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phoenix2's reviews
1249 reviews
Serpent Sea by Maiya Ibrahim
adventurous
3.0
'Serpent Sea' is the second book of the 'The spice road' trilogy. The story continues right from where the first book left things and this time around is less of a quest and more of a 'Hunger Games'.
Overall, it is an enjoyable book, full of adventures and a nice lore. However, there were some things that this time didn't work for me, such as the romance, which was questionable at times, especially since Taha couldn't be redeemed for me. Also, the adventures didn't feel cohesive and they followed one another in lighting speed.
Overall, it is an enjoyable book, full of adventures and a nice lore. However, there were some things that this time didn't work for me, such as the romance, which was questionable at times, especially since Taha couldn't be redeemed for me. Also, the adventures didn't feel cohesive and they followed one another in lighting speed.
Counsel Culture by Kim Hye-Jin
challenging
dark
emotional
3.0
'Counsel Culture' is a story about healing and overcoming your demons.
The story starts by throwing the reader into the story without prior knowledge of what has happened to the main character, as the author slowly reveals the past and what had happened. It also presents the blooming friendship between the doctor and the student, as they bond over the neighborhood's stray cats.
The ending was also nice, though, there were some points that didn't find me agreeable, but the whole book gave a lot of food for thought.
The story starts by throwing the reader into the story without prior knowledge of what has happened to the main character, as the author slowly reveals the past and what had happened. It also presents the blooming friendship between the doctor and the student, as they bond over the neighborhood's stray cats.
The ending was also nice, though, there were some points that didn't find me agreeable, but the whole book gave a lot of food for thought.
The Radio Hour by Victoria Purman
emotional
3.75
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!
'The Radio Hour' is a historical slice of life with a feminist undertone.
The story is pretty unique but interesting at the same time. The main character represents a lot of women, even at this time, as she struggles to establish herself at her workplace. The subject was also quite interesting, with the radio show being smoothly embedded into the main story and it was nice to see how Martha's life inspired her show. The rest of the characters were also pretty endearing (well not Everyone!)
One thing that didn't sit with me, however, was the time jumps that got me confused more than once during my listening of the audiobook and I often wondered if I skipped a chapter, as things moved on off page more than once.
Finally, the audiobook was nicely narrated.
'The Radio Hour' is a historical slice of life with a feminist undertone.
The story is pretty unique but interesting at the same time. The main character represents a lot of women, even at this time, as she struggles to establish herself at her workplace. The subject was also quite interesting, with the radio show being smoothly embedded into the main story and it was nice to see how Martha's life inspired her show. The rest of the characters were also pretty endearing (well not Everyone!)
One thing that didn't sit with me, however, was the time jumps that got me confused more than once during my listening of the audiobook and I often wondered if I skipped a chapter, as things moved on off page more than once.
Finally, the audiobook was nicely narrated.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
lighthearted
mysterious
2.0
'Keeper of Enchanted Rooms' is a cozy fantasy with a historical setting.
I did enjoy the fantasy setting, with the enchanted mansion and the whimsical characters. The villain was interesting as well and created the right amount of twists and suspenseful moments.
I liked the story overall as well, though there were parts that felt predictable and boring. Like the romance, which was easy to guess where it was going.
Still, it was an enjoyable story.
I did enjoy the fantasy setting, with the enchanted mansion and the whimsical characters. The villain was interesting as well and created the right amount of twists and suspenseful moments.
I liked the story overall as well, though there were parts that felt predictable and boring. Like the romance, which was easy to guess where it was going.
Still, it was an enjoyable story.
Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland
'Four Ruined Realms' is the sequel to the popular fantasy series 'The Broken Blades'. The story picks up from where the last book left things and it follows the same format with the multiple POVs.
This time around, I liked Mikail better than I did in the first book, as he was more reasonable. I do hope that in the third one, he will be the tragic hero who seeks revenge, while heartbroken and mourning. Euyn on the other hand got worse! He was suspecting everyone, was too arrogant for his situation, acted like a spoiled brat, and looked down on the girls. Kind of started sympathizing with him in his last chapter though...
