ashyoung's reviews
357 reviews

If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.

The writing in this book is beautiful, but I found it hard to connect to the story. 

I think I'm just not in the right headspace for this one at the moment, so I am DNFing for now and will return one day to finish it when I have the brainpower to really appreciate it. 

Phosphorescence: On awe, wonder and things that sustain you when the world goes dark Bolinda by Julia Baird
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.

The narration wasn't working for me for this, which made it a struggle to become engaged. I may try a physical copy. 

The Suicide Index: Putting My Father's Death in Order by Joan Wickersham
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.

I was enjoying this, but cancelled KU before I finished it.

How Horror Works in Books and Film by Shannon Scott
Did not finish book.

I just wasn't very interested at the time. I felt like the content wasn't anything new or particularly fascinating. I think maybe I am already too invested in the horror genre so it was a lot of things I already knew. 

Playing Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud by Elizabeth Greenwood

informative reflective

3.5

Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon

fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a really fun time. But Violet's unreasonableness in the latter 20% of the book just really irritated me. Like girl you're 20, not 14. Grow up. 

In any case, it was still an enjoyable read despite the marital bickering in the midst of literal battle. 

Highlights:
- The dragons
- Liam
- Rhiannon
- The plot reveal  

Lowlights:
- Violet's immature tantrum
- Liam
- Dain 
- Violet's immature tantrum

That is all.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

4.25

I struggled with the slow pace through the first half, but once it got going it hit hard. 

I wasn't sold on the third perspective Broadbent added to begin with. But then the reveal happened and it all made sense. 

The pay off was great. 

Very keen to see how things conclude in the third book. 

Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was phenomenal. 

There was so much I enjoyed: The political intrigue. The commentary on war. The deep, realistic relationship built between the two main characters. The vibrancy of the world Broadbent created. 

The prose is effortlessly readable. Tisaanah and Max are fantastic main characters who I wanted to see succeed. This book does a great job, in my opinion, of depicting how the quest for power turns people into villains. I also like that it doesn't gloss over the traumatic things that happen to these characters - Tisaanah and Max continue to be affected by what they've endured, it isn't just washed away the moment they meet each other.

I liked the magic system and am eager to see how it is expanded upon in the next book. There are certainly more questions than answers at this point. 

Ultimately, this was a great read, and had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.