epsyphus's reviews
319 reviews

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was so cute. I absolutely loved seeing Viv when she was younger-- I loved seeing her growth. It makes me want to read Legends & Lattes again, it's been too long. Also, I didn't expect the epilogue!
Her wife?? Stop it, Travis you spoil us.
Out of the Blue by Jason June

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adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

2.5

It feels a little unfair not to give this 3 stars at the very least because the truth is I really did enjoy most of this book. The whole getting-him-back thing felt a little toxic (which feels like a too-aggressive word but I can't think of a better one), but I knew it was for the sake of the fake dating trope and I was willing to go with it. It was a little cheesy too, but I was enjoying it. It was cute. And then the ending was awful and it just kind of ruined a lot of it for me.
Like I swear the whole time the book is dropping hints about how perfect Sean would be living among the merfolk and then he has the chance to do that and they can be together and he's like actually no sorry I'm just going to go back to my old life. Like I liked the whole theme about living for yourself but is this or is this not supposed to be a cute romance book? And then Ross shows back up when they're on the water and Drop is there, like are they together? It just was awful.
I don't think this is a bad book, but ultimately not the book for me. 
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

I didn't like this one as much as the first. I liked the further world building, but I didn't feel very invested in the romance. It felt like there was more sex in this one than the first one (which may or may no be true, I read the first one last year so I don’t remember very well) which isn't my cup of tea. I liked the main characters, but I just didn't really buy their relationship. Honestly, I liked the side characters more which are apparently central to the last book so that's exciting. 
The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

This was great! I felt like there was more content for Perrin and Mat in this one and I'm very happy about that. 
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

I love this idea of parallel Londons and the characters felt very fleshed out. I think I may have liked it a bit more if I had read it rather than listened to it just because I didn't love the narrator and it was kind of distracting. I'm excited to read the other two!
Nevertheless by Wendy Videlock

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emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this; there are several poems I want to go back to. 
Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Again, I think few things can really encapsulate my feelings on this book better than the dozens of the screaming texts sent to my friend who read this before me, but I'll try. As much as Lysander drives me crazy, I did enjoy seeing more of his internal conflict and watching his character develop. I love Lyria more and more and I love her relationship with Volga. Ah, Volga, my beloved.
I loved seeing Cassius, Sevro, and Darrow back together! They really deserved that. I really liked seeing Darrow interact with the other narrating characters. I absolutely loved Darrow's and Fa's duel and the way Darrow found a rhythm of his own. Cassius's death broke my freaking heart. Him telling Lysander that the guilt of killing him would crush him but that he was willing to be the millstone that brought him down?? Stunning but also you belong in federal prison for that Pierce, my goodness.
This felt like a good sort of cool down from the intensity and darkness of Dark Age, while still clearly ratcheting up the stakes and building toward the last book. I definitely found myself purposely slowing my pace while reading this because I am going to be waiting with bated breath for Red God.
Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Holy freaking crap, this was so good. I think this might be my favorite of this series so far. I was almost reluctant to read it because I didn't want it to be over. Shane was such an interesting character. His relationship with the Saint of Steel and the Dreaming God was so intriguing. I could really feel the complexity of his feelings toward them and his purpose. I'm glad I read Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine before reading this one, I feel like it gave me a context about demons that was helpful. (Plus I loved the mentions of those characters in this book!)
I really thought that Shane might die, which is ridiculous because they are romance books at heart, but damn
when I tell you I was on the edge of my seat I mean it. I was definitely sobbing toward the end, it was so emotional. I also loved that Wren was there
and Judith at the end! Her book must be next and I can't wait to see how that will go with her being possessed. I'm pretty sure Ursula said she was ace so that's exciting.
I wonder if we might see more of Davith too. 
Reforged by Seth Haddon

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
May come back to this but it’s just not holding my interest. 
Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Really promising idea but I immediately detested the main character and what she was doing.