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delibes's reviews
65 reviews
Words and Music by JD Sampson
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
Odder by Katherine Applegate
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
A Twist and Two Balls by Clare London
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Die geheime Drachenschule - Der goldene Ritter: Ein bunt illustriertes Abenteuer mit lustigen Comics - ab 8 Jahren by Emily Skye
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Following the Law by Nicole Dennis
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
4.25
The Vampire's Club: Book One by X. Aratare
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-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
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 Stars)
This book had been sitting on my TBR for way too long, and now I regret not picking it up sooner. It’s not often that someone takes on the story of Achilles and Patroclus in such a compelling and deeply emotional way, but The Song of Achilles does exactly that. Madeline Miller brings fresh life to an ancient tale, exploring not just the legendary warrior Achilles, but also the love, pain, and humanity behind his story.
Finally, a book that truly delves into the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus! So many retellings overlook or downplay this aspect, but Miller embraces it wholeheartedly, making it the emotional core of the novel. Her approach to their bond—growing from childhood friendship to love—feels natural, raw, and beautifully developed.
The way the novel handles Achilles as both a hero and a deeply flawed figure is masterful. His greatness is undeniable, but so is his pride, his stubbornness, and ultimately, his tragedy. The war itself is brutal, vivid, and heartbreaking, and watching these characters navigate it is both mesmerizing and painful.
And speaking of pain—I cried my eyes out. The emotional weight of the story is immense, and by the end, I was completely wrecked in the best way possible.
While the book is beautifully written, there are moments where the pacing feels a little slow, especially in the earlier chapters. Some scenes could have been tighter, but honestly, this is a minor issue compared to how powerful the overall experience is.
The Song of Achilles is a stunning and deeply moving retelling of one of the greatest stories in Greek mythology. If you love mythology, tragic love stories, or just beautifully crafted prose, this book is a must-read. It’s heartbreaking, unforgettable, and absolutely worth the tears.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
After the massive hype surrounding Fourth Wing, I was curious to see if Iron Flame would take the story to a new level. Would Violet finally show some real character growth? Would the plot deepen beyond surface-level action and romance? Unfortunately, the answer to both questions is a resounding no.
Following the events of Fourth Wing, Violet is once again thrown into danger, political intrigue, and the ever-complicated dynamic with Xaden. However, instead of pushing the story forward in any meaningful way, Iron Flame feels like it’s constantly chasing the next dramatic moment without a clear direction.
Character Development:
One of my biggest frustrations with this book is the complete lack of character growth—especially for Violet. She is still the same person she was at the beginning of Fourth Wing, making the same questionable decisions and reacting to everything in the most irrational way possible. Instead of evolving into a stronger, more capable leader, she spends half the book arguing with Xaden over things that ultimately don’t matter. Their relationship, which should have matured by now, feels exhausting rather than engaging.
The Plot (Or Lack Thereof):
Rather than delivering a compelling, well-structured story, Iron Flame feels like a collection of loosely connected events designed to keep the tension artificially high. Every chapter seems to be searching for the next big dramatic twist or emotional breakdown, but none of it truly adds depth to the world or characters. It’s just more—more pages, more angst, more conflict—but not necessarily better.
The Cat/Xaden Backstory:
A perfect example of wasted potential is the entire subplot with Cat and her history with Xaden. Instead of enriching the story or adding meaningful layers to the characters, it feels completely unnecessary. It doesn’t impact the main plot in any significant way, nor does it contribute to Violet’s development. It’s simply there, filling pages without giving us anything substantial.
Violet & Xaden – The Toxic Cycle:
What was once an intriguing dynamic between Violet and Xaden has now turned into repetitive, pointless bickering. Their relationship doesn’t feel passionate or complex—it just feels toxic. They spend more time arguing over irrelevant things than actually working together, making it hard to root for them as a couple.
Iron Flame is an unnecessarily long book that adds very little value to the series. Instead of meaningful storytelling, it relies on excessive drama, a stagnant protagonist, and filler content that does little to expand the world or its characters. If Fourth Wing had potential, Iron Flame squanders it by focusing on spectacle over substance.
⭐ 1/5 stars – more pages, less story, and a protagonist who refuses to grow.
Following the events of Fourth Wing, Violet is once again thrown into danger, political intrigue, and the ever-complicated dynamic with Xaden. However, instead of pushing the story forward in any meaningful way, Iron Flame feels like it’s constantly chasing the next dramatic moment without a clear direction.
Character Development:
One of my biggest frustrations with this book is the complete lack of character growth—especially for Violet. She is still the same person she was at the beginning of Fourth Wing, making the same questionable decisions and reacting to everything in the most irrational way possible. Instead of evolving into a stronger, more capable leader, she spends half the book arguing with Xaden over things that ultimately don’t matter. Their relationship, which should have matured by now, feels exhausting rather than engaging.
The Plot (Or Lack Thereof):
Rather than delivering a compelling, well-structured story, Iron Flame feels like a collection of loosely connected events designed to keep the tension artificially high. Every chapter seems to be searching for the next big dramatic twist or emotional breakdown, but none of it truly adds depth to the world or characters. It’s just more—more pages, more angst, more conflict—but not necessarily better.
The Cat/Xaden Backstory:
A perfect example of wasted potential is the entire subplot with Cat and her history with Xaden. Instead of enriching the story or adding meaningful layers to the characters, it feels completely unnecessary. It doesn’t impact the main plot in any significant way, nor does it contribute to Violet’s development. It’s simply there, filling pages without giving us anything substantial.
