bookish_canadian's reviews
202 reviews

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I'll be honest I struggled with the first 70% of this book. 

I wasn't sure where the story was going, and didn't really care or feel connected to most of the characters. The main thing that kept me reading were all the interactions between Luzia and Santangel, as they were always interesting. Also really wish we could have gotten more out of the setting.

The last 30% of the book did make up for quite a bit. You got way more out of the characters, even side characters that I hadn't felt connected to up to that point.

I did not like that essentially all of these incredibly intelligent women fell for Donadei's manipulations/acting. Some figured it out, but it was always too late.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

Cute Romance.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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

5.0

This was my first Brandon Sanderson book, and I absolutely loved it.

The world and plot was complicated, but the writing was so easy to digest that it all works so well. 

Was leaning towards giving it 4ish stars, but those last few chapters really brought it all home.

The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was bananas lol.

The first 100 pages had me quite confused with all the different technologies and different titles, but eventually I started to catch on. I really enjoyed the mystery throughout the book. 

The romance was kind of meh, feel like a friendship/attraction only could have worked better for book one (especially when you consider the character backgrounds and short time frame of the narative).

Looking forward to continuing this series.

My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

Fredrick and Reggie were great characters. The story was cute and had some funny moments. The correspondence from Fredrick to Cassie and Reggie were my favourite parts.

Cassie as a character felt flat. The romance wasn't developed very well. The last minute conflict that felt over the top, but then was resolved super quick and easily made it feel kind of pointless.

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

dark mysterious tense 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? No

4.5

Malice by John Gwynne

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to continue the series.

Before starting the book all I heard from others was how confusing the first book could be. So I was certainly concerned about that going in, but it was no where near as bad as I was expecting lol. 

There are alot of POVs, and two times I had to flip back to remind myself who the character was. I think the most confusing thing for me was the locations, as so many of them start with Dun and it really does jump all over the map. 

The writing was easily digestible which I liked, especially with the complexity of jumping around the map with multiple characters.

The first 300ish pages were pretty much all setup and getting to know the characters. So if you like character driven stories then I think you'll appreciate this, however if your more of a plot driven reader the first have of the book may feel like a drag.

The last half of the book picks up quickly and sets up for the rest of the series and the prophesied God War.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

A lovely cozy romance, with a good dose of magic and found family.

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5