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mitzee's reviews
340 reviews
The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A very hard read because the first 3/4 of the book really drags, there’s a lot of distrust, loneliness, racism (in an way) and abuse with very little humor or joy to accompany. There also is a lot of set up that I don’t think is needed for the story later on. I listened to the audiobook and definitely zoned out a lot until the last 25% in which interesting things started to happen.
It’s a shame because the magic and lore provides great opportunities for something really engaging.
It’s a shame because the magic and lore provides great opportunities for something really engaging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
Shanghai Immortal by A.Y. Chao
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this! As an Asian American I am always looking for Eastern inspired fantasy novels like this. It draws on a lot of the beliefs, lore, and superstitions that I grew up hearing about from my parents and seeing in Chinese movies. It was light and fun but with a dash of danger and darkness.
Summary for myself:
The story is about Jing who seems like she might be half vampire and half fox spirit? She lives in hell and is “owned” by Big Wang - who doesn’t treat her poorly, actually he does treat her as a daughter. She believes that her mother sold her to Big Wang for some jewel (pearl or diamond) and is generally a sour little tomboy in the beginning.
Wang tasks her with taking care of some mortal dude, Mr Lee, who came down to Hell. I think he is trying to serve Wang in exchange for his sister’s soul to not be committed to a life in servitude in Hell. They go up to the mortal realm and some shenanigans happen in 1920s Shanghai with them and someone that Jing knows, a Celestial named Gigi, and some kind of mission.
People are following Jing and when they finally apprehend her it sounds like it’s because of her grandmother who seems to have always hated her. Or maybe some other evil demon thing in Hell. She has status and power and wants the pearl that she thinks Lady Jing has. She doesn’t.
Towards the end it’s almost curtains for Jing but she is visited by a dragon of the lake and he bewstows the jade upon her. In the last chapter everything seems to go right. She learns she was not sold by her mother. Big Wang was always fond of her. She hold special powers because the pearl was gifted or bestowed upon her and everything is right in the world. 🤷🏻♀️
There’s also an Author’s note at the end that makes a nod to Joy Luck Club and Mulan.
Summary for myself:
The story is about Jing who seems like she might be half vampire and half fox spirit? She lives in hell and is “owned” by Big Wang - who doesn’t treat her poorly, actually he does treat her as a daughter. She believes that her mother sold her to Big Wang for some jewel (pearl or diamond) and is generally a sour little tomboy in the beginning.
Wang tasks her with taking care of some mortal dude, Mr Lee, who came down to Hell. I think he is trying to serve Wang in exchange for his sister’s soul to not be committed to a life in servitude in Hell. They go up to the mortal realm and some shenanigans happen in 1920s Shanghai with them and someone that Jing knows, a Celestial named Gigi, and some kind of mission.
People are following Jing and when they finally apprehend her it sounds like it’s because of her grandmother who seems to have always hated her. Or maybe some other evil demon thing in Hell. She has status and power and wants the pearl that she thinks Lady Jing has. She doesn’t.
Towards the end it’s almost curtains for Jing but she is visited by a dragon of the lake and he bewstows the jade upon her. In the last chapter everything seems to go right. She learns she was not sold by her mother. Big Wang was always fond of her. She hold special powers because the pearl was gifted or bestowed upon her and everything is right in the world. 🤷🏻♀️
There’s also an Author’s note at the end that makes a nod to Joy Luck Club and Mulan.
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was mostly a book of self discovery under the guise of a murder mystery with multiple deaths. In some ways quite dark but also light hearted or maybe I just see it that way because the primary cast is a household of elders who live together to support each other, and that’s nice to hear about. Everyone has their quirks.
Summary for myself:
The story is told in third person but led by Agnes’ account of things. She seems like she used to be a detective or cop beaded on clues throughout the book about her “doing this kind of thing”. She seems to be mentally all there and still sharp (given that she tried to solve the murder mystery) until the end when it’s revealed that she might actually have hallucinations of her twin sister who died at a young age.
What I liked about the book is that it treated the house hold like they were (mostly) well functioning adults. The idea of Sunset Hall is pretty nice - you live together and essentially write down when you’d want someone to remove you from this world and how you’d want to go. But I also wonder how annoyed I would be with some people’s quirks once I get to that age. Would I be able to live with them? I guess it’s better than the alternative of living in a home.
Summary for myself:
What I liked about the book is that it treated the house hold like they were (mostly) well functioning adults. The idea of Sunset Hall is pretty nice - you live together and essentially write down when you’d want someone to remove you from this world and how you’d want to go. But I also wonder how annoyed I would be with some people’s quirks once I get to that age. Would I be able to live with them? I guess it’s better than the alternative of living in a home.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Toxic friendship
Lala by Jacek Dehnel
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a collection of amusing stories from someone’s grandmother who lived in Bialystok, Poland about her life and that of people she knew. I assume they are true but also they could be fictionalized some. A fun little read if you’re looking for something light.
The Karma of Success: Spiritual Strategies to Free Your Inner Genius by Liz Tran
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
I am always skeptical of someone who starts giving actual life advice by saying they had a life changing moment while soul searching in a foreign country (ever since Eat, Pray, Love) - if you’re the same I would recommend skipping the first 1/3 of the book because the rest of the book provides some exercises to help one figure out their own lives and some coping mechanisms with any unhappiness or dissatisfaction one might have in their own lives. While there are some good skills and tools to take away from this book, part of me wondered how much this book was mostly self serving for the author (to feel like they ticked something off on their bucket list).
It's Not You, It's Capitalism: Why It's Time to Break Up and How to Move On by Malaika Jabali
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Very much an introduction to the concept of capitalism and socialism with current (2023ish) examples of what that looks like in today’s global environment. There was also some history, mostly US based, on how capitalism has negatively impacted the middle and lower classes as well as PoC by selling an ideal that makes people think capitalist concepts are in their best interests.
The author knows it’s entry level so she also provides some follow up resources to continue the education.
The author knows it’s entry level so she also provides some follow up resources to continue the education.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’ve seen quite a few reviews that say this book is not as good as the first but I don’t think I noticed a difference. (I’ll also say I didn’t find the first to be exceptional to begin with.) I did like how things progressed and I felt there were either fewer cringey sex scenes or perhaps I just got used to them so those aspects were major pluses for me.
Nevertheless I will probably read the next one when it comes out so now I will write a recap for myself:
Violet continues to be an absolute idiot when it comes to relationships and is really lacking self confidence to the degree that I really don’t understand Xaiden’s continued interest. I suppose I will just chalk it up to them being in their early 20s because I guess I didn’t recognize red flag either at that age.
Andarna finally grows up and is revealed to be a seventh type of mysterious dragon - purple! Whatever that means. Apparently she’s been sitting around for a hundred years just waiting for the right human to come along and be her best friend? I still don’t understand why dragons continue to give ANY shits about humans when they seem to be far superior. Although Taryn said that dragons befriended humans because humans can do magic? Or have thumbs? One of those reasons. But if that’s the case then how did the seven dragons put up the wards? Clearly they can also do magic.
Violets mom died which, as a reader, I couldn’t care less about but I assume some emotional growth will come from it. And on the same night Xaiden becomes a venin. So it will be interesting to see how long it takes for Violet to kill him, I assume it will be the entirety of book 3. I don’t know how the dragons haven’t already done this. I assume they know something is up with him, especially Sigail.
Nevertheless I will probably read the next one when it comes out so now I will write a recap for myself:
Violet continues to be an absolute idiot when it comes to relationships and is really lacking self confidence to the degree that I really don’t understand Xaiden’s continued interest. I suppose I will just chalk it up to them being in their early 20s because I guess I didn’t recognize red flag either at that age.
Andarna finally grows up and is revealed to be a seventh type of mysterious dragon - purple! Whatever that means. Apparently she’s been sitting around for a hundred years just waiting for the right human to come along and be her best friend? I still don’t understand why dragons continue to give ANY shits about humans when they seem to be far superior. Although Taryn said that dragons befriended humans because humans can do magic? Or have thumbs? One of those reasons. But if that’s the case then how did the seven dragons put up the wards? Clearly they can also do magic.
Violets mom died which, as a reader, I couldn’t care less about but I assume some emotional growth will come from it. And on the same night Xaiden becomes a venin. So it will be interesting to see how long it takes for Violet to kill him, I assume it will be the entirety of book 3. I don’t know how the dragons haven’t already done this. I assume they know something is up with him, especially Sigail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, and Murder
Portrait in Sepia by
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-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
4.0
Really enjoyed the calm and familiarity I felt with this book after listening to the first one. It was fun to revisit the characters of Eliza and Dao at different points in their lives and to see them doing well. Also liked the new characters introduced in this book: Paulina, Frederick, Nivea and Severo.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Generally I liked it but the sex and mentally described desire was really cringey and there was SO much in the second half that I only gave it a 4.5 because it was so cringe.
Summary for myself:
Violet is the primary character. Author makes her out to be so weak and mid at the start that you’re supposed to be impressed that she can creatively problem solve. The fact that she can solve problems and had a mild sense of doing what’s right makes her a very special person in this world. So much so that TWO dragons bond with her - the strongest one and the tiniest one (which most people don’t know is actually a baby dragon).
Riders develop mental connections with their dragons and otherwise the dragons can’t speak vocally. There is also no logic as to why intelligent dragons would even want to do this with humans (form a life bond - if the dragon dies so does the rider but I don’t think it works the other way around, dragons just get depressed)
There’s a lot of angry mental flirting between Violet and Zaiden (which gives cringy Millennials naming their kids with unique names vibes but he’s supposed to be insanely hot - much eye roll) then they finally have very detailed sex. Like the entire sex scene is written out and I don’t know how long it is in pages but it feels like I was listening to it for 15 minutes.
