Scan barcode
delaneyann140's reviews
32 reviews
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
4.0
I love this book! I’m coming back to reread before I finish the series, and it was just as captivating as the first time.
I love the pace of it, and I found the characters to be pretty engaging. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is because it feels like this book is holding back, which is something I would expect the first book of a series to do, but I am very exciting to read on and discover this series’ full potential!
I love the pace of it, and I found the characters to be pretty engaging. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is because it feels like this book is holding back, which is something I would expect the first book of a series to do, but I am very exciting to read on and discover this series’ full potential!
The Dread Prince by Lauren Cate Leake
4.0
This book hurt to read. (Not in a bad way!)
Through pretty much the first 80% I had issues with the pacing. In the End it was clear that that was on purpose, but I’m not quite sure it was done in a way that was interesting, and instead just seemed to cause confusion and had me re reading some parts to make sure I wasn’t lost.
Slight spoilers ahead. I am completely rooting for Reeve, and I was physically pained with how his storyline is being left. He better show up and this series (even if it isn’t exactly in the way I want) NEEDS to be a HEA. I’m not sure I could live if it wasn’t.
Reading this book was honestly really stressful. And I’m not sure how happy I am about that. On one hand the writing at the end was so stunning to make me feel all sorts of emotion, on the other hand, I tend to read to escape and relax and I’m not sure all this stress is great for my body.
I need book 3 like yesterday. If I knew it was going to end like that I think I would have waited to read it. I’m so attached to these characters that I’m in pain waiting.
Through pretty much the first 80% I had issues with the pacing. In the End it was clear that that was on purpose, but I’m not quite sure it was done in a way that was interesting, and instead just seemed to cause confusion and had me re reading some parts to make sure I wasn’t lost.
Slight spoilers ahead. I am completely rooting for Reeve, and I was physically pained with how his storyline is being left. He better show up and this series (even if it isn’t exactly in the way I want) NEEDS to be a HEA. I’m not sure I could live if it wasn’t.
Reading this book was honestly really stressful. And I’m not sure how happy I am about that. On one hand the writing at the end was so stunning to make me feel all sorts of emotion, on the other hand, I tend to read to escape and relax and I’m not sure all this stress is great for my body.
I need book 3 like yesterday. If I knew it was going to end like that I think I would have waited to read it. I’m so attached to these characters that I’m in pain waiting.
Void of Endings by Hillary Raymer
3.25
I have so many thoughts so buckle in- this entire review contains spoilers and I don’t want to blank out the entire review, however please proceed with caution.
First- adding onto my review from the previous book, oh my god book three was unnecessary. Every issue and plot line from it was summed up in the first 60 pages of this. I feel like this series would have worked best as a trilogy. All you needed was 100-200 pages of book three tacked onto the begining of this book to make one 600 page book and it would have worked twenty times better. Nothing in book three held any consequence here and makes me upset thinking wtf was the point?
Then we have this book- not bad, there were certainly parts I enjoyed, but the relationship drama was there… for what reason? I could have thought of so many better ways to up the tension. Make Rowan a villain who took advantage of her forgetting, and got back into a relationship with her. Make her fights with Tiernan actually MEAN something instead of them immediately making up, OR just don’t add the relationship tension at all?? It wasn’t needed whatsoever.
Also let’s talk about the “other realms”. Supposedly Mave being able to rip into them is a big thing that, 1. Is never used, and 2. Aran apparently can go to other realms through the sea???? Which wasn’t elaborated on at all? Also the whole thing with the ether, and Laurel? Is this trying to set up for another book? Series? Anything? If not there is just so much left unsaid.
I think the ultimately issue with this series is the world building. It tries to give us so much that is unnecessary and bears no relevance to the plot, yet takes concepts such as other realms and magic that seems like it will bear relevance, and refuses to expand on them at all. It opened a door to a the audience and then just left us to stare at it. Not bothering to shut it or walk through.
Also- everything after book two just seemed to simple. We knew that every issue would be solved. There would be no tension. And when it came to the actual death of characters they got maybe a paragraph at most, leaving the deaths with no actual impact.
I’m rating this higher than book 3 because despite all my issues with it I was actually able to get into it. But my god was I just left wanting at the end.
First- adding onto my review from the previous book, oh my god book three was unnecessary. Every issue and plot line from it was summed up in the first 60 pages of this. I feel like this series would have worked best as a trilogy. All you needed was 100-200 pages of book three tacked onto the begining of this book to make one 600 page book and it would have worked twenty times better. Nothing in book three held any consequence here and makes me upset thinking wtf was the point?
Then we have this book- not bad, there were certainly parts I enjoyed, but the relationship drama was there… for what reason? I could have thought of so many better ways to up the tension. Make Rowan a villain who took advantage of her forgetting, and got back into a relationship with her. Make her fights with Tiernan actually MEAN something instead of them immediately making up, OR just don’t add the relationship tension at all?? It wasn’t needed whatsoever.
Also let’s talk about the “other realms”. Supposedly Mave being able to rip into them is a big thing that, 1. Is never used, and 2. Aran apparently can go to other realms through the sea???? Which wasn’t elaborated on at all? Also the whole thing with the ether, and Laurel? Is this trying to set up for another book? Series? Anything? If not there is just so much left unsaid.
