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beccaannekent's reviews
523 reviews
Where's Molly by H.D. Carlton
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a very quick read, focusing on Molly (who we meet in Haunting Adeline).
My only criticism is that I would have liked to have spent a bit more time with Molly with Francesca. Really overlay her story with Addie’s story before delving into the after and the current POVs. I feel like this would’ve helped us connect with Molly a little better, and for the book to feel less rushed.
My only criticism is that I would have liked to have spent a bit more time with Molly with Francesca. Really overlay her story with Addie’s story before delving into the after and the current POVs. I feel like this would’ve helped us connect with Molly a little better, and for the book to feel less rushed.
This Cursed Light by Emily Thiede
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unfortunately, this just fell flat for me. Particularly after enjoying the first one so much.
Dante and Alessa’s relationship was everything in book 1, but it dissolved into a miscommunication trope and I hated every second of it. Why, WHY do this when their relationship was phenomenal to begin with? We don’t need relationship angst to move this story along?
After so much lead up, the actual action/battle was less than 30 pages and I felt it deserved more. I didn’t mind it as much in the first book, as it was wonderfully detailed storytelling in the lead up, but I could really tell this time round the author was info dumping (lots of repetitive scenes of training whilst trying to get the story moved along with conversations etc between characters at the same time). It would have benefited massively from a shorter lead up and longer battle. It was so short that I felt no anxiety about Alessa and Dante being in danger.
The epilogue was really cute, I love how they kept the cat!
Dante and Alessa’s relationship was everything in book 1, but it dissolved into a miscommunication trope and I hated every second of it. Why, WHY do this when their relationship was phenomenal to begin with? We don’t need relationship angst to move this story along?
After so much lead up, the actual action/battle was less than 30 pages and I felt it deserved more. I didn’t mind it as much in the first book, as it was wonderfully detailed storytelling in the lead up, but I could really tell this time round the author was info dumping (lots of repetitive scenes of training whilst trying to get the story moved along with conversations etc between characters at the same time). It would have benefited massively from a shorter lead up and longer battle. It was so short that I felt no anxiety about Alessa and Dante being in danger.
The epilogue was really cute, I love how they kept the cat!
A Court of Silver Flames (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
ACOSF will always be a marmite book for SJM fans, and although Nesta might not be likeable she is absolutely relatable and therefore this will always get 5 stars from me.
She’s broken, she’s battered, she’s bruised and she’s struggling. Yes she’s rude, ill tempered and she absolutely let Feyre down throughout her entire childhood. But let’s be real, she’s her mother’s creature (her own words), and our upbringing absolutely affects our adult lives.
Nesta takes a JOURNEY in this book, one she needed to battle through. Although she can never undo her past actions, she can make amends and the first half of this book is her battling her demons to be able to just do that.
P.S. the hypocrisy of Feyre locking Nesta in a house after some extreme trauma as it is what is best for her, when she hated Tamlin for the same reason? I love my high lady, but come on Feyre. POT KETTLE here.
She’s broken, she’s battered, she’s bruised and she’s struggling. Yes she’s rude, ill tempered and she absolutely let Feyre down throughout her entire childhood. But let’s be real, she’s her mother’s creature (her own words), and our upbringing absolutely affects our adult lives.
Nesta takes a JOURNEY in this book, one she needed to battle through. Although she can never undo her past actions, she can make amends and the first half of this book is her battling her demons to be able to just do that.
P.S. the hypocrisy of Feyre locking Nesta in a house after some extreme trauma as it is what is best for her, when she hated Tamlin for the same reason? I love my high lady, but come on Feyre. POT KETTLE here.
Craving in His Blood by Zoey Draven
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m fully obsessed with this world and their authors writing.
Absolutely devastating to realise this isn’t a completed series!! But, after a quick stalk of her social media I think I can expect another in the next few months thankfully!!
I really liked how the FMC in this book was well acquainted with the Kylorr world and its customs, this sped along the story much quicker than the previous one, and I liked how Millie wasn’t as naive to what was happening.
The FMC was intense, along with all of my fave tropes that made an appearance. He fell first, fated mates, who hurt you etc.
Really, an excellent and well structured book with a really interesting world and lore behind it.
Absolutely devastating to realise this isn’t a completed series!! But, after a quick stalk of her social media I think I can expect another in the next few months thankfully!!
I really liked how the FMC in this book was well acquainted with the Kylorr world and its customs, this sped along the story much quicker than the previous one, and I liked how Millie wasn’t as naive to what was happening.
The FMC was intense, along with all of my fave tropes that made an appearance. He fell first, fated mates, who hurt you etc.
Really, an excellent and well structured book with a really interesting world and lore behind it.
Desire In His Blood by Zoey Draven
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Forced marriage to pay off her fathers gambling debts, but make it alien vampires.
I absolutely devoured this, if you told me 2024 would be the year I discovered alien romance I’d have laughed out loud, but here I am.
I absolutely devoured this, if you told me 2024 would be the year I discovered alien romance I’d have laughed out loud, but here I am.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
I always eat up everything Jennifer Saint releases, and this was no different.
However, there was something not quite right about this book that I couldn’t put my finger on. I was enjoying throughout, but it never gripped me as much as her previous ones have.
Then it hit me, and Atalanta said it herself, throughout the book (particularly during the Argo scenes), she felt like she was a spectator in her own life. She was on this huge journey, an amazing adventure yet felt like a secondary character to Jason and Medea.
If this was the authors intention throughout the book to give the readers this impression, then I think she did a phenomenal job. But, I’ve learned that style of writing is not my favourite and it dampened my enjoyment of it slightly.
