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cleolindbooks's reviews
148 reviews
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The ending was pretty good. I love where the story ends and I think the conclusion was unexpected and very nicely done. I just wish the rest of the book had the same magic and style as the ending. Most of the story was pretty average with plot points feeling a bit dull for what I was expecting. The world and magic were so beautiful and unique but I feel like so much of the story was pretty common and expected.
One of the things that disappointed me a bit was Liska. Her development felt a bit rushed. I think we needed to see more of this confidence in herself leading up to the final battle. It almost felt like we were there to see Lesky’s story but her eyes.
Overall I thought the book was generally fine and did enjoy it but I wouldn’t say it was amazing. Many people are comparing it to studio ghibli but it just doesn’t capture the same depth of emotion or growth.
One of the things that disappointed me a bit was Liska. Her development felt a bit rushed. I think we needed to see more of this confidence in herself leading up to the final battle. It almost felt like we were there to see Lesky’s story but her eyes.
Overall I thought the book was generally fine and did enjoy it but I wouldn’t say it was amazing. Many people are comparing it to studio ghibli but it just doesn’t capture the same depth of emotion or growth.
Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
2.0
I did enjoy this book, but I felt as though it needed a bit more development specifically with the characters. The world building, the gods, and magic was fantastic. The world felt Unique and I understood everything that I needed to understand.
However, I feel like the characters were extremely one-dimensional, and not as full flashed and intricate as they should be for such a fantastic world. It really felt like characters were making decisions based on plot. Csorwe is the best example of this, especially for the first half of the book. her decisions and motivations are so set and integral to her character until very randomly they start switching. While I understand this is because of her growing feelings, there need to be more development of fulfilling, or at least some form of connection between the characters. Many of the air other characters do similar things with their ambition or purpose in life, randomly switching without a reason. So while I really love the world, and I think there could’ve been a really fantastic story here, I ended up just not loving it as much as I wanted to.
However, I feel like the characters were extremely one-dimensional, and not as full flashed and intricate as they should be for such a fantastic world. It really felt like characters were making decisions based on plot. Csorwe is the best example of this, especially for the first half of the book. her decisions and motivations are so set and integral to her character until very randomly they start switching. While I understand this is because of her growing feelings, there need to be more development of fulfilling, or at least some form of connection between the characters. Many of the air other characters do similar things with their ambition or purpose in life, randomly switching without a reason. So while I really love the world, and I think there could’ve been a really fantastic story here, I ended up just not loving it as much as I wanted to.
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
4.5 ⭐️
This book reads so much like a dungeons and dragons campaign and I love it! It has the same feel of this kind of ragtag and random group of people with different strengths and weaknesses, joining together to go on an epic quest in order to save the realm. Despain, all of their differences the characters work together so well. Watching the banter between people who dislike each other while they are forced to work together to protect their weakest but most important member.
Corayne as a main character held up really well. I was honestly a bit nervous she wasn’t going to stand out as much compared to the other characters, but she really holds her own in the story. She does embody some common main character traits but she brings her own set of strengths and knowledge. I absolutely love Sorasa and Valtik. Valtik just so fun and makes for an extremely interesting character as she is both kind of crazy and super wise. Sorasa really embodies the type of characters that I love to play during dungeon dragons, so no shocker that I absolutely love her.
I took half a point off because I was picking up the hints at a future romance between two of the characters and wasn’t thrilled. I love that this book is more focused on the quest and world. Personally, I just don’t love these characters together but that was one of the only issues I had and it all came down to personal taste.
This book reads so much like a dungeons and dragons campaign and I love it! It has the same feel of this kind of ragtag and random group of people with different strengths and weaknesses, joining together to go on an epic quest in order to save the realm. Despain, all of their differences the characters work together so well. Watching the banter between people who dislike each other while they are forced to work together to protect their weakest but most important member.
Corayne as a main character held up really well. I was honestly a bit nervous she wasn’t going to stand out as much compared to the other characters, but she really holds her own in the story. She does embody some common main character traits but she brings her own set of strengths and knowledge. I absolutely love Sorasa and Valtik. Valtik just so fun and makes for an extremely interesting character as she is both kind of crazy and super wise. Sorasa really embodies the type of characters that I love to play during dungeon dragons, so no shocker that I absolutely love her.
I took half a point off because I was picking up the hints at a future romance between two of the characters and wasn’t thrilled. I love that this book is more focused on the quest and world. Personally, I just don’t love these characters together but that was one of the only issues I had and it all came down to personal taste.
