athenezadam's reviews
159 reviews

Beasts of War by Ayana Gray

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

In Beasts of War, Koffi is hunted for the powerful magic in her body, to destroy the world while this magic threatens to overtake her. As with its predecessors, the strongest aspect of this finale book is the unique mythical beasts, set against a beautifully vivid setting. The story proceeds at a comfortable pace but the ending is rushed, with several plot elements left unexplained.

Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.0

In Beasts of Ruin, Ekon is trying to find Koffi, who navigates her new magical power as she tries to escape her captor. This pan-African mythology inspired novel is evenly paced--not tense, but also not slow. Details are lush, with exceptional mythical animals. One of the points of view seems unnecessary at first, but as the story progresses, that character and her difficulties become relatable. Character development is done well, though the male protagonist is again the more interesting perspective. The romances are appropriately light, as anything greater in this installment would be convoluted. This is a comfort novel for fantasy fans.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Beasts of Prey is about a girl, indentured to a Night Zoo, and an aspiring warrior who join forces to take down a monster who has been hunting people for a century. While the beginning of the book is not slow, the eagerly awaited hunt takes its time to get underway. Once the forest scene starts, the mythical creatures are fascinating to read about. The male protagonist's personality is particularly interesting. There are some elements of the plot that are predictable but overall, this African mythology fantasy is a great read.

Braving Storms by Angela van Liempt

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In Braving Storms, a young woman who ushers ghosts into the afterlife is visited by a ghost who warns her about dangerous events to come, and meets another ghost who shares a connection to her traumatic past. This final book is the longest in the series and the pacing is slow, the story focused more on the characters than on plot tension. The novel picks up in its middle third. The ghosts are creative, and the main ghost of the story entertainingly persistent. The coast town setting is immersive and comforting, and the magic system is descriptive.

This review was written voluntarily, after receiving an Advance Reader Copy. 

The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

In The Blighted Stars, stranded on a dead planet, a spy protects her nemesis, the heir to a family dynasty, and together they uncover a conspiracy that can end humanity. While the story is high on science fiction--with space exploration, artificial intelligence, infections, and zombie-like creatures--the story is very much character-driven. Both main characters are brilliant and flawed in their own ways, and the spy is a strong female character. Action is consistent in what would otherwise read as a long novel. The story also ends at a good time, as an earlier ending would not be satisfying. Overall, this is a high-stakes, exciting novel.

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

dark emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

In A River Enchanted, a musician is summoned to his old home by an old adversary, an heiress, to play music for elemental spirits to help find the isle's missing girls. The story is slow but interesting, and the characters have depth. The enemies-to-lovers trope has little "enemies" in this slow-burn romance, but this and all the different relationships are poignantly written. The fantasy setting is atmospheric and easy to understand. While the story touches on several darker elements, overall this fantasy novel is a fairy-tale comfort read.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

In Two Twisted Crowns, the Shepherd King has possessed the body of a young woman and must work with a royal captain to find the twelfth magical card to unite the deck and rid the kingdom of dark magic. This sequel continues its gloomy, gothic setting. The magical history and characters are intertwined, creating depth in the story. The way in the possession is managed is entertaining. The plotline that primarily takes place at the castle is slow, its relevance becoming apparent as its pacing increases in later chapters. Recommended for gothic fantasy fans.

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

Dragonfruit is about an girl who, ten years after being given a cure intended for royalty, returns to her homeland to join a prince's quest in searching for a dragon's egg to revive his comatose mother. The book's cover is a perfect reflection of the vivid island setting, and the sea dragons and animal markings are uniquely described. But while there is a main plot line with clues, conflicts are resolved linearly. Overall, Dragonfruit is a fun, quick read with loveable main characters.

The Transcendent by Nadia Afifi

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In The Transcendent, after being experimented on, a neuroscientist must find the world's first clone to unlock the secret of immortality while a war rages as enemies vie to use this science for their own purposes. Prior characters return to form a team fighting for survival and peace. Unlikeable aspects of the protagonist become more prominent in this installment, but this is the character's personality. There are a few scenes that are a little dull but overall this finale offers a high-adrenalin experience, finishing off a great science fiction trilogy.

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

dark emotional informative sad slow-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

4.0

In Warrior Girl Unearthed, an Ojibwe girl arranges a heist to recover ancestral remains and stolen artifacts from a system that refuses to engage in repatriation to the Indigenous community. The story poignantly describes Anishinaabe culture and the historical and current struggles of Indigenous peoples. The protagonist is portrayed realistically--she is a strong, passionate person and an inexperienced teenager. The plot holds little urgency until the final chapters and the fantasy element is light, but the holistic and concise way in which the story is told is impressive.