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caitybell's reviews
521 reviews
All the Feels by Olivia Dade
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
funny
hopeful
relaxing
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? Yes
2.5
Somna #3 by Becky Cloonan & Tula Lotay Writers & Artists
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Crave by Tracy Wolff
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? Yes
2.5
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
5.0
JENN BENNETT IS SO BRILLIANT!
Jenn Bennett has easily become one of my new favorite authors. After Alex, Approximately I tried not to expect such a perfect read with Starry Eyes, but, it would seem my worry was for nothing. Starry Eyes was as fantastic as AA and I loved it equally, for all manner of different reasons and that is a unique thing to find in a Contemporary Romance author. It's a wonderful thing to find an author that isn't a one-hit-wonder!
Starry Eyes boasts two wildly polar characters that fit together in the best of ways--in all the ways it counts. Lennon, a goth boy, and Zorie, a plaid-loving nerd of a girl, were once the best of friends. But, after experimenting with being something more, their relationship ends in flames. Now, a year later, the two of them find themselves stranded together on a disastrous camping trip and are forced to rely on one another to survive and to face the twisty end to their friendship.
This book is full of hilarious banter, so much angst and layered characters that are utterly relatable no matter who you are. I laughed, I swooned, I even got so perfectly frustrated with the problematic side characters because Bennett tackles things such as adultery, homophobia, bigotry, and prejudice in such a realistic way it had me fuming at times, in the best of ways.
I've already bought three more books by Jenn Bennett and have nothing but high hopes that I will enjoy them too.
Jenn Bennett has easily become one of my new favorite authors. After Alex, Approximately I tried not to expect such a perfect read with Starry Eyes, but, it would seem my worry was for nothing. Starry Eyes was as fantastic as AA and I loved it equally, for all manner of different reasons and that is a unique thing to find in a Contemporary Romance author. It's a wonderful thing to find an author that isn't a one-hit-wonder!
Starry Eyes boasts two wildly polar characters that fit together in the best of ways--in all the ways it counts. Lennon, a goth boy, and Zorie, a plaid-loving nerd of a girl, were once the best of friends. But, after experimenting with being something more, their relationship ends in flames. Now, a year later, the two of them find themselves stranded together on a disastrous camping trip and are forced to rely on one another to survive and to face the twisty end to their friendship.
This book is full of hilarious banter, so much angst and layered characters that are utterly relatable no matter who you are. I laughed, I swooned, I even got so perfectly frustrated with the problematic side characters because Bennett tackles things such as adultery, homophobia, bigotry, and prejudice in such a realistic way it had me fuming at times, in the best of ways.
I've already bought three more books by Jenn Bennett and have nothing but high hopes that I will enjoy them too.
Death & Desire by Deborah Wilde
3.0
Book two in Deborah Wilde's cheeky Urban Fantasy is as fun and fast-paced as its predecessor. But while I loved the first book in this series, book two fell a little short for me.
Picking up where Blood and Ash ended, Ash is back with a new mystery. A murder mystery, well, sort of murder. It's complicated. Figuring it out takes her back to her ex-nemesis and fling, Levi, as well as the wicked Red Queen in Heathen. It's all very familiar ground, so familiar that I felt myself losing interest. While all the quirky humor, witty banter, and sexy romance from the first book are still prevalent in this sequel, Death and Desire offers very little more. Perhaps I expected the story and world to evolve more, and there are new revelations both of Ash's past and of magic itself, but they all felt lackluster. Ash tends to ALWAYS be the snarky sarcastic girl in the room. I wanted more depth from her, I wanted some kind of growth and vulnerability or just . . . something else. Something more. Unfortunately, I didn't get it. The vibe and feel of the book remain the same the entire time, making the high stakes of the plot not ever feel that high.
Overall, while it was fun, Death and Desire fell flat with its lack of growth as a series. I do plan on continuing the series, however. It is a fun take on the genre and I do like the characters as a whole! Hopefully, in the next book, we get a little more depth to the world-building and character development.
Picking up where Blood and Ash ended, Ash is back with a new mystery. A murder mystery, well, sort of murder. It's complicated. Figuring it out takes her back to her ex-nemesis and fling, Levi, as well as the wicked Red Queen in Heathen. It's all very familiar ground, so familiar that I felt myself losing interest. While all the quirky humor, witty banter, and sexy romance from the first book are still prevalent in this sequel, Death and Desire offers very little more. Perhaps I expected the story and world to evolve more, and there are new revelations both of Ash's past and of magic itself, but they all felt lackluster. Ash tends to ALWAYS be the snarky sarcastic girl in the room. I wanted more depth from her, I wanted some kind of growth and vulnerability or just . . . something else. Something more. Unfortunately, I didn't get it. The vibe and feel of the book remain the same the entire time, making the high stakes of the plot not ever feel that high.
Overall, while it was fun, Death and Desire fell flat with its lack of growth as a series. I do plan on continuing the series, however. It is a fun take on the genre and I do like the characters as a whole! Hopefully, in the next book, we get a little more depth to the world-building and character development.
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
2.0
This is an Angel smut book with aspects of urban fantasy. Not an urban fantasy book that has angels in it.
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
4.0
4.5 real rating.
I AM DISTRAUGHT! That ending...
The major arc for this series, Kate’s impending showdown with her father, is starting to become the forefront of the books focus. The mythology was a bit weak in this one, and there was some super frustrating moments in the book, but overall still a great and entertaining read!
I AM DISTRAUGHT! That ending...
The major arc for this series, Kate’s impending showdown with her father, is starting to become the forefront of the books focus. The mythology was a bit weak in this one, and there was some super frustrating moments in the book, but overall still a great and entertaining read!
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews
5.0
4.5 stars!
Andrea is a great character and all, but let’s be honest, I’m here for Raphael 100%!
Andrea is a great character and all, but let’s be honest, I’m here for Raphael 100%!