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art_books_chemistry's reviews
538 reviews
Savage Run by C.J. Box
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Valentine's Rebellion by Dani Elias
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Dani is quick and to the point with this Valentine's Day novella! The friends to lovers chemistry is instantly obvious and doesn't leave you hanging too long. Coop and Lizzie are positively adorable and hilarious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
The Avalon Trials by Devon Thiele
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Avalon Trials is perfect for fans of Legendborn or Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Thiele crafts a careful retelling/sequel of the Legend of King Arthur that keeps the spirit of the originals while throwing in a couple of twists. It's a standard epic quest with a small dash of romance, an unlocked for Betrayal, and a real hero finding themselves in a time of need.
I found all of the characters relatable in some fashion, allowing me to immerse myself in the story as a whole. I do wish some of the side characters were fleshed out a but more, but perhaps we'll get a sequel? It does however easily stand on its own.
I guessed several things early on but was still surprised at various parts, especially a couple bits at the end. Regardless, the plot was well-written enough that it didn't bother me to have figured part of it out early on.
Definitely recommend for anyone that likes a simpler standalone fantasy or loves everything King Arthur.
I found all of the characters relatable in some fashion, allowing me to immerse myself in the story as a whole. I do wish some of the side characters were fleshed out a but more, but perhaps we'll get a sequel? It does however easily stand on its own.
I guessed several things early on but was still surprised at various parts, especially a couple bits at the end. Regardless, the plot was well-written enough that it didn't bother me to have figured part of it out early on.
Definitely recommend for anyone that likes a simpler standalone fantasy or loves everything King Arthur.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Angel of Water & Shadow by Tory Guyon
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was a little worried about this book, around the one third mark due to its similarity with City of Bones by C. Clare. But it pulled through and distinguished itself enough for me to give it 4 well deserved stars. Unlike some other more traditional protagonists, River is quite flawed and in such a way as to affect the story. Her personal history has several big hurtles to cross and the plot progression reflects that. I will say, it doesn't necessarily make her the most lovable MC but she is definitely relatable.
I did guess the major plot twist from the very beginning, though some clues made me think that was the author's intention. If you have an issue with cliffhangers, I don't recommend this, hah. Although some questions are answered, just as many are opened at the end.
I did guess the major plot twist from the very beginning, though some clues made me think that was the author's intention. If you have an issue with cliffhangers, I don't recommend this, hah. Although some questions are answered, just as many are opened at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Injury/Injury detail
Second Hand Rose by D E Fox
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity and Fire/Fire injury
Legion by Brandon Sanderson
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
imPerfect Magic by C.N. Rowan
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
This story is an intricately woven romp through France as told by a, to be completely honest, lunatic wizard with a juvenile sense of humor. And I mean that in the best way possible. The beginning of the book was a bit rough for me, it seemed just as scattered as Paul's (our lunatic wizard's) mind. There were a few too many time jumps that felt like unfinished thoughts.
It also took me quite a bit of time to get used to the narrator for the audiobook. It wasn't his accent (I watch plenty of BBC and listen to plenty of UK narrators) but his intonation and inflection, that just felt off to my ears. He'd finish sentences in such a way that they didn't sound like the end of a sentence. Eventually I adjusted enough to be able to listen to the storyline through this and enjoyed it more. However, I probably missed a few details in the beginning because I couldn't focus on what he was saying.
The actual adventure turned out to be not dissimilar to a D&D campaign with a vindictive dungeon master. Running around France talking to specific monsters or seeking out magical artifacts before ending up in the final dungeon battle where the entire story wraps up. I would have preferred if the "aha" bits were spread out through the story a bit more than just dumped on us in a Bond-villain style soliloquy. But that's personal preference, and I still found it well conceived overall.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It also took me quite a bit of time to get used to the narrator for the audiobook. It wasn't his accent (I watch plenty of BBC and listen to plenty of UK narrators) but his intonation and inflection, that just felt off to my ears. He'd finish sentences in such a way that they didn't sound like the end of a sentence. Eventually I adjusted enough to be able to listen to the storyline through this and enjoyed it more. However, I probably missed a few details in the beginning because I couldn't focus on what he was saying.
The actual adventure turned out to be not dissimilar to a D&D campaign with a vindictive dungeon master. Running around France talking to specific monsters or seeking out magical artifacts before ending up in the final dungeon battle where the entire story wraps up. I would have preferred if the "aha" bits were spread out through the story a bit more than just dumped on us in a Bond-villain style soliloquy. But that's personal preference, and I still found it well conceived overall.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Grief
Minor: Gun violence and Pregnancy
The Night Before Christmas: The Classic Edition by Clement C. Moore, Charles Santore
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Yu Yu Hakusho, Volume 1: Goodbye, Material World! by Yoshihiro Togashi
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0