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cryosphinx's reviews
141 reviews
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
My working theory is that each Murderbot is going to focus on a different human emotion more than others and this one is about the power of friendship. The beginning didn't start as punchy as the previous two but I liked the ending more since it has more of a gut punch with higher stakes happening compared to the others. Wells again does a good job of containing a complete stand alone story in a novella format but furthers development of Murderbot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Starts slow, but we have to be introduced to the multi-POV characters. At first I thought 4 POVs were too much but each character was unique enough with a ragtag team of different perspectives and motivations that it was important. It does pick up pace but doesn't hit too much action until the end. There are also parts of the book that got me super emotional that I wasn't expecting. I love all the characters, and loved the concept of the many gods and godkillers. It's got Witcher vibes but isn't a rip off. I'm very much looking forward to reading Sunbringer and being brought back to this world because the ending sets it up well and the last 25% is where the action really shines. I wouldn't say there was any romance since the one relationship that occurs felt a little forced. The world building was also good enough that it was built without being an epic reading undertaking. It's nice to have a short fantasy that feels epic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
Her Soul for Revenge by Harley Laroux
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Can it get better than Rae and Leon? Yes, yes it can. Juniper is just all around better/less annoying than Rae and much more fleshed out. And Zane is 🥵
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, and Alcohol
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
This type of book isn't my usual cup of tea since I like my fantasy to NOT have cars and I don't tend to read dark academia type genres but the atmosphere and mystery really hooked me in. The writing is also very beautiful and I found myself highlighting so many sentences that were just lovely.
The mystery is the main driver of the story, and is carried by the FMC and MMC, and one main side character, with little focus on any other side characters until near the end which was fine, there's just not a huge "supporting cast." The ending fell sor tof flat for me, leaving me wondering about some parts I thought would be resolved but weren't which is what keeps me from giving it a full 5. But I will sing it's praises and recommend it to anyone who will listen. It's a standalone but I hope for another book maybe set in the same world. Effy and Orestons story wraps up nicely don't it doesn't necessarily need to be them, but the world is so dark and beautiful that I want to go back.
The mystery is the main driver of the story, and is carried by the FMC and MMC, and one main side character, with little focus on any other side characters until near the end which was fine, there's just not a huge "supporting cast." The ending fell sor tof flat for me, leaving me wondering about some parts I thought would be resolved but weren't which is what keeps me from giving it a full 5. But I will sing it's praises and recommend it to anyone who will listen. It's a standalone but I hope for another book maybe set in the same world. Effy and Orestons story wraps up nicely don't it doesn't necessarily need to be them, but the world is so dark and beautiful that I want to go back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and War
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A cute novella that reads like a collection of bedtime fairy tales. Getting some insight from Carden's POV and a little background was nice, but I definitely wanted more. The illustrations really make this though, they're so whimsical and well done.
The Lost Sisters by Holly Black
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
You can't make me like Taryn. At least it was short and granted, it's well written but no, go away Taryn, nobody likes you.
The Situation by Jeff VanderMeer
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Very quick read. Stumbled upon this after reading Borne and while not required, I think it does explain a lot of the lead up prior to the apocalypse presented in Borne so I found it important. I think it should have been packed into Borne at the end since I do find it more fitting as a read AFTER Borne.
The Scepter by J. Bree
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
A good setup combined with The Sword. Does some good world building and developement of what kind of witches are in this world. Rooke is going to definitely be an interesting character in the coming novel and this sets up for that well.
How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe
adventurous
funny
fast-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? No
3.0
A short, cute, fun lil' read. Never read a LitRPG, and it fit what I needed at the moment which was a quick break from some beefier reading I had been doing. As a Zelda fan, it read like a novelization of those kinds of games so not sure I'd recommend to anyone who isn't a gamer.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
Enjoyed it, will definitely be picking up the sequel. The beginning was good, I enjoyed the world building and the two main characters and their banter but I feel like it fell off when the promised political intrigue and continued world building got back burnered for romance.
It's not that the romance was bad, I did enjoy these two stupids pining for each other and I did appreciate that Talasyn never just ups and forgets the war that Alaric participated in in favor of said romance, but it started getting TOO back and forth. Same with the dual POV. It starts flipping back and forth per chapter then picks up and gets to a point where it flips back and forth within two or so pages which was jarring. At least I felt this was a TRUE enemies to lovers.
I hope the sequel brings more to the table for Talasyn, she got dealt a lot of shitting hands and was too quick to accept it. My girl needs to slap some people around. And I want more political intrigue! This world is primed for it.
I also can't speak to to Reylo-ness of it all. I know it started as a Reylo fic but I didn't pick up any of it but hey, I didn't watch SW 7-9 so I have no clue 🤷♀️ Maybe I got to enjoy it more because of that.
It's not that the romance was bad, I did enjoy these two stupids pining for each other and I did appreciate that Talasyn never just ups and forgets the war that Alaric participated in in favor of said romance, but it started getting TOO back and forth. Same with the dual POV. It starts flipping back and forth per chapter then picks up and gets to a point where it flips back and forth within two or so pages which was jarring. At least I felt this was a TRUE enemies to lovers.
I hope the sequel brings more to the table for Talasyn, she got dealt a lot of shitting hands and was too quick to accept it. My girl needs to slap some people around. And I want more political intrigue! This world is primed for it.
I also can't speak to to Reylo-ness of it all. I know it started as a Reylo fic but I didn't pick up any of it but hey, I didn't watch SW 7-9 so I have no clue 🤷♀️ Maybe I got to enjoy it more because of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture