headertime1981's reviews
312 reviews

Bloodguard by Cecy Robson

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-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

I wish I could give it six stars. Phenomenal. And I know there's more books in the series, but this reads like a completed story. Perfection. 

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

LOVED THIS.

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Finally!

I tried desperately to approach with measured expectations, which helped a lot. It took a bit to get into the meat and invest in the characters and story, but once it started moving, I struggled to put the book down.

Most of the exposition is delivered via dialogue, so it never feels quite like an info dump. The action is here and there, yet there's always an underlying tension.

Most of the characters are interesting, if not likable, and while it does take time to get to know them, I challenge you not to fall in love with Sazed, Breeze, Ham, and Kelsier. Vin and Elend both fell flat for the first portion of the story but leveled up distinctly as it went on.

The magic system is complicated. Not its functionality. If nothing else, it works very similar to the "Force," but the application of burning metals and learning how they all work is a lot of information to swallow. If you're into deep, complex magic systems, then this is for you. I'm a tell me how it works without explaining it too deeply gal. Same with science fiction stuff. It was a bit overwhelming for a while, but by the last two hundred pages, I grasped it, and its use was nothing short of spectacular.

I really enjoyed the story, and I'll happily continue the series. It's not perfect by any means and not for everyone, but I'm sold.

Queen of Shadows and Ruin by Nisha J. Tuli

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

 

I can always count on Nisha to deliver a heart-pounding, exhilarating adventure, and Queen of Shadows and Ruin (The Nightfire Quartet) was no exception. It bleeds intensity, rich storytelling, and edge-of-your-seat tension from start to finish.

Book three picks up right where we left off, bringing us face-to-face with Zarya’s father. But is he the noble figure Rabin believes him to be, or the dangerous man Row and her mother warned about? The first half of the book unravels this mystery with masterful suspense.

Nisha excels at building tension, and Shadows and Ruin is no exception. If you love that nail-biting, anxiety-driven energy, this book delivers in spades. The sense of unease is palpable—something feels off, and with every turn of the page, the clues keep stacking up, feeding the reader’s paranoia in the best way possible.

Meanwhile, you are whisked into a snowy, magical world that feels equally oppressive, powerful, and beautiful, just like Zarya’s father. And when the adventure kicks in, and Zarya is forced on a harrowing adventure to complete her quest, the story meets its stride. Aside from her ability to write incredible visual landscapes, what Nisha does better than most is write adventures or trial sequences so well. She weaves crucial story and character elements into rising action, raising the stakes and making those moments much more emotionally heightened.

Our cast splits into groups and POVs at times so we can see what’s going on in the rest of the world. Row has been my favorite character from the start, and he and Yaren get to shine in this story. They are both genuinely wonderful, supporting characters.

When all seems lost, victory is impossible, and all the characters seem doomed. We walk right into the finale, where we are gifted the peace of loose ends everywhere being tied up. Nisha does not miss details, and I notice when they are.

If you’ve loved the rest of the series—or any of Nisha J. Tuli’s books—then The Nightfire Quartet is an absolute must-read! This series is a thrilling, fast-paced ride through dazzling new worlds, filled with characters as flawed as they are irresistibly charismatic. And let’s not forget the villains—scheming, terrifying, and nearly unstoppable. Every page crackles with tension, magic, and intrigue, making it impossible to put down.

Loved this! 

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Shadows so Cruel by Liv Zander

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I have no idea who I'd even recommend this to because it's so dark, but I LOVE THESE books. I didn't expect them to be so good and get under my skin. Well done.

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

Welcome to my new obsession.

I will allow myself to be consumed by this. Utterly and completely consumed.

And now I will spend the rest of my life in the fetal position, broken.

Rule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

The Martian by Andy Weir

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

This was SO MUCH FUN. I adore the film and have wanted to read it forever. I listened to the audiobook with Will Wheaton, and it was an absolute delight. I'll be reading more, Andy Weir. 

Iron & Embers: An epic fantasy romance by Helen Scheuerer

adventurous dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

3.75