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rlobel's reviews
82 reviews
Him by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To be honest, I didn't hate this book. It was fun to read, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's good. Him is an lgbtq+ romance that sits a little on the spicier scale. The book follows Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley's journey together. Jamie and Ryan (Wes) have been best friends since they were fourteen when they started going to this ice hockey camp together. However, during their last year, the two had an unexpected fallout due to a few drunken mistakes. Now, the two of them have almost finished their last year of college, along with being on college hockey before they go off to the big leagues. After years of no communication, the two finally come face to face at one of their hockey competitions. This sparks something in Wes as he remembers the summers they've had together and decidedly signs up to coach hockey at the same camp he went to when he was younger, obviously not knowing that Jamie had the same idea. During the new summer they have together, the two rekindle their friendship and maybe even something more: diving into old and new waters.
So, like I said, this book wasn't entirely bad to read, but it wasn't necessarily good. I think one of the major things it was lacking was the sense of being too rushed and compact. The book would have been better if it extended itself a little more, especially with the characters coming to terms with the ideas of homosexuality and bisexuality. The plot and story would have been so much more impactful if it slow burned into the romance while also having more focus on the ideas of sexuality and how others react to it. The book really just felt generic, like I've read it a hundred times before with romance. I won't lie many of the romances that I've read have stupid and vague plots, but I think this could have been more constructed if it focused less on the romance and more on the personal growth. However, because I did enjoy it to an extent, I give it a 3/5 ⭐️.
So, like I said, this book wasn't entirely bad to read, but it wasn't necessarily good. I think one of the major things it was lacking was the sense of being too rushed and compact. The book would have been better if it extended itself a little more, especially with the characters coming to terms with the ideas of homosexuality and bisexuality. The plot and story would have been so much more impactful if it slow burned into the romance while also having more focus on the ideas of sexuality and how others react to it. The book really just felt generic, like I've read it a hundred times before with romance. I won't lie many of the romances that I've read have stupid and vague plots, but I think this could have been more constructed if it focused less on the romance and more on the personal growth. However, because I did enjoy it to an extent, I give it a 3/5 ⭐️.
Glow by Raven Kennedy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Well, this book was a disappointment, and I only got through a hundred pages, which is really sad because I had high hopes. Personally, I'm not even sure what the plot was. I know that it left off right after the previous book, where Auren almost killed herself with her golden rage, and Slade rotted her for a few minutes so she wouldn't end up killing herself. In this book, it starts with him un-rotting her, but she still doesn't wake up (I know right, shocker). Then we have an on going of chapters that switch from the past to the present, all in Slades point of view. I ended up getting up to chapter 14, where Auren woke up.
The reason why I DNFed this book was because of how Raven Kennedy thought it would be best to wake Auren up. So first, Auren wakes up, but she's not really herself. She has her inner beast controlling her and still making her rage. So what did Slade do to get her back to herself? He legit fucked her. I'm sorry, let's back track for a second; she just woke up from a coma, not even herself, and that's the best course of action. I know this book is more on the spicy side of things, but that was first of all just bad plotting, and second, just so unnecessary. Like really; I mean maybe I just dont get spice, but i just...dont even know. Anyway, after that I couldn't continue reading, the course of events were legit insane, and after that I lost my interest. I most likely, in the future, will not continue with the rest of the series. I give this a 1/5 ⭐️.
The reason why I DNFed this book was because of how Raven Kennedy thought it would be best to wake Auren up. So first, Auren wakes up, but she's not really herself. She has her inner beast controlling her and still making her rage. So what did Slade do to get her back to herself? He legit fucked her. I'm sorry, let's back track for a second; she just woke up from a coma, not even herself, and that's the best course of action. I know this book is more on the spicy side of things, but that was first of all just bad plotting, and second, just so unnecessary. Like really; I mean maybe I just dont get spice, but i just...dont even know. Anyway, after that I couldn't continue reading, the course of events were legit insane, and after that I lost my interest. I most likely, in the future, will not continue with the rest of the series. I give this a 1/5 ⭐️.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Truthfully, this book was not my taste. The Love Hypothesis follows Olive, a grad, majoring in science. When she, on accident, kisses a random guy, just to show her friend she's on a date, she realizes she just kissed one of the harshest professors in the school, Adam Carleson. The story then unwinds into this whole fake dating situation (I personally find the whole reasoning for them to start fake dating was stupid), but anyway of course it mixes with reality and olive falls for Adam, and he falls for her, and they all end up happily ever after.
