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siglerbooknook's reviews
178 reviews
A Crown of Chains by Erin Phillips
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I really try hard not to give books a negative review, especially if it's written by a less prominent author. This book definitely had it's difficulties and I have chosen to leave the stars blank because of my mixed feelings.
I was very excited to read Crown of Chains knowing it was a fantasy retelling of Esther, one of my favorite Bible stories. However, I think the author took too much influence from the movie One Night With The King and too little from the original story for me personally to find this enjoyable. There is a noticeable lack of character growth and drama that pushes well past believable. If you like enemies to lovers where they never really progress you MIGHT like this book, but it wasn't for me.
SPOILERS BELOW
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My biggest grievance was the inclusion of a love triangle. Not only is it completely unbelievable that the queen would have the freedom and stupidity to have an affair, it cheapens the whole story and the morals I expected to find.
My second biggest complaint was the writing of the king. I absolutely could accept that he was selfish, shortsighted, and even spitefully mean, but throughout the entire story he is downright abusive. And he never ever gets better.
The third issue for me was that Roxana never even tries to make it work. She can hate him all she wants, but her constant baiting of the king and tempertantrums were not only unbelievable, they made the story feel like two children seeing who could make the other a bigger villain.
And finally the ending felt like a rushed cop out. The last 25 pages are exactly the Esther story, or more accurately, One Night With the King, right on down to the advisor attacking the Queen while the king secretly spies on them and steps in at the last moment.
I believe the author intended to highlight how hard life was for Esther and the insecurity of her situation. In that she succeeded. I wish she had left us a loveable character to root for.
I was very excited to read Crown of Chains knowing it was a fantasy retelling of Esther, one of my favorite Bible stories. However, I think the author took too much influence from the movie One Night With The King and too little from the original story for me personally to find this enjoyable. There is a noticeable lack of character growth and drama that pushes well past believable. If you like enemies to lovers where they never really progress you MIGHT like this book, but it wasn't for me.
SPOILERS BELOW
.
.
.
.
.
My biggest grievance was the inclusion of a love triangle. Not only is it completely unbelievable that the queen would have the freedom and stupidity to have an affair, it cheapens the whole story and the morals I expected to find.
My second biggest complaint was the writing of the king. I absolutely could accept that he was selfish, shortsighted, and even spitefully mean, but throughout the entire story he is downright abusive. And he never ever gets better.
The third issue for me was that Roxana never even tries to make it work. She can hate him all she wants, but her constant baiting of the king and tempertantrums were not only unbelievable, they made the story feel like two children seeing who could make the other a bigger villain.
And finally the ending felt like a rushed cop out. The last 25 pages are exactly the Esther story, or more accurately, One Night With the King, right on down to the advisor attacking the Queen while the king secretly spies on them and steps in at the last moment.
I believe the author intended to highlight how hard life was for Esther and the insecurity of her situation. In that she succeeded. I wish she had left us a loveable character to root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Genocide, Grief, and Gaslighting
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
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
4.5
I haven't read Ella Enchanted since I was a child, though I watch the movie at least once a year. I was surprised how much of the book I had forgotten and how very different it is from the film, hardly a plot point remaining the same.
This story is funny and loveable with many worthwhile lessons woven in.
This will be a favorite for years to come.
This story is funny and loveable with many worthwhile lessons woven in.
This will be a favorite for years to come.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Blood Price by Tanya Huff
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Blood Ties is one of my favorite TV shows so when I found out there were books I had to read them.
The first book is very similar to the opening of the show, which made the small changes like a character's name feel funny.
I love the way Huff lays out the story, clearly defining good and evil in a supernatural novel which is no easy task.
I enjoyed most of the story, the quips, and characters. Some of the arguments seemed a bit over the top, and Vicki pushes her glasses up on her nose 22 times (I kept count). Over all, I'm excited to read the second book.
The first book is very similar to the opening of the show, which made the small changes like a character's name feel funny.
I love the way Huff lays out the story, clearly defining good and evil in a supernatural novel which is no easy task.
I enjoyed most of the story, the quips, and characters. Some of the arguments seemed a bit over the top, and Vicki pushes her glasses up on her nose 22 times (I kept count). Over all, I'm excited to read the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Bullying
Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I remember loving this book as a child and I still liked it with this read through even if it is confusing and strange. The story is very poetic and fanciful, but you can't think too deeply on it or look for reasons or logic. The things that are, simply are. There is no explanation.
If you enjoy whimsy stories just for the journey, you will enjoy this book. The characters are cute, but not terribly deep or real. The morals woven in are good, but the weaving itself is strange.
It is a book of wild magic and if you enjoy vast and free imagination, then this is a beautiful book.
If you enjoy whimsy stories just for the journey, you will enjoy this book. The characters are cute, but not terribly deep or real. The morals woven in are good, but the weaving itself is strange.
It is a book of wild magic and if you enjoy vast and free imagination, then this is a beautiful book.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
It's hard to start the year with a book like this...because finding something I love as much will be nearly impossible. This is my new favorite book, bar none.
The entire story is sassy, sarcastic, and chock full of rabbit trails told with the perfect spin to make it endearing on every level. Each character is beautifully created and unique. I laughed so often my husband thought I was going mad.
I've never read a more entertaining narrator. The foreshadowing was so wrapped up in nonsense I didn't stand a chance at solving the mysteries, and I didn't care because I was too busy smiling over a completely random and irrelevant comparison.
The subtle nods to Sanderson's other works were always entertaining. Useless questions carried a unique kind of charm. And maybe most enjoyably, real questions and tidbits of wisdom were woven into the tale cover to cover.
