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gattolino_nn's reviews
576 reviews
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this and I am so glad that I could end the month with this book.
I loved the mystery and how it slowly came together. It was set out well, and allowes you to follow along and connect the dots. There was no sudden twist at the end for the sake of twists and it felt good to know you figured out what was happening as well.
I also have to say I love the characters, good and bad. I thought they were so well written, and each one felt distinct from one another and made for really compelling scenes.
Daunis was so such a great character to follow. Smart, resourceful, and strong she made so many scenes great with how to calculates and acts.
I really enjoyed the ending. It felt realistic and worth the listen when you finally get to the end. Fantastic book and well worth the read.
I loved the mystery and how it slowly came together. It was set out well, and allowes you to follow along and connect the dots. There was no sudden twist at the end for the sake of twists and it felt good to know you figured out what was happening as well.
I also have to say I love the characters, good and bad. I thought they were so well written, and each one felt distinct from one another and made for really compelling scenes.
Daunis was so such a great character to follow. Smart, resourceful, and strong she made so many scenes great with how to calculates and acts.
I really enjoyed the ending. It felt realistic and worth the listen when you finally get to the end. Fantastic book and well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping
Minor: Racism
Rightfully Mine: A Vampire and Demon Romance by Jade Royal
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was just a fun book to read. Spicy with a bit of plot but certainly not the focus. The sex scenes where fun and nothing too out there, so I think people who like spice but are not into a lot of kinks would enjoy them.
I think the plot could have been a mentioned more through out the book. Willow had a plan and reason to become the Queen but it kinda disappears in the middle and then reappears at the end to tie everything up. It doesn't have to be the main focus but I think I would have liked the reminder as to why she was here and doing everything a bit more often.
I think the plot could have been a mentioned more through out the book. Willow had a plan and reason to become the Queen but it kinda disappears in the middle and then reappears at the end to tie everything up. It doesn't have to be the main focus but I think I would have liked the reminder as to why she was here and doing everything a bit more often.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
When Secrets Beckon by Lauren Searson-Patrick
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
3.5
I am so happy that this is a standalone book. It could enjoy the story from start to finish without the drama that has been final books in a series that I have been facing.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book being about a single mother helping her brother that is now the most wanted person across kingdoms. Rubilena as a protagonists doesn't come across as living her self but instead living for others (which feels thankless with how others were treati g her throughout the book). By the end I think she does grow a little to live for herself but in my opinion there wasn't really much character development. There are some fun side characters that we get to meet, though some I wish we got more of. They had such big and important introductions and seem to have whole scenes centred around them to only play a smaller role. I think this comes down to the fact it is a stand alone self published book so the cast is kept to a limit, but if that is the case I think some of the scenes needed to be adjusted.
As a new to me author I am interested in picking up some of Lauren Searson-Patrick's other works to see if I will enjoy them too.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book being about a single mother helping her brother that is now the most wanted person across kingdoms. Rubilena as a protagonists doesn't come across as living her self but instead living for others (which feels thankless with how others were treati g her throughout the book). By the end I think she does grow a little to live for herself but in my opinion there wasn't really much character development. There are some fun side characters that we get to meet, though some I wish we got more of. They had such big and important introductions and seem to have whole scenes centred around them to only play a smaller role. I think this comes down to the fact it is a stand alone self published book so the cast is kept to a limit, but if that is the case I think some of the scenes needed to be adjusted.
As a new to me author I am interested in picking up some of Lauren Searson-Patrick's other works to see if I will enjoy them too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, War
The Ruined by Renée Ahdieh
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really really disliked this book. I should have dnfed it.
It felt so different from what we was introduced and I was enjoying at the beginning of the series. Unfortunately by the end I disliked most characters, I felt like we had rehashed so many scenes from the previous book especially with certain characters and we had given up on the historic New Orleans scene that first pulled me into the book. By the end it felt like it has lost all its character, and the plot felt generic, like a first draft of an unknown fantasy book. Nothing really stood out and it was going through the motions and churning out something to sell.
By the end of the series characters were unrecognisable, deaths felt completely meaningless and out of place, and I will never get my time back.
It felt so different from what we was introduced and I was enjoying at the beginning of the series. Unfortunately by the end I disliked most characters, I felt like we had rehashed so many scenes from the previous book especially with certain characters and we had given up on the historic New Orleans scene that first pulled me into the book. By the end it felt like it has lost all its character, and the plot felt generic, like a first draft of an unknown fantasy book. Nothing really stood out and it was going through the motions and churning out something to sell.
