claudcloud's reviews
261 reviews

The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Jean-Yves Moreau 🤍

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

I really, really loved the exploration of neurodivergent brains and the obvious care that Anna-Marie put into their book! It definitely felt like a love letter to their communities, and the overall message of embracing every single part of you is absolutely great!

That being said - the characters, while endearing, feel a little too flat (especially the supporting cast), the plot is barely there (why didn't we explore more of the lore surrounding the lake? What stories were being told about it? What legends did Bastián grow up with? I wanted to learn so much more!!), and the pacing felt off throughout the whole novel. I would absolutely still recommend this to younger readers, especially the kids in my life who are just discovering the world of books and who would definitely enjoy this - I just personally feel like I'm not having the best time with YA anymore.

Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater

emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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

4.5

This series... beautiful writing (as is to be expected after TRC), incredible story-telling, a world that feels just out of touch, which makes it all the more compelling. Amping the dreaming aspect up all the way to 1000% is the best choice Maggie could have done.

There were times that I was left with more questions than answers, though - and I get that that's sort of the name of the game, but I would have liked a bit more clarity. How exactly are sweetmetals made and why did we not know they were a thing until now (surely Declan and Ronan would have done extensive amounts of research for Matthew even before the events of this trilogy)? Why were the visions different to the actual events in the end? How was Ronan truly able to Deux Ex Machina his way into bringing the ley line back? What the fuck is Boudicca's deal???

While valid questions, none of them matter all that much at the end of the day. I'm just so glad I got to live a bit more with these characters and fall in love with new ones. I knew I would hold Ronan and Adam dear forever while reading the first series, but this new story has just catapulted Ronan all the way to the top of the ranks right alongside Parrish. I would burn the world for him.

Going into it, I expected reading this final trilogy would be bittersweet, and it is, very much so. I genuinely didn't want to finish it. But I'm so happy I got more.

Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater

challenging mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

seventeen_i_don't_understand_but_i_love_you.mp3

That last chapter fucked me up in the most delicious way?!??!?! And I'm so excited to see what the final book has in store for... everyone and everything?!?!?!

Ronan Lynch you haven't done a single thing wrong in your LIFE and I will go to war for you anytime!!!

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

The premise of this sounded really fun, but in the end it was very middle-of-the-road for me. I did enjoy Mina's character a lot - though I wish everyone would have been a bit more rounded-out!

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective 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? No

4.0

Oh Ronan Lynch I missed you so............... 

I've genuinely been procrastinating this series ever since it came out just because of how much I adored TRC - but I shouldn't have worried. Being back in this world, with these people, in this story, felt like coming home.

Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

I didn't connect with this as much as I hoped I would, but the D&D vibes were sorely needed and appreciated! I might give the anime a go - I have a feeling I'll like that way more!

The King's Men by Nora Sakavic

dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

How do I even begin to accurately write about and summarize what reading this series did to me? I genuinely think I'll never be able to do it justice, or have the right words to convey what I'm feeling right now. But here goes.

I've been taken on the wildest, most batshit insane ride of my entire life. I've watched these kids get tortured, murdered, abused, and traumatized in almost every single way imaginable. I fell for a sport that doesn't even make any sense, but is so, so real to me now. I had to deal with a plot fraying at the edges and innumerable plot twists that just made me continuously scream inside. I rooted for the mafia kid that had to burn and bury his own mother.

But I also adore the Foxes like they're my own now. I was stunned by the way they show up and care for each other, the way they adapt to the others' needs, how fiercely protective they are of every single member of their family (because they are a family, no matter what a certain Twinyard would have to say to the contrary), and I watched this nobody from Baltimore bumfuck Arizona find them and be more loved than he could have ever imagined or hoped for. I watched him find his rock and finally stop running. I watched him open up for the first time in his life and start to process his trauma - which is exactly what the others needed, even if they didn't know it. I watched as the light went out of Nathaniel's eyes, and I also watched as Neil fought with everything he had to bring it back, because he finally, finally had something (someone) to fight for.

It's fucking terrible. And it changed my life for the better. PSU Foxes forever 🦊

The Raven King by Nora Sakavic

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I still don't know how to feel about this because the emotional roller-coaster was?!??!?! Literally insane!??!??! And the events in this left me absolutely reeling?!??!?!?

That being said - damn it all to hell, I got attached to these kids, and I'm now absolutely invested in their well-being to the point that I'm starting the next book... right now, immediately. I also want Riko Moriyama's head on a goddamn spike. That's all.

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

No words. No words!!! I shouldn't have loved this as much as I did (because it absolutely has its issues), but I am officially and fully on board of this train??!?!?!?

Neil Josten I will protect you with my life!