Scan barcode
sophiesometimesreads's reviews
256 reviews
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sword Catcher is a slower-paced, character-driven political fantasy that might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. I'm starting to think political fantasy is my type of fantasy.
The worldbuilding, in true CC fashion, was really well done and I felt like I understood everything without too much info-dumping.
I really enjoyed the perspective of both characters and the morally grey nature of their actions. I felt a bit conflicted about Conor as a character, but I think that's on purpose by the author and it was set up well for his character arc throughout the rest of the story. Some of the side characters could've been fleshed out a bit more, but I feel like this may come in future books.
This book is a lot of set up for the next books. I often like my books to feel a bit more self-contained as a story, but this didn't impact my experience too much as I was invested in the story and characters, and so the almost slice-of-life feel of the book worked for me.
Maybe if I thought hard enough, this may sit around a 3.5 but I really enjoyed it and read it relatively quickly for me and fantasy so I'm putting it at a 4 star for enjoyment on my part.
I am really excited to read the second book in March because I'm still thinking about Lin and Kel hours after finishing this book!
The worldbuilding, in true CC fashion, was really well done and I felt like I understood everything without too much info-dumping.
I really enjoyed the perspective of both characters and the morally grey nature of their actions. I felt a bit conflicted about Conor as a character, but I think that's on purpose by the author and it was set up well for his character arc throughout the rest of the story. Some of the side characters could've been fleshed out a bit more, but I feel like this may come in future books.
This book is a lot of set up for the next books. I often like my books to feel a bit more self-contained as a story, but this didn't impact my experience too much as I was invested in the story and characters, and so the almost slice-of-life feel of the book worked for me.
Maybe if I thought hard enough, this may sit around a 3.5 but I really enjoyed it and read it relatively quickly for me and fantasy so I'm putting it at a 4 star for enjoyment on my part.
I am really excited to read the second book in March because I'm still thinking about Lin and Kel hours after finishing this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I just don't think Ali Hazelwood is ever going to be a favourite author for me. I enjoyed this generally, but it wasn't a stand out for me. Her writing style is fun at times but can be cringy at others. The characters felt similar to the other book I've read from her (which seems to be a common theme), though I enjoyed the video game setting/conversations. I think part of the reason this didn't work as well as others I've read from her, though, is due to the narrator. I didn't particularly gel with the narration style, and it annoyed me that she pronounced Viola as Vila and Otto as Auto, it took me two hours to realise "Auto" was actually called Otto. Overall, a bit of a fun time to listen to when doing chores but nothing special.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Overall, I had an enjoyable time with this but the ending seemed a bit rushed and there wasn't a lot of romance given this was pitched as a holiday romance novella. I liked the mystery, though the outcome was a little predictable, and Violet was hilarious.
If You'll Have Me by Eunnie
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so cute, I love them!!! The art was also STUNNING
Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh
emotional
funny
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
4.25
This was cute, I liked the demisexual rep and the assortment of other queer rep. The Bachelor-style show was fun, but the last 20% ish was mostly sex scenes which was a little much for me. I did like the couple together, though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Will Reid!!!!! That is all.
I enjoyed this. It was so fun to read another Talia Hibbert novel, as I love her writing style as it mixes heartfelt and emotional with witty and funny. I liked these characters and their romance, as I'm a sucker for a childhood friends to lovers romance! I could've read a whole novel about them, but I still think the novella was done well for it's length.
I enjoyed this. It was so fun to read another Talia Hibbert novel, as I love her writing style as it mixes heartfelt and emotional with witty and funny. I liked these characters and their romance, as I'm a sucker for a childhood friends to lovers romance! I could've read a whole novel about them, but I still think the novella was done well for it's length.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
lighthearted
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
3.75
I read this via audiobook and I'd be interested in rereading next year physically to fully immerse myself in it and see if this is rated higher. It was cute, I love a good friends to lovers, but I don't think the couple HP references were necessary given this was published in 2021...
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A deep, harrowing tale, but ultimately hopeful towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Suicide, and Medical content