sweets's reviews
87 reviews

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 Thank you for NetGally and Daphne Press for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.

I loved this book! I have already read the first two installments and am expecting the wonderful special edition from Illumicrate on my doorstep any day now. When i got the chance to read it early though i could not resist.

This book continues the storyline of the previous two books and although i still think this entire series could benefit from a little more spice. As in any at all, for there is hardly more than kissing. This is a plot driven book and not romance so in the end it is not needed but would have been nice and for me would have made a lot of sense for the Luminaries live a live that is dangerous and they could die young so they should totally live for the moment.

I love how Winnie finds her feet and het friends and doesn't feel like an outcast anymore however, typical case of be careful what you wish for. With all the luminaries coming in from different country's she is paraded across town to do the rounds as the midnight crown.

Because of the visiting Luminary, i had hoped to hear a little more about there towns and forests because that is a missed opportunity. For there was told that this forest is relatively young and Winny is defiantly nerdy enough to want to know about possible other monsters she could draw ;).

There are some twists and turns in the book but a lot of the questions Winnie and het WTF crew are looking for will be answered. I also love how the book ends with rounding of any open questions in the last chapters. Or does it...............................

This is a perfect book to read in the fall season around Halloween. If you like monsters young adult romance and nerdy bad ass, smart ass, kick ass main characters Winnie (Winona) Wednesday is your gal! 
The Dryburgh Chronicles by L. P. Halliday

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

2.0

 
Thank you Book sirens for giving me access to this eBook for an honest review. 

I never do this I never write reviews this long and negative for I respect anyone that writes a book it takes effort and dedication, so I absolutely mean no disrespect. However, almost all of this book made me exceedingly mad! I was invested in the idea of the MCs from the set up  and felt extremely betrayed when they turned into whimpering teenage drama queens and did all kinds of stupid stuff with no or senseless motivation. I think there might be a story here, but it needs to be reworked drastically. Good luck with your future endevors you need it. 

This is a difficult one for me I enjoyed the story set up the MC’s Lilian and Edgar and I liked his point of view on her oddities and quirks because he described them so loving and teasingly. However there was nothing new, this going back in time gave me outlander flashback vibes. Why is this woman that Lilian has apparently known all her live now suddenly a witch capable of casting spells? This is nonsense.  

Also, the writing was inconsistent in the beginning our female MC Lilian has rituals and trouble dealing with people and having people touch her or get close to her. Sounds like some characteristics someone on the autism scale might show, though this is never described as such. This is a basis for the relationship and friendship she and Edgar our male MC have. Then throughout the story these random people she hardly knows are overly friendly and intimate in their mannerisms toward her and this hardly fazes her. I found this very annoying because it was part of the basis of the friendship our main MC’s have together, so it is inconsistence. 

 The point of view in this book for the fist 60% is from his POV and then they get separated and suddenly it switches to her POV. When it switches to her POV these people all patronize her and touch her in and speak to her in very patronizing ways. For instance, lifting her chin by an arthritic finger and lecturing her about love. I’m sorry yucky I found this seen very icky. In the commenting description it is described as parental and reassuring but it isn’t its just icky. 

 Then the main MC’s meet back up and the POV switches again. So, they have just liberated this person accused of witchcraft thanks to Lilian. No one is coming after them (WHAT) they met up with Edgar again for no good reason at this junction in the story its like an insert drama here action. Instead of talking to Ilona and hearing what she has been through and seeing if she is alright or might need assistance walking or care after all her brutal beatings, this is the moment the author chouses to insert nonsensical drama. YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME. 

Lilian starts ranting this self-deprecating bullshit that makes her some kind of 15-year-old insecure drama queen. This is so sad and undermines the hole character I loved so much. Lilian is a celebrated and admired professor at Oxford, she is an example for students that aspire to be like her, yes, she is quirky but that makes her interesting. And now you turn her into a whining teenage drama queen. PASS!! This almost made me want to stop reading the book at 84 % because you killed the character, so I did not care about the story anymore. But yes, I stuck it out for the next 24 pages. Why, why WHY? change POV again when they meet up. I know you changed to Lilian’s because her part of the section of the story was more interesting, but it is sooo annoying pick a POV to wright from and stick with it or do a dual POV consistently, you cannot switch only when it suits you it’s annoying. 

Then Edger starts; Lilian, while I understand you take things at face value WTH; now he is talking down to her as well, this sounds soooo condescending. Just let him say Lilian this girl was ill I was taking her temp. Lilian did not even describe that she saw him touching her so why is he explaining why he was touching her this is the most stupid unmotivated situation to create a non existing drama I have ever read. Then Lilian is being self-deprecating again and calling herself stupid. This is teenage drama queen speak not a celebrated Oxford professor UGGH so frustrating. And then on top of the drama we have this old geezer coming into a supposedly romantic love declaration with an “I tolled you so”. Please shoot me now!!!!!. 

Also Edgar explains he was with Augus but Lilian never explains who this old geezer is she is with to Edgar. Because he is not young and beautifull so who cares? I hate everything about this! 