I think the ultimately issue with this series is the world building. It tries to give us so much that is unnecessary and bears no relevance to the plot, yet takes concepts such as other realms and magic that seems like it will bear relevance, and refuses to expand on them at all. It opened a door to a the audience and then just left us to stare at it. Not bothering to shut it or walk through.
Also- everything after book two just seemed to simple. We knew that every issue would be solved. There would be no tension. And when it came to the actual death of characters they got maybe a paragraph at most, leaving the deaths with no actual impact.
I’m rating this higher than book 3 because despite all my issues with it I was actually able to get into it. But my god was I just left wanting at the end.
Realm of Nightmares by Hillary Raymer
3.0
This book was not my favorite in the series, and made me think that this series could have easily been a trilogy and condensed the story.
I feel like this book didn’t actually forward the plot in any way, and just set up obstacle after obstacle that didn’t even provide character growth.
I also found that this book did what a few other series do, which is decide to throw you into a brand new world halfway in the series, and can I just say- not a fan. It takes it two times longer to get into and I just cannot bring myself to care since the main couple and world, the reasons I got into the story, are no longer the main plot.
I’m going to bring myself to continue this series, mainly because there is only one book left, and maybe the fourth book will tie this one in nicely in ways I don’t expect. As of now I just kind of feel like there was no point to this journey at all, and could’ve been cut completely or reduced to 25%.
I feel like this book didn’t actually forward the plot in any way, and just set up obstacle after obstacle that didn’t even provide character growth.
I also found that this book did what a few other series do, which is decide to throw you into a brand new world halfway in the series, and can I just say- not a fan. It takes it two times longer to get into and I just cannot bring myself to care since the main couple and world, the reasons I got into the story, are no longer the main plot.
I’m going to bring myself to continue this series, mainly because there is only one book left, and maybe the fourth book will tie this one in nicely in ways I don’t expect. As of now I just kind of feel like there was no point to this journey at all, and could’ve been cut completely or reduced to 25%.
Heart of Mist by Helen Scheuerer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
I honestly just can not get into the story of any of the characters. Bleak is annoying, Henri makes me want to punch a wall, she is incredibly bitchy with nothing to even redeem her a little bit or make her likable. I have no idea where the commander and the 10yo boy come in…
When I get almost 40% through a book and I still have no idea what the plot is or what the characters motivations are, and on top of that I can’t find a redeeming quality (or at least and intriguing one) in any of them? I’m honestly not sure why I’m pushing myself to keep reading.
When I get almost 40% through a book and I still have no idea what the plot is or what the characters motivations are, and on top of that I can’t find a redeeming quality (or at least and intriguing one) in any of them? I’m honestly not sure why I’m pushing myself to keep reading.
War Of Her Heart by Lexi Hodges
3.5
Was the plot simple? Yes. Could the writing have used an editor? Yes. Was the world building lacking, and would I have gladly read 300 more pages just to get some semblance of a background? Also yes.
BUT! I can’t deny that this was a fun, quick, read. The romance was light and good, the plot, although it could have been developed more, did exist, and come to a satisfying conclusion. At the end of the day my biggest criticism is I just wanted… more. There could’ve been more background and world building that I believe would have only enhanced the story.
Those who are saying it’s ACOTAR lite… I don’t know. I think it’s different enough that it definitely can hold its own. Yeah there are courts, and the MMC can control shadows, but that’s about where the similarities end. To be fair we didn’t even learn enough about the rest of the world to even be able to compare the two.
This book is worth it if you’re looking for a light, fun, read. I definitely enjoyed it, and at the end of the day, that’s the role of a book, and it did its job.
BUT! I can’t deny that this was a fun, quick, read. The romance was light and good, the plot, although it could have been developed more, did exist, and come to a satisfying conclusion. At the end of the day my biggest criticism is I just wanted… more. There could’ve been more background and world building that I believe would have only enhanced the story.
Those who are saying it’s ACOTAR lite… I don’t know. I think it’s different enough that it definitely can hold its own. Yeah there are courts, and the MMC can control shadows, but that’s about where the similarities end. To be fair we didn’t even learn enough about the rest of the world to even be able to compare the two.
This book is worth it if you’re looking for a light, fun, read. I definitely enjoyed it, and at the end of the day, that’s the role of a book, and it did its job.
Throne of Dreams by Hillary Raymer
3.5
While this book was good, it did take me a while to finish. I feel like it wasn’t as polished as the first book, and I thought much of the dialogue was a bit sub par. However it did make for an interesting read!
Glow by Raven Kennedy
3.75
This book was definitely slower that the other few and I found myself being able to go longer stretches of time without reading it, which is what contributes to the lower rating compared to the rest of the series, however! This is by no means a bad book, or made me want to quit the series.
The ending- the cliffhanger? Absolutely gripping, and if I didn’t have to get up early I’d be starting the next one right away
The ending- the cliffhanger? Absolutely gripping, and if I didn’t have to get up early I’d be starting the next one right away