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beesknees's reviews
60 reviews
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Teachers' Room by Lydia Stryk
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This final installment of the Winternight trilogy brings all of Vasya’s journey and lessons together. This finale is pretty fast paced, compared to its predecessors. Arden intelligently weaves real pieces of Russian history into this story, while always honoring the magic and romance that has been present since book one. I cried at a specific scene near the end, and then cried again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Kiss of Deception has an intriguing premise, but falls short with its somewhat flat characterization and near insta-love tropes. Things I enjoyed included Lia’s tendency to make questionable decisions, a cast of entertaining side characters, and a delicious twist that impressed. Some critique: the writing style felt simple even for a YA book, and the surface level girl power themes were just OK. I do feel intrigued enough to pick up book two from my local library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Grief, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Both the setting and the promise of a found family dynamic incentivized me to read this book. Ultimately the low rating I gave sources from the quality of the writing. The primary issues I had were overuse of descriptive language--whimsical to the point where it distracts the reader from what's happening, and a lack of clarity when it came to describing action. There were multiple moments when reading when I simply did not have a strong idea of what had just happened in a passage.
Finishing this book did leave me with a sense of curiosity in how things would turn out for the characters, however I am more offput at the idea of trudging through the writing than desirous to continue the trilogy.
Finishing this book did leave me with a sense of curiosity in how things would turn out for the characters, however I am more offput at the idea of trudging through the writing than desirous to continue the trilogy.
Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Rocannon's World, Planet of Exile, City of Illusions by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This collection is an excellent way to get a strong understanding of the descriptive and thoughtful universe of Le Guin's Hainish Cycle. I read this set after I had already finished and fell in love with The Left Hand of Darkness. Each story builds upon the next, even though they are not a series and each book takes place on different planets at different points in time. Le Guin crafts a journey like no other, and can make even a barren landscape envelop the reader in a series of emotions.
I can see myself revisiting each of these stories again one day.
I can see myself revisiting each of these stories again one day.