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coyeyes's reviews
83 reviews
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Clearly, I need help.
I've succumb to blue ice aliens. I enjoyed the second book in this odd series as well...but it was way more repetitive than the first book, so I'm giving it 3 stars.
I've succumb to blue ice aliens. I enjoyed the second book in this odd series as well...but it was way more repetitive than the first book, so I'm giving it 3 stars.
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Listen...it's not good, but it's somehow great?
I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this. Something in me has to be broken. I'm just...baffled by myself, but honestly, thankful to the author because I had a good time reading about the blue ice alien of my dreams, lmao.
I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this. Something in me has to be broken. I'm just...baffled by myself, but honestly, thankful to the author because I had a good time reading about the blue ice alien of my dreams, lmao.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
5.0
VERY unexpected 5-star
I teared up twice reading this. I'm in shock. I'm in awe. I loved the father-daughter relationship in this (albeit a little toxic) and Oraya is someone I want to continue to root for. Can't wait to dig into the next book in the series!
I teared up twice reading this. I'm in shock. I'm in awe. I loved the father-daughter relationship in this (albeit a little toxic) and Oraya is someone I want to continue to root for. Can't wait to dig into the next book in the series!
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Characters I Hate: A List
Chance - I have never loathed a character so much in my life. Death would be too sweet of an end for him, yet I prayed for it every second of this book. He's a pitiful, repulsive waste of breath.
Caiman - Mild redemption aside, he should never have received an ounce of forgiveness or cooperation from Ikenna.
Greysen - Commentary about Caiman x2
Ikenna - It's pretty rare that I'm so thoroughly irritated by the main character of a book as much as I was by Ikenna for 3/4ths of this one. It's because every choice she makes is based on assumption instead of critical thought, and I'm supposed to be sympathetic because she's grieving. I also struggled to believe her grief at times (but maybe that's a me problem). She extends so much grace to people who will never deserve it while simultaneously claiming to be vindictive in nature—so I struggle to respect her. The ending saved her from being utterly hopeless in my eyes. So, I do hate her, but I also might love her.
Selene - I don't actually hate her. I just feel like I should. I KNOW she did it because she wanted to avoid being a Donya (I think that's what it's called).
Overall Thougts:
Books are good when they make me feel things—whether those emotions are positive or negative.
Before I say anything else, this book felt very "more-intense-version-of-Dauntless-from-Divergent," and I couldn't shake that feeling. Is that a bad thing? Not sure.
But, The Blood Trials was a constant onslaught of shock and rage, and I commend it for being so entertaining. Am I a fan of stories that focus so heavily on bigotry? Not especially; because, as a black woman, It's lived experience, and I usually want to escape it when reading. However, The Blood Trials covered that topic (a little too) appropriately, so I have no other option than to hate it; but I also kind of loved it and the experience I had reading it. ReedxIkennaxDannicaXHaynes for life! 3.5 stars!
Chance - I have never loathed a character so much in my life. Death would be too sweet of an end for him, yet I prayed for it every second of this book. He's a pitiful, repulsive waste of breath.
Caiman - Mild redemption aside, he should never have received an ounce of forgiveness or cooperation from Ikenna.
Greysen - Commentary about Caiman x2
Ikenna - It's pretty rare that I'm so thoroughly irritated by the main character of a book as much as I was by Ikenna for 3/4ths of this one. It's because every choice she makes is based on assumption instead of critical thought, and I'm supposed to be sympathetic because she's grieving. I also struggled to believe her grief at times (but maybe that's a me problem). She extends so much grace to people who will never deserve it while simultaneously claiming to be vindictive in nature—so I struggle to respect her. The ending saved her from being utterly hopeless in my eyes. So, I do hate her, but I also might love her.
Selene - I don't actually hate her. I just feel like I should. I KNOW she did it because she wanted to avoid being a Donya (I think that's what it's called).
Overall Thougts:
Books are good when they make me feel things—whether those emotions are positive or negative.
Before I say anything else, this book felt very "more-intense-version-of-Dauntless-from-Divergent," and I couldn't shake that feeling. Is that a bad thing? Not sure.
