ashbeereads's reviews
17 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

Absolutely loved this book. It’s a bit slow at the start, but once it gets going it really gets going! It can be so hard to find a good standalone fantasy novel - this one has cemented itself near the top for me. 

I started reading Holly Black with The Folk of the Air series, so coming back to her previous works and seeing side characters like Severin is so much fun and makes everything feel even more exciting!  

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This was my first reread of Heir of Fire and YEAH IT STILL HITS JUST AS HARD 🫠 Honestly I’d say it hit harder. The emotional journey SJM takes us on with both Aelin and Manon is so beautiful and heart wrenching. Make sure you’re in a place you feel comfortable crying in when you get to the last 150 pages or so lol 

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow. Totally reeling after that ending, so I probably should have taken more time before writing this review but here I go anyway! 

A beautifully emotional addition to the world of The Folk of the Air - absolutely loved seeing more of Faerieland and all the folk who dwell there. Wren was both loveable and concerning, wild and desperate to find her place in the world. I saw one reviewer describe her as a feral cat in that way, and I completely agree. Lost and compelled to lash out, but deeply yearning for love and comfort. 

It took a bit to adjust to Oak being all grown up, but it didn’t take too long for me personally. I love him very much and see so many echos of Jude, Madoc, and Cardan in him. 

Eagerly awaiting book 2! 

The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert

adventurous hopeful fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

I loved it - Katee Robert makes such interesting worlds! While I understand   that the ~spice~ and romance is the main point of this book, I wish she would go more in depth into exploring her worlds and characters she creates because they all have so much potential! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse