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chrsfrsr's reviews
95 reviews
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The world is saved due to the power of friendship! It's cringey but classic.
I enjoyed Artemisia and all the side characters. I deeply enjoyed her snarky demon friend. The pace was great and the climax hit just right, the ending was greatly deserved.
Some parts felt like an entire chapter was just a run on sentence, a lot of phrases were used over and over again, and, sorry for the nitpick, but using "had had" and "that that" constantly just killed the vibe for me.
All in all I'm not mad I read this book and I had fun while reading, what more can you ask for?
I enjoyed Artemisia and all the side characters. I deeply enjoyed her snarky demon friend. The pace was great and the climax hit just right, the ending was greatly deserved.
Some parts felt like an entire chapter was just a run on sentence, a lot of phrases were used over and over again, and, sorry for the nitpick, but using "had had" and "that that" constantly just killed the vibe for me.
All in all I'm not mad I read this book and I had fun while reading, what more can you ask for?
Queen's Peril by E.K. Johnston
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So, I have mixed feelings.
Queen's Peril is a prequel to Queen's Shadow and takes place right before/during Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It delves into how Padmé found her handmaidens and decoys and lightly talks about her early days as Queen of Naboo...
My question is was this necessary? I already knew how close Padmé was to her handmaids, we already saw how she handled the events of TPM, why does this book need to exist?
The first half of this book is all new information and detailed splendidly, but the latter half is chopped up pieces of narrative from TPM that doesn't really ADD anything to that story. I would have much rather had a sequel to Queen's Shadow instead of a prequel. The final novel in the trilogy is supposed to be during or right before Episode III and I wish that had come first, and a third novel was about Sabé after Padmé's death in Episode III.
However, E.K. Johnston is a fabulous writer and made me laugh and tear up throughout the book. So I guess I'm not mad at reading the book, just slightly disappointed.
Queen's Peril is a prequel to Queen's Shadow and takes place right before/during Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It delves into how Padmé found her handmaidens and decoys and lightly talks about her early days as Queen of Naboo...
My question is was this necessary? I already knew how close Padmé was to her handmaids, we already saw how she handled the events of TPM, why does this book need to exist?
The first half of this book is all new information and detailed splendidly, but the latter half is chopped up pieces of narrative from TPM that doesn't really ADD anything to that story. I would have much rather had a sequel to Queen's Shadow instead of a prequel. The final novel in the trilogy is supposed to be during or right before Episode III and I wish that had come first, and a third novel was about Sabé after Padmé's death in Episode III.
However, E.K. Johnston is a fabulous writer and made me laugh and tear up throughout the book. So I guess I'm not mad at reading the book, just slightly disappointed.
The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Rin Chupeco has such a way with their characters that you can't help but to love them. Okiku is now my favorite ghost ever and learning that her legend is a real thing in Japanese folklore? I'm obsessed. And so grateful that Chupeco gave her story legs, Okiku is the influence to so much horror media it's a shame I haven't heard her mentioned until this novel.
My only criticism is that this novel felt like two different books. The first half with The Smiling Man could have been it's own story entirely, and I would have really enjoyed that. The latter half's focus on the Woman in Black also felt like it's own story, and I would have enjoyed reading that as well! Instead of cramming both parts into one, less than 300 page, novel I would have really enjoyed them as separate pieces. I know this is the start to a duology, but it genuinely could have been a trilogy and I would have felt more satisfied.
I'm still going to work my way through all of Chupeco's bibliography. I love their writing so damn much and thoroughly enjoy both their more fantastical other-world tales as well as this one that takes place in our modern world.
My only criticism is that this novel felt like two different books. The first half with The Smiling Man could have been it's own story entirely, and I would have really enjoyed that. The latter half's focus on the Woman in Black also felt like it's own story, and I would have enjoyed reading that as well! Instead of cramming both parts into one, less than 300 page, novel I would have really enjoyed them as separate pieces. I know this is the start to a duology, but it genuinely could have been a trilogy and I would have felt more satisfied.