Anyway Violet is shunned by her former best friend Dane - but he gives “I’m a nice guy” vibes which, you know, good riddance. He likes her and supposedly wants to fuck her but it’s all from her perspective and she seems to fall for a lot of lies so what does she know? He ends up betraying her by reading her memories/mind with his (signet - everyone who bonds with a dragon has a special power) and uses it to try to kill Zaiden and the kids of people who tried to rebel against whatever this empire led by humans is. The rebels were killed but their children were allowed to either choose death or to be conscripted into their Air Force.
Book ends with Violet, Zaiden, and Zaiden’s crew of rebel babies (formerly thought to be bad) going back to their hideout town (that was thought to be destroyed) and Violet being greeted by her only brother (thought to be dead and died fighting these rebels)
Oh and also magic wizards called Venem? and their wyverns ( which they created and control using powerful magic) are real and not just stories that Violet was told by her father.
Summary for myself:
Violet is the primary character. Author makes her out to be so weak and mid at the start that you’re supposed to be impressed that she can creatively problem solve. The fact that she can solve problems and had a mild sense of doing what’s right makes her a very special person in this world. So much so that TWO dragons bond with her - the strongest one and the tiniest one (which most people don’t know is actually a baby dragon).
Riders develop mental connections with their dragons and otherwise the dragons can’t speak vocally. There is also no logic as to why intelligent dragons would even want to do this with humans (form a life bond - if the dragon dies so does the rider but I don’t think it works the other way around, dragons just get depressed)
There’s a lot of angry mental flirting between Violet and Zaiden (which gives cringy Millennials naming their kids with unique names vibes but he’s supposed to be insanely hot - much eye roll) then they finally have very detailed sex. Like the entire sex scene is written out and I don’t know how long it is in pages but it feels like I was listening to it for 15 minutes.
Anyway Violet is shunned by her former best friend Dane - but he gives “I’m a nice guy” vibes which, you know, good riddance. He likes her and supposedly wants to fuck her but it’s all from her perspective and she seems to fall for a lot of lies so what does she know? He ends up betraying her by reading her memories/mind with his (signet - everyone who bonds with a dragon has a special power) and uses it to try to kill Zaiden and the kids of people who tried to rebel against whatever this empire led by humans is. The rebels were killed but their children were allowed to either choose death or to be conscripted into their Air Force.
Book ends with Violet, Zaiden, and Zaiden’s crew of rebel babies (formerly thought to be bad) going back to their hideout town (that was thought to be destroyed) and Violet being greeted by her only brother (thought to be dead and died fighting these rebels)
Oh and also magic wizards called Venem? and their wyverns ( which they created and control using powerful magic) are real and not just stories that Violet was told by her father.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-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
5.0
I love the connection between creatures and people, something I really enjoyed about The Drowning Empire. Although magic was talked about in this book I felt like it wasn’t heavily featured, I wonder if it will be come more prominent in the rest of the series.
Summary for myself:
Yeeran and Little are sisters who share the same father. Yeeran was a general in the Queen’s Army and Rian is a solder under her command. Yeeran ends up being exiled and sent out of the kingdom, Lettle and Rian go after her. In the wild Yeeran kills an obia (oh-bee-yah - a beast that sounds like a bear+deer, it has both antlers and claws, potentially even sharp teeth but I think they only eat veg) for food or something and that’s when they realize that these animals are bound to a Fae. The Fae and Humans are said to have died off long ago and only elves are left but it seems that Fae were just cursed to live in a secret world (underground?)
While Yeeran, Lettle, and Rian are taken prisoner because Yeeran killed the obia bound to the prince -which then also killed the prince - they end up becoming part of the fae world. Yeeran and Rian find out they have fae blood (they don’t know their parents well) and not only random fae blood but dynastic fae blood. Yeeran fell in love with the queen. Lettle and Rian fell in love with each other. Yeeran wants to leave and only royalty can let them go. Lettle begs her to stay/ not abandon her again for WAR and she basically does not. It’s fucked. Book ends with Yeeran leaving while Rian is king or prince and Lettle is a Seer (like a diviner) and they both stay.
Summary for myself:
While Yeeran, Lettle, and Rian are taken prisoner because Yeeran killed the obia bound to the prince -which then also killed the prince - they end up becoming part of the fae world. Yeeran and Rian find out they have fae blood (they don’t know their parents well) and not only random fae blood but dynastic fae blood. Yeeran fell in love with the queen. Lettle and Rian fell in love with each other. Yeeran wants to leave and only royalty can let them go. Lettle begs her to stay/ not abandon her again for WAR and she basically does not. It’s fucked. Book ends with Yeeran leaving while Rian is king or prince and Lettle is a Seer (like a diviner) and they both stay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Murder