I can't sing enough praises for this story, so instead I will leave you with 3 of my favorite quotes to help you understand the singular qualities of Tress's book.
-There had been a tree on the property once, but it had done the sensible thing and died a few years earlier.
-Do you know how many wars could have been prevented if just one person in charge had stopped to think, "you know, maybe we should double-check; perhaps blinking twice isn't an insult in their culture
-I'm drowning in bravery, cleverness, and heroism. Instead, kindly give me a little common sense.
The entire story is sassy, sarcastic, and chock full of rabbit trails told with the perfect spin to make it endearing on every level. Each character is beautifully created and unique. I laughed so often my husband thought I was going mad.
I've never read a more entertaining narrator. The foreshadowing was so wrapped up in nonsense I didn't stand a chance at solving the mysteries, and I didn't care because I was too busy smiling over a completely random and irrelevant comparison.
The subtle nods to Sanderson's other works were always entertaining. Useless questions carried a unique kind of charm. And maybe most enjoyably, real questions and tidbits of wisdom were woven into the tale cover to cover.
I can't sing enough praises for this story, so instead I will leave you with 3 of my favorite quotes to help you understand the singular qualities of Tress's book.
-There had been a tree on the property once, but it had done the sensible thing and died a few years earlier.
-Do you know how many wars could have been prevented if just one person in charge had stopped to think, "you know, maybe we should double-check; perhaps blinking twice isn't an insult in their culture
-I'm drowning in bravery, cleverness, and heroism. Instead, kindly give me a little common sense.
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I went into this book with high expectations, having adored every book I've read by Bardugo. While it's definitely good, I didn't find it as gripping as the previous stories.
I will caveat that Zoya and Nina were respectively my least favorite characters in their stories. If you loved them you definitely will like this book.
There are a multitude of things happening in this book, each intriguing, but I found it a bit overwhelming. Especially since we're jumping between 3 sets of characters all with multiple plot points. That said, the plots were all well written and kept me on the edge of my seat.
I did find the saints incredibly confusing.
My biggest gripe is I hate undefeatable villains in stories and we're running dangerously close to that territory with this book.
Nikolai is an amazing character who made me laugh often. I absolutely love Bardugo's witty dialogue that she gives him.
This book is anything but predictable, maybe because I spent so much of it confused. I found my favorite characters were the sunshine and funny ones. For as serious as her books are, no one writes a happy character as loveable as Bardugo.
Definitely not sad I read it, and looking forward to Rule of Wolves.
I will caveat that Zoya and Nina were respectively my least favorite characters in their stories. If you loved them you definitely will like this book.
There are a multitude of things happening in this book, each intriguing, but I found it a bit overwhelming. Especially since we're jumping between 3 sets of characters all with multiple plot points. That said, the plots were all well written and kept me on the edge of my seat.
I did find the saints incredibly confusing.
My biggest gripe is I hate undefeatable villains in stories and we're running dangerously close to that territory with this book.
Nikolai is an amazing character who made me laugh often. I absolutely love Bardugo's witty dialogue that she gives him.
This book is anything but predictable, maybe because I spent so much of it confused. I found my favorite characters were the sunshine and funny ones. For as serious as her books are, no one writes a happy character as loveable as Bardugo.
Definitely not sad I read it, and looking forward to Rule of Wolves.
Valorous by Tamara Leigh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
The author chose to write this book in a poetic style meant to feel like old English. Unfortunately, the wording she chose is so repetitive I had to struggle to understand what I was reading, often reading the same sentence 3 or 4 times.
Almost every paragraph started with "As already" or "as expected". Instead of using names or he/she the author repeats "the one who..." over and over while referring to different people.
Example:
“My Lord,” ventured the one who claimed to be the boy’s cousin and gave the name Sévère, “here not only further proof Mace is Wulfrith kin but descended from Saxon royalty.” Hector considered the slender hand that once more offered a parchment drawn from the cask, next that one’s face framed by a woolen cap, then the boy of seven or eight years. Though there was no silver in that...
I think I would have really liked this story if ut was a little more polished and easier to read.
Almost every paragraph started with "As already" or "as expected". Instead of using names or he/she the author repeats "the one who..." over and over while referring to different people.
Example:
“My Lord,” ventured the one who claimed to be the boy’s cousin and gave the name Sévère, “here not only further proof Mace is Wulfrith kin but descended from Saxon royalty.” Hector considered the slender hand that once more offered a parchment drawn from the cask, next that one’s face framed by a woolen cap, then the boy of seven or eight years. Though there was no silver in that...
I think I would have really liked this story if ut was a little more polished and easier to read.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a cute story, and very unique. I enjoyed the premise and the mystery. I wish the characters had been a little more developed. The ending also felt a bit rushed after the setup took so long. The final twists were predictable, but the ending itself was sweet. Overall I'm glad I read it
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of my favorite novels, one I've read at least 4 times.
The questions posed in the story of morality, right and wrong, justice, and duty are left for the reader to think about. What makes a monster and what makes a man? What is the cost of vengeance?
Some classics deserve to be timeless and this is one of them.
The questions posed in the story of morality, right and wrong, justice, and duty are left for the reader to think about. What makes a monster and what makes a man? What is the cost of vengeance?
Some classics deserve to be timeless and this is one of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Murder
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was an interesting story/commentary on the Christian faith. I love the way C. S. Lewis makes the reader think by telling the story from the point of view of the enemy. I feel like I realized how often I let my internal monologue detract from actually living and this book helped me recognize it quicker so that I can truly live life to the fullest. I definitely think this is worth reading at least once in your life.