blandrea_reads's reviews
524 reviews

The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn

3.0

I picked up this book because of the cover, and with a quick skim of the blurb I thought it was for me.

The story follows Orpheus, the mage, who has used his magic to help place Lore on the throne as Empress.  However, followed by a curse, Lore has now exiled him from her palace.  Fenrir, who was Lore’s General, decides to accompany Orpehus in his exile and hunt for the cure to the curse.

The story was pretty genre bendy.  Fantasy and post-apocalyptic can overlap and influence each other, and this sotry seemed to really play on that.  It was also interesting to hear the story cover the “after”.  Often stories focus on the Gaining the Empire part.  This story starts with that already complete and goes “ok now what?”

The chemistry between the characters didn’t quite work for me, in the sense that I didn’t get the sweeping, deeply romantic enemies to lovers that I has expected.  But it’s two men, who have spent a good chunk of their adult lives working towards a goal, achieving it, and then starting to wonder “are we the bad guys?”.  In that setting heart eyes don’t seem like that much of a high priority.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

KinnPorsche (Novel) Vol. 1 by Daemi, Avaritia

4.0

This was alot darker than the show (ie dubious, or flat out revoked, consent), but the bodyguard romance, enemies to lovers is still delicious.  Book Porsche seems to be a bit slower on the uptake than Series Porsche, but I like seeing Madam Yok and Porsche's friends Tem and Jom with more presences.  Have also gone on a few deep dives on Thai foods and types of music mentioned, which I always enjoy.

Tadek and the Princess by Alexandra Rowland

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

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

4.5

This was surprisingly hopeful considering it is a book about grief. I don't think I had fully understood Tadek in a Taste of Gold and Iron, and I think I will have a MUCH better understanding on my re-read.

Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland

emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

This was amazing.

The story of Tam Becket and Nicolau Lyford is full of tensions.  They have a whole life of physical chemistry, where every time, Tam says it will be the last.  Tam is confronted with the fact that he is one of the chosen of a goddess, and is set a number of quests.  Rather than feeling like jobs, Tam finds who he is and how he is fulfilled by finding his purpose and his passion.  He has to confront some uncomfortable truths about himself in order to grow and heal.

While that all sounds like it could be quite heavy and bleak, this is a book of growth, restoration, and recovery.  It was a gentle encouragement to everyone who it trying hard, and a celebration of the love and comfort.

The world building and interactions are immaculate, as is a consistent them will all Rowland's books I've read so far.  And the variety of vibe is what keeps me coming back. 

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

medium-paced

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

5.0

Sometimes I devour books and sometimes I have to sip at them an ration them out.... This book has taken me the better part of a year, because I have been savouring it and it was too rich for me to devour quickly.  Each person is SO complex and has SUCH a complicate relationship to their body, and space and family and power that I needed to spend time reflecting and just thinking about the situation.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

adventurous challenging mysterious 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? No

5.0

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 6 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

This series has been building up to some really big feels! and they are all here!

Higher Demon by Louisa Masters

funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

I had alot of fun with this.  I think the Greg Boudreaux spin on the narration really brought the snarky chemistry to life for me.  Good premise, good chemistry, good plot, good fun!

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

challenging emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

yes. just yes. all the yes.  

I thought I was going to be reading a sweet "love across all life times" story and I got LITERATURED in the face.  Revenge and control and love and connection and family and everything.  

I enjoyed this so much, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, I would get another little twist and I just here for all of it.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

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

5.0

I can't even put my finger on why, I just loved this.