cadinth's reviews
15 reviews

Priest by Sierra Simone

emotional reflective tense 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? No

2.0

Preemptively writing my review at 50% as I know I will finish this book today for the sake of finishing it.

There really is no plot progression or maybe I'm just less of a contemporary fan as I thought. I love smut or erotica but I prefer it with a more developed story. It's funny to say that the story was secondary to the spice but the spice was also few and far between. Even if you can consider this a smut book, there aren’t enough spicy scenes to give proper consideration for the lack of intrigue in the story or character development. As much as I love the premise (forbidden romance, potentially blasphemous), there was so much lacking. The story did not make up for the smut and the smut did not make up for the story. 

Update after finishing:

I still stand by what I said, but I am overall glad there is a happy ending. There are misunderstandings and unnecessary angsty moments that were an irritating development towards the end which is why I kept my rating at 2 stars. But otherwise content with the happy ending.

 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Alcohol

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

Great continuation of the story. I love the development of relationships and character growth. I feel so lost after finishing it and I can’t wait for the next book!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

I loveeeed this book, the plot, the characters, the tension (and sexual tension). The plot twists and relationships. As much as I love smut, this story is so good and I love the main characters relationships.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous lighthearted slow-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

2.0

Lighthearted book. There was a disconnect between certain plot settings, could’ve done without that. Great children’s book! If you’re looking for romance, might not be your cup of tea. 

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I resonated a lot with the cultural aspect of familial ties and relationships and definitely found myself crying. It’s a bittersweet ending with a lot of growth for many if not all of the characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Rape

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

My only wish is that it was longer and developed the romance of the main characters more!

Circe by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

5.0

The Fallen Sequence by Lauren Kate

5.0

East by Edith Pattou

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Will forever be one of my favorite books! Beauty and the beast-esque with superstitions and mythology mixed in. Childhood nostalgia and general love for the story makes for even better re-reads! Will always come back for a good relaxing, feel-good story with a happy ending.