emmaprew's reviews
544 reviews

The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal by Griffin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Another excellent installment. Really enjoyed the colours in this one. Maybe the previous books were equally as colourful, I dunno,  this one stood out more.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

I definitely thought this was a sequel and not a prequel to Legends and Lattes but ended up being pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t just the same characters from the other book. Pretty good. Much like Legends, nothing really wowed me about this story. It was fine but nothing much to shout about.

Ronin Island Vol. 1 by Greg Pak

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

I picked this up without realising the story had fantasy elements, so that was an interesting surprise upon reading. Pretty neat story, although not super well fleshed out. The artwork was good. Just a shame it wasn’t longer. I see there’s two more books for me to read at some point however.

Morning Star by Pierce Brown

adventurous dark 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

I loved this. What a gripping and emotional whirlwind of a book and series. I cried and shouted at the pages (this is listed as an audiobook for me but I finished it as a book). That’s usually the sign of a very good book. I will absolutely be reading these books again, sooner rather than later. And it’s not often I think that about a series. But before that, there’s more books to read!

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

adventurous 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

4.0

This book was a grower for me but once I got it, I was really quite invested. I’m sure there are other books out there with underwater fantasy creatures like this but this is the first one I’ve read and it was a really refreshing and interesting concept in the genre. I don’t feel like I fully understood the ‘magic’ and the worldbuilding could have been more detailed but all in all, a pretty great read. I’ll try to read the next one when it’s out. PS.

I don’t like or trust Firth at all.

Vagabond, Vol. 1 (VIZBIG Edition) by Takehiko Inoue

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I wasn’t sure about this at first but it’s so fast paced that I soon got into it. Even reading three volumes in one, it feels like this story is only just getting started. Very bloody, a lot of violence and death, that I’m not sure I’m okay with but I would like to read more, so I guess that says something…

Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

Incredible. I was gripped from the very start. Usually with multiple POV characters there’s some I’m more invested in than others but I wanted to know everything that was going on with everyone all the time. There’s still so much I need to digest and I have many questions but what an ending to Stormlight Arc 1. Hopefully it’s less than 10 years until book 6. 

The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

I love anything Japan related especially if it’s samurai-themed but, even so, I didn’t expect this to be as good as it is. It’s funny and emotional. The artwork is quite simple but the book reads like you’re watching an anime. I liked how it had elements of modern day, like phones, despite having a mostly classic samurai storyline – except a more diverse and gender neutral samurai storyline. There’s a sassy horse too.

The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited! by Griffin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

4.0

Another very fun Adventure Zone tale. Once again I enjoy all the references to the actual DND game as well as real world references and whatnot. I like where the overarching plot is going. I’ve got book three lined up to read soon.

Tartarus Volume 1 by Johnnie Christmas

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I feel very meh about this book. It looked cool from the front cover and the skeleton on the back but it really did nothing for me. I didn’t care about any of the characters or the story. I didn’t even like the art that much, which was the biggest shame of all.