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joyfulfoodie's reviews
324 reviews
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I have no words yet, I just finished this, it was amazing.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
inspiring
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
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was excellent. As with the first, the voice actor does a terrific job with individualizing the characters.
Book two has done an excellent job moving the story forward. Some parts were as anticipated but there were plenty of “…oh… Oh my” moments mixed in as well. I am thoroughly enjoying the world Brandon Sanderson has built and looking forward to book three and beyond. I suspect this series will end up on my favorites of all time list.
Book two has done an excellent job moving the story forward. Some parts were as anticipated but there were plenty of “…oh… Oh my” moments mixed in as well. I am thoroughly enjoying the world Brandon Sanderson has built and looking forward to book three and beyond. I suspect this series will end up on my favorites of all time list.
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
5.0
I read this one thanks to my husband's urging - he is a big fan of the author and of this series. I listened to the audiobook reading of it, which was very well done. The voice actor - Michael Kramer - is skilled at making distinct characters vivid and unique. There were a few places I felt I might have benefited from reading a print copy, as there is so much world-building done... lots of place names and skill/religion terminology that I would have liked to see written down.
Speaking of, the world-building is excellent. Great depth to the new features introduced. Supporting characters also feel quite complete.
I laughed out loud at several points; it is really engaging. I'm looking forward to starting book two.
Speaking of, the world-building is excellent. Great depth to the new features introduced. Supporting characters also feel quite complete.
I laughed out loud at several points; it is really engaging. I'm looking forward to starting book two.
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was less impressed with this one - greatly preferred her Persephone X Hades books. I think part of my problem was that after reading those, with such strong greek mythological tie ins, I kept expecting this one to be Tristan and Isolde, not Adrian. I don't mind the liberties taken with vampire lore. What I really didn't care for was how much of the plot felt like it was only there as a bridge between sex scenes. The first is placed so early in the book you have no vested interest in the characters yet. And the scenes aren't even that good. So if you're only reading it for the smut you had better options out there. I am not sure if I will bother with book two... I saw reviews of book two that made it seem like it is just one prolonged hold to get to book three (which isn't published yet as I write this.) So I can't see liking book two more, and will likely have forgotten it before book three comes out. I might revisit them if book three gets better reviews, but for now this one is a pass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This book did not go at all the way I thought it would. Very gripping. I looked at how much I had left at 10:30pm and went oh no. I have to finish it don’t I? And I did.
Very skillfully done, I don’t know how to say more without giving things away. If you like murder mysteries and have enjoyed the first two in the trilogy you should enjoy this one.
Very skillfully done, I don’t know how to say more without giving things away. If you like murder mysteries and have enjoyed the first two in the trilogy you should enjoy this one.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
5.0
A reread. I listened to the audiobook this time.
I think I enjoyed this as much the second time as the first. It holds up well. There were moments I remembered coming before they arrived and a few that surprised me a second time, good fun. I am again relieved that I don’t have to wait for the next book to be published.
I think I enjoyed this as much the second time as the first. It holds up well. There were moments I remembered coming before they arrived and a few that surprised me a second time, good fun. I am again relieved that I don’t have to wait for the next book to be published.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books.
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexism, Violence, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book was highly enjoyable and a quick read. I liked the formatting with images of handwritten notes, text conversations, etc included. I was delighted when a couple of my ideas were correct but that the big reveals were not ruined by my attempts to solve the murder as it went. Very nicely balanced.
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I didn’t realize until I finished this book that I know other titles by the author. I think that helped me read it without expectations. It certainly surprised me.