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aeirana's reviews
196 reviews
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
5/5⭐️
Abercrombie strikes again!
He just cant write a book under 5⭐️!
Oh my god. This book was a shitstorm of epic fight scenes and suspenseful politics.
And I fell more I love with Logen Ninefingers in this book than I did the last. Gods, I love this psycho.
I also have never been more attracted to a crippled, skeptical inquisitor. San Dan Glockta indeed is bae and will always be bae.
Besides the fangirling, I actually enjoyed this quite a bit. Some parts more than the first book. I really love getting into the nitty gritty of world politics in contrast with Ninefinger’s conflict.
The pacing was perfect. Writing was beautiful.
I cannot fault this book except the fact that it ended.
PLEASE READ IF YOU HAVEN’T
TY
Abercrombie strikes again!
He just cant write a book under 5⭐️!
Oh my god. This book was a shitstorm of epic fight scenes and suspenseful politics.
And I fell more I love with Logen Ninefingers in this book than I did the last. Gods, I love this psycho.
I also have never been more attracted to a crippled, skeptical inquisitor. San Dan Glockta indeed is bae and will always be bae.
Besides the fangirling, I actually enjoyed this quite a bit. Some parts more than the first book. I really love getting into the nitty gritty of world politics in contrast with Ninefinger’s conflict.
The pacing was perfect. Writing was beautiful.
I cannot fault this book except the fact that it ended.
PLEASE READ IF YOU HAVEN’T
TY
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
5/5⭐️
I realised I never reviewed this book when I read it last year. Of course, just like the first time I finished it, I am thoroughly impressed. One of the best grimdark fantasy books ever written.
Humorous, dark, violent, gritty, riddled with mystery and suspense, incredibly well-written characters & and a brutal world? What more could you want?
I appreciate this book and its nuances a lot more now on the second read. I realised I missed a few bits and bobs the first time, and I’m very happy to be back in this world once again.
If you haven’t read this book & you are into grimdark fantasy, what are you doing?? This is a must read for all fantasy lovers.
Bravo Abercrombie.
I realised I never reviewed this book when I read it last year. Of course, just like the first time I finished it, I am thoroughly impressed. One of the best grimdark fantasy books ever written.
Humorous, dark, violent, gritty, riddled with mystery and suspense, incredibly well-written characters & and a brutal world? What more could you want?
I appreciate this book and its nuances a lot more now on the second read. I realised I missed a few bits and bobs the first time, and I’m very happy to be back in this world once again.
If you haven’t read this book & you are into grimdark fantasy, what are you doing?? This is a must read for all fantasy lovers.
Bravo Abercrombie.
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5⭐
This book was pretty cool but...
It might just be me but this book felt fast and slow at the same time. There were moments in this book I found slow and boring and some parts super fun and exciting. It just wasn't consistent.
Maybe it's Mark Lawrence's writing style? But I couldn't immerse myself into this world. The writing isn't bad, not at all. The pacing and storytelling just weren't my cup of tea.
On the flip side, this book has some of the most badass, well-written female cast I've ever read. My favourite is Arabella Jotsis. I love her. I also love the sisterhood of these young girls, I love the bond. But, aside from the character work, I felt like the story was kinda bland.
Will I continue with this series? Yes, but I may need to do a reread of it in the future because I took so many breaks during this book due to the pacing and storytelling.
Would I recommend it? Yes! It's still a good story with amazing characters and a really cool world, but for me, the writing just wasn't my style. This is a me thing, not a book thing.
This book was pretty cool but...
It might just be me but this book felt fast and slow at the same time. There were moments in this book I found slow and boring and some parts super fun and exciting. It just wasn't consistent.
Maybe it's Mark Lawrence's writing style? But I couldn't immerse myself into this world. The writing isn't bad, not at all. The pacing and storytelling just weren't my cup of tea.
On the flip side, this book has some of the most badass, well-written female cast I've ever read. My favourite is Arabella Jotsis. I love her. I also love the sisterhood of these young girls, I love the bond. But, aside from the character work, I felt like the story was kinda bland.
Will I continue with this series? Yes, but I may need to do a reread of it in the future because I took so many breaks during this book due to the pacing and storytelling.
Would I recommend it? Yes! It's still a good story with amazing characters and a really cool world, but for me, the writing just wasn't my style. This is a me thing, not a book thing.
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
5/5⭐
WOW. This book was wonderful. I honestly would call this one of Sanderson's best books to date (in my opinion).
The writing is so different to every other Sanderson book I've read and I loved that. It was witty and wholesome. You can read these secret project books even if you have never read anything in the cosmere, which I love. However, if you have read the cosmere, the small tidbits here really stand out. It's super fun.
Honestly, this is an automatic favourite. This book is magical. It's romance done tastefully. It is honestly everything I have ever wanted in a Fantasy Romance. The characters are so well written, so incredibly flawed and human however as we learn about them and as Yumi and Painter start to learn about each other, the deeper and deeper they understand and fall in love with each other.