Obviously, this book is not geared toward me or my preferences. Although, if you're not like me, and do enjoy a rom com then you might like this. Personally, it was all too cliché with the whole misunderstanding/miscommunication trope, but whatever. This book is supposedly a starwars fan fiction between Kylo Ren and Rey, but I didn't really see how, except for maybe the physical features. Their character personalities definitely didn't match up with Kylo Ren and Rey, with this book being a Grumpy×Sunshine, and Kylo and Rey both being brooding loners. Continuing, though, I found the writing very on the nose, with the author not trusting the readers to grasp what's going on and having to describe every little emotion, which was really annoying. Another thing is she couldn't stop describing how tall Adams was, everytime Olive interacted with him (like I get he he's a living man giant who's handsome and grumpy, I promise I won't forget). Although I will say for the com part of this rom-com, there were a few parts where I chuckled out loud, so that's got to count for something, right? Anyway, if you're into rom-com cliches, I'd definitely pick up this book. But for me, this book is jusr 2 ⭐️.
Obviously, this book is not geared toward me or my preferences. Although, if you're not like me, and do enjoy a rom com then you might like this. Personally, it was all too cliché with the whole misunderstanding/miscommunication trope, but whatever. This book is supposedly a starwars fan fiction between Kylo Ren and Rey, but I didn't really see how, except for maybe the physical features. Their character personalities definitely didn't match up with Kylo Ren and Rey, with this book being a Grumpy×Sunshine, and Kylo and Rey both being brooding loners. Continuing, though, I found the writing very on the nose, with the author not trusting the readers to grasp what's going on and having to describe every little emotion, which was really annoying. Another thing is she couldn't stop describing how tall Adams was, everytime Olive interacted with him (like I get he he's a living man giant who's handsome and grumpy, I promise I won't forget). Although I will say for the com part of this rom-com, there were a few parts where I chuckled out loud, so that's got to count for something, right? Anyway, if you're into rom-com cliches, I'd definitely pick up this book. But for me, this book is jusr 2 ⭐️.
Gleam by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book changed the entire course of the Plated prisoner series. There was such beauty in Raven Kennedy's writing style when it comes to plot twists and also making the raw emotions of her characters come to life. One of the things I really want to highlight in this review is the disposition of Midas. His character is absolutely incredible, with his striking greed of gold. I love how Kennedy doesn't hold back with making his character rapaciously disgusting. His manipulation is so intense, and the way he gets away with everything angers me in such a way that I want to jump into those pages and strangle him myself. I don't think I've ever read a book where the author did such an incredible job in making a villain that makes me, personally, nauseated by just his name alone. I am so excited to continue the story into the 4th book of the series glow, seeing how Malina grows as a character, as she drives the golden plot forward.
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
Wow!!! Where do I even start with this review. A Day of Fallen Night had met and exceeded all expectations that I had going into its pages. The book is a prequal, stand-alone, high fantasy, to The Priory of the Orange Tree. The plot follows four characters, Dumai, Tunuva, Glorian, and Wulf, each burdened to save their homelands from the evils that have reopened, plaguing, and killing their land and people.
For a fantasy, the book was so beautiful, written with its poetic understone. Throughout it, I was intoxicated with the world building and the added details that expanded from The Priory of the Orange Tree's world building. I love how the cultures in the world of Root's of Chaos compliment the cultures in our world, making the books that much more rich and divine. I absolutely loved the characters presented and their beautiful, heartbreaking stories. The action sequences were written more rigorously, and feeling more complete compared to The Priory, having me at the edge of my seat at times. Samantha Shannon has made me fall in love and back in love again with this world, that now I must reread Fallen Nights sister, The Priory. I love this worlds fantastical history, and I cannot wait for a 3rd book.
For a fantasy, the book was so beautiful, written with its poetic understone. Throughout it, I was intoxicated with the world building and the added details that expanded from The Priory of the Orange Tree's world building. I love how the cultures in the world of Root's of Chaos compliment the cultures in our world, making the books that much more rich and divine. I absolutely loved the characters presented and their beautiful, heartbreaking stories. The action sequences were written more rigorously, and feeling more complete compared to The Priory, having me at the edge of my seat at times. Samantha Shannon has made me fall in love and back in love again with this world, that now I must reread Fallen Nights sister, The Priory. I love this worlds fantastical history, and I cannot wait for a 3rd book.
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
I hate to say this but this book was annoying. Well first I've made my opinion pretty clear in the first person and this is again a romance from the two points of view in the first person. (Why do I keep picking these books). It's about these two kids who are supposedly enemies, both having at-home problems, and they go on a road trip inconveniently alone and they find that there’s more to each other than just their annoying quirks. Honestly, I couldn’t get into it, first off the writing style isn't for me, despite it being in first person, the style wasn't descriptive enough. There didn't seem to be a plot, and it was just moving too slowly. All and all I give this book a 1.5.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
2.5
<spoilers>
My review has spoilers
I just finished reading the silent patient, and I'll be honest with you murder mystery genres are not really my forte, but I thought I would give it a chance. The silent patient is about a woman named Alicia Berenson who supposedly shot her husband five times, and after the murder, she never uttered a word. She didn't speak during or after her murder trial and was diagnosed clinically insane. The book is narrated by Theo Faber, Alicia's psychotherapist, as he tries to figure out Alicia's motives for killing her husband.