I'm still going to work my way through all of Chupeco's bibliography. I love their writing so damn much and thoroughly enjoy both their more fantastical other-world tales as well as this one that takes place in our modern world.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It was cute, but some of the magic from the first one was missing. This might just be a me thing, but reading a prequel and knowing that none of these new characters make an appearance in the main story made me feel unattached. Although I loved Fern and I'm so happy for that tease in the epilogue!
It was a satisfying cozy read and I'll happily dive into the next book when it's released!
It was a satisfying cozy read and I'll happily dive into the next book when it's released!
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I was enthralled. Deonn has an amazing writing style, and I honestly love how she gets you caught up in the fantasy of it all...only to remind you, with crushing detail, all of the true world racist and patriarchal bullshit a person like Bree Matthews has gone through.
My ONLY critique is that the ending went on FAR too long. I think the better ending would have been Arthur possessing Bree and walking away with the Regents.
Still very excited for the next book and I can't wait to continue this story!!
Still very excited for the next book and I can't wait to continue this story!!
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Two things:
1) I support women's wrongs.
2) they had it coming
This was quite a ride. Very slow to start and I had problems wanting to pick it up and keep going, but boy oh boy am I glad I did.
All three of our main characters were intricately flawed and completely different from one another. And yet their stories flowed so well together. Although I found Eliza to be more annoying than lovable her innocence in the story was necessary.
My only "negatives" are that I would have absolutely loved more of Nella's story. I want to know what her life was like before...the incident...and I want to know more of what happened AFTER! When I got to the somewhat epilogue I was hoping more would be revealed, but it wasn't really anything.
1) I support women's wrongs.
2) they had it coming
This was quite a ride. Very slow to start and I had problems wanting to pick it up and keep going, but boy oh boy am I glad I did.
All three of our main characters were intricately flawed and completely different from one another. And yet their stories flowed so well together. Although I found Eliza to be more annoying than lovable her innocence in the story was necessary.
My only "negatives" are that I would have absolutely loved more of Nella's story. I want to know what her life was like before...the incident...and I want to know more of what happened AFTER! When I got to the somewhat epilogue I was hoping more would be revealed, but it wasn't really anything.
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A good story with likeable characters but...
I was bored for the first 25% of the novel, and oddly enough I hated the flashbacks...every time a new one popped up I audibly groaned, I really liked and was invested in the main storyline, the flashbacks pulled me right out of that groove.
I will say that once the action starts it really doesn't stop, it just takes a while for the action to start...and then the action is paused with every flashback.
I'm intrigued enough to add the sequel to my TBR though, so I guess that says something.
I was bored for the first 25% of the novel, and oddly enough I hated the flashbacks...every time a new one popped up I audibly groaned, I really liked and was invested in the main storyline, the flashbacks pulled me right out of that groove.
I will say that once the action starts it really doesn't stop, it just takes a while for the action to start...and then the action is paused with every flashback.
I'm intrigued enough to add the sequel to my TBR though, so I guess that says something.
Harley Quinn and The Joker: Sound Mind by Eli Horowitz
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A wonderful look at the political side of Star Wars, as well as a much needed character piece on Padmé. I truly loved the distinction made between Padmé Naberrie, the person, and Amidala the concept.
I also have always loved Sabé as a character in the original EU, so it was nice to see her featured again. I'm also living for her and Tonra as a bisexual power couple.
The only "fault" is an arbitrary one, but if, like me, you've read a lot of the 90s Expanded Universe novels focusing on the Big Three than you're used to reading political thrillers from Leia's perspective cut with Jedi and smuggling action. This was all political drama, with some light espionage. I could have used more of the latter.
On a sidenote, the easter eggs thrown in from across the SW multiverse were great!
I also have always loved Sabé as a character in the original EU, so it was nice to see her featured again. I'm also living for her and Tonra as a bisexual power couple.
The only "fault" is an arbitrary one, but if, like me, you've read a lot of the 90s Expanded Universe novels focusing on the Big Three than you're used to reading political thrillers from Leia's perspective cut with Jedi and smuggling action. This was all political drama, with some light espionage. I could have used more of the latter.
On a sidenote, the easter eggs thrown in from across the SW multiverse were great!