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asipofcozy's reviews
206 reviews
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My mind is absolutely blown. I went into this with very low expectations - as I do with all hyped books. I didn't want to get my hopes up in a book that had been advertised as a steamy fantasy romance. Which lately when you see those labels on books, it means very little to the plot and world building and more focus on the s*x and romance.
However, was VERY surprised. While the romance and tension was there this was a slow burn with world building and plot at the forefront. I really enjoyed the characters, the trials, and my god that ending blew me out of the water.
Book 2 here I come!
However, was VERY surprised. While the romance and tension was there this was a slow burn with world building and plot at the forefront. I really enjoyed the characters, the trials, and my god that ending blew me out of the water.
Book 2 here I come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 10 by Aya Shouoto
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
3.5
This was a decent volume, for what we were given. The last chunk of the volume was a "bonus chapter" and while they are nice, it took up most of this volume. I am still intrigued and now want to know what happened to the past omamori's of the house.
Sometimes I feel like the only point to Hamari in the story and her only reason for existing is just so Aoi/Nue can consistently save her and protect her from the spirits lurking in the house. It can be quite annoying to read about a character that has to be saved in every volume and has no point but to be the damsel all the time. It's exhausting to read.
Sometimes I feel like the only point to Hamari in the story and her only reason for existing is just so Aoi/Nue can consistently save her and protect her from the spirits lurking in the house. It can be quite annoying to read about a character that has to be saved in every volume and has no point but to be the damsel all the time. It's exhausting to read.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 9 by Aya Shouoto
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
I believe this one has to be the best volume of the series so far! It was wonderful <3.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 8 by Aya Shouoto
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Loved that we got more of Aoi's past....although it was quite traumatizing and Aoi needs some serious cuddles. The only reason I am giving this a 3.5 rating is I felt confused (not quite sure what at what yet but confused none the less) and the mini stories at the end were weird :D.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
The Empress of Time by Kylie Lee Baker
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Didn't think that I would have ended up giving Empress of Time a 4 star yet here we are. I really enjoyed the complexity of our main character and her battle with her inner darkness and demons. For once we have a main character that is not good. She is selfish in her choices and her choices resolved around one being - her brother.
Now granted, just like the first book I am still not a fan of Neven. While the author did a great job of character development for Ren. Neven is still left naive. Don't get me wrong, loved the sisiter - brother relationship we get very rarely in literature. Yet, Neven still is blinded by his sisters pain and the constant racism she receives. He blindly believes his love will be enough (which partially is true) and that Red should be a better person because of it. He doesn't understand or try to understand her pain, what she has gone through as a poc, and it still shows in this book.
However, my dislike of Neven didn't take away my love of the how much Japanese culture we get packed into 300 pages. I loved every bit of it...and the plot of course :D.
Now granted, just like the first book I am still not a fan of Neven. While the author did a great job of character development for Ren. Neven is still left naive. Don't get me wrong, loved the sisiter - brother relationship we get very rarely in literature. Yet, Neven still is blinded by his sisters pain and the constant racism she receives. He blindly believes his love will be enough (which partially is true) and that Red should be a better person because of it. He doesn't understand or try to understand her pain, what she has gone through as a poc, and it still shows in this book.
However, my dislike of Neven didn't take away my love of the how much Japanese culture we get packed into 300 pages. I loved every bit of it...and the plot of course :D.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 7 by Aya Shouoto
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Volume 7 really gave the background needed as to how and why Aoi ended up at Momochi House. It's something, that I feel should have been given earlier due to all the confusion and in between volumes that did little for the plot. However, loved it and that ending man. Definitely sets up for the rest of the volumes.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I did it! I got out of my reading slump and FINALLY finished this glorious master piece of fantasy literature. While I am frustrated at my reading slump from getting it the way, this book was a 5 ⭐ read from the very beginning.
Shannon wove a master piece of fantasy and feminism. Priory of the Orange Tree is brimming with details, ideas, themes, characters, legend, and magic. I know many shy away from the In-depth detail of fantasy but even with the fine combed details lain throughout the pages, Shannon never loses sight of the plot and character development. She never strays from her woven story and how intricately she created each piece to fit like a perfect puzzle.
This was what really captured and won me over within the first 100 pages. Even with all the moving parts, we are never lost.
We are immersed in culture, languages, and religions. We are taught and educated along with the characters. How Shannon touches on heavy and "taboo" topics and creates teaching moments makes the story come to life, like that of the discourse in religions amongst humanity or being closed minded to other cultures around us
And just as the plot is rich and diverse, so are the characters. We are given so many diverse voices and perspectives. The characters - Sabaran, Ead, Tane, Loth, Niclays, and all the side characters - are what drove this master piece as they each learn and grow together to face The Nameless One. They enriched the story even further and were the stars. How they interacted and learned together, how they each grew individually, it gave me some hope for our own world.
Finally I will say, I 100% plan on reaching the prequel to this master piece A Day of Fallen Night. I can only imagine it will be just as glorious as its predecessor.
