book Joan is a half human half monster girl who volunteers with a boy named Nick who she really likes. After a series of events that occur when she is supposed to go on a date with him, she learns that she time traveled. When she goes to explain it to him, they run into more monsters from a rival family and end up in a life or death situation. Joan learns that Nick is the “human hero” from all of the monster children stories and there is a massacre killing Joan’s entire family leaving only Joan and the son of her rival family, Aaron, alive. Joan and Aaron are then forced to time travel again while they run for their lives so that they can try to save their families and end up on a wild adventure full of more monsters and monster slayers and royal courts and monster balls. It’s a wonderful world that Len built full of culturally diverse characters. I understand Joan’s need to have her family back, but I feel like it was a stab in the back toward Aaron and Nick didn’t deserve her love with all that happened. I feel like this story isn’t close to complete and can’t wait for the next book to see how the gang gets back together and what happens in the monster world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Kidnapping, and War
What Lies Beyond the Veil by Harper L. Woods
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars. I entirely get the hype of this book. The cast of characters was diverse and the world was very well built. The prose was incredibly well written and lyrical; thought provoking. It made me feel smart just to read this book honestly. I loved the cast of characters and the interactions between them. The character development and growth was fantastic. That plot twist was amazing and makes me wonder what will happen in the next book.