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sshelbyreadss's reviews
476 reviews
Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The beginning and end of this book were the best parts. The middle slogged on and at times I had a hard time empathizing with our main character.
The beginning and end were so gripping, but I feel like Tara was a bit slow on the uptake to the idea she was being possessed and then all of a sudden she jumped to the conclusion.
I feel like this would be an excellent movie, and maybe that means that the author did more telling than showing?
Overall, I had just an okay time.
The beginning and end were so gripping, but I feel like Tara was a bit slow on the uptake to the idea she was being possessed and then all of a sudden she jumped to the conclusion.
I feel like this would be an excellent movie, and maybe that means that the author did more telling than showing?
Overall, I had just an okay time.
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gwen and Art are Not In Love was SUCH A DELIGHT!
Seriously, this book was so fun! A closed-door romance with a cast of quirky and lovable characters that had a found-family feel and a plot that was fun and hopeful! Gwen and Art’s friendship arc was so heartwarming and I adored it.
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is about the narrator for Art, Alex Singh. Their voice when they were voicing characters or parts with a higher pitch can only be compared to nails on a chalkboard. It sounded like when men mock women and make them sound shrill and it’s an affront to women everywhere. I almost DNFd this book because of it but I limped through their POV’s narration and eventually became numb to it. Alex Singh is just not for me. The other narrator was great and I loved their voice.
Seriously, this book was so fun! A closed-door romance with a cast of quirky and lovable characters that had a found-family feel and a plot that was fun and hopeful! Gwen and Art’s friendship arc was so heartwarming and I adored it.
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is about the narrator for Art, Alex Singh. Their voice when they were voicing characters or parts with a higher pitch can only be compared to nails on a chalkboard. It sounded like when men mock women and make them sound shrill and it’s an affront to women everywhere. I almost DNFd this book because of it but I limped through their POV’s narration and eventually became numb to it. Alex Singh is just not for me. The other narrator was great and I loved their voice.
City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Nightmares and monsters, cults and corruption! What more could a girl want.
City of Nightmares swept me away from the start and plopped me right in the middle of the most interesting world. The city has Gotham level corruption…but with monsters.
The world and the fantasy elements were so unique and the plot unraveled into something more big and sinister than I was expecting! I finished and immediately looked up if there would be another book and thank god there is! I already preordered it.
I loved how our main character grew som much and learned to trust herself and others. I loved her new friend and their sweet friendship and how much it grew over the course of the book. I hope their relationship blossoms into something more in the next book.
So so good!
City of Nightmares swept me away from the start and plopped me right in the middle of the most interesting world. The city has Gotham level corruption…but with monsters.
The world and the fantasy elements were so unique and the plot unraveled into something more big and sinister than I was expecting! I finished and immediately looked up if there would be another book and thank god there is! I already preordered it.
I loved how our main character grew som much and learned to trust herself and others. I loved her new friend and their sweet friendship and how much it grew over the course of the book. I hope their relationship blossoms into something more in the next book.
So so good!
The Family Fortuna by Lindsay Eagar
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
How does she have a beak AND teeth? Where exactly are these feathers/wings? I am confused.
Yes, I get it. You’re a monster and that’s your thing. But where is the plot here?
I loved the atmosphere, but I also want something to happen.
DNF @ 28%
Yes, I get it. You’re a monster and that’s your thing. But where is the plot here?
I loved the atmosphere, but I also want something to happen.
DNF @ 28%
Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Vivid, dark, and atmospheric!
Real talk: I almost gave up on this book at 30%. I pushed through and am thankful to report that things finally started to get interesting shortly after! Teaming up with a monster? Okay! Our two characters and their bond of convenience had me hooked enough to keep going. Overall, I liked the plot, but there were several aspects of the book I took issue with:
There were a lot of things that the author repeatedly told us as well as descriptive phrases that they repeatedly used: how much of a monster Ravel was, what the thousandfold smelled like, her treacle-dark hair, endlessly tall, solemn as a vow to name a few. There was a lot of flowery prose describing the setting and sometimes it was distracting rather than atmospheric.
Now don’t get me wrong, I ate this up, but you’re meaning to tell me that our magic-less MC took our villain down with a handful of berries? Um what in the Hunger Games?! Some of the things in this book felt a little unrealistic. Yes, I know it's fantasy, but still! There's no way that Ravel couldn't have take out Evie if he had wanted to.
I have mixed feelings about blood based magic. On one hand there’s the practicality - are these people constantly walking around with a bunch of open sores from all the spells they are casting? And on the other hand - gross. And lastly, my red flag always alerts regarding blood magic because of the antisemitic trope of blood libel; which you can kind of draw a parallel with the vespertine (evil) trapping wardens (good) and using their blood for their magic (ritual sacrifice).
One thing in particular that I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of light and dark/good and evil while paralleling our main character and villain’s motivations - it definitely scratched a particular itch in my brain.
Real talk: I almost gave up on this book at 30%. I pushed through and am thankful to report that things finally started to get interesting shortly after! Teaming up with a monster? Okay! Our two characters and their bond of convenience had me hooked enough to keep going. Overall, I liked the plot, but there were several aspects of the book I took issue with:
There were a lot of things that the author repeatedly told us as well as descriptive phrases that they repeatedly used: how much of a monster Ravel was, what the thousandfold smelled like, her treacle-dark hair, endlessly tall, solemn as a vow to name a few. There was a lot of flowery prose describing the setting and sometimes it was distracting rather than atmospheric.
Now don’t get me wrong, I ate this up, but you’re meaning to tell me that our magic-less MC took our villain down with a handful of berries? Um what in the Hunger Games?! Some of the things in this book felt a little unrealistic. Yes, I know it's fantasy, but still! There's no way that Ravel couldn't have take out Evie if he had wanted to.
I have mixed feelings about blood based magic. On one hand there’s the practicality - are these people constantly walking around with a bunch of open sores from all the spells they are casting? And on the other hand - gross. And lastly, my red flag always alerts regarding blood magic because of the antisemitic trope of blood libel; which you can kind of draw a parallel with the vespertine (evil) trapping wardens (good) and using their blood for their magic (ritual sacrifice).
One thing in particular that I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of light and dark/good and evil while paralleling our main character and villain’s motivations - it definitely scratched a particular itch in my brain.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
I made it to almost 30% and unfortunately this book has not grabbed me. I’ve slowly become less interested during the last 5% that I read and I think that it’s for a few reasons: I’m not sure what the hook is here, this feels more YA than Adult, and the war and the magic are kind of confusing.
When I start feeling like this while reading, I usually go and check other reviews to see if it’s a me problem or if it’s something other readers have felt too and it turns out that I’m not alone. I also agree with other reviewers that lumping this book in with RF Kuang as a book I’d enjoy reading did not set up my expectations correctly.
Also are the hurricanes literal or metaphorical? So far that hasn’t been addressed to my knowledge.
When I start feeling like this while reading, I usually go and check other reviews to see if it’s a me problem or if it’s something other readers have felt too and it turns out that I’m not alone. I also agree with other reviewers that lumping this book in with RF Kuang as a book I’d enjoy reading did not set up my expectations correctly.
Also are the hurricanes literal or metaphorical? So far that hasn’t been addressed to my knowledge.