athenezadam's reviews
175 reviews

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.

The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

In The Empire of Gold, a vengeful leader has taken the djinn city of Daevabad, which a healer has escaped with the ring that is holding the world's magic and with a djinn prince whose water magic is becoming dangerous. The world building in this sequel is massive, each facet having its own backstory while still connected to the main storyline. Characters all shine as they face their challenges head on--magic, politics and resistance, and relationship dynamics. The world is so complex that it's unclear how the characters will attain their goals, but the story has a good resolution, addressing all aspects of the plot.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

In A Study in Drowning, a college student visits a recently deceased author's estate for an architectural project and collaborates with a colleague to learn the truth about the author's works. The water theme is consistently used in the setting and in several details. The main characters are aptly outlined, including the protagonist's instincts, trauma responses, and arc. Though the academic part of the mystery is obvious, the overall message of his dark academia fantasy is positive, conveyed through a gentle love interest and in the plot's resolution.

The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

In The Kingdom of Copper, a healer tries to navigate living under the tyrannical rule of her father-in-law and king, an exiled prince relies on his new frightening abilities in order to survive, and a dark threat draws nearer the city of Daevabad. The world building in this installment and series is phenomenal, with lush descriptions, captivating city politics, and tense magical action. The characters have complex personalities and struggle in achieving their quests for morality and justice. Reunions are worth the wait and interpersonal conflicts are entertaining. The third character/perspective is not as interesting but is necessary to understand the storyline's looming threat. The Kingdom of Copper is a thrilling fantasy read.

The Emergent by Nadia Afifi

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

In The Emergent, a neuroscientist must protect the first human clone from enemies and must protect herself from a ruthless cult leader who is seeking to understand his neurological connection with the scientist and who wants to destabilize broader society. The book explores medical ethics in a political world, and the protagonist is intelligent and complex. The pacing is extremely well done, with ongoing conflict, plot twists, and an electrifying ending that leaves the reader wanting to continue the excitement with the next book in the series.