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delightfulmayhem's reviews
79 reviews
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to love this book so much. The beautiful cover art was what initially attracted me along with the magical title. The book description captivated me as soon as I read it. So many things grabbed me in the synopsis: "seductive magical underworld," "power-hungry scholars," "fickle gods and family curses." Yes! Sign me up!
Unfortunately, I found that the story lacked in a few major areas. The world building was minimal and written in a sort of ethereal style, which was very beautiful and poetic but made it hard to feel interested in what was happening. I was disappointed that the main character, Violet, never stood out or took a firm shape in her personality. The romance was rushed and was more of an undertone throughout the book. It felt a lot like being lured by a small, wilted carrot.
Overall, I wasn't moved by the story and really struggled to finish it but it wasn't a bad book.
Unfortunately, I found that the story lacked in a few major areas. The world building was minimal and written in a sort of ethereal style, which was very beautiful and poetic but made it hard to feel interested in what was happening. I was disappointed that the main character, Violet, never stood out or took a firm shape in her personality. The romance was rushed and was more of an undertone throughout the book. It felt a lot like being lured by a small, wilted carrot.
Overall, I wasn't moved by the story and really struggled to finish it but it wasn't a bad book.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.0
One of my favorite things about this book is the relationship between Will and Louisa. I went into this book expecting it to be a romance book and though there were romantic aspects in the story, it is more about two completely different people from two very different worlds being put together to share life experiences. The friendship that developed between the two was so beautiful, and I love how much they grew on each other. The funny thing is , it wasn't until about halfway through the book, during the scene where Will gifts Louisa the striped tights, is when I made the connection to the movie. The rest of the book wasn't the same for me after that. Not in a bad way, but since I saw the movie ages ago, I kept relating back to it as I read, and I did enjoy the first half where I was in the dark more. Either way, I highly recommend it.
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-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
4.0
This book is about a young woman named Daphne, who is stranded in beautiful new city without friends or family, working a dream job as a children's librarian (that barely pays the bills). She finds herself drawn to the charming, chaotic Miles, who seems to be the perfect antidote to her buttoned-up personality. With their unlikely friendship blossoming, they concoct a plan to present a perfect facade to the world, but as they spend more time together, the lines between reality and deception begin to blur. 'Funny Story' is a perfect fit for readers who adore lighthearted, humorous, and emotional romance novels with a touch of wit, particularly those who enjoy forced proximity, fake dating, and friends-to-lovers tropes, and are looking for a joyful and uplifting love story.
Favorite quotes:
-“You can't force a person to show up, but you can learn a lesson when they don't."
-“Life’s short enough without us talking ourselves out of hope and trying to dodge every bad feeling. Sometimes you have to push through the discomfort, instead of running.”
-“Things go smoother if you don’t let people get a rise out of you,” he says. “If you give them control over how you feel, they’ll always use it.”
-“You can’t untell someone your secrets. You can’t unsay those delicate truths once you learn you can’t trust the person you handed them to.”
Favorite quotes:
-“You can't force a person to show up, but you can learn a lesson when they don't."
-“Life’s short enough without us talking ourselves out of hope and trying to dodge every bad feeling. Sometimes you have to push through the discomfort, instead of running.”
-“Things go smoother if you don’t let people get a rise out of you,” he says. “If you give them control over how you feel, they’ll always use it.”
-“You can’t untell someone your secrets. You can’t unsay those delicate truths once you learn you can’t trust the person you handed them to.”
The Wolf by J.R. Ward
dark
funny
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? No
4.0
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
As we revisit the world of Erilea, we're swept back into the dark, emotional, and adventurous realm of Celaena, a fierce and determined queen with a heart that beats for vengeance. Her unyielding spirit and unrelenting passion for justice captivates and inspires me. Manon Blackbeak is another character that I'm falling in love with, too. She is so FIERCE. The novel’s deep exploration of themes like loyalty, betrayal, and redemption adds layers of depth to the story. The action scenes are vivid and well-executed, complementing the intricate plot. Despite its heart-rending moments, the book ends on a note of triumph and hope, leaving readers both emotionally moved and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this gripping saga.
Favorite quotes:
-“Let’s go rattle the stars.”
-“Whatever you had to do to survive, whatever you did from spite or rage or selfishness … I don’t give a damn. You’re here—and you’re perfect. You always were, and you always will be.”
-“I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.”
-“'Should I thank you for putting on pants?'
'I didn't want you to feel inadequate.'"
Favorite quotes:
-“Let’s go rattle the stars.”
-“Whatever you had to do to survive, whatever you did from spite or rage or selfishness … I don’t give a damn. You’re here—and you’re perfect. You always were, and you always will be.”
-“I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.”
-“'Should I thank you for putting on pants?'
'I didn't want you to feel inadequate.'"
The Viper by J.R. Ward
adventurous
dark
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? No
3.5