Violet & Xaden – The Toxic Cycle:
What was once an intriguing dynamic between Violet and Xaden has now turned into repetitive, pointless bickering. Their relationship doesn’t feel passionate or complex—it just feels toxic. They spend more time arguing over irrelevant things than actually working together, making it hard to root for them as a couple.
Iron Flame is an unnecessarily long book that adds very little value to the series. Instead of meaningful storytelling, it relies on excessive drama, a stagnant protagonist, and filler content that does little to expand the world or its characters. If Fourth Wing had potential, Iron Flame squanders it by focusing on spectacle over substance.
⭐ 1/5 stars – more pages, less story, and a protagonist who refuses to grow.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros had been on my TBR for quite some time—mainly due to the massive hype on BookTok and Bookstagram. But I’m not easily impressed by trends. Still, I finally picked it up and read it within a few days (or rather, a few sleepless nights). Not because it was unbelievably fantastic or truly worth the hype, but simply because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
Violet Sorrengail, daughter of a powerful general, is forced into the brutal world of dragon riders—even though she’s physically weak and was originally meant for a more peaceful life. But, of course, things take a different turn: she’s thrown into a deadly selection process where only the strongest survive. Along the way, she encounters Xaden Riorson—her biggest enemy… or maybe her greatest distraction?
Within the first few pages, it became clear that this book is a checklist of fantasy clichés. Weak heroine suddenly thrust into a life-or-death situation? Check. Dark, brooding, devastatingly handsome love interest with a tragic past? Check. Predictable “chosen one” storyline? Double check.
Violet, unfortunately, doesn’t feel like a strong protagonist—not in the sense of real character growth. She doesn’t actively work to improve; instead, she stumbles through the story, survives through sheer luck, and is constantly saved by her friends. Honestly, her dragons are the most interesting thing about her. Xaden is your classic “bad boy,” constantly described as impossibly attractive—so much so that I eventually started skipping every mention of his looks. The supposed love triangle with Dain feels forced and inconsistent, shifting at random without any real emotional build-up.
From the beginning, you already know how this story will play out: Violet will, of course, bond with the strongest dragon, she’ll take longer than others to get her signet but will end up with one that’s more powerful than anyone else’s, and the romance will follow an all-too-familiar pattern. What bothered me most was the sudden emotional shifts—one moment she fears for her life, the next she wants to lick Xaden from head to toe. There’s no real tension between them, and the “spice” aspect of the book is, in my opinion, overrated.
Rebecca Yarros’ writing is solid but nothing extraordinary. It flows well but often feels repetitive—especially when it comes to describing Xaden. The world itself gives off a mix of Shadow and Bone and Harry Potter, though without the same depth or originality.
Fourth Wing isn’t a disaster, but it’s far from a masterpiece. If you enjoy classic fantasy romance with a predictable plot and a few cool dragons, you might have fun with it. But if you’re looking for deep character development, unexpected twists, or unique storytelling, this book might disappoint you. I genuinely don’t understand why so many readers are obsessed with it—while entertaining in parts, it ultimately feels like just another overhyped fantasy novel.
⭐ 2.5/5 stars – decent for a quick read, but nothing particularly memorable.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros had been on my TBR for quite some time—mainly due to the massive hype on BookTok and Bookstagram. But I’m not easily impressed by trends. Still, I finally picked it up and read it within a few days (or rather, a few sleepless nights). Not because it was unbelievably fantastic or truly worth the hype, but simply because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
Violet Sorrengail, daughter of a powerful general, is forced into the brutal world of dragon riders—even though she’s physically weak and was originally meant for a more peaceful life. But, of course, things take a different turn: she’s thrown into a deadly selection process where only the strongest survive. Along the way, she encounters Xaden Riorson—her biggest enemy… or maybe her greatest distraction?
Within the first few pages, it became clear that this book is a checklist of fantasy clichés. Weak heroine suddenly thrust into a life-or-death situation? Check. Dark, brooding, devastatingly handsome love interest with a tragic past? Check. Predictable “chosen one” storyline? Double check.
Violet, unfortunately, doesn’t feel like a strong protagonist—not in the sense of real character growth. She doesn’t actively work to improve; instead, she stumbles through the story, survives through sheer luck, and is constantly saved by her friends. Honestly, her dragons are the most interesting thing about her. Xaden is your classic “bad boy,” constantly described as impossibly attractive—so much so that I eventually started skipping every mention of his looks. The supposed love triangle with Dain feels forced and inconsistent, shifting at random without any real emotional build-up.
From the beginning, you already know how this story will play out: Violet will, of course, bond with the strongest dragon, she’ll take longer than others to get her signet but will end up with one that’s more powerful than anyone else’s, and the romance will follow an all-too-familiar pattern. What bothered me most was the sudden emotional shifts—one moment she fears for her life, the next she wants to lick Xaden from head to toe. There’s no real tension between them, and the “spice” aspect of the book is, in my opinion, overrated.
Rebecca Yarros’ writing is solid but nothing extraordinary. It flows well but often feels repetitive—especially when it comes to describing Xaden. The world itself gives off a mix of Shadow and Bone and Harry Potter, though without the same depth or originality.
Fourth Wing isn’t a disaster, but it’s far from a masterpiece. If you enjoy classic fantasy romance with a predictable plot and a few cool dragons, you might have fun with it. But if you’re looking for deep character development, unexpected twists, or unique storytelling, this book might disappoint you. I genuinely don’t understand why so many readers are obsessed with it—while entertaining in parts, it ultimately feels like just another overhyped fantasy novel.
⭐ 2.5/5 stars – decent for a quick read, but nothing particularly memorable.
Feeding the Soul by Annabella Michaels
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
4.25