Priory of the Orange Tree has booted the #1 book in my top 5 books of all time list down to #2 and has taken that spot of no. 1 and it is well deserved. It's beautiful, poetic, and full of strong woman. It may be a chunk but every page was worth it. 🖤
Shannon wove a master piece of fantasy and feminism. Priory of the Orange Tree is brimming with details, ideas, themes, characters, legend, and magic. I know many shy away from the In-depth detail of fantasy but even with the fine combed details lain throughout the pages, Shannon never loses sight of the plot and character development. She never strays from her woven story and how intricately she created each piece to fit like a perfect puzzle.
This was what really captured and won me over within the first 100 pages. Even with all the moving parts, we are never lost.
We are immersed in culture, languages, and religions. We are taught and educated along with the characters. How Shannon touches on heavy and "taboo" topics and creates teaching moments makes the story come to life, like that of the discourse in religions amongst humanity or being closed minded to other cultures around us
And just as the plot is rich and diverse, so are the characters. We are given so many diverse voices and perspectives. The characters - Sabaran, Ead, Tane, Loth, Niclays, and all the side characters - are what drove this master piece as they each learn and grow together to face The Nameless One. They enriched the story even further and were the stars. How they interacted and learned together, how they each grew individually, it gave me some hope for our own world.
Finally I will say, I 100% plan on reaching the prequel to this master piece A Day of Fallen Night. I can only imagine it will be just as glorious as its predecessor.
Priory of the Orange Tree has booted the #1 book in my top 5 books of all time list down to #2 and has taken that spot of no. 1 and it is well deserved. It's beautiful, poetic, and full of strong woman. It may be a chunk but every page was worth it. 🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 6 by Aya Shouoto
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed this volume as it focuses on Himari and her dealing with rejection on top of the daily comings and goings of the ayakashi in Momochi House.
The art style is still gorgeous although I have found that many of the many characters have similar features just with a different hairstyle. However, that doesn't deter me too much.
What I am coming to realize is, we know very little about Himari. I feel like Aoi is the only character that has any development and is quite well rounded. Aoi is a complex character with a mysterious childhood and we see more of his complex personality than any other character.
With Himari, we know nothing about her. Not her dislikes, her likes, her passions, who she is an individual, who she wants to be, what she wants. We just know that she fell in love with Aoi by volume 2 and her sole purpose for existing in this series is to save Aoi. That's it. She is very 2D when it comes to personality.
And I know I shouldn't compare to Kamisama Kiss or Fruits Baskets or anything of the nature, but it's just so hard not too when they had more rounded and complex main and non-main characters.
The story is still cute and wholesome, but it's a very surface level series and I don't see it getting much deeper. I see there being some character development and relationship development but when it comes to a complex character dev. I don't expect much to change.
However, I am invested thus far and definitely want to continue.
The art style is still gorgeous although I have found that many of the many characters have similar features just with a different hairstyle. However, that doesn't deter me too much.
What I am coming to realize is, we know very little about Himari. I feel like Aoi is the only character that has any development and is quite well rounded. Aoi is a complex character with a mysterious childhood and we see more of his complex personality than any other character.
With Himari, we know nothing about her. Not her dislikes, her likes, her passions, who she is an individual, who she wants to be, what she wants. We just know that she fell in love with Aoi by volume 2 and her sole purpose for existing in this series is to save Aoi. That's it. She is very 2D when it comes to personality.
And I know I shouldn't compare to Kamisama Kiss or Fruits Baskets or anything of the nature, but it's just so hard not too when they had more rounded and complex main and non-main characters.
The story is still cute and wholesome, but it's a very surface level series and I don't see it getting much deeper. I see there being some character development and relationship development but when it comes to a complex character dev. I don't expect much to change.
However, I am invested thus far and definitely want to continue.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 5 by Aya Shouoto
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I have a love/meh relationship with this series. I am 5 volumes in and it's still not hitting me. I love the art style and Shouoto's characters are breathtaking as well as the world they create around the characters. Yet, in the end the story still falls flat for me. Granted this one picked up the pace, but just like the last 4 volumes Himari is constantly this damsel in distress and the Nue/Shikigami are the saviors.
I would like one volume where Himari is not the damsel. Also in general the plot isn't really going any where. We are given background story on one of the characters but it is still very surface level. Unlike other series I have read. The ending is what is making me continue and also this Kasha dude.
I am planning on continuing the series, as I own all volumes, but definitely not my top series.
I would like one volume where Himari is not the damsel. Also in general the plot isn't really going any where. We are given background story on one of the characters but it is still very surface level. Unlike other series I have read. The ending is what is making me continue and also this Kasha dude.
I am planning on continuing the series, as I own all volumes, but definitely not my top series.
Spy x Family, Vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this volume and the focus on Yor. I think it did great for her character development and seeing where her character might go. She is faced with a challenge does she continue being an assassin, why did she even start, and is it worth it for her "fake" family. Who does she fight for in the end. I also loved watching Twilight struggle with his relaxation "mission" haha and him struggling to understand fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War