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flightyreads's reviews
71 reviews
You’re Beautiful When You Smile by Qing Mei
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I started reading the translation of this book online after binging the drama series based on the book. I *loved* Tong Yao and Lu Sicheng and their relationship so much!! As a competitive gamer, it was fun to pretend that the competitive scene is as open and accepting as the world in this media. I struggled a bit with the detailed Legaue of Legends gameplay since I don’t play this game, but the characters made it worth it to stick it through! I rated this book a 3.5/5 stars, but I loved the drama even more.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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 was extremely into this book for the first 60% or so. I loved the chemistry between our two leads, the kookiness of the supporting characters, and January’s internal monologue. I thought her depression and finding good things in the darkness was relatable. I mostly loved reading about her and Gus healing together.
I struggled to feel emotionally attached to the remainder of the book, but I think it’s just too niche of a realistic experience that I have never been through myself. I think the pain of being cheated on or it happening to those close to you is something you can only relate to through experience. For that reason, I dropped my rating to a 3.75/5 as I rate books based on my enjoyment.
I struggled to feel emotionally attached to the remainder of the book, but I think it’s just too niche of a realistic experience that I have never been through myself. I think the pain of being cheated on or it happening to those close to you is something you can only relate to through experience. For that reason, I dropped my rating to a 3.75/5 as I rate books based on my enjoyment.
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sometimes, sequels are better than the firstborn! This book was fantastic in many ways. I loved that the narrative, while still in journal format, felt a bit more like reading a storybook than one person’s thoughts on a page. I especially liked that more just… happened! I felt the previous book a bit anticlimactic, and while I know it was world-building and setting up relationships, it often felt too slow. This book was the perfect pace to show character growth while progressing the plot. I loved Emily’s progression in all of her relationships and with herself as she came more in tune with her emotions.
Shoutout to my book club for convincing me to give the sequel a chance, I am now eagerly waiting for the third book. I rated this 4.5/5 stars, compared to the first book at 3.5/5.
Shoutout to my book club for convincing me to give the sequel a chance, I am now eagerly waiting for the third book. I rated this 4.5/5 stars, compared to the first book at 3.5/5.
Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
It has been a while since a new fantasy series gripped me so emotionally. At first I thought this story would be slow-paced and a tad predictable, but I found myself entrenched in Mira’s story and her perseverance.
There were a number of characters who surprised me with their actions, and then surprised me even further! This made the characters feel very real and human to me, not just words on a page.
I am excited to read the sequel soon and this is easily a top fantasy pick-up for the year. I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy world with real-worl comparisons.
There were a number of characters who surprised me with their actions, and then surprised me even further! This made the characters feel very real and human to me, not just words on a page.
I am excited to read the sequel soon and this is easily a top fantasy pick-up for the year. I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy world with real-worl comparisons.
A Kiss From a Dragon Lord by Charlotte Swan
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I needed a fun, quick, and dirty read to break me out of a slump and this worked in about 30 minutes! Pretty straightforward, lost girl and dragon in the woods, suddenly they are soulmates. Perfect for anyone looking for a quick steamy read.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
When I tell you, I devoured this book, I mean I went *feral*. I read this within one sitting in about 4 hours because I could not put it down Misery and Lowe had such a compelling build-up to their story, with such an unreliable narrator where all I wanted was to force their heads together and kiss!!
The only thing that halted my enjoyment was the third act breakup. It is resolved quickly, but I have never been a fan of this trope and never will be. I feel as though it was hastily added and there were better options to advance the plot.
That being said, I adored this book overall and can’t wait for the supposed sequel! I rated this book 4.75/5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys spicy romance with supernatural elements.
The only thing that halted my enjoyment was the third act breakup. It is resolved quickly, but I have never been a fan of this trope and never will be. I feel as though it was hastily added and there were better options to advance the plot.
That being said, I adored this book overall and can’t wait for the supposed sequel! I rated this book 4.75/5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys spicy romance with supernatural elements.
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Note: I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book has great potential, but ends up falling flat in several ways. Despite BookTok’s insistence that it is due to the supposed male lead being a colonizer, I’d argue that the biggest struggle of the book is skipping the entire middle of Ruying’s journey. I am not kidding when I say we spend roughly 50% of the book with Ruying grappling with her decision to fight for or against Rome. Once she makes her decision, we get an instant 6 month timeskip. We literally skip over the entirety of the book’s couple’s trust-building and getting to know each other. We immediately jump into the two crushing on each other, but due to the lack of buildup, they feel like brand new characters. It felt as though the book just did not want to show the story, only tell us the end. Even for a YA book, I found this missing exposition harmful to the story.
I think the naïveté of Ruying is as realistic as can be. She’s never experienced someone treating her kindly as an adult, so falling for the enemy is expected when he feeds her honey-coated words. I also appreciate the descriptions of how her magic is visualized, which leads to detailed scenes of her using it.