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing, for the e-arc1
Immediate 5 stars upon finishing! This really had every element I love in a good romance book. Sapphic central romance, second chance romance for their parents, a bit of fantastic spice, and just the right amount of tension. This book brings everything I love amount period romances, like pride and prejudice, and makes it queer and spicy.
Our two main characters, Gwen and Beth, complement each other perfectly. They both have so much passion and energy! They are truly perfect for each other. The parts where they thought they couldn't be together had me tearing up. The author definitely knows how to get people invested in the characters. Their parent's part of the romance is also excellent. Their second chance at happiness was executed perfectly, and I don't think I have ever been more happy for two characters.
Can't wait for the next book! I have my fingers crossed hoping for another book. I would love to see how the story continues.
Immediate 5 stars upon finishing! This really had every element I love in a good romance book. Sapphic central romance, second chance romance for their parents, a bit of fantastic spice, and just the right amount of tension. This book brings everything I love amount period romances, like pride and prejudice, and makes it queer and spicy.
Our two main characters, Gwen and Beth, complement each other perfectly. They both have so much passion and energy! They are truly perfect for each other. The parts where they thought they couldn't be together had me tearing up. The author definitely knows how to get people invested in the characters. Their parent's part of the romance is also excellent. Their second chance at happiness was executed perfectly, and I don't think I have ever been more happy for two characters.
Can't wait for the next book! I have my fingers crossed hoping for another book. I would love to see how the story continues.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
5.0
I must say, I was so unbelievably flabbergasted at that ending. Just like Jude I should’ve expected it and I didn’t.
Covenant, Vol. 1 by explodikid, LySandra Vuong
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
Absolutely beautiful art! I had seen the author's tik-tok before getting an opportunity to read this, and was already so excited about the story. It turned out to be even better than I thought, with the art jumping off the page and the story being incredibly engaging. Not only are the characters unbelievably stunning, but the overall plot and content really hit home, especially Ezra. The religious themes hit that perfect middle ground of incorporating beautiful imagery and religious institutions without being overbearing or demoralizing. I cannot wait to continue the story and I downloaded Webtoon especially to read it!
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
Now that is how you finish a book! Reading this book can only be explained as good, good, really good, really really good, concluding with excellence. This is the epitome of a book that starts out good and just gets brighter and better as you read it. The characters in this world are so interesting and make you want to know more about them. The setting is unique and the story that unravels is spectacular.
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An absolutely beautiful conclusion to an amazing series. This story is beauty and elegance is only matched by its emotion and grief. Every new page brought new twists and characters. I honestly could not have predicted where this book was going to end, and I am unbelievably satisfied with the ending. (I do want more books in this universe, but very happy with how the story progressed)
The pain and sadness that we feel for every character in the story, regardless of their wrongs is unimaginable. The gods are the only true villains of the story. Whether it be the citizens of weep, the godspawn, or Nora’s group, no one was truly evil. They were all doing what they could to survive and protect their loved ones.
This book succeeds in having multiple timelines and stories, all concluding at one point. There are so many different elements at play in the story and Laini Taylor did a fantastic job of keeping everything concise and easily understood. it also brings many heavy topics, including children in cages and children being sold for their magic. This book is extremely emotionally complex and devastating.
My one critique is that they’re definitely need to be less romance in this book as there were big sections dedicated to seeing Sarai and Lazlo making out which just didn’t fit With the steaks being so high and so many more interesting things going on I wish that these sections were taken out and focused more on the fantasy and the plot elements.
The pain and sadness that we feel for every character in the story, regardless of their wrongs is unimaginable. The gods are the only true villains of the story. Whether it be the citizens of weep, the godspawn, or Nora’s group, no one was truly evil. They were all doing what they could to survive and protect their loved ones.
This book succeeds in having multiple timelines and stories, all concluding at one point. There are so many different elements at play in the story and Laini Taylor did a fantastic job of keeping everything concise and easily understood. it also brings many heavy topics, including children in cages and children being sold for their magic. This book is extremely emotionally complex and devastating.
My one critique is that they’re definitely need to be less romance in this book as there were big sections dedicated to seeing Sarai and Lazlo making out which just didn’t fit With the steaks being so high and so many more interesting things going on I wish that these sections were taken out and focused more on the fantasy and the plot elements.