aprylshowers's reviews
68 reviews

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Storm & Shield by J.D. Evans

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I was so disappointed in this book. Reign & Ruin was a 5 star read for me. This one fell far below the bar that was set. I missed the beautiful attention to detail, the deep and meaningful thoughts and motives of the characters. This book seemed like the thought just wasn't pushed in to it; I didn't enjoy the characters at all or understand their connection. It was all forced and flat. I'm really hoping the third book in the series will be more like the first, as I'm invested in the story line and the world, but if it's closer to that of book two then I shall not continue the series. 

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Now, this is the right way to do a strong and intelligent fmc. These characters were great and beautifully written. The pace is slow, but you really get to dive in to the world, the characters and their motivations. I can't wait to pick up the second book. 

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous medium-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

2.75

I really wanted to love this book, but I was pretty disappointed. The fmc was not very intelligent and it really irked me. She was rude and had a horrible personality as well. I hate when a character is treated like they're so amazing when really they're just horrible, stupid and obnoxious. The ending was also super cheesy and annoying. 

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad 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? No

5.0

Silver Wings Golden Games by Evie Marceau

adventurous challenging emotional relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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 quite enjoyed this book, especially with the variety of elements. You like mystery? Here you go. You like historical romance? Here you go. You like fantasy and paranormal romance? Here you go. I especially enjoyed small details tyke really helped you to feel what the character was feeling, small things, like the annoyance of someone reading a fan and causing baby hairs to tickle your face 😅 Who can't relate to that? 

In the Wake of the Wicked by V.B. Lacey

adventurous slow-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

2.75

I read this book as part of an arc. I really wanted to love it,  I loved Long Live and Forever Reign by V.B. Lacey. The prologue really sucked me into the story.  

Unfortunately, though, it was very difficult for me to actually finish the book. It definitely could have used more editing to smooth things over. It was unnecessarily long-winded  and repetitive. It drew the story out and bored me horribly. It messed with the passing of the story because in every chapter, you had to re-read about the female main characters feelings in regards to her past and finding love over and over.... and over..... and over.... and over.... and,  well,  I hope you get the picture now. And, although the plot itself had potential and was interesting enough to make a decent (not great) book,  I just couldn't get into the flow of it with the choppy repetitiveness of it. 

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the chemistry between the two main characters? It didn't exist for me. It felt forced and unnatural, and because of this, that part of the story bored me as well. Perhaps if every single event wasn't interrupted with hearing about, again, the fmc's trauma and feelings, then the connection between the two could have played out more smoothly and felt authentic. 

This is still a decent book to read if you don't mind those issues. 

The Wolf and the Wildflower by Ella Fields

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

4.0

The first half of this book was 5 star; the end, I would give a 3 star. So I tasted it an average of 4. I thought the beginning was romantic, and I enjoyed the mysteriousness of the characters. The end wasn't quite as enjoyable for me, and the writing made it a little confusing about what was happening sometimes. I also thought it got a little cheesy and typical, but it still kept my interest and I enjoyed the book.