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poisonenvy's reviews
844 reviews
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 5 (Special Edition) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Volume 4 had a really ... Not great smut scene, but it's practically literature compared to what happened her. I can't say for sure that this is the worst smut I've ever read, but it's definitely up there. Between the issues with consent (which I think is probably common for the genre; it certainly was in Japanese manga once upon a time), to self-lubricating assholes, to.... Literally not changing positions once in an hour (which honestly sounds like one of the most boring experienced I can imagine) it's not great.
But I enjoyed everything that didn't involve sex, more or less. Slightly less than half of this novel I'd the main story, and then the rest is made up of bonus chapters and stories, many of which I enjoyed a lot, or found very cute.
Like I said in my review of volume 1, these books are not *good.* But they are fun, and I enjoyed reading them with my friend.
Needs more Lan Xichen content.
But I enjoyed everything that didn't involve sex, more or less. Slightly less than half of this novel I'd the main story, and then the rest is made up of bonus chapters and stories, many of which I enjoyed a lot, or found very cute.
Like I said in my review of volume 1, these books are not *good.* But they are fun, and I enjoyed reading them with my friend.
Needs more Lan Xichen content.
The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
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? Yes
4.0
Dungeon Crawl by Annie Bellet
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's hard to review the eighth book in a series. What is there to say that I haven't already said?
I read the first four books in audio format, and it was nice going back to that for this one! Hollie Jackson does a very good job.
I wish I could find Harper's Tale literally anywhere (some places say it'll be published in 2024, but I'm sure that it was published before this book came out so that's annoying).
Alek's POV was much better in this book than the last time we got it. Excited to go on to the next!
I read the first four books in audio format, and it was nice going back to that for this one! Hollie Jackson does a very good job.
I wish I could find Harper's Tale literally anywhere (some places say it'll be published in 2024, but I'm sure that it was published before this book came out so that's annoying).
Alek's POV was much better in this book than the last time we got it. Excited to go on to the next!
Thicker Than Blood by Annie Bellet
adventurous
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
3.5
This didn't feel like a full book. Or maybe it's the next one that doesn't. Either way, I read up to Magic to the Bone before I got around to reviewing this one, and I had serious trouble remembering that they were two different books, and trying to figure out where this one ended and the other one began.
That being said, I'm still enjoying this series immensely.
That being said, I'm still enjoying this series immensely.
Magic to the Bone by Annie Bellet
adventurous
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
3.75
Once again, very much enjoying these books and I'm always really excited to get to finish one (alas, I am now taking a break to finish the Great Hunt before I switch back from the ebook to the audiobooks for this series).
I will say there was a new POV in this book that just... Was not it. Very heavy with the telling, not showing, and lots of cheese. The rest of the novel was very enjoyable.
Very pleased I downloaded the first book for free approximately one billion years ago and discovered them now.
I will say there was a new POV in this book that just... Was not it. Very heavy with the telling, not showing, and lots of cheese. The rest of the novel was very enjoyable.
Very pleased I downloaded the first book for free approximately one billion years ago and discovered them now.
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
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? No
3.75
I first read the Wheel of Time books back in 2009, and I have never read them since. I don't remember a <I>lot</I> of the story, but I remember enough that I am pretty pleased any time I catch a bit of foreshadowing.
I was worried, before starting my reread, that the weird sexism in these books that wouldn't have made me stop reading a book 15 years ago might make me stop reading a book <I>now</I>. I have far, far less tolerance for that sort of thing these days than when I was in my early 20s. But so far it's still not anything that will make me stop reading. That could change, obviously, but I'm enjoying myself immensely.
I mostly listened to the Rosamund Pike audiobook for this one, which was an absolute delight. I was less pleased when I had to switch to the Kate Reading & Michael Kramer audiobook, but they're still enjoyable enough to listen to that I will probably listen to them once I run out of Rosamund Pike books.
I was worried, before starting my reread, that the weird sexism in these books that wouldn't have made me stop reading a book 15 years ago might make me stop reading a book <I>now</I>. I have far, far less tolerance for that sort of thing these days than when I was in my early 20s. But so far it's still not anything that will make me stop reading. That could change, obviously, but I'm enjoying myself immensely.
I mostly listened to the Rosamund Pike audiobook for this one, which was an absolute delight. I was less pleased when I had to switch to the Kate Reading & Michael Kramer audiobook, but they're still enjoyable enough to listen to that I will probably listen to them once I run out of Rosamund Pike books.
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
There's only so many times I can hear a grown man like Walter Tevis describe a barely pubescent girl's pubic hair, or talk about her panties, before I (and the rest of my book club) decide to put the book down.
DNF @ chapter 4.
DNF @ chapter 4.
Heartache by Annie Bellet
adventurous
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
4.0
There are a couple of moments in this book that would've hit harder if Bellet had bothered developng the characters more thoroughly (or, in one case, at all), but overall another very strong edition into the series, and probably (?) my favourite in the series so far.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
A lot of super cute WangXian moments in this one, and then there's the ending. I enjoyed this one a lot!
Just one more to go. 👀
Just one more to go. 👀
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.25
Starting this review off saying that this is NOT fantasy. This is historical romance, set in a different world than ours (and it's a well-built world at that, with history and religion, where homophobia, transphobia, and sexism do not seem to be an issue), but there's no magic, no fantastical elements. Just a delightful queer historical romance that doesn't involve the homophobia you'd normally see in the genre.
It's nice! It's refreshing! I love the romance and the two protagonists, I even enjoyed all the wool-industry talk and the corporate espionage plot there.
Overall this was great, and I cannot wait until it's properly published so I can add it to my bookshelf!
It's nice! It's refreshing! I love the romance and the two protagonists, I even enjoyed all the wool-industry talk and the corporate espionage plot there.
Overall this was great, and I cannot wait until it's properly published so I can add it to my bookshelf!