But, The Blood Trials was a constant onslaught of shock and rage, and I commend it for being so entertaining. Am I a fan of stories that focus so heavily on bigotry? Not especially; because, as a black woman, It's lived experience, and I usually want to escape it when reading. However, The Blood Trials covered that topic (a little too) appropriately, so I have no other option than to hate it; but I also kind of loved it and the experience I had reading it. ReedxIkennaxDannicaXHaynes for life! 3.5 stars!
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I've got to stop taking TikTok recommendations seriously–especially when it comes to romance.
If you like reading the same paragraph every chapter and borderline cringe smut, you will enjoy this book much more than I did.
If you like reading the same paragraph every chapter and borderline cringe smut, you will enjoy this book much more than I did.
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.75
I haven't rated a book this low in a long time, but Tiktok led me astray...again. Terribly written. (Very) mildly entertaining. Super quick read, though.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
Cute. Fun. Quick.
Everyone kept recommending this so I finally got to reading it. Was definitely better than I expected!
Everyone kept recommending this so I finally got to reading it. Was definitely better than I expected!
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
This book was cozy fun and cartoonish villainy wrapped into one!
I hadn't expected to enjoy this as much as I did, but the characters(except Ashcroft, the antagonist) carried me to a satisfying end (looking at you, Silas ☺).
The final 5th of the book was a bit weak. I found myself wanting to put it down at some points near the end, but the majority of the book makes up for it. The romance felt a little underdeveloped as well, but it didn't put me off.
If you're looking for a quick, cute YA Fantasy, you should give this a go.
I hadn't expected to enjoy this as much as I did, but the characters
The final 5th of the book was a bit weak. I found myself wanting to put it down at some points near the end, but the majority of the book makes up for it. The romance felt a little underdeveloped as well, but it didn't put me off.
If you're looking for a quick, cute YA Fantasy, you should give this a go.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I cried more than once, so this is a guaranteed 5-star book for me.
Bloodmarked is the epitome of knowing you'll get a taste of satisfaction while being equally aware Tracy Deonn (who I'm so glad exists in the same universe as us) is about to mesmer the memory away.
I've been re-reading and re-living pages 478-481 for over an hour now, trying to decide whether I want to acknowledge the suffering-and-tear-trickling reality of the pages that followed. But choosing to live in a dream is toxic *wink wink* and a disservice to this masterpiece.
Speaking of winks, there were many moments I found myself disliking (like the number of times characters winked at each other throughout the story--but that's just a weird nitpick that stood out to me for whatever reason). I don't want to add spoilers, so I won't go into plot-specific detail.
Anywho, I'm terrible at giving fleshed-out reviews, so I'll just say this: Bloodmarked made me realize that I loved one part of the triangle much more than I thought possible when I first read Legendborn. This book fueled a fondness for side characters I didn't originally care for and introduced me to a new fave! Mostly, Bloodmarked made my heart sing, sigh, sob, & shatter, and I wouldn't trade the journey Bree & Crew took me on for anything.
Bloodmarked is the epitome of knowing you'll get a taste of satisfaction while being equally aware Tracy Deonn (who I'm so glad exists in the same universe as us) is about to mesmer the memory away.
I've been re-reading and re-living pages 478-481 for over an hour now, trying to decide whether I want to acknowledge the suffering-and-tear-trickling reality of the pages that followed. But choosing to live in a dream is toxic *wink wink* and a disservice to this masterpiece.
Speaking of winks, there were many moments I found myself disliking (like the number of times characters winked at each other throughout the story--but that's just a weird nitpick that stood out to me for whatever reason). I don't want to add spoilers, so I won't go into plot-specific detail.
Anywho, I'm terrible at giving fleshed-out reviews, so I'll just say this: Bloodmarked made me realize that I loved one part of the triangle much more than I thought possible when I first read Legendborn. This book fueled a fondness for side characters I didn't originally care for and introduced me to a new fave! Mostly, Bloodmarked made my heart sing, sigh, sob, & shatter, and I wouldn't trade the journey Bree & Crew took me on for anything.