As for the others, Sora got better and better with each chapter and I would love a reunion of her and Hanna, Aeri was adorable as always and kind of tragic, as everyone in her group of liars and criminals kept blaming her for being a liar and a traitor... Royo is just perfect for her though. Ty, however, was just boringly basic and only there to introduce us to some ghosts of the past.
Now, for the story, it was interesting, had some less interesting parts, but others were stronger, like the ones where they were searching for the head and the egg. The ending was interesting as well and I liked how the author turned the tables around and we might have a Queen instead of a corrupted King.
adventurous
challenging
3.5
This time around, I liked Mikail better than I did in the first book, as he was more reasonable. I do hope that in the third one, he will be the tragic hero who seeks revenge, while heartbroken and mourning. Euyn on the other hand got worse! He was suspecting everyone, was too arrogant for his situation, acted like a spoiled brat, and looked down on the girls. Kind of started sympathizing with him in his last chapter though...
As for the others, Sora got better and better with each chapter and I would love a reunion of her and Hanna, Aeri was adorable as always and kind of tragic, as everyone in her group of liars and criminals kept blaming her for being a liar and a traitor... Royo is just perfect for her though. Ty, however, was just boringly basic and only there to introduce us to some ghosts of the past.
Now, for the story, it was interesting, had some less interesting parts, but others were stronger, like the ones where they were searching for the head and the egg. The ending was interesting as well and I liked how the author turned the tables around and we might have a Queen instead of a corrupted King.
Haunting and Homicide by Amber Camp
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
4.0
Big thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!!
'Haunting and Homicide' is a fantasy cozy mystery with ghosts and a cute puppy!!
The setting was indeed perfect for this story, as it simply is 'ghosty' on its own. Pair that with actual ghosts and a main character who can see them and makes ghost tours as a living, you get the perfect cozy fantasy. Add a dog to that, and you have a recipe for success.
I also enjoyed the mystery, which had enough twists to keep things interesting but was not too complicated as to let the rest of the plotlines flourish. I also liked the family drama and the smooth outcome of it!
And even though the romance wasn't for me, as it was too cheesy for my taste, the end and the final choice of the character surprised me positively.
Finally, the characters were likable and interesting. The audiobook was also beautifully narrated.
'Haunting and Homicide' is a fantasy cozy mystery with ghosts and a cute puppy!!
The setting was indeed perfect for this story, as it simply is 'ghosty' on its own. Pair that with actual ghosts and a main character who can see them and makes ghost tours as a living, you get the perfect cozy fantasy. Add a dog to that, and you have a recipe for success.
I also enjoyed the mystery, which had enough twists to keep things interesting but was not too complicated as to let the rest of the plotlines flourish. I also liked the family drama and the smooth outcome of it!
And even though the romance wasn't for me, as it was too cheesy for my taste, the end and the final choice of the character surprised me positively.
Finally, the characters were likable and interesting. The audiobook was also beautifully narrated.
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
informative
fast-paced
4.0
'So Late in the Day' is a novella by Clair Keegan.
What I love about this author is that she starts a story presenting a pretty mundane setting and slowly she introduces the point she wants to make. And this novella doesn't disappoint. The main character is pretty frustrating, but, in the end, it's not about him.
What I love about this author is that she starts a story presenting a pretty mundane setting and slowly she introduces the point she wants to make. And this novella doesn't disappoint. The main character is pretty frustrating, but, in the end, it's not about him.
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
'A Language of Dragons' is a YA fantasy story with Dragons.
The story has some academia themes that explore and I fairly enjoyed that part, though, there weren't as many parts as I wanted with the characters reading or researching.
Another plus of the book was the dragons. They were nicely handled and it was interesting to learn more about them and their lore.
On the other hand, the story is driven by the main character, Viv, and her being a 'grey' character. First of all, she was not a grey character. She was selfish at times, yes, but she was pushed to the corner and forced to choose to work for the bad guys. All her decisions were based on saving her sister and her family, so she didn't have questioning morals, she was just a teenager being exploited. Also, she kept changing her mind about what to do so quickly that simply got tiring to read her having a change of heart in every other chapter!