And people check on Ilona already all you self-centered bitches! And get the hell out of there before someone does follow you. All off this is frustrating. They arrive at the save house and the old geazer blows the dust of the cubs …… but the drinking water is fresh NO it’s the Middle Ages you need to cook that shit. Lilian is more complementary and heaping loving declaration after the other on the old gazer, this is soo stupid. Bla bla dead wife again we already know this. And then everyone they ever met in this story except the old geezer turns out to be a witch this is sooo stupid so of course these are evil witches, and they turn into the stereotypical  hocus spokes witches ughh. We get 10 pages witchyexplany about the story of the almost immortal witches hopping back and forth through time for no good reason. Why come back to a time your hunted, why! You stupid stupid cows. Of course, the old geezer is the sacrificial lamb but he cannot die without another lecture to Lilian on how to live. THIS WOMAN IS NOT A CHILD PEOPLE BUT A Celebrated OXFORD PROFFESOR! Then they want to stop the witches and know instantly where they have gone, poppy cock this is stupid! Of course, then when they are about to fight the witches, Edgar needs to declare his feelings because this sounds like a convenient time. Stupid Lilian only has to say 3 small words back, they are not I don’t know what to say. 2 pages of internal love angsty dialogue and we are in the cemetery again. Does Edgar do anything to stop them…. Nope Lilian does throw herself at them at the spell book wrestling them and what Edgar you are just wat ching the bitchfight do something you nitwit and why are we in her POV again! 

And then in the middle of this fight she kisses him like in the middle out of nowhere that is not what we are doing right now WHAT THE HELL. I quit believing in this mess of a story a while ago, but the ending was soo stupid. I cannot even describe how much I hated it. Anymore. 

-         

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-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

4.75

Just like the first book there is a sadness about the entire story. From the moment you learn about the caracters los of there familie, innocence and youth you veel this theme of sadness and self sacrifice for the greater good. It gives you a sence this will not end well for all involved and this journey and ending will most likely make you cry.

So it was realy no surprise when it did, i am glad thogh that it does not compleatly jank out your hart without giving you a wonderfull glims of a hopefull future. Thank you for this story i enjoyed it.
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

very impressive, it made me happy it made me sad. I loved the chi magic and the animal demons and the old wisdoms that made you think. The Magisc system makes me think of shaolin or dragonball and the story is more young adult but there are elements that go just as deep as M.L. Wangs the Sword of Kaigen. If you l liked that certainly give this one a try. I am quickly moving on ti the second one ;)
If I Have To Be Haunted by Miranda Sun

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

3.5

I enjoyed the book and the stor but found the romance very childish. It is also the main focus of the book, it feels like all dessins are made as its motivatie.
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

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adventurous challenging dark funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I did not like this book at 20% i did not like it at 30% however around 45% the insessent world infodumping finaly let up and the caracters started to emurge from this city. The story started to take shape and the stakes that were very high from the start but i could not care less about started to matter because i cared about the caracters and the world they lived in. The main caracters went to an emence change and the cliffhanger is sooo huge.  When i was at 30% i seriously thought about DNF ing this book. But i was doing the audio in a busy metro so i preffered the book over real people😜 im so glad i continued because now i cant wait to start book 2 and continue this adventure!
Of Briar and Rose by B. N. Bearain

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

 
I received a free copy of booksirens for an honest review. 

 
I enjoyed this book very much the relationship with Adora and Cassian was interesting and for me the biggest part of the story. I loved all the strangeness and diversity of this realm. I do have some notes: 

I did find the move to the alternate realm was form 0-100. I would have liked to see Adore in her own world to determine if she was as kick ass in her own world or a nerd if she stepped up to the plate. Its not really determined what kind of a person she was before she got entangled in this world. Also, this instantaneous acceptance of her lot as if it is normal to get sucked in a mirror is a little jarring. However, the book is fast passed and keeps you on your those. It has lots of diversity and strange twists and turns to keep you guessing. The development of the relationship with all the challenges they face is very funny and moving at het same time and the dark vibe makes this an awesome fall read.  

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So this book is interesting, there were bits that i got a little borred. Then i would say to myself i will quit this book if it does not pick up in the next 20 pages. Then it would, i found al the politics anoying untill i realised it was worked out so far ahead i found it fasinating. So by the end i am still along for he ride. 

Yess, all of it could have been compacted a little more. The relationship is draging on and on even if they dont get there emotionally they cleary are attracted t each other move that allong. 

Wy not go to her mothers family to learn about her gift. Why is he teaching her as another shadowmage. I know the romabce did need them to spend some one on one time together but still, it does not make a lot of sence. Especialy since apperrantly a large part of there world depends on it. 

Will she hurt him and betray him, will he do the same and try to kill her like his father wants. Or will they realise the feelings they have for each other and that they could realy be a fource together? i think i will find out in februari, i hope! If its not a boring we are going back around in circles sequel, pleas  no 🙏
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I dont know, i just think it was a lot. The tea room the traumatic historie the politics the vampiers its just a little 2 much. It made the whole story feel infodumpy. Im not saving its not interresting ...but i need to know how this all comes together in the next installment.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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

4.0

This starts out as a funny story that weavs the liefs of random People together over a way to go to the past for a couple of minuten before the Coffee gets cold. 
However, it turns out this book isn't just a funny premisse it is about taking responsibility, freezing at a moment in time you feel important, sacrifice and great loss. 
I cried my eyes out, i loved it. For a small book it can geven you a lot of emotions.