By the end of the series characters were unrecognisable, deaths felt completely meaningless and out of place, and I will never get my time back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Grief, War
Moderate: Death
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
fast-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? No
3.0
I feel like for a final book in the series it didn't really give a satisfying ending, and instead it felt like there was plot points and interactions that were forgotten.
There were relationships similarly pushed to the side because it no longer mattered to the story. There was so many new characters and lore for the last book that it didn't even feel part of the same series. I didn't feel like there was enough build up and instead gives the impression that book 2 should have had a different ending and that be the end of the series and this could be a stand alone with new characters in the same universe.
Considering how much was new I don't think having the cast from the previous books added anything, nothing that introducing us to new characters wouldn't accomplish. A new cast and fleshing out the characters a bit more I think would also help with the pacing problem I had as well as I think there would have been more time spent fleshing out everyone. For having the smallest page count in the series, the book felt like it chewed off more than it could handle. The pacing set had this urgency that everything had to be finished within a week or two and instead we find out a month had passed with little fan fair.It really made everything feel disjointed.
The plot I thought was fine and I think I once again would have liked it more if it was new characters. It felt out of no where for these characters to have this moments. There was some character growth but again I feel like if book 2 had a different ending then maybe there wouldn't need to be character growth. As it is it was only minimal growth in my opinion.
All in all honestly a disappointment for the third and final book especially after the wait for it. Would have been a good book if it was a standalone with new main characters in the same universe.
There were relationships similarly pushed to the side because it no longer mattered to the story. There was so many new characters and lore for the last book that it didn't even feel part of the same series. I didn't feel like there was enough build up and instead gives the impression that book 2 should have had a different ending and that be the end of the series and this could be a stand alone with new characters in the same universe.
Considering how much was new I don't think having the cast from the previous books added anything, nothing that introducing us to new characters wouldn't accomplish. A new cast and fleshing out the characters a bit more I think would also help with the pacing problem I had as well as I think there would have been more time spent fleshing out everyone. For having the smallest page count in the series, the book felt like it chewed off more than it could handle. The pacing set had this urgency that everything had to be finished within a week or two and instead we find out a month had passed with little fan fair.It really made everything feel disjointed.
The plot I thought was fine and I think I once again would have liked it more if it was new characters. It felt out of no where for these characters to have this moments. There was some character growth but again I feel like if book 2 had a different ending then maybe there wouldn't need to be character growth. As it is it was only minimal growth in my opinion.
All in all honestly a disappointment for the third and final book especially after the wait for it. Would have been a good book if it was a standalone with new main characters in the same universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, War
Moderate: Death, Grief
Minor: Death of parent
Venetian Lessons in Love by Jenna Lo Bianco
challenging
emotional
slow-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? Yes
3.5
For something that is labelled as a contemporary romance I was expecting more romance. We didn't really meet the love interest until almost halfway through the book and it wasn't until what felt like the last third to quarter of the book that we actually get to see them together. There is so little focus on the romance that I would honestly call this chick lit, which nothing wrong with that but when you were expecting a romance it can be a bit disappointing.
The lack of romance aside I thought the plot was ok. It didn't interest me as much as the first book and there wasn't anything engaging enough like the second so I found I just listening without really engaging with the content. There was good moments but nothing that really stuck out to me.
The lack of romance aside I thought the plot was ok. It didn't interest me as much as the first book and there wasn't anything engaging enough like the second so I found I just listening without really engaging with the content. There was good moments but nothing that really stuck out to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Stalking, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
Glow by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I am surprised how many pages this book as it didn't feel like it was 500+ when reading.
It was such a quick and easy read, though I think it could have been cut down in some areas. It felt to me that some of Auren's chapter could have been streamlined better. We went over some of the same themes a couple of times, but the overall book still has decent pacing so the issue didn't stand out as much.
I thought it was also really interesting to see how gossip and how people can use the masses perspective of people to their advantage. It really gave the book that little more edge into political intrigue and I would have loved if it leaned into that more especially with the aftermath of Gleam present in everyone's minds.
Overall the book was good and finally confronted some of the issues that occurred in some of the precious books and I really liked that. The ending had me so surprised and I am so intrigued to see how we will pick up in Gold.
