Scan barcode
daniellestarredpages's reviews
191 reviews
This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't have coherent thoughts, I'm just screaming with pure joy.
And Break the Pretty Kings by Lena Jeong
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'm a bit sad to say this book was disappointing and forgettable. The world-building was lacking. Frequently the tension and history between Soella and Josan is mentioned but we never actually get any backstory on what caused this tension to arise. The magic system was interesting and I enjoyed reading scenes where the magic is used. However, I had issues with how Mirae's time-travel magic was treated as a plot convenience. In every single scene that should have been high-tension the other would have Mirae time-travel to the future and when she returns her future self has health with the issue and neither Mirae nor we as readers have any idea what happened. Also, I found the budding romance to be lacklustre.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, War, Death of parent, and Gore
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with this book. The synopsis promises Ace of Spades, Squid Games and The Bachelor and to me, this mix of story elements should not have been combined for this particular book. My biggest issue I would say is the romance featured in this story. So Adina is (sort of) stuck between two brothers, the Perfect Second Son who is the prize at the end of the games, who Adina doesn't actually like and the Disappointment of a First Son whom Adina randomly starts having feelings for. The thing is, I didn't believe the romance for a second, it came out of nowhere and there was no real build-up or romantic tension between Adina and Graham (the second son) and since Pierce was really a means to an end for Adina, I see no reason to criticise the writing of their relationship. The author has stated that this book is supposed to be a Satire but I still reserve the right to be annoyed at how often Adina mentions that she's from Suburbia and how terrible that is. I also feel that the book was very slow to start and that did nothing to help the book, it just made the story drag.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Gore
Cutting Your Teeth by Caylan MacRae
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Cutting Your Teeth is a fast paced story that features paranormal characters and wonderfully written relationships. The issues that Ezra has to tackle in this book were quite the intriguing read and the plot point was well-written. The delivery of information to both Ezra and the reader was well-spaced throughout the story.
The characters in this book were flawed but those who were to be lovable were definitely lovable and a certain antgonistic character still had understandable motives. I loved that though one antagonist while not redeemable was understandable while the other was firmly rooted in a villainous position with selfish motives and horrible methods.
The romance between Ezra and Killian could have been developed a bit more but what we got was still enjoyable to read. I do have to say the angsty elements of the relationship were possibly the most well-developed part.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC Copy of this book
The characters in this book were flawed but those who were to be lovable were definitely lovable and a certain antgonistic character still had understandable motives. I loved that though one antagonist while not redeemable was understandable while the other was firmly rooted in a villainous position with selfish motives and horrible methods.
The romance between Ezra and Killian could have been developed a bit more but what we got was still enjoyable to read. I do have to say the angsty elements of the relationship were possibly the most well-developed part.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC Copy of this book
Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
Fonda Lee, I am humbly begging you for more to this story
Review:
The biggest compliment I can give this book is that I holding out for an addition to the story. Fonda Lee had me hooked from beginning to end, and when I finally finished it was way too soon.
Given this was a novella, there wasn't much time to flesh out the world in this book but Fonda Lee managed to give us enough information to leave readers feeling comfortable in the world. Personally, I would love to know more about this world, but what was there was quite sufficient.
The relationships in this book were also done really well, whether we look at Ester and her roc, Zahra or the friendship which developed into the idea of something more between Ester and Darius.
Fonda Lee masterfully creates an image of Ester's character through her relationship with Zahra and it was lovely to read.
In conclusion, Untethered Sky was amazing but I wish it was a full length novel.
Review:
The biggest compliment I can give this book is that I holding out for an addition to the story. Fonda Lee had me hooked from beginning to end, and when I finally finished it was way too soon.
Given this was a novella, there wasn't much time to flesh out the world in this book but Fonda Lee managed to give us enough information to leave readers feeling comfortable in the world. Personally, I would love to know more about this world, but what was there was quite sufficient.
The relationships in this book were also done really well, whether we look at Ester and her roc, Zahra or the friendship which developed into the idea of something more between Ester and Darius.
Fonda Lee masterfully creates an image of Ester's character through her relationship with Zahra and it was lovely to read.
In conclusion, Untethered Sky was amazing but I wish it was a full length novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse and Sexual harassment
Saint Juniper's Folly by Alex Crespo
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Saint Juniper's Folly introduces readers to three unique and intriguing characters.
I loved the development of friendship and then romance between Jaime and Theo as well as the friendship between Jaime, Theo and Taylor. I loved how Theo realising his feelings for Jaime and the fact that he was queer was handled in the story.
Each character had a distinct story line that was interesting to follow, I loved Theo's storyline in particular that highlighted teens who have no idea what they want to do in the future, and also hiding this feeling from parents who have high expectations and their own visions of the teen's future.
Taylor's relationship with her father was quite interesting to read about and the feelings of grief over her mother's death and the growing distance between her and her father felt very real.
I loved the development of friendship and then romance between Jaime and Theo as well as the friendship between Jaime, Theo and Taylor. I loved how Theo realising his feelings for Jaime and the fact that he was queer was handled in the story.
Each character had a distinct story line that was interesting to follow, I loved Theo's storyline in particular that highlighted teens who have no idea what they want to do in the future, and also hiding this feeling from parents who have high expectations and their own visions of the teen's future.
Taylor's relationship with her father was quite interesting to read about and the feelings of grief over her mother's death and the growing distance between her and her father felt very real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism
Witch King by Martha Wells
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
The synopsis gave the impression that Kai had been imprisoned for quite a while, however, it was revealed that he's only been asleep for a year.
We are also dropped into the middle of the story and are expected to learn as we go along. Usually, I have no problem with this but I got 50% and nothing of substance was revealed. Kai needs to find some missing characters or there will be negative impacts on some meeting . . . . and? What happens if the meeting fails, what are the real stakes?
Also, Kai is neither a Witch nor a King he is a demon and tho he is a prince in one demon realm, he doesn't seem to have much power over the other demons and the unique powers he has are okay at best.
We are also dropped into the middle of the story and are expected to learn as we go along. Usually, I have no problem with this but I got 50% and nothing of substance was revealed. Kai needs to find some missing characters or there will be negative impacts on some meeting . . . . and? What happens if the meeting fails, what are the real stakes?
Also, Kai is neither a Witch nor a King he is a demon and tho he is a prince in one demon realm, he doesn't seem to have much power over the other demons and the unique powers he has are okay at best.