galaxyelfjess's reviews
48 reviews

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

adventurous emotional 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

4.5

While the pacing is a bit slow, it thoroughly set up the world and introduced the characters. The book begins to really pick up after about 200 pages.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Classism

Minor: Rape, Pregnancy

There is mention of a pregnancy due to rape but the rape is not outright described.

Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

Good book for the first half, second half wasn't as good

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence

Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual content, Death of parent

The main character (who is a 53-yearbook vampire in the body of a 10 year old) engages in a relationship with a 23-year-old and has sex with him. There is racism towards the end of the book with the use of insults and racial slurs from a white character to the black MC

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I finished this book in two days and I never read a book that quickly. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Pregnancy

The book focuses heavily on what slavery would be like for a 20th-century person to experience it, so there is a lot of graphic depictions of whipping and beating. There are mentions of rape and sexual violence, and there are depictions of self-harm.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Physical abuse

The skaa are essentially slaves in this book, and violence/murder is explicitly described although it may be considered slightly more tame compared to other fantasy books.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

This was a fantastic sequel with many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through! It took me so long to finish because I had been spoiled for the ending and was so afraid to get to that point. I FINALLY finished it though and highly recommend it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Child death, Racism

There is quite a bit of racism towards Downworlders in this book and the trilogy as a whole.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

It's definitely a lot like Crimson Peak! I've never read the Secret Garden so I can't say much about that but I think it would appeal to fans of that as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Violence

Multiple people within the story do die, and it is a bit graphicly detailed. Lots of mentions of people turning into ash and bone. The child death is described not in graphic detail but it is described.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional tense fast-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

4.5

The only thing keeping me from giving it a 5 is the extreme amount of romantic tension in this book, as well as the fact that Aelin has this habit of scheming/planning without telling anyone, especially the reader, and then when it all comes to fruition it's kind of just simply explained.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Vomit

There are a couple sex scenes in this book, and the first major one is pretty graphic whereas the others are a bit more on the "moderate" side.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional medium-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

4.25

I felt that this one had a much slower start than Heir of Fire so it was difficult to push through, but once I did I had a really great time with it. I love Aelin and Rowan's relationship in this and I also love Manon's character growth through this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Vomit, Sexual harassment

There is a mild sexual harassment scene where Arobynn makes it clear he wants to assault Aelin, and I say assault because he put the ring on her that would grant him control over her and he could make her do whatever against her will. He grabs her buttocks as she leaves, and it's incredibly uncomfortable, so a warning in case that makes you also feel icky.