cassandrahpenny's reviews
155 reviews

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

5.0

I devoured this book. I think it has made me realise that I love following a character for a long time. I found the book started a little slow but I got SO into it that I still felt like it was a 5 star reading experience for me. Is it high class literature? No. Did it have a great blend of action, smut, and personal growth? Absolutely! I thoroughly enjoyed the series and found it super entertaining.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

This was a perfectly lovely interlude to the main narratives, it was cosy and wintery and cute. 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Honestly this just slapped so hard. I have become an ACOTAR girliepop. I devoured this book (for my standards) and cannot wait to start the next one as soon as I'm home and not on the train!

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

Genuinely gagged by the last quarter - I found the first quarter dramatic and great, only the middle bit lost me at times but it was worth the slow burn!! So hyped to jump into the next book!!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

funny mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

You know what, this was a great listen on a Saturday morning while doing some chores. I was entertained and intrigued. Loved it! I know it's a short story and it's fantasy but I would have wished for a little more depth and explanation.

The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.0

This was a speed read for my MA but it had quite amusing moments! Would definitely like to re-read and take more in.

Smart Phone Dumb Phone: Free Yourself from Digital Addiction by John Dicey, Allen Carr

informative inspiring slow-paced

2.5

The first 75% was absolute pure waffle and SO much repetition/common sense. The last 25%, while listening on 2x speed, was oddly inspiring and did kind of make it all come together? If, like me, you're interested in cutting down your digital usage (but you're generally self-aware and it's also not completely ruining your life), then pick a different book. But this wasn't the WORST book I've ever read, just a bit naff as a page to page listen.

Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0

This was a solid but very long read (too long for me personally). I had read some other reviews saying it inspired other people's own creative journeys. For me, I felt like it was a bit too scientific and detached to do that. However, I learnt a lot and found many of the chapters fascinating!

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

challenging emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Wow what an odd yet exciting read! Can't say I understood all of it but I loved the epic romantic epistolary vibe a lot - bending time and space for each other? Yes please sign me up. But I reckon it's like most great books where you've got to read it again and again to get more out of it. I'd still recommend this highly though, I haven't read much like it!

Beloved by Toni Morrison

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0