I cannot help but GUSH over this book.
The setting and the magic? Incredibly unique. Not only that but this book is much deeper than I originally thought and to me, that means so much more. It was an emotional ride and I honestly cried a little when it was over. The illustrations scattered around in the book were also so beautiful.
I'm so in love and I will most likely be rereading this soon.
I highly recommend this to ANYONE at all who loves Fantasy, Romance and just a damn beautiful book.
Bravo Brando Sando, you've done it again.
WOW. This book was wonderful. I honestly would call this one of Sanderson's best books to date (in my opinion).
The writing is so different to every other Sanderson book I've read and I loved that. It was witty and wholesome. You can read these secret project books even if you have never read anything in the cosmere, which I love. However, if you have read the cosmere, the small tidbits here really stand out. It's super fun.
Honestly, this is an automatic favourite. This book is magical. It's romance done tastefully. It is honestly everything I have ever wanted in a Fantasy Romance. The characters are so well written, so incredibly flawed and human however as we learn about them and as Yumi and Painter start to learn about each other, the deeper and deeper they understand and fall in love with each other.
I cannot help but GUSH over this book.
The setting and the magic? Incredibly unique. Not only that but this book is much deeper than I originally thought and to me, that means so much more. It was an emotional ride and I honestly cried a little when it was over. The illustrations scattered around in the book were also so beautiful.
I'm so in love and I will most likely be rereading this soon.
I highly recommend this to ANYONE at all who loves Fantasy, Romance and just a damn beautiful book.
Bravo Brando Sando, you've done it again.
Priest of Bones by Peter McLean
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.5
3.5/5⭐️
Wasn’t so sure about this book at first but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
This book is very politics heavy, so if you’re not used to that, it might not be for you. I love it but I sometimes felt like not much was happening yet a lot was happening at the same time.
The bleak, gritty post-war setting was pretty interesting. I’m not into gangs/mob stories so I think gang politics was quite difficult for me to get into.
Will I read the next instalment? Yes! Some time in 2024.
Would I recommend this book? Also yes, if you like grim stories that rife with politics.
Wasn’t so sure about this book at first but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
This book is very politics heavy, so if you’re not used to that, it might not be for you. I love it but I sometimes felt like not much was happening yet a lot was happening at the same time.
The bleak, gritty post-war setting was pretty interesting. I’m not into gangs/mob stories so I think gang politics was quite difficult for me to get into.
Will I read the next instalment? Yes! Some time in 2024.
Would I recommend this book? Also yes, if you like grim stories that rife with politics.
Until the Last by Mike Shackle
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
4.5/5⭐️
This book was almost everything. So close but not quite there!
Did I love it? Yes, absolutely!
Would I recommend it? Always! To everyone!
There were some issues but I believe the conclusion to this epic story was satisfying!
The pace never slows, the stakes are higher than ever and hope seems to be in short supply. But our characters are relentless in their pursuit of freedom and victory. I don’t know what else to say, I love this book.
I will miss this world I’ve immersed myself in for the last week. I’m going to miss these characters, especially Tinnstra and Zorique! I love their bond, I love these beautiful girls. They are my heart. I am sad to be leaving them and this world behind, but I am so glad to have been part of this journey.
But, let's talk about the book...
One of the letdowns of this finale was that Raaku ended up being insanely disappointing. I was surprised because Shackle is very very good at writing menacing characters and I was at the edge of my chair in terror the first 2 books because the Egril were that terrifying! However, Raaku, the top dog of the Egril... just seemed so cartoonish. I felt like his motivation was quite 1 dimensional. He didn't feel as menacing as the villains in the first 2 books (even a mere skull in the first book was scarier!) and we barely got time to see him fight or interact with the main cast even though it's the Last War! His end was very... bland? It just felt like such an anticlimactic event. I wish we got more time to straighten out all the kinks in the last battle before the ending.
I think this book could've been a 5/5 if we spent more time developing Raaku's arc, Yas' arc and also the final battle. I think giving POV to Monsuta was smart though it could've been cut a bit. I enjoyed reading his part as it gives insight into the enemy and how messed up they are. I also didn't mind Ange's POV too much but I felt like sometimes it was just unnecessary, it didn't go anywhere really.
One of the biggest surprises of this trilogy was how much I came to love Relasis and Aasgod!
Though the ending felt rushed, I still loved it. I wish there were maybe 200 pages more so we could've tied up loose ends a bit neater but overall, this trilogy was incredible!
This story is now one of my favourite trilogies of all time. It’s just that good. I cannot believe that this is Mike Shackle’s first published work! It’s incredible.
I am looking forward to seeing what he writes next!!
Please pick up this series if you haven’t already. Give it a shot. It’s worth it, I promise.
This book was almost everything. So close but not quite there!
