booksteastories's reviews
562 reviews

The Sound of Reindeer by Lyndsie Manusos

adventurous dark emotional medium-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? Yes

3.0

Sonnets by William Shakespeare

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Also, the Cat by Rachel Swirsky

adventurous lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

adventurous lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.5

I am a big fan of this series! I adored the first book, and was incredibly happy to receive this copy for review. 

The format is quite original -- there are not that many journal format books anymore and especially not for the fantasy genre as it is difficult to worldbuild at the same time as divulging the character's innermost thoughts and feelings. However, Heather Fawcett pulls this off immaculately. 

Emily is a wonderful character to follow, she is complex and unique and flawed. There is nothing worse than a flawless character. Emily's dedication to academia is also wonderful to read about. 

The world is complex and intricate and revealed slowly. We never fully understand it, quite, which is something I like in my fantasy novels. 

The dynamic between Wendell and Emily is absolutely delighful and reminds me of Howl and Sophie from the book. They were a joy to read about and more books should utilise this type of dynamic, in my opinion. 

Overall, I adore this series and I am very excited for the next book to eventually come out!

The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tails by Geoffrey Chaucer, James Winny

adventurous emotional lighthearted slow-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

3.0

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Gustave Doré, Samuel Taylor Coleridge

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Here for the Wrong Reasons by Lydia Wang, Annabel Paulsen

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-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

3.0

This was a delightful book to read!

The characters were well developed, with good motives and issues. Their development was evident and enjoyable to read. I particularly liked Krystin and her slow realisation of who she is. 

The dynamics between her and Lauren was very well developed too and we got to see their relationship grow and develop. The conflict seemed realistic. 

I enjoyed the reality TV show aspect of it all, it was quite well built up. I would have preffered it to be a slightly larger focus, like in the Charm Offensive for example, but the focus on the characters was enjoyable too. 

Overall, an enjoyable romance novel.

The Ritual by Shantel Tessier

dark slow-paced

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

2.0