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findingthefantasticstory's reviews
528 reviews
Don't Let The Forest In by C.G. Drews
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really tried my best to like this but I just didn't.
The first 100 pages were so slow that by the time the story picked up I just didn't care and wanted the book to be finished.
I didn't care about the main characters. Andrew was just so uninteresting and I hated how much he relied on everyone else. Thomas was a bit interesting but none of it was really explored.
I feel that twist came from nowhere and not in the good way, so much that it didn't really make sense. I felt that it was just added as the story wanted a twist.
I also still don't understand if the monsters were real, in Andrew's head or some sort of metaphor. And, if they were real, where these monsters came from.
So yeah, overall not a good review. I do feel that in writing this 3 stars was very generous and I may have to rethink that rating.
The first 100 pages were so slow that by the time the story picked up I just didn't care and wanted the book to be finished.
I didn't care about the main characters. Andrew was just so uninteresting and I hated how much he relied on everyone else. Thomas was a bit interesting but none of it was really explored.
I feel that twist came from nowhere and not in the good way, so much that it didn't really make sense. I felt that it was just added as the story wanted a twist.
I also still don't understand if the monsters were real, in Andrew's head or some sort of metaphor. And, if they were real, where these monsters came from.
So yeah, overall not a good review. I do feel that in writing this 3 stars was very generous and I may have to rethink that rating.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.5
So much better than Iron Flame.
My only issue is that I didn't remember who half the characters and places were which meant I didn't really feel any emotion when bad stuff happened. I don't know if that is my fault or that it shows bad writing in some way.
I think it'll be interesting to see how this goes forward as rheres a lot to delve into.
My only issue is that I didn't remember who half the characters and places were which meant I didn't really feel any emotion when bad stuff happened. I don't know if that is my fault or that it shows bad writing in some way.
I think it'll be interesting to see how this goes forward as rheres a lot to delve into.
Drowning by T.J. Newman
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Drowning had my heart racing and me almost crying in the first 20 pages of book. My heart was in my mouth for the first two chapters. I think this might be due to my fear of flying but also Newmans writing made it so realistic. The panic and worry conveyed almost gave me a panic attack! I also loved how they managed to add bits of backstory for each character without interrupting the pace. Such good writing!
I was hooked throughout the whole book. I was automatically caring for everyone trapped in the plane. I wanted them all to get out (well there was one I didn't care about) and when thing weren't going to plan my heart would race and, at some points, I was almost crying.
Honestly I have never had this emotional feeling with any other book as an adult. This is a 5* read and I recommend this to anyone who wants a good thriller.
I will definitely be reading more of this author this year!
I was hooked throughout the whole book. I was automatically caring for everyone trapped in the plane. I wanted them all to get out (well there was one I didn't care about) and when thing weren't going to plan my heart would race and, at some points, I was almost crying.
Honestly I have never had this emotional feeling with any other book as an adult. This is a 5* read and I recommend this to anyone who wants a good thriller.
I will definitely be reading more of this author this year!
The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought it was. I was put off as I've not heard many reviews for this and it's also quite a chunky book.
What helped is that the book kicked of running. I was hooked a few chapters in!
There was amazing wolrd building. I thought this would be more complicated than it ended up being.
There's so much more to be explores in this trilogy. I'm just not sure if I will continue with the trilogy. Even though I enjoyed the book, I didn't feel any connection to any of the characters. I'll have to see how I feel when the second book is released.
What helped is that the book kicked of running. I was hooked a few chapters in!
There was amazing wolrd building. I thought this would be more complicated than it ended up being.
There's so much more to be explores in this trilogy. I'm just not sure if I will continue with the trilogy. Even though I enjoyed the book, I didn't feel any connection to any of the characters. I'll have to see how I feel when the second book is released.
The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is a hard book to review. I gave it 3 stars as it wasn't bad, but it also wasn't good.
The concept was good. I just don't think it was actioned well.
I also had issues with the characters. The issue being I didn't really connect or feel emotion for any of them.
I also expected this to be more on the gothic horror side of fiction and it wasn't at all.
The concept was good. I just don't think it was actioned well.
I also had issues with the characters. The issue being I didn't really connect or feel emotion for any of them.
I also expected this to be more on the gothic horror side of fiction and it wasn't at all.
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have to admit, this was a cover buy. Hence why it had been sat on my shelves for so long. I was worried it would be one if the many cosy fantasy books that bored me. Thankfully it wasn't!
I ended up really enjoying this. I liked seeing a witch who seemed normal and wasn't too fond of using her powers, but also a person who had the same issues as any other woman. Watch Belle become a more confident version if herself was so great to see.
I also really enjoyed all the characters. I would love to see more of them in the future.
My only issue was that the twist was predictable and I felt the ending was really rushed. Everything happened in the last 100 pages! The big ending was only a chapter.
But overall this is a nice cosy read. Perfect for these cold winter nights.
I ended up really enjoying this. I liked seeing a witch who seemed normal and wasn't too fond of using her powers, but also a person who had the same issues as any other woman. Watch Belle become a more confident version if herself was so great to see.
I also really enjoyed all the characters. I would love to see more of them in the future.
My only issue was that the twist was predictable and I felt the ending was really rushed. Everything happened in the last 100 pages! The big ending was only a chapter.
But overall this is a nice cosy read. Perfect for these cold winter nights.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was a bit of a slow starter and I wasn't quite sure where it was leading.
It did pick up about halfway through and I started the feeling the creepiness coming through.
In the end I ended up enjoying the plot and writing. It was short creepy book perfect for these dark nights.
It did pick up about halfway through and I started the feeling the creepiness coming through.
In the end I ended up enjoying the plot and writing. It was short creepy book perfect for these dark nights.
A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A Monsoon Rising was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024. Unfortunately this suffered from book 2 syndrome.
For me this started off really slow. I'm not sure if this was due to the plot or if it was because I had forgotten the majority of what happened in The Hurricane Wars.
I did end up getting into he plot about halfway through but I just didn't feel as though I liked the characters as much as I did in the first book.
With the ending of A Monsoon Rising I'm not sure what the third and final book will really contain or what plot line it will follow. I will definitely pick it up though as I want to see this through to the end.
For me this started off really slow. I'm not sure if this was due to the plot or if it was because I had forgotten the majority of what happened in The Hurricane Wars.
I did end up getting into he plot about halfway through but I just didn't feel as though I liked the characters as much as I did in the first book.
With the ending of A Monsoon Rising I'm not sure what the third and final book will really contain or what plot line it will follow. I will definitely pick it up though as I want to see this through to the end.
Suddenly Super by Jen Calonita
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a slow starter but it started to grow on me about 100 pages in.
I enjoyed seeing everything from Violet's POV and what could have happened if she didn't go on the mission to find her dad with her mum. It was really interesting seeing the way the author took the story.
This was a great addition to the Twisted Tales series. Definitely one for fans of The Incredibles.
I enjoyed seeing everything from Violet's POV and what could have happened if she didn't go on the mission to find her dad with her mum. It was really interesting seeing the way the author took the story.
This was a great addition to the Twisted Tales series. Definitely one for fans of The Incredibles.
Disney Frozen: Let It Go by Jen Calonita
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this so much. It was a nice 'What if' version of Frozen where Anna and Else didn't remember each other.
I really liked this take and seeing Anna's life as a Baker and Elsa an only child.
It was great seeing quote from the movie and also the characters that we all know and love.
I do have to say this book made me hate the Duke even more than the film did!
I really liked this take and seeing Anna's life as a Baker and Elsa an only child.
It was great seeing quote from the movie and also the characters that we all know and love.
I do have to say this book made me hate the Duke even more than the film did!