Overall, I think this book would have benefited from some more edits. With just a few more additions to the story, it could have been very solid. For now, I rate it 3/5 stars.
This book has great potential, but ends up falling flat in several ways. Despite BookTok’s insistence that it is due to the supposed male lead being a colonizer, I’d argue that the biggest struggle of the book is skipping the entire middle of Ruying’s journey. I am not kidding when I say we spend roughly 50% of the book with Ruying grappling with her decision to fight for or against Rome. Once she makes her decision, we get an instant 6 month timeskip. We literally skip over the entirety of the book’s couple’s trust-building and getting to know each other. We immediately jump into the two crushing on each other, but due to the lack of buildup, they feel like brand new characters. It felt as though the book just did not want to show the story, only tell us the end. Even for a YA book, I found this missing exposition harmful to the story.
I think the naïveté of Ruying is as realistic as can be. She’s never experienced someone treating her kindly as an adult, so falling for the enemy is expected when he feeds her honey-coated words. I also appreciate the descriptions of how her magic is visualized, which leads to detailed scenes of her using it.
Overall, I think this book would have benefited from some more edits. With just a few more additions to the story, it could have been very solid. For now, I rate it 3/5 stars.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
informative
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.5
I found this book intriguing in that characters were written wonderfully, but the plot dragged on so offen in the early stages of this book that I found it hard to engage at first. So much of the first half of the book felt rather obvious and spelled out, so it didn’t feel satisfying to solve the upcoming plot points. However, I also already had an interest in fae and little folk lore, so much of the world-building was not new to me and as such felt more like a textbook than creating a story world. For those completely unfamiliar with folklore, this may not be an issue.
That being said, the main character’s utter disdain at first towards her intended love interest was refreshing because it was genuine. Emily is infuriated by Bambleby in the same way you’re annoyed by your nosy coworker at the office. This book appears to be the start of a true rivals/work frenemies to lovers in a realistic manner. Their banter and everchanging relationship kept bringing me back to the book and has me curious where the series will take them.
That being said, the main character’s utter disdain at first towards her intended love interest was refreshing because it was genuine. Emily is infuriated by Bambleby in the same way you’re annoyed by your nosy coworker at the office. This book appears to be the start of a true rivals/work frenemies to lovers in a realistic manner. Their banter and everchanging relationship kept bringing me back to the book and has me curious where the series will take them.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As a Jewish reader, every ounce of this book filled me with the anxiety of the Inquisition. But I could not stop turning the pages. Luiza’s and Hualit’s different journeys that were shaped by their Jewishness were incredibly interesting to read about. One who embraced their ancestry and the other who cast it away because it is all she knows.
Luiza’s character development is fascinating to read about because she truly acts like a young adult in that she grows, regresses, and grows again as seen by her actions. One moment she is a lovestruck teenager, the next she is bloodthirsty and determined. Despite these differences, it never feels as though Luiza is out of character, but rather she is changing her actions based on what she knows to be true around her.
The only complaints I had about this novel was that it took a while for me to understand Santángel’s appearance. I genuinely thought he looked more like a ghoul than a starved man at first, and it took a while to adjust to his supposed attractiveness. I also was sad about some characters’ endings and felt it was rushed, but at the same time it felt more realistic due to the quickness that they met their fates. Overall, I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and recommend this to fantasy readers looking to mix in a little historical fiction to their reading.
As a Jewish reader, every ounce of this book filled me with the anxiety of the Inquisition. But I could not stop turning the pages. Luiza’s and Hualit’s different journeys that were shaped by their Jewishness were incredibly interesting to read about. One who embraced their ancestry and the other who cast it away because it is all she knows.
Luiza’s character development is fascinating to read about because she truly acts like a young adult in that she grows, regresses, and grows again as seen by her actions. One moment she is a lovestruck teenager, the next she is bloodthirsty and determined. Despite these differences, it never feels as though Luiza is out of character, but rather she is changing her actions based on what she knows to be true around her.
The only complaints I had about this novel was that it took a while for me to understand Santángel’s appearance. I genuinely thought he looked more like a ghoul than a starved man at first, and it took a while to adjust to his supposed attractiveness. I also was sad about some characters’ endings and felt it was rushed, but at the same time it felt more realistic due to the quickness that they met their fates. Overall, I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and recommend this to fantasy readers looking to mix in a little historical fiction to their reading.
Between Love and Loathing by Shain Rose
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a fun quick read. I needed something with low stakes to break me from a slump and this helped! The characters had a passionate relationship and were enjoyable to read about. My biggest gripe is that the main character suffers from a chronic illness that I don’t feel was represented properly. Obviously everyone experiences illnesses differently, but it was hard to suspend my disbelief for some of it. That being said, I enjoyed the main character getting what she wanted and the two of them ending with a HEA.