ogokoo's reviews
366 reviews

Sleep Well, My Lady by Kwei Quartey

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

This book was an improvement on the previous. I was wary of it because of the way Quartey writes women, but it was pretty alright in this book. The mystery was interesting and presrnted in an intriguing way, but the ending was too abrupt and the pacing overall was off.
The Bullet by Iris Johansen

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Thoroughly boring. Pages and pages of dialogue with no subtstance. Does nothing to hook you in.
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Masterfully done, once again! MXTX is brilliant at writing romance - and also heartwrenching plot. This books got quite dark at times which surprised me. It was very well done. Although at times the story gets a little too convoluted to follow (for example
the Ling Wen and Brocade Immortal thread which I still don't fully understand...why did she steal the robe but then send it to Xie Lian? Or was it that he bought it by chance..?
), it was still very satisfying all around. And of course the HuaLian moments... man oh man! I just can't wait for more.
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Secret at Skull House by Josh Lanyon

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book disappointed me. I had pretty high hopes after book 1, but this really dropped the ball. For one, the whole "Ellery is being framed!" plotline was a bit tired in book 1 already, let alone repeating it in book 2. The book also took way too long to bring up the mystery. Lanyon has trouble finding the balance between the lighthearted and cozy elements and wanting to convey a realistic gravity to crime and tragedy and relationships. It doesn't work. This book is just not very cozy... Also, almost every character is played up to be annoying in a way that I think is supposed to be endearing but gets tired very quickly.
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 3 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous emotional funny 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

4.75

Arc II, which stretches from the latter half of volume 2, to about halfway of volume III, was difficult for me to read. The change in tone is very drastic. The arc is dark and gutwrenching. It's very well written, and it's good context to Xie Lian's character and the way things work in this universe. But I wished it was a bit faster paced. Personally, I prefer the arcs centering HuaLian's romance, so it was hard for me to read that arc. I hope future volumes don't have such long flashback arcs.
The rest of the book is utter perfection, as always! MXTX is a fantastic writer.
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

My love for this series is beyond words. Book 2 was everything I wanted but didn't know to expect. The perfect mix of fascinating plot and at times astonishing, at times devastating character development. The world building is immaculate. MXTX has built a universe that is riveting beyond belief. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian's romance is devastatingly perfect.
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A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

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funny 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? It's complicated

4.5

I'm very pleased to be continuing this series. It's sweet and comforting and full of imagination. And the parallels to things from our world are very enjoyable and interesting. One thing I was a bit annoyed by...at times the dialogue and the interactions are a little too cozy and sweet, if that makes snese? It feels weird to be put off by that, but it's just like it was little too much and not in a campy way. Perhaps this stood out to me more because this book was less action and adventure packed than book 1. 
The Janes by Louisa Luna

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Unlike the first book, this was more of a rescue suspense/action rather than a whodunnit. It was generally well executed. I personally prefer cases where one person is responsible for the crime as opposed to gang or cartel related plots which is what this was. I was super put off by the romance between Cap and Alice once again. they have zero sexual or romantic chemistry and it feels incredibly forced. It's honestly kind of ruining the books for me. Additionally, this book could have been about 50 pages shorter if the author had stopped describing every action even though it has no consequence for the characters or the story. I think she thought it adds to the character building, but I don't think it does.
I like Cap and Vega separately as characters but I honestly don't think they go very well together as professional partners either. 
I enjoyed the commentary on the messed up law enforcement and immigration systems in the US. And also the new setting. I'll probably pick up the next book because the plots are generally compelling, but I sincerely hope there's no more of this awful romance between the two leads.
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The Secret of Glendunny: The Haunting by Kathryn Lasky

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
This book had lots of potential, but SO many characters that the plot was too scattered and hard to follow.
I Am Death, Volume 2 by Chris Carter

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dark
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This book took itself so seriously, yet most of the characterization didn't make sense, nor did a bunch of the actions by characters. It felt like it was written with the main purpose being very disturbing torture scenes, everything was added just because those couldn't be published on their own. These detectives are supposed to be so smart, best of the best, yet all the important questions flew right over their heads.
the 'iam death' - 'i mat hade' this was SO stupid lmao
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