atlanticgiantpumpkin's reviews
265 reviews

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

dark lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? It's complicated

3.5

As someone who cannot stand romance novels, I had low expectations. None of Ali Hazelwood’s books interested me because, well, they’re all romance. And regular romance, not fantasy romance or sci-fi romance or any other kind of romance that would mean this happens in a world unlike our own, which is what I enjoy when reading. So hearing about Bride piqued my interest, and I am pleased to say that my expectations have been raised for Miss Hazelwood.

The characters had believable chemistry and I didn’t find that Lowe fit the same mold of “brooding dominant love interest” quite like other love interests, which I enjoyed. He was playful, self conscious, and it felt refreshing. Misery, though I felt could use a little bit of work. Maybe it was just because I as a reader have insight that Misery wouldn’t have, but often I found myself screaming at the audiobook about how dumb Misery was.

The plot near the end was a bit predictable… with a couple exceptions. And now I do want to read a sequel about

Cohen (is that how you spell it?) and Serena (is that also how you spell it?).

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

Hey hi hello yes WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN

TO BE CONTINUED? I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DUOLOGY? HOW MUCH LONGER DO I HAVE TO WAIT, JAY? Also WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ENDING I'm so confused

Dear gods I have whiplash. This was really good. I'm struggling to figure out if it's better or worse than Iron Widow, though. They do feel like two very separate books. Iron Widow felt like what I expected out of a fantasy/sci-fi queer YA, and I mean that in the best way possible. This felt like the Communist Manifesto with plot. At times, though, it made it a very dense read. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge leftist. But at times the politics of it all became very dense and hard to read. There were parts where I kept waiting for the plot to pick back up.

This ending will give me lots to meditate over

until the next book.

Lots to digest. This isn't just a book where the message is clear right off the bat. And honestly I love that.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Dear gods I already knew what was gonna happen at the end of the book and it still hurt. So much.

Once again, Suzanne kills it. Suzanne Collins has truly mastered the art of fiction in a way very few authors have. Each chapter leaves you wanting more. There’s not a moment to breathe, a moment to put the book down. She treats words like they’re paint on a canvas.

This is by far the darkest of all the Hunger Games books, though. Reader beware.

Feast of Sparks by Sierra Simone

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

HEY HI WHAT THE FUCK

A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

You ever thought The Secret History needed smut? Look no further than A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone! Not that I was one explicitly looking for smut in The Secret History (especially considering the relationship between two fraternal twins that come to mind) but this hits all of the lure of dark academia while also providing a wonderful twist to the romance and erotica genre. It does portray polyamory and kink, though a brutally honest portrayal, with some characters getting everything wrong. But in a genuine way, one that they want to grow from.

My biggest complaint is that the main problem regarding why they don’t just all become a polycule and call it a night is that miscommunication prevents them from doing so. Poe is smart, why doesn’t she tell Auden and Saint to sit their asses down and talk shit out with her so they can makeup and have the threesomes they so obviously crave?

Also, one again because I feel like this needs to be shouted from the rafters: THAT’S NOT HOW HYMENS WORK!

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

Oooooooh this was such a good book to read. When somebody said my novel sounded kind of like this, I see what they mean. They’re clearly different stories, of course, but everything’s just done so beautifully. It took a bit to sink into the world, I think because the opening was just so depressing, but I immediately drove to my local bookstore (buy from small businesses people) to get the next one. I shall devour it.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark tense medium-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? No

1.25

Well the last person expected to board the Fourth Wing hate train is me. Yet here I am. This book was awful. The plot was incomprehensible, everybody made stupid decisions, Violet once again kept getting harped as the smartest person ever while still never connecting the dots about the most obvious things, Xaden needs to get a hobby that is not cunnilingus, and honestly I couldn't tell you what happened in the ending there. Did Rebecca Yarros plan anything out? Or did she wing it? (Pun intended) I'm sick and tired of lackluster romantasy. I'm honestly not even sure if rereading to find clues, or hell, even reading the next book, is worth it. This was exhausting and a terrible book to finish today of all days.

A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.

It’s just not good. It was a miserable read, predictable, and not even that accurate. 

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie

dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I watched The Haunting of Sunshine Girl growing up, and I must say that this seemed like its final form realized. Is the book perfect? No. Will I read the rest of the trilogy? Probably. This feels like the perfect book for those that grew up heavily sheltered but still have a love for the weird and macabre. The absolute lack of cussing or weird ways to dodge around saying “Oh my god” do make it evident that Paige McKenzie grew up at least somewhat strictly.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

If you’re looking for a book to make up for the lack of Harry Potter children will have because of JK Rowling being infected with the horcrux that is Moldemort (she’s been living in a serious case of black mold for years, apparently), look no further! This book has everything you’re looking for: classic rags to magical riches, a hidden identity, found family, friendship, a magical school, luscious and unique, quirky world building, and a lovable protagonist. Perfect for all ages (except maybe the very little ones) and gifted kids, especially.