Second of all, the enemies-to-lovers romance is falsely advertised. She never saw him as an enemy, she was attracted to him right from the start, started talking to him through a few letters and only towards the ending, and despite knowing the true reason why he was recruited, she got upset because he knew her secret and yet he said nothing (stupidest reason ever when there were tons of reason why she could have been mad about). They weren't even rivals to enemies, even if the setting was acquiring them to be.
In addition, there were many plot holes when it came to the whole universe of the book, and the history was confusing to follow. There was the Treaty that was signed more than fifty years ago if I'm not mistaken and it was pointed out a lot of times through the book, which was the result of the Bulgarian Dragons killing every human in their country. But then again there was a war that Viv clearly remembers happening as a child... I might be missing something, but also the whole social system was unrealistic, especially since it was established recently. And yet, I enjoyed the social commentary on education, and how the ones with less means are in a worse situation compared to those with access to additional educational material when it comes to the exams. And yet, were the exams the only way to divide society into classes?
Finally, the last part of the book was kind of messy and it felt partial.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
2.0
The story has some academia themes that explore and I fairly enjoyed that part, though, there weren't as many parts as I wanted with the characters reading or researching.
Another plus of the book was the dragons. They were nicely handled and it was interesting to learn more about them and their lore.
On the other hand, the story is driven by the main character, Viv, and her being a 'grey' character. First of all, she was not a grey character. She was selfish at times, yes, but she was pushed to the corner and forced to choose to work for the bad guys. All her decisions were based on saving her sister and her family, so she didn't have questioning morals, she was just a teenager being exploited. Also, she kept changing her mind about what to do so quickly that simply got tiring to read her having a change of heart in every other chapter!
Second of all, the enemies-to-lovers romance is falsely advertised. She never saw him as an enemy, she was attracted to him right from the start, started talking to him through a few letters and only towards the ending, and despite knowing the true reason why he was recruited, she got upset because he knew her secret and yet he said nothing (stupidest reason ever when there were tons of reason why she could have been mad about). They weren't even rivals to enemies, even if the setting was acquiring them to be.
In addition, there were many plot holes when it came to the whole universe of the book, and the history was confusing to follow. There was the Treaty that was signed more than fifty years ago if I'm not mistaken and it was pointed out a lot of times through the book, which was the result of the Bulgarian Dragons killing every human in their country. But then again there was a war that Viv clearly remembers happening as a child... I might be missing something, but also the whole social system was unrealistic, especially since it was established recently. And yet, I enjoyed the social commentary on education, and how the ones with less means are in a worse situation compared to those with access to additional educational material when it comes to the exams. And yet, were the exams the only way to divide society into classes?
Finally, the last part of the book was kind of messy and it felt partial.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
2.5
'The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year' is a mystery- romantic comedy that takes place in the Christmas Season.
The story isn't that Christmass-y, but there were some mentions of the season, so it wasn't all that out there.
Also, though intriguing at first, the mystery wasn't that compelling. But, the characters were mystery-driven, so at least it wasn't left out.
In addition, the romance was enjoyable, mostly due to the guy's POV. However, this isn't an enemies to lovers romance, not even a rivals to lovers romance, as the one sides hatred was simply based on a misunderstanding...
The story isn't that Christmass-y, but there were some mentions of the season, so it wasn't all that out there.
Also, though intriguing at first, the mystery wasn't that compelling. But, the characters were mystery-driven, so at least it wasn't left out.
In addition, the romance was enjoyable, mostly due to the guy's POV. However, this isn't an enemies to lovers romance, not even a rivals to lovers romance, as the one sides hatred was simply based on a misunderstanding...
Under the Oak Tree, S1 Volume 3 by Suji Kim
2.0
The continuation of the story finds the main character growing more mature and standing up for herself, while our male lead is growing more and more annoying.