However, there was something not quite right about this book that I couldn’t put my finger on. I was enjoying throughout, but it never gripped me as much as her previous ones have.
Then it hit me, and Atalanta said it herself, throughout the book (particularly during the Argo scenes), she felt like she was a spectator in her own life. She was on this huge journey, an amazing adventure yet felt like a secondary character to Jason and Medea.
If this was the authors intention throughout the book to give the readers this impression, then I think she did a phenomenal job. But, I’ve learned that style of writing is not my favourite and it dampened my enjoyment of it slightly.
1984 by George Orwell, Joe White
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven’t read 1984 since school and I feel it hits harder now, as an adult in her 30s than it ever did at GCSE level.
This new, Audible exclusive, Audiobook with an all star cast is strongly delivered. George Orwell’s dystopian world launches into your mind as you listen, with the background noises making you feel like your are stood there, with Winston, experiencing his paranoia, fear, elation, hysteria and so on. This has made me realise that to enjoy Orwell thoroughly, you should listen to or watch it be performed.
What really gave this particular version an edge over other audiobooks was the accompanying background music. If I didn’t already know this was from Matt Bellamy of Muse, I think I’d have guessed. It really fits this futuristic (to Orwell at the point of writing, but not to us listening in 2024), world that has been imagined.
One story, where its themes and warnings will never be outdated. This is one to listen too, begin to understand true censorship and government control and understand this is also a modern problem.
Remember, Big Brother is always watching.
This new, Audible exclusive, Audiobook with an all star cast is strongly delivered. George Orwell’s dystopian world launches into your mind as you listen, with the background noises making you feel like your are stood there, with Winston, experiencing his paranoia, fear, elation, hysteria and so on. This has made me realise that to enjoy Orwell thoroughly, you should listen to or watch it be performed.
What really gave this particular version an edge over other audiobooks was the accompanying background music. If I didn’t already know this was from Matt Bellamy of Muse, I think I’d have guessed. It really fits this futuristic (to Orwell at the point of writing, but not to us listening in 2024), world that has been imagined.
One story, where its themes and warnings will never be outdated. This is one to listen too, begin to understand true censorship and government control and understand this is also a modern problem.
Remember, Big Brother is always watching.
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reread - May 2024.
I forgot how easy this book is to read!
Such a simple, but well executed story. Brie is an easily liked FMC, she’s strong, independent and determined to save her sister from the clutches of the fae.
The book has Cinderella vibes for sure at the beginning, with a touch of Beauty and the Beast (magical mirror showing anything you want to see, amazing library etc). However, this storybook theme only added to the whimsical vibe the author was portraying.
It does have quite an intense cliffhanger, one where you immediately wish to pick up book 2 as you NEED to know what’s about to happen. And that is exactly what I’m going to do!
I forgot how easy this book is to read!
Such a simple, but well executed story. Brie is an easily liked FMC, she’s strong, independent and determined to save her sister from the clutches of the fae.
The book has Cinderella vibes for sure at the beginning, with a touch of Beauty and the Beast (magical mirror showing anything you want to see, amazing library etc). However, this storybook theme only added to the whimsical vibe the author was portraying.
It does have quite an intense cliffhanger, one where you immediately wish to pick up book 2 as you NEED to know what’s about to happen. And that is exactly what I’m going to do!
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Wow, what a sequel!!
Sometimes, the second book in a duology can struggle. How do they keep the audience interested whilst the author tries to wrap up the plot to a satisfying conclusion? The answer is write like Rachel Gillig.
There is no awkward, unnecessary tension between the FMC and MMC, no info dumping to get the points across needed, and no dragging storylines which needed to be wrapped up several chapters ago.
Instead, we get a switch of POVs to secondary characters we adore because of the immersive writing in book one, a clever and engaging reason as to why we can now look back and see the events that happened in the past leading to the events happening now (which develops naturally as the story progresses), and a change of pace as the ending rushes closer, giving you the sense of urgency those characters are feeling.
Genuinely, this is one of the best duologies I’ve read and I would be ecstatic to read more from this author, especially if it’s in this world. There’s more that can be explored if done well!
Sometimes, the second book in a duology can struggle. How do they keep the audience interested whilst the author tries to wrap up the plot to a satisfying conclusion? The answer is write like Rachel Gillig.
There is no awkward, unnecessary tension between the FMC and MMC, no info dumping to get the points across needed, and no dragging storylines which needed to be wrapped up several chapters ago.
Instead, we get a switch of POVs to secondary characters we adore because of the immersive writing in book one, a clever and engaging reason as to why we can now look back and see the events that happened in the past leading to the events happening now (which develops naturally as the story progresses), and a change of pace as the ending rushes closer, giving you the sense of urgency those characters are feeling.
Genuinely, this is one of the best duologies I’ve read and I would be ecstatic to read more from this author, especially if it’s in this world. There’s more that can be explored if done well!
Ruling Sikthand by Victoria Aveline
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Ohh I loved this one - Sophia and Sikthand have such a tumultuous relationship which eventually becomes adoration for each other.
The relationship felt natural, easy and was very well written. I loved the Grumpy x Sunshine trope and how Sophie, after losing herself when arriving on Clecania, finds herself again.
Sikthand’s background is hard, he’s had a very difficult life and I can see why he’s so edgy and anxious around this situation he’s been put into. And because of this, I personally think that his development as a character is one of this authors best.
The relationship felt natural, easy and was very well written. I loved the Grumpy x Sunshine trope and how Sophie, after losing herself when arriving on Clecania, finds herself again.
Sikthand’s background is hard, he’s had a very difficult life and I can see why he’s so edgy and anxious around this situation he’s been put into. And because of this, I personally think that his development as a character is one of this authors best.