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bookboxbabe's reviews
295 reviews
The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
*thank you netgalley and publisher for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review*
this should’ve been renamed “the plot conveniences” because by god that’s all there was
we never got time to actually sit with any of the plots in this book. they would be introduced and then immediately pushed aside. the trials? one and half rounds and like 2 chapters before it’s over. they get captured? escape. captured again? oh look they escape. almost die? yeah that’ll happen 10 more times
we also never really got to know these characters (especially the side ones) well enough for me to care if they died or were in danger. we are told that this character means a lot to our protagonist, but we never see it or feel it so when they died i didn’t actually care. the author was so focused on making plot point after plot point and shoving as much as she could into one book that she skipped out on character progression.
speaking of that, wow i couldn’t care less about the main character. i LOVE a chosen one trope okay, but for some reason the trope just didn’t work here. she rarely actually saves herself, the people around her are usually the ones jumping into the scene and saving her and she’s just given powers that aren’t really explained in any sort of way besides “the fates decided” and that’s about it. i hate a non fleshed out magic system.
the romance was also bleh. insta love, sex, betrayal? kinda?, forgive. formulaic and against, bland characters
i listened to the audiobook version which is honestly what saved the score of this from being like a 1.5. the narrator was FANTASTIC and she was the only thing pulling my attention into the story. so an extra star for her.
this should’ve been renamed “the plot conveniences” because by god that’s all there was
we never got time to actually sit with any of the plots in this book. they would be introduced and then immediately pushed aside. the trials? one and half rounds and like 2 chapters before it’s over. they get captured? escape. captured again? oh look they escape. almost die? yeah that’ll happen 10 more times
we also never really got to know these characters (especially the side ones) well enough for me to care if they died or were in danger. we are told that this character means a lot to our protagonist, but we never see it or feel it so when they died i didn’t actually care. the author was so focused on making plot point after plot point and shoving as much as she could into one book that she skipped out on character progression.
speaking of that, wow i couldn’t care less about the main character. i LOVE a chosen one trope okay, but for some reason the trope just didn’t work here. she rarely actually saves herself, the people around her are usually the ones jumping into the scene and saving her and she’s just given powers that aren’t really explained in any sort of way besides “the fates decided” and that’s about it. i hate a non fleshed out magic system.
the romance was also bleh. insta love, sex, betrayal? kinda?, forgive. formulaic and against, bland characters
i listened to the audiobook version which is honestly what saved the score of this from being like a 1.5. the narrator was FANTASTIC and she was the only thing pulling my attention into the story. so an extra star for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
*thank you netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review*
book twos in trilogies scare me because they usually always feel like filler
i’m so glad this one was not that
from the budding new relationships to the trails of breadcrumbs leading into an explosive final chapter, this book was packed and i loved every second of it
alder discovering his place in world after being a nomad for so long was heartwarming and i just want to hug him and tell him everything will be alright. plus i love him and golan. they better stay together in the final book
the tension presented between lettel and rayan, as well as yeeran and furi felt natural and not like it was forced for the sake of tension. i wanted to physically crawl into the book and shake them all.
i am absolutely loving this series and i can not wait for the conclusion!
book twos in trilogies scare me because they usually always feel like filler
i’m so glad this one was not that
from the budding new relationships to the trails of breadcrumbs leading into an explosive final chapter, this book was packed and i loved every second of it
alder discovering his place in world after being a nomad for so long was heartwarming and i just want to hug him and tell him everything will be alright. plus i love him and golan. they better stay together in the final book
the tension presented between lettel and rayan, as well as yeeran and furi felt natural and not like it was forced for the sake of tension. i wanted to physically crawl into the book and shake them all.
i am absolutely loving this series and i can not wait for the conclusion!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
probably one of my favorites in the series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
idk, it’s basically a hallmark movie that premiered on pornhub
60% of it is him chasing her and the. it’s pretty much just smut the rest of the way
60% of it is him chasing her and the. it’s pretty much just smut the rest of the way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
Queen of Blood and Vengeance by Emberly Ash
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
folks, she’s done it again. ripped my heart out and served it to me in the form of this book.
i’m absolutely in love with veyka, arran, and their little ragtag group. i’m so sad it’s over but oh so happy that it ended the way it did
the world she crafted through four books makes you feel like your home and the characters relationships really solidify and make even the blackest of hearts flutter.
i’ll love this book for a thousand years and a thousand more <3
i’m absolutely in love with veyka, arran, and their little ragtag group. i’m so sad it’s over but oh so happy that it ended the way it did
the world she crafted through four books makes you feel like your home and the characters relationships really solidify and make even the blackest of hearts flutter.
i’ll love this book for a thousand years and a thousand more <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Grief
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault
Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
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? Yes
3.5
better than the first book
Hexed by Emily McIntire
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
idk if it’s because i listened to this on audio and the narrators just weren’t it, but the spicy scenes in this were so cringey
other than that though, i’m a little mermaid sucker so this was already going to be a decent read regardless
other than that though, i’m a little mermaid sucker so this was already going to be a decent read regardless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic friendship
Gemina by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
you need to tandem listen/read because it just makes it 10x better
ella is annoying though so -.5 for her
ella is annoying though so -.5 for her
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
if this book was only the plot it would’ve been so much better. alas, it’s 90% smut with a loose plot to string it all together
also she turns 18 the day they take her and they constantly refer to her as a little girl so keep that in mind
also she turns 18 the day they take her and they constantly refer to her as a little girl so keep that in mind
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
read this to go watch the movie and i am not emotionally okay rn
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail