amy_harboredinpages's reviews
1335 reviews

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I am impressed.
I want more.
I will be reading all the Joe Abercrombie.
Greedy, greedy, me.
I feel that in previous books I've only dipped my toe into the murky uncertain water... with The Blade Itself  I've just taken a running jump into it... and I've found the depths invigorating! Pha!!! No romantasy for me! Grim dark worlds, filled with morally grey characters, political machinations,  and impending war!

The Way of Edan by Philip Chase

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad 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

4.5

To say I took my time reading this would be an understatement. I'm glad I did. By the end I was ready to continue with book 2. I have to know how Dayraven will react to what has happened, who will survive the next battle... or not...

Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Ruocchio's way of keeping the story moving forward was done well. I was fully engaged and immersed, always wanting to keep reading, and see what cones next as we are shown how Hadrian comes to destroy a sun.  I'm looking forward to reading  book 3.

Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The book opens with Hadrian telling us he's a hero, & soldier to some, and murder of billions to others.... and then he begins at the begining with the tale of how he became who he is... I love a roman-like civilization is space.  ...but remember... even Rome burned.... I am looking forward to reading book 2!

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

Entertaining yes. Mind blowing no. Worth my time? Yes. I wondered about the series, & now my curiosity it sated... I think if I decided I was in the mood, for dark taboo  🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 romance I could pick up the 2nd book. We'll just leave the door closed, but unlocked... sort of speak. 🫣...🤭

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

adventurous dark funny lighthearted sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

I love Locke & Jean. I enjoyed the squashbuckle adventure, and the many plots with in plots. I was always waiting never for once thinking it will all go without a hitch... 🤣🤣🤣 looking forward to book 3.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Wow! That was a lot. A young man put in a position to take down a corrupt  hierarchical society... and it's so much more than that. Great characters, and I am still not sure who Vis can trust. I will be reading book 2, because that ending can only mean one thing.  The ride isn't over!

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

This was a really great time. The dialog peppered with crude insults was 100 % pure joy for me. Although I'm someine who appreciates a great side characters (and there are a few here) I love Gabriel as a main character.  He's flawed, and crude, and often brutal, but family... especially found family is worth fighting for and that ending... I'm already highly anticipating the 3rd book.

Jade City by Fonda Lee

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

I enjoyed the story. There were some really great fight scenes. I think I'll read the rest of the trilogy. 

The Beloved by J.R. Ward

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A great continuation of the world and lives of the Brotherhood. Love getting to know the children of the Brothers and their love stories... I especially loved the struggle within for Nalla when it came to her parents, and what she was having a difficult time dealing with when it came to being Z's daughter, and the world of possible dating...