This book was a page-turner I won't lie. It had me on my toes. I found it interesting considering I never really read these types of books. but what I do hate to say was the plot twist was a disappointment. I thought its ending didn't really make sense. Theo being Alicia's stalker was counterintuitive, because then he would have known Alicia's motives for killing her husband. I mean that was literally the whole books drive. I think the plot twist could have worked if first: it was in 3rd person, and second: if the storyline maybe had a different drive (but that one is up for debate). Honestly, I was going to rate this 4 stars but it dropped to 2.5 for the plot twists and bad execution.
My review has spoilers
I just finished reading the silent patient, and I'll be honest with you murder mystery genres are not really my forte, but I thought I would give it a chance. The silent patient is about a woman named Alicia Berenson who supposedly shot her husband five times, and after the murder, she never uttered a word. She didn't speak during or after her murder trial and was diagnosed clinically insane. The book is narrated by Theo Faber, Alicia's psychotherapist, as he tries to figure out Alicia's motives for killing her husband.
This book was a page-turner I won't lie. It had me on my toes. I found it interesting considering I never really read these types of books. but what I do hate to say was the plot twist was a disappointment. I thought its ending didn't really make sense. Theo being Alicia's stalker was counterintuitive, because then he would have known Alicia's motives for killing her husband. I mean that was literally the whole books drive. I think the plot twist could have worked if first: it was in 3rd person, and second: if the storyline maybe had a different drive (but that one is up for debate). Honestly, I was going to rate this 4 stars but it dropped to 2.5 for the plot twists and bad execution.
Glint by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
Glint is the second book in the Plated Prisoner series. The series is a sort of a retelling of King Midas and his gold touch. The story is from the perspective of Auren, a girl with skin golden skin due to Midas gold touching her and claiming her as his "favored." He keeps Auren in a gilded cage as a prisoner. But Auren does not see it this way. She comes to accept her golden cage because she believes Midas loves her and he is doing it for her own good.
Raven Kennedy depicts stockhom syndrom really well in this book without romanticizing its abuse. The books are a slow burn, and the first two are definitely setting up for the bigger plot, so if your preference is to dive into the plot head on, then this book is not for you. It is in first-person pov, which I've said before I don't love, but that is due to personal preference. I think this fantasy had real potential, and I'm excited to read the next books in this series.
Raven Kennedy depicts stockhom syndrom really well in this book without romanticizing its abuse. The books are a slow burn, and the first two are definitely setting up for the bigger plot, so if your preference is to dive into the plot head on, then this book is not for you. It is in first-person pov, which I've said before I don't love, but that is due to personal preference. I think this fantasy had real potential, and I'm excited to read the next books in this series.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
What can I say about this book? Well, first off, the book had absolutely no plot, and every character either just annoyed me or bored me to death. It's supposedly about a figure skater and a hockey skater falling in love due to the convenience of having to share a rink. This book is definitely a bit on the spicy side, and yet it left my mouth dry, with no flavor. There was no plot to be developed, and honestly, nothing seemed even remotely realistic. But maybe that's part of the appeal? I will say this is one of the few contemporary romances that I've read, and I'm not usually pleasantly surprised by this genre. I'm probably biased, and this book is probably not catered toward me. But even for a romance, everything just felt so cheesy and cliché. Every conflict that occurs lasts about two pages before getting resolved. Another point I like to make is that it's in first person with two people telling the story. For me, first-person pov is not my thing, but it's really about preference. It was a slow read, yet somehow, a too fast-paced romance, and personally, I felt the book was 400 pages too long.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
So I hate to say this but The Well of Ascension sadly suffers from second-book-syndrom. It has little to no action for the majority of the book, at some places it can get dense, and even dry. That being said I really did enjoy parts of the book, I really loved the political aspect of it all. I loved how it showed the real struggles that the empire now has to face after being ruled in tyranny for so long. I loved the realistic aspect of these kings now fighting for the power the lord ruler once had. I will say even though the majority of the book had rarely an action sequences, and was kind of lacking in suspense, the ending had some really awesome and thrilling action. The ending had an incredible, major plot twist. And even though it was a long slow read getting to that action and plot twist, I will say I am heavily excited to read the third book in the Mistborn trilogy.