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dpearson5257's reviews
659 reviews
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
This makes me sad I had 1 1/2 hours left and just couldn’t finish.
Initially..if you enjoy the beauty of Narnia then you will enjoy this. There’s lots of parallels that I enjoyed with a foundation of Native American roots (Cree specifically) sprinkled throughout. This is definitely a story about family and learning about yourself and your culture which I loved.
What I struggled with was the pacing. For a portal fantasy adventure story, you finally get to the magical world at like 40% but it’s like dragging feet to get there. There’s alot of character growth you have to get thru, Morgan is going thru a lot of trauma reflection in foster care and has a lot of emotional outbursts and is just not the kindest person. And I was hoping with the magical world we’d see more of an impact on her. There are 4 books in this series so there’s plenty of time for more growth and development, but it was just a looooong 250 pages.
Initially..if you enjoy the beauty of Narnia then you will enjoy this. There’s lots of parallels that I enjoyed with a foundation of Native American roots (Cree specifically) sprinkled throughout. This is definitely a story about family and learning about yourself and your culture which I loved.
What I struggled with was the pacing. For a portal fantasy adventure story, you finally get to the magical world at like 40% but it’s like dragging feet to get there. There’s alot of character growth you have to get thru, Morgan is going thru a lot of trauma reflection in foster care and has a lot of emotional outbursts and is just not the kindest person. And I was hoping with the magical world we’d see more of an impact on her. There are 4 books in this series so there’s plenty of time for more growth and development, but it was just a looooong 250 pages.
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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? No
3.5
Meh
The ending was entertaining but the first 2/3 if this book is slower and more character development than anything. I had a huge cringe moment which really did effect my reading experience, idc it’s not for me lol annnnd we didn’t have to spend a whole book deciphering feelings for siblings 🤷🏽♀️🫠
The ending was entertaining but the first 2/3 if this book is slower and more character development than anything. I had a huge cringe moment which really did effect my reading experience, idc it’s not for me lol annnnd we didn’t have to spend a whole book deciphering feelings for siblings 🤷🏽♀️🫠
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
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? No
3.75
One thing I know for sure I will get with Shaffer’s writing is a beautiful heart warming story with relatable characters! I didn’t love everything about this one but I still really enjoyed these journey and the characters.
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
This was a great ending to an adventurous and well developed story! I really enjoyed these! I think overall Leigh Bardugo definitely has a gift in creating an expansive world and a unique magic system. I loved watching the development of all the characters and their relationships forming, in a weird way they were so wholesome and I just loved how each really had everyone’s back! And with Alina I really enjoyed her being true to herself and not being swayed when there were so many moments she could have.
The Inadequate Heir by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
challenging
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? No
3.75
This one was more political for sure than books 1 & 2, but we still got the wonderful intimate moments that Jensen does so well. Based off the end definitely intrigued on what book 4 had to give.
One thing I was a bit confused on though was the way Keris was written. I got a different vibe from in him the first duology and this one made him seem a lot more serious about his political responsibilities. Not sure which I prefer more.
One thing I was a bit confused on though was the way Keris was written. I got a different vibe from in him the first duology and this one made him seem a lot more serious about his political responsibilities. Not sure which I prefer more.
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was flat. What hooked me was the magic system…what lost me was everything else.
The major theme was the injustices towards women and those who are weavers, ok cool, but there was no urgency. There was a brawl and I feel like the execution was just like watching a rated G movie for adults. It happened annnnnd people were upset but it was just very underwhelming.
For most of the story to alienate those who are weavers and possess this magic, you would think that the punishment when caught using would be more severe or life threatening, but that wasn’t the case at all lol. Nehal went to her soon to be husband and said Sir I’m planning on going to this school to hone my craft and he said🤣 cool as long as I can have my side chick🤣🤣 what?! And again this just goes against the whole patriarchal society. Sure he could have been an ally and put his wife on a pedestal but that was just wtf.
Then there’s a veryyyy mild dash of intimacy and it was a kiss and strong feelings🙄 we didn’t dive into this relationship, we didn’t see the growth. The characters were just very flat and nothing exciting except people going against the grain and weaving.
The major theme was the injustices towards women and those who are weavers, ok cool, but there was no urgency. There was a brawl and I feel like the execution was just like watching a rated G movie for adults. It happened annnnnd people were upset but it was just very underwhelming.
For most of the story to alienate those who are weavers and possess this magic, you would think that the punishment when caught using would be more severe or life threatening, but that wasn’t the case at all lol. Nehal went to her soon to be husband and said Sir I’m planning on going to this school to hone my craft and he said🤣 cool as long as I can have my side chick🤣🤣 what?! And again this just goes against the whole patriarchal society. Sure he could have been an ally and put his wife on a pedestal but that was just wtf.
Then there’s a veryyyy mild dash of intimacy and it was a kiss and strong feelings🙄 we didn’t dive into this relationship, we didn’t see the growth. The characters were just very flat and nothing exciting except people going against the grain and weaving.
Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Mkaaayyyy 3.75⭐️
Madi’s writing is absolutely gorgeous! But I’m still not sold on this man. I enjoyed the inner workings of his thoughts and his ocd behaviors, getting a glimpse of his past and a nice start to his character arc but I’m still wondering whyyyy her lol I thought we would get a few more answers but now I shall wait for book 2 to be delivered!
Madi’s writing is absolutely gorgeous! But I’m still not sold on this man. I enjoyed the inner workings of his thoughts and his ocd behaviors, getting a glimpse of his past and a nice start to his character arc but I’m still wondering whyyyy her lol I thought we would get a few more answers but now I shall wait for book 2 to be delivered!
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.0
Initial thoughts..strong 4⭐️
The things I thought were a bit off or I just personally don’t like were insta live (that whole piece of the pie) just mmm we could’ve built up to that, and I feel like yes even though there was action and soooo much tension I felt like oh shit it’s still too good to be true..but I’m excited as hell for book 2!
This was super easy to read and literally couldn’t put it down!
I love Kenji lol and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to but he’s hilarious. I’m interested in obviously the development of the relationships. And the Omega Point sounds interesting, like their own little school for the mutants situation lol deeefinitely interested in what Mafi has up her sleeve for this series🤩
The things I thought were a bit off or I just personally don’t like were insta live (that whole piece of the pie) just mmm we could’ve built up to that, and I feel like yes even though there was action and soooo much tension I felt like oh shit it’s still too good to be true..but I’m excited as hell for book 2!
This was super easy to read and literally couldn’t put it down!
I love Kenji lol and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to but he’s hilarious. I’m interested in obviously the development of the relationships. And the Omega Point sounds interesting, like their own little school for the mutants situation lol deeefinitely interested in what Mafi has up her sleeve for this series🤩
The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
adventurous
challenging
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
3.75
I think I enjoyed the first 2/3 more than the last 1/3. This had a lot of Greek god references and duh if you read the synopsis then it makes sense, I went into this book completely blind, and I enjoyed the world 100% it was so interesting and unique and how the threads work and interweaved in the person. I had an issue with what a group of people were called though annnnnd everytime it said it in the book it just took me out of the story like ugh I don’t like this word (cutters). And then the mystery I think was just a bit drawn out for me and I lost some interest. But this give med Poisons We Drink vibes and I loved that book! Would still recommend this one.