Did I love it? Yes, absolutely!
Would I recommend it? Always! To everyone!
There were some issues but I believe the conclusion to this epic story was satisfying!
The pace never slows, the stakes are higher than ever and hope seems to be in short supply. But our characters are relentless in their pursuit of freedom and victory. I don’t know what else to say, I love this book.
I will miss this world I’ve immersed myself in for the last week. I’m going to miss these characters, especially Tinnstra and Zorique! I love their bond, I love these beautiful girls. They are my heart. I am sad to be leaving them and this world behind, but I am so glad to have been part of this journey.
But, let's talk about the book...
One of the letdowns of this finale was that Raaku ended up being insanely disappointing. I was surprised because Shackle is very very good at writing menacing characters and I was at the edge of my chair in terror the first 2 books because the Egril were that terrifying! However, Raaku, the top dog of the Egril... just seemed so cartoonish. I felt like his motivation was quite 1 dimensional. He didn't feel as menacing as the villains in the first 2 books (even a mere skull in the first book was scarier!) and we barely got time to see him fight or interact with the main cast even though it's the Last War! His end was very... bland? It just felt like such an anticlimactic event. I wish we got more time to straighten out all the kinks in the last battle before the ending.
I think this book could've been a 5/5 if we spent more time developing Raaku's arc, Yas' arc and also the final battle. I think giving POV to Monsuta was smart though it could've been cut a bit. I enjoyed reading his part as it gives insight into the enemy and how messed up they are. I also didn't mind Ange's POV too much but I felt like sometimes it was just unnecessary, it didn't go anywhere really.
One of the biggest surprises of this trilogy was how much I came to love Relasis and Aasgod!
Though the ending felt rushed, I still loved it. I wish there were maybe 200 pages more so we could've tied up loose ends a bit neater but overall, this trilogy was incredible!
This story is now one of my favourite trilogies of all time. It’s just that good. I cannot believe that this is Mike Shackle’s first published work! It’s incredible.
I am looking forward to seeing what he writes next!!
Please pick up this series if you haven’t already. Give it a shot. It’s worth it, I promise.
A Fool's Hope by Mike Shackle
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
5/5 ⭐️
Holy fuck.
Holy Jesus fuck.
This series is just a rollercoaster of emotions. Every chapter I feel like I’m getting kicked in the teeth, punched in the gut and my heart pulled out of my chest.
It’s dark. I think every single character arc has gotten darker and darker to the point where I am UNCOMFORTABLE.
But that’s why I read grimdark. The uncomfortable-ness fuels me. It gives me life. I love these fucked up awful people that are our main leads.
I didn’t think I’d like the new POV characters but I do. And yes, I am now in love with all of them. Any complains I had in book 1 is now irrelevant. I was wrong. I was dumb. I was a fool. Forgive me for every doubting you Mike Shackle.
But god, Tinnstra, my bbygirl is perfect. She just gets so badass and so loveable as the series goes on. I have so much to say about this book but I will stop before this gets too long.
Mike Shackle continues to impress me. He makes me care for every character, every plot line all while leading everyone I love to what I know will be a clusterfuck fire dumspter of a climax and I cannot wait for it. It’s going to be gory, brutal and even darker.
I am dreading the finale as I know my heart will break but at the same time I can’t slow down. It’s too good. It’s too much.
I can’t BREATHE.
These books are so binge-able it’s insane. I have NO IDEA why this isn’t as popular as it should be???
And why I don’t hear people talk about this series much in the grimdark circles?
If you haven’t read this series.
YOU MUST.
Holy fuck.
Holy Jesus fuck.
This series is just a rollercoaster of emotions. Every chapter I feel like I’m getting kicked in the teeth, punched in the gut and my heart pulled out of my chest.
It’s dark. I think every single character arc has gotten darker and darker to the point where I am UNCOMFORTABLE.
But that’s why I read grimdark. The uncomfortable-ness fuels me. It gives me life. I love these fucked up awful people that are our main leads.
I didn’t think I’d like the new POV characters but I do. And yes, I am now in love with all of them. Any complains I had in book 1 is now irrelevant. I was wrong. I was dumb. I was a fool. Forgive me for every doubting you Mike Shackle.
But god, Tinnstra, my bbygirl is perfect. She just gets so badass and so loveable as the series goes on. I have so much to say about this book but I will stop before this gets too long.
Mike Shackle continues to impress me. He makes me care for every character, every plot line all while leading everyone I love to what I know will be a clusterfuck fire dumspter of a climax and I cannot wait for it. It’s going to be gory, brutal and even darker.
I am dreading the finale as I know my heart will break but at the same time I can’t slow down. It’s too good. It’s too much.
I can’t BREATHE.
These books are so binge-able it’s insane. I have NO IDEA why this isn’t as popular as it should be???
And why I don’t hear people talk about this series much in the grimdark circles?
If you haven’t read this series.
YOU MUST.