blessedbycats's reviews
35 reviews

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

I read this on the recommendation of Merphy Napier on YouTube, overexcited, disappointed. Having said that, this isn't a bad book by any means.

I think personally I just didn't really vibe with the narrative voice, the style in which the story was told. However, it was definitely interesting and was enough to keep me going. The first book in the Gentleman Bastard series delivered unexpected plottwists, mental chess and a definitely unique narration, while going so much deeper than I'd expect. I just felt disconnected, and couldn't really get invested in the lives of these people so far. 

Hoping that I'll enjoy the second one better now that I've got here. 

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

informative reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

As we read this for class, at first I was bored, not understanding what was supposed to be so amazing about this book, or why my teacher was so excited. 

Then, I continued on, and fell in love Stevens, and Ishiguro himself. The depth, the sensitivity and the intricacy with which he creates and nurtures his characters is sensational, thrilling, and most of all, infinitely intriguing. 

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.5

When I read my first Kazuo Ishiguro book Remains of the Day, it got me interested in reading more from him, to see how he tackles a different story that's not historical. Now that I've read Klara and the Sun, I feel like I know exactly what to expect when I read his next. 

Ishiguro delivers unexpected, daring and deep perspectives, and never assumes that the reader is dumb and needs explaining; instead, his carefully crafted character studies develop in their own time, budding right in front of our eyes. This dusted with intricate prose and an underlying sense of mystery keeps the intrigue going till the last page, so that when you put it down, you feel like you intimately know this new person you've just spent hours with. 

I couldn't imagine a sweeter, purer (but still completely devoid of any fuss or the annoying "this is too nice" feeling) perspective than Klara. 

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

informative reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

Before reading, based on everything I heard, I thought Sally Rooney was going to be The Author for me. Now, I'm not so sure. 

I was irritated and annoyed while listening to this audiobook, but I finished it. I didn't understand why I kept listening to it, but after I was done, it just left me confused. 
What this book is, is basically an uncomfortable look into some very everyday people's lives. The descriptions are detailed, as if you were there watching them wipe their noses and shave their legs. Basically, if someone held a camera uncomfortably close to your face and zoomed straight into your insecurities, this is the book you'd be getting. 

What this is at its core is a collection of essays in form of emails between friends who have very grand ideals about the world under its surface, while we follow their everyday lives in two different parts of the country. Everyday as in you see them dirty talking in an uncomfortable way, having a dinner in silence, and checking their phones at a party. 

Is this the book for you? I don't know. 
Is this the book for me? I don't know either.  

The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.25

The characters are tropey, underdeveloped, don't feel like living, breathing people. The plot is nothing special. Interesting idea that doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense if you think about it deeper. Had nice moments. 

The Savior's Sister by Jenna Moreci

medium-paced

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

2.75

Definitely do not read this book before "The Savior's Champion" even though they are companions. Only read if you've read the first one. 

The best part of TSC? The excitement of the tournament (that book is still a 3.25 star rating for me). So what do you get in this one? What happens inside the palace while the tournament is going on. In short: you miss all the excitement, don't understand half of what happens, and just get bored most of the way through. 
If you have read TSC, well, still don't really need to read it. It just made the series even worse for me. Barely any extra information, no meaningful plottwist, just the same book from a different, boring, rather annoying POV if I'm being honest. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

adventurous dark informative mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

4.25 as I've really enjoyed it and cannot wait to continue on with the series. However, I've certainly enjoyed the plot and worldbuilding of the book much more than the characterisation. I ended up feeling disconnected most of the way through even though I was invested, and none of the emotional beats delivered. 

I felt like this book just rammed through emotions, making me feel less than by simply reading "He was sad".

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging informative mysterious 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

4.5

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging informative mysterious reflective 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

4.75