acinonyx's reviews
30 reviews

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad 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

Super interesting world building and absolutely precious characters! Even the side characters were lovable and I can’t wait to get back to them. The ending was so so satisfying but also set up for the next book perfectly. Honestly a delightful time from cover to cover, the hype is deserved!

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

A viciously sweet tale of hope and  love in a world of twisted metal ambition. A genuine delight to read, despite crying several times. I need the sequel immediately; my violent little queers better get a happy ending or so help me. 

Season of Storms by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-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

4.25

I’m not actually sure why this book was written, but I’m not mad about it. The story is largely inconsequential to the main series plot, and reads a little more like the short story collections, with a ‘monster of the week’ feel, despite the linear plot. I wonder though if it wasn’t solely written to be a vehicle for the epilogue. 

The epilogue itself was short and sweet, and a surprisingly satisfying conclusion to the main series. Although it didn’t exactly answer any of the questions I had, it ultimately made them inconsequential, and the final message we’re left with is delightfully wholesome and hopeful. I didn’t expect it to come about so simply after how confused and anxious the main series ending left me, but I’m utterly sated, and can happily place the story amongst my favorites. 🥰

Lady of the Lake by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.75

Loved this finale until the end.. and then was left confused and wanting. Without spoiling anything, I loved all of the various POVs, even the seemingly random nobody characters. Every detail made the world feel rich and vast, especially the casual historical mentions without delving into context, as Tolkien was wont to do. Ciri’s travels were incredible and clarified some world-building aspects I didn’t know I needed. Geralt and the squad were amazing at all times, and what little we get of Yennefer was, as always, a delight. Even the enormous military chapters were interesting enough if only because I wanted to see how they tied into the main plot or the history of the world. 

But now to the ending. It felt weirdly rushed, considering how long this book was, and rather jarring. The mini climax before the actual ending was absolutely incredible and gut wrenching, but then had Getalt and Yen making what felt like a very bizarre choice based on the relationship the main trio had been building up until this point. Luckily(?) this was resolved with an even more bizarre choice by an antagonist that was only barely foreshadowed in hindsight. 

The actual ending itself felt completely bereft of context, leaving me with way more questions than answers. I’m increasingly grateful to have started this series after it finished, because waiting for an explanation would have been murderous. The next book is technically a prequel but with an epilogue that’s supposedly set in the future. I’m hoping beyond hope that there’ll be some clarity gained in the eleventh hour with this epilogue so I can move on from the world contented. 

The Tower of Swallows by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

A lot of politics in this one; from major powers, mages, and small villages alike. Very interesting side characters throughout helping to flesh out the world. Loved the complexity of switching between POVs within chapters, and the use of flashbacks. I was worried in the last book about Ciri’s character arc and how she would deal with the repercussions, but I think this smoothed over a lot of those rough edges and brought her back into herself and clarified her direction. Can’t wait to see how it all comes together!

Baptism of Fire by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark emotional funny tense 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

4.25

Definitely much more political and militaristic than the last, but just as enjoyable. Ciri’s development was surprising, and sets her up for difficult conversations down the road, but will hopefully prove to be interesting. Loved the new troupe, finally introduced to the infamous Regis, but can’t wait to see more of Yennefer again. 

The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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

A huge improvement over the first novel! Quite fast paced, engaging plot lines, intrigue, and consistent character and relationship development. So excited to see what happens next!

Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous emotional funny tense slow-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

4.0

A huge improvement from the short story collections that began the series. There was a delightful lack of misogynistic descriptions of women, the relationships were beautifully solidified and enriched, and the plot, while slow moving, was interesting. Had I read this without prior knowledge of the plot, it would have  felt even slower paced and the chapters less connected. However, knowing a general plot ahead of time helped keep everything in line and allowed the character work to really shine. Yennefer in particular is now a fully realized and magnetic character, mirroring how she’s described, as opposed to the sterile and harsh examples of her in the short stories. I can finally say I’m excited to continue the series!

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

dark emotional sad slow-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

3.75

Not quite the happy sapphic ending I was hoping for, but beautiful and gripping nonetheless.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75