It was such a quick and easy read, though I think it could have been cut down in some areas. It felt to me that some of Auren's chapter could have been streamlined better. We went over some of the same themes a couple of times, but the overall book still has decent pacing so the issue didn't stand out as much.
I thought it was also really interesting to see how gossip and how people can use the masses perspective of people to their advantage. It really gave the book that little more edge into political intrigue and I would have loved if it leaned into that more especially with the aftermath of Gleam present in everyone's minds.
Overall the book was good and finally confronted some of the issues that occurred in some of the precious books and I really liked that. The ending had me so surprised and I am so intrigued to see how we will pick up in Gold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, War
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
I really liked how this book focused on the lore of the world. I loved exploring the different aspects of the lore more than the interpersonal drama of Iron Flame.
The drama in this story felt less like going over trodden grounds and actually involved new perspectives and insights to the characters that we have grown to love. I think Riddock really shined in this book and I loved the character growth that we got to see with him. Rebecca made him more than just the comedic relief character and I appreciate that.
I thought was also really fast paced book and with the island hopping it made it feel like I was flying through the story.
I loved how diverse each island was to one another and how they brought their own characterisations and culture compared to the continent. Cannot wait to see more of it and hope that the next book in the series continues to grow the world and what we know about everyone.
The drama in this story felt less like going over trodden grounds and actually involved new perspectives and insights to the characters that we have grown to love. I think Riddock really shined in this book and I loved the character growth that we got to see with him. Rebecca made him more than just the comedic relief character and I appreciate that.
I thought was also really fast paced book and with the island hopping it made it feel like I was flying through the story.
I loved how diverse each island was to one another and how they brought their own characterisations and culture compared to the continent. Cannot wait to see more of it and hope that the next book in the series continues to grow the world and what we know about everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
Drop Dead by Lily Chu
emotional
slow-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
3.5
I think this book cements the idea that I can't do enemies to lovers in a simple contemporary setting.
A lot kf the issues kind of stems from years of judgement and miscommunications so I found it really hard to root for Nadine and Wes to be together. In saying that, I do love both of them separately. I think they are really strong and compelling characters and I did enjoy how they worked together.
I did warm up to the idea of them romantically together but it did take most of the book but still not their biggest fan.
I do love the mystery that they are trying to uncover. I thought it was really well done and loved how Dot had set everything up as well as her personality and the house (which honestly sounded magical in its own way).
I saw how this was going to end and I'm not upset by the ending but I was almost expecting more after how the rest of the story went by.
In the end I did enjoy the story but it hasn't been my favourite of Lily Chu's work.
A lot kf the issues kind of stems from years of judgement and miscommunications so I found it really hard to root for Nadine and Wes to be together. In saying that, I do love both of them separately. I think they are really strong and compelling characters and I did enjoy how they worked together.
I did warm up to the idea of them romantically together but it did take most of the book but still not their biggest fan.
I do love the mystery that they are trying to uncover. I thought it was really well done and loved how Dot had set everything up as well as her personality and the house (which honestly sounded magical in its own way).
I saw how this was going to end and I'm not upset by the ending but I was almost expecting more after how the rest of the story went by.
In the end I did enjoy the story but it hasn't been my favourite of Lily Chu's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Racism, Stalking
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
This series is always a fun read for me. It is lighthearted and fun but also serious and mature at times that I think really strikes a good balance for an older Young Adult read.
I ended up reading this is two days and didn't want to put it down. I have been slumping and this really helped with the feeling (now all I want to do is continue that series).
I really liked how this story is set out. There are two problems presented, and it feels like it should tackle both in this story but instead focuses solely on getting the specter back and what that entails. It really lets the problem have room to breathe and to be resolved before we focus on the bigger issue which will be book 3. The pacing of this decision felt really nice to read, there have been too many books that try to add some much into one and it could have been split up.
I really enjoyed the book, and I cannot to continue the series. I feel like this is one of those books that I loved when I was younger that still stands strong.
I ended up reading this is two days and didn't want to put it down. I have been slumping and this really helped with the feeling (now all I want to do is continue that series).
I really liked how this story is set out. There are two problems presented, and it feels like it should tackle both in this story but instead focuses solely on getting the specter back and what that entails. It really lets the problem have room to breathe and to be resolved before we focus on the bigger issue which will be book 3. The pacing of this decision felt really nice to read, there have been too many books that try to add some much into one and it could have been split up.
I really enjoyed the book, and I cannot to continue the series. I feel like this is one of those books that I loved when I was younger that still stands strong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail