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delightfulmayhem's reviews
82 reviews
Hexed by Emily McIntire
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Alcohol
He Who Fights with Monsters Book 10 by Shirtaloon, Travis Deverell
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
3.5
I love this series and was excited for this book to come out. I enjoyed book 10 but not as much as the rest of the series. I find Jason to be a great character. I would love to be friends with him. He has also grown as a character over the course of the books, especially the last few.
Not a lot of action takes place in the first half of the book. However, we get to see how Jason is coping with his cosmic powers and his balancing of his mental state. The book does a good job showing how difficult mental health treatment really is. It's not like physical injuries that can be quickly healed, but a process that has many steps and takes time. At times, he does better, but then something happens and he regresses. This happens in real life as well. However, he's getting better at recognizing situations that lead him to regress and taking steps to get out of them or using coping mechanisms to get through them without breaking. It gives Jason a depth that many Litrpg MCs lack.
I think the most frustrating thing about the book is that the whole underground expedition wasn't wrapped up, so now I have to wait until the next book comes out to see if Jason comes out on top and with a soul forge. Also I would like to see a bit more progression in his essence abilities, he's been at silver for so long already. I understand it takes a while to progress through silver but I want to see him taking significant steps to level up, instead of crawling.
Not a lot of action takes place in the first half of the book. However, we get to see how Jason is coping with his cosmic powers and his balancing of his mental state. The book does a good job showing how difficult mental health treatment really is. It's not like physical injuries that can be quickly healed, but a process that has many steps and takes time. At times, he does better, but then something happens and he regresses. This happens in real life as well. However, he's getting better at recognizing situations that lead him to regress and taking steps to get out of them or using coping mechanisms to get through them without breaking. It gives Jason a depth that many Litrpg MCs lack.
I think the most frustrating thing about the book is that the whole underground expedition wasn't wrapped up, so now I have to wait until the next book comes out to see if Jason comes out on top and with a soul forge. Also I would like to see a bit more progression in his essence abilities, he's been at silver for so long already. I understand it takes a while to progress through silver but I want to see him taking significant steps to level up, instead of crawling.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The way the book is written is interesting and unusual. The perspective changes several times throughout the story. Most of Part 1 is told from a third person narrative, and we only hear about Jude from the perspectives of the other characters. When Part 2 starts, we actually get to see Jude's thoughts and feelings. The most interesting thing is that the narrator never actually says the name Jude, it's always just 'he' so it's a bit confusing at first until it finally clicks that we're in Jude's head.
Jude is my favorite character. He is just such a sweet and kind soul. He is lighthearted and playful even though he is in chronic pain and is very serious. I just want to be his friend and give him a hug.
There is a lot of potentially upsetting content in this book. Warnings include: self-harm, physical and emotional abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, suicide. All of these things are not only mentioned in the book but written in extreme detail.
I think what I loved most about this book is that despite there being so much trauma and suffering, the biggest themes in the book are love and friendship. Jude is a person who thinks so little of himself throughout the book, and yet he brings so much joy to other people's lives.
One thing to note about this book is that there ARE happy moments. There is a lot of awfulness in the book, don't get me wrong, but it's not just unrelenting sadness. There is a lot of love and good in this book, as well.
This book is not for everyone.
Favorite Quotes:
• “You won’t understand what I mean now, but someday you will: the only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you are—not smarter, not cooler, but kinder, and more generous, and more forgiving—and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and to try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad—or good—it might be, and to trust them, which is the hardest thing of all. But the best, as well.”
• “...things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.”
• “I know my life's meaningful because I'm a good friend. I love my friends, and I care about them, and I think I make them happy.”
• “Wasn’t friendship its own miracle, the finding of another person who made the entire lonely world seem somehow less lonely?”
Jude is my favorite character. He is just such a sweet and kind soul. He is lighthearted and playful even though he is in chronic pain and is very serious. I just want to be his friend and give him a hug.
There is a lot of potentially upsetting content in this book. Warnings include: self-harm, physical and emotional abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, suicide. All of these things are not only mentioned in the book but written in extreme detail.
I think what I loved most about this book is that despite there being so much trauma and suffering, the biggest themes in the book are love and friendship. Jude is a person who thinks so little of himself throughout the book, and yet he brings so much joy to other people's lives.
One thing to note about this book is that there ARE happy moments. There is a lot of awfulness in the book, don't get me wrong, but it's not just unrelenting sadness. There is a lot of love and good in this book, as well.
This book is not for everyone.
Favorite Quotes:
• “You won’t understand what I mean now, but someday you will: the only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you are—not smarter, not cooler, but kinder, and more generous, and more forgiving—and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and to try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad—or good—it might be, and to trust them, which is the hardest thing of all. But the best, as well.”
• “...things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.”
• “I know my life's meaningful because I'm a good friend. I love my friends, and I care about them, and I think I make them happy.”
• “Wasn’t friendship its own miracle, the finding of another person who made the entire lonely world seem somehow less lonely?”
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
SJM has an excellent way of balancing things from the get-go, such as the characters, plot, and pacing. Her plot is so intricate and purposeful. There are layers upon layers upon layers within this book. I love that she creates characters that are very loveable and are very easy to connect to on a deep level.
I will say there is not a ton of world building in this one. The plot devices used in this book, which are the trials Celaena goes through to become the Kings Champion, are not super well thought out. The trials were not that interesting, and it felt like it was just an easy plot device that was used. However, one thing that SJM does really, really well, is putting a big finale on something. The story is a steady stream of intense mystery and action, which all lead up to the ultimate ending.
I will say there is not a ton of world building in this one. The plot devices used in this book, which are the trials Celaena goes through to become the Kings Champion, are not super well thought out. The trials were not that interesting, and it felt like it was just an easy plot device that was used. However, one thing that SJM does really, really well, is putting a big finale on something. The story is a steady stream of intense mystery and action, which all lead up to the ultimate ending.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I'm not rating this book based on the style of writing or the disappointments I found in this book. I can definitely understand how some people did not like this one and gave it a low rating.
I do love this series, so I am rating this book based on my emotions and how I felt while reading this book. The rollercoaster of emotions this book took me on and the anxiety I felt in this book was absolutely next level.
I wasn't feeling Bryce in this book for a variety of reasons. I loved her in the first book, but she really annoyed me in this one just by the way she was treating her mate after all that he went through for her. I did come around to love them again in the end. I love how their story wrapped up.
Some areas of the book started lulling for me, and there were a couple of boring chapters. There were a lot of little side character stories that fizzled out. However, I did love the immense character growth that came from them.
Despite some of the things that disappointed me, I absolutely loved this book. This series will forever have a special place in my heart.
I do love this series, so I am rating this book based on my emotions and how I felt while reading this book. The rollercoaster of emotions this book took me on and the anxiety I felt in this book was absolutely next level.
I wasn't feeling Bryce in this book for a variety of reasons. I loved her in the first book, but she really annoyed me in this one just by the way she was treating her mate after all that he went through for her. I did come around to love them again in the end. I love how their story wrapped up.
Some areas of the book started lulling for me, and there were a couple of boring chapters. There were a lot of little side character stories that fizzled out. However, I did love the immense character growth that came from them.
Despite some of the things that disappointed me, I absolutely loved this book. This series will forever have a special place in my heart.
The Beloved by J.R. Ward
dark
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
J.R. Wards' writing style remains consistent with the series delivering vivid descriptions and intense emotional exchanges. The themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption are explored with a new intensity reflecting the stakes involved in Nala's choices. Her character is beautifully developed, showcasing her internal conflict and desire for independence. While the novel is a strong addition to the series, some people may find the pacing uneven, with certain sections delving too deeply into introspection. However, the action sequences and romantic developments balance these moments. Overall, The Beloved is a must-read for BDB fans. It offers a fresh perspective on the Brotherhood's world through the eyes of a new generation promising more thrilling adventures to come.
Favorite Quotes:
• "Dreams are even harder to give up on than any reality. What we want, what we imagine in our heads, is a fiction that lives and breathes even though it doesn’t actually exist. When we recognize that it’s not real and we have to let it go? We give up a tender part of ourselves along with the fantasy. It hurts."
• "The instant they come into your life, whether they’re born to you, or adopted by you, or somehow their paths cross yours, it’s too late. No going back. A piece of your fucking heart is out in the world running into things, getting run over, falling off heights, getting sick, falling in love with the wrong person. And you can’t stop them from living. So I guess you just have to suck it up, I don’t know. I really don’t."
• "A woman like you needs to be worshipped."
• "—and how fucking weird was it that, for a split second, he wondered if they weren’t soul mates: They’d both opened attacks by slitting the throats of their enemies. If that wasn’t compatibility, what was? "
Favorite Quotes:
• "Dreams are even harder to give up on than any reality. What we want, what we imagine in our heads, is a fiction that lives and breathes even though it doesn’t actually exist. When we recognize that it’s not real and we have to let it go? We give up a tender part of ourselves along with the fantasy. It hurts."
• "The instant they come into your life, whether they’re born to you, or adopted by you, or somehow their paths cross yours, it’s too late. No going back. A piece of your fucking heart is out in the world running into things, getting run over, falling off heights, getting sick, falling in love with the wrong person. And you can’t stop them from living. So I guess you just have to suck it up, I don’t know. I really don’t."
• "A woman like you needs to be worshipped."
• "—and how fucking weird was it that, for a split second, he wondered if they weren’t soul mates: They’d both opened attacks by slitting the throats of their enemies. If that wasn’t compatibility, what was? "
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Boy Toy is disturbing and enticing at the same time. I highly recommend this book because it covers a very controversial subject. Lyga's dynamic writing style weaves together a painful confession and an ambiguous ending. The story is emotionally wrenching and haunting as Barry Lyga probes the depths of what abuse can do to a person's mind and psyche.
Favorite Quotes:
• "We can know what love is. It´s adults who have forgotten, so they cling to their poor substitute and yell at kids who dare to live with real love. Pure Love. Love without compromise or distraction."
• "Here’s what amuses me about the whole “predator” angle: Predation is a part of the natural world order. You don’t get pissed at a lion for eating a gazelle; that’s just what lions do. They prey. So by calling Eve a “sexual predator,” aren’t we saying that she’s doing something that’s part of the natural order?"
• "See, forgiveness doesn’t happen all at once. It’s not an event—it’s a process. Forgiveness happens while you’re asleep, while you’re dreaming, while you’re in line at the coffee shop, while you’re showering, eating, farting, jerking off. It happens in the back of your mind, and then one day you realize that you don’t hate the person anymore, that your anger has gone away somewhere. And you understand. You’ve forgiven them. You don’t know how or why. It sneaked up on you. It happened in the small spaces between thoughts and in the seconds between ideas and blinks. That’s where forgiveness happens."
Favorite Quotes:
• "We can know what love is. It´s adults who have forgotten, so they cling to their poor substitute and yell at kids who dare to live with real love. Pure Love. Love without compromise or distraction."
• "Here’s what amuses me about the whole “predator” angle: Predation is a part of the natural world order. You don’t get pissed at a lion for eating a gazelle; that’s just what lions do. They prey. So by calling Eve a “sexual predator,” aren’t we saying that she’s doing something that’s part of the natural order?"
• "See, forgiveness doesn’t happen all at once. It’s not an event—it’s a process. Forgiveness happens while you’re asleep, while you’re dreaming, while you’re in line at the coffee shop, while you’re showering, eating, farting, jerking off. It happens in the back of your mind, and then one day you realize that you don’t hate the person anymore, that your anger has gone away somewhere. And you understand. You’ve forgiven them. You don’t know how or why. It sneaked up on you. It happened in the small spaces between thoughts and in the seconds between ideas and blinks. That’s where forgiveness happens."
