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tj9390's reviews
678 reviews
House of Fire and Magic: Special Edition by Sherrilyn Kenyon
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I am a big fan of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series and all of her spin offs.
When I saw her releasing a romantasy Unicorn and Dragon shifter novel I was stoked.
Unfortunately, for me, this book kept me at an emotional distance the entire time. The adage 'show don't tell' needed to be employed during this book, since I was told absolutely everything without any of the emotional angsty these two characters went through.
Kenyon's writing style has changed over the years, and I have matured as a reader. I think we no longer mesh which is very disappointing for me.
When I saw her releasing a romantasy Unicorn and Dragon shifter novel I was stoked.
Unfortunately, for me, this book kept me at an emotional distance the entire time. The adage 'show don't tell' needed to be employed during this book, since I was told absolutely everything without any of the emotional angsty these two characters went through.
Kenyon's writing style has changed over the years, and I have matured as a reader. I think we no longer mesh which is very disappointing for me.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Started off slow but I was interested, however the story was very low stakes for a story about demon princes from hell and a witch sister seeking vengeance for her murdered sister.
The writing was not unreadable, however there were no high/low moments or tension built in the whole book. It had one speed and it was laborious.
The writing was not unreadable, however there were no high/low moments or tension built in the whole book. It had one speed and it was laborious.
The Mobster's Masseuse by Jessa Kane
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Hefty by Jessa Kane
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Heat Expectation by Birdie D'Avo
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Heat Hesitation by Birdie D'Avo
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Kandi Steiner has a wonderful writing voice and her characters and story pacing are engaging. I love her dialogue and attention to detail. But with all that going for this book, for me I didn't love Love Letter to Whisky.
I think it was the back and forth relationship between B and Jamie over the span of years that started to irritate me. There was no outside force pulling them apart, it was just there poor choices.
Good book, but it didn't wow me like all the hype made it out to be.
I think it was the back and forth relationship between B and Jamie over the span of years that started to irritate me. There was no outside force pulling them apart, it was just there poor choices.
Good book, but it didn't wow me like all the hype made it out to be.
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Unfortunately, this wasn't for me.
Abigail Owen's writing style wasn't to my liking, which is a me issue.
I could have preserved if I felt a connection to Lyra and Hades, but there was no spark to keep me hooked to the characters.
The dialogue and interaction between the two protagonists felt surface level, with no depth to their emotions or interactions. Felt very mid YA to me.
The trials were not at all life or death, there was no danger or stakes of any kind.
Also, for a world built on the capriciou nature of the Greek Parthenon, this book was not at all dark enough to highlight theactual depravity and inhumanity of the Greek Gods.
Abigail Owen's writing style wasn't to my liking, which is a me issue.
I could have preserved if I felt a connection to Lyra and Hades, but there was no spark to keep me hooked to the characters.
The dialogue and interaction between the two protagonists felt surface level, with no depth to their emotions or interactions. Felt very mid YA to me.
The trials were not at all life or death, there was no danger or stakes of any kind.
Also, for a world built on the capriciou nature of the Greek Parthenon, this book was not at all dark enough to highlight theactual depravity and inhumanity of the Greek Gods.
Daydream by Hannah Grace
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As an elder sister, reading about Halle's conflicting emotions on friends and family made me feel so seen.
And I'm super excited that Daydream wasn't a 'let's get these young adults diagnosed' kind of book. Acceptance, boundaries and love from your people go a long way in living your life as a nerodiverse person surrounded by the nerotypical.
And I'm super excited that Daydream wasn't a 'let's get these young adults diagnosed' kind of book. Acceptance, boundaries and love from your people go a long way in living your life as a nerodiverse person surrounded by the nerotypical.
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed Tigest Girma's writing style - lush, mysterious and haunting, it encapsulated Kidans' mental state very well.
Her flirting with her own morality, mortality and choosing her own death may sound morbid, but it plays well into the Arcane nature taught and explored at Uxley University.
Kidan burns her whole life to the ground in search of her missing sister and the sadness and betrayal felt in the closing scenes of Immortal Dark is visceral.
I have to sit with my thoughts of this book for a while longer to really digest how nuanced and layered the story was.
Buy overall - a strong debut novel from Tigest Girma. Looking forward to exploring the mysticism and depth she has created around Ethiopian history and mythology.
Her flirting with her own morality, mortality and choosing her own death may sound morbid, but it plays well into the Arcane nature taught and explored at Uxley University.
Kidan burns her whole life to the ground in search of her missing sister and the sadness and betrayal felt in the closing scenes of Immortal Dark is visceral.
I have to sit with my thoughts of this book for a while longer to really digest how nuanced and layered the story was.
Buy overall - a strong debut novel from Tigest Girma. Looking forward to exploring the mysticism and depth she has created around Ethiopian history and mythology.