storydevgrace's reviews
162 reviews

A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow by George R.R. Martin

Go to review page

4.0

 If I return to my five-star reads and find that I have forgotten the story, I drop it down to a four and add it to my re-read shelf. This is one of those five-star reads. 
A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold by George R.R. Martin

Go to review page

4.0

 If I return to my five-star reads and find that I have forgotten the story, I drop it down to a four and add it to my re-read shelf. This is one of those five-star reads. 
Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

 While I loved the author as a teen due to her influx of female heroines in the male-dominated fantasy adventure genre, I have grown out of this series due to the types of relationships the author encourages in teenage girls, which played a part in my unrealistic expectations regarding romance and my underperformance at school.
Numair and Daine have implied mutual attraction throughout the series, culminating in an established relationship by the final book when Daine is conveniently legal (where I live) at sixteen but still too young to be snogging her thirty-year-old teacher, who doesn't, to my mind, have nearly enough guilt about allowing it. This is not the kind of relationship impressionable teens should be encouraged to pursue.
Other than that, Daine is a model of survival, perseverance and self-improvement.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

While I loved the author as a teen due to her influx of female heroines in the male-dominated fantasy adventure genre, I have grown out of this series due to the types of relationships the author encourages in teenage girls, which played a part in my unrealistic expectations regarding romance and my underperformance at school.
Numair and Daine have implied mutual attraction throughout the series, culminating in an established relationship by the final book when Daine is conveniently legal (where I live) at sixteen but still too young to be snogging her thirty-year-old teacher, who doesn't, to my mind, have nearly enough guilt about allowing it. This is not the kind of relationship impressionable teens should be encouraged to pursue.
Other than that, the story is a good journey of self-discovery and self-improvement through adventure and learning.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling, Kennilworthy Whisp

Go to review page

informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

Upon re-reading the novels, it's hard not to see the author's traditionalist, gender-conformist mindset. 

Once, I believed in separating the art from the artist, but this is the first time I've had to try doing so while the artist is still alive and using wealth gained from their art to cause suffering.

Writers have power, the living have power, and the wealthy have power. She is all of those things. I have to do what I can to regain the power I gave her, and this is it.

This book will remain a staple for children who have yet to be jaded by the world. 
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling, Newt Scamander

Go to review page

informative fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

 Upon re-reading the novels, it's hard not to see the author's traditionalist, gender-conformist mindset. 

Once, I believed in separating the art from the artist, but this is the first time I've had to try doing so while the artist is still alive and using wealth gained from their art to cause suffering.

Writers have power, the living have power, and the wealthy have power. She is all of those things. I have to do what I can to regain the power I gave her, and this is it.

This book will remain a staple for children who have yet to be jaded by the world.