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Patrick Lencioni brilliantly highlights five dysfunctions that plague teams. His storytelling is engaging, and he successfully transforms complex ideas into practical, relatable situations. What I love most is his focus on emotional and relational aspects of team dynamics. He knows that a Tema success is built of strong relationships and team trust. He emphasizes that building a cohesive team is hard work and requires consistent effort. This book covers common but overlooked problems and provides practical solutions.
Favorite Quotes:
• "Great teams do not hold back with one another. They are unafraid to air their dirty laundry. They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal."
• "Politics is when people choose their words and actions based on how they want others to react rather than based on what they really think."
• "Trust is knowing that when a team member does push you, they're doing it because they care about the team."
• "The ultimate test of a great team is results. And considering that tens of thousands of people escaped from the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., there can be no doubt that the teams who risked, and lost, their lives to save them were extraordinary."
Favorite Quotes:
• "Great teams do not hold back with one another. They are unafraid to air their dirty laundry. They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal."
• "Politics is when people choose their words and actions based on how they want others to react rather than based on what they really think."
• "Trust is knowing that when a team member does push you, they're doing it because they care about the team."
• "The ultimate test of a great team is results. And considering that tens of thousands of people escaped from the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., there can be no doubt that the teams who risked, and lost, their lives to save them were extraordinary."
Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This book is the follow-up book to Peterson's first book, "12 Rules for Life." What is noteworthy about this book compared to the former is the emphasis on suffering. One of Jordan's greatest strengths as a speaker is his ability to present commonly understood ideas from a completely different perspective. I recommend taking the time to read this book. It took me a while to finish because it took me time to digest the information. If you're interested in reading about philosophy and psychology, as well as a lot of other topics, I definitely recommend this book.
Favorite Quotes:
• “That which you most need to find will be found where you least wish to look.”
• “Humility: It is better to presume ignorance and invite learning than to assume sufficient knowledge and risk the consequent blindness.”
• “You do not choose what interests you. It chooses you. Something manifests itself out of the darkness as compelling, as worth living for. Following that, something moves us further down the road to the next meaningful manifestation. And so it goes as we continue to seek, develop, grow, and thrive. It is a perilous journey, but it is also the adventure of our lives.”
• “When you are tightly boxed in or cornered—all too often by your own stubborn and fixed adherence to some unconsciously worshipped assumptions—all there is to help you is what you have not yet learned.”
Favorite Quotes:
• “That which you most need to find will be found where you least wish to look.”
• “Humility: It is better to presume ignorance and invite learning than to assume sufficient knowledge and risk the consequent blindness.”
• “You do not choose what interests you. It chooses you. Something manifests itself out of the darkness as compelling, as worth living for. Following that, something moves us further down the road to the next meaningful manifestation. And so it goes as we continue to seek, develop, grow, and thrive. It is a perilous journey, but it is also the adventure of our lives.”
• “When you are tightly boxed in or cornered—all too often by your own stubborn and fixed adherence to some unconsciously worshipped assumptions—all there is to help you is what you have not yet learned.”
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I loved this book. The plot in this one is more magical. There's a lot more build-up and hints throughout the story. This was just such a satisfying sequel. There is so much action, mystery, and death. The character development stuck out to me the most, and I'm looking forward to seeing where they go throughout this series. This book is all over the place in the best way possible.
Favorite Quotes:
• “I worry because I care. Gods help me, I know I shouldn't, but I do. So I will always tell you to be careful, because I will always care what happens.”
• “Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you hear with your heart.”
• “But he had no idea what sort of darkness lurked inside her or what sort of monster she was willing to become in order to make things right.”
• “The kiss obliterated her. It was like coming home or being born or suddenly finding an entire half of herself that had been missing.”
Favorite Quotes:
• “I worry because I care. Gods help me, I know I shouldn't, but I do. So I will always tell you to be careful, because I will always care what happens.”
• “Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you hear with your heart.”
• “But he had no idea what sort of darkness lurked inside her or what sort of monster she was willing to become in order to make things right.”
• “The kiss obliterated her. It was like coming home or being born or suddenly finding an entire half of herself that had been missing.”