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smashmo's reviews
295 reviews
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Vita Nostra by Sergey Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Escape From Aurora by Jamie Littler
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a fun second book! Loved learning more about Rook and the Leviathans and Wraiths. Also the world is expanded in such a fun way. Once again great illustrations too. I'm ready for book 3!
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mediocre sentence structures and I guessed a few things but there was one big twisted I never expected. Fun ride overall.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This is another tough one for me to rate.
I liked the beginning and LOVED the last 5 or 6 Chapters. The middle wasn't bad, but I didn't particularly care about the story at that point. But I loved the overall concept and plot of the story.
I also found the main character to be extremely annoying most of the time, and the romance really didn't seem necessary, wasn't that well developed, and could have been left at friendship/comraderie.
I would probably like this more upon reread knowing now what to expect.
I liked the beginning and LOVED the last 5 or 6 Chapters. The middle wasn't bad, but I didn't particularly care about the story at that point. But I loved the overall concept and plot of the story.
I also found the main character to be extremely annoying most of the time, and the romance really didn't seem necessary, wasn't that well developed, and could have been left at friendship/comraderie.
I would probably like this more upon reread knowing now what to expect.
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Are middle grade books supposed to be gut punches?
Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don't normally do quarter star ratings but I'm so torn with this book. It took me a couple of months to finish, and not just because of the length.
There's lots of political maneuvering which was often boring and slow for me. We get to see the younger generation grow up but we don't spend enough time with them to care about them like we do with older characters.
But then there are the really really good scenes that make me feel like I need to keep going. There are several scenes with great tension and action. Any time Shae and Hilo are together on page are some of the best for me. The ending was different than expected but still great, I couldn't stop reading the last 150 pages.
I want to give it a 4 star but the lagginess of all the politicking holds me back.
There's lots of political maneuvering which was often boring and slow for me. We get to see the younger generation grow up but we don't spend enough time with them to care about them like we do with older characters.
But then there are the really really good scenes that make me feel like I need to keep going. There are several scenes with great tension and action. Any time Shae and Hilo are together on page are some of the best for me. The ending was different than expected but still great, I couldn't stop reading the last 150 pages.
I want to give it a 4 star but the lagginess of all the politicking holds me back.
Sinner by Sierra Simone
The Bad:
I won't continue reading this series based on the religious thread that is found throughout, but I would like to read a different seres from this author in the future.
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
I have to admit, this book pleasantly surprised me.
The Good:
The Good:
- A good amount of spicey scenes
- Most of the spicey scenes were enjoyable to read
- Enjoyed the over all writing style
- Good characters and decent plot
- Loved being inside the MMCs head
- Made me cry
The Bad:
- Age gap trope is not my thing
- "Naughty nun" isn't for me
- Themes of religion are not for me (though given the title, I knew what I was getting into)
- Made me cry
I won't continue reading this series based on the religious thread that is found throughout, but I would like to read a different seres from this author in the future.