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iam's reviews
1678 reviews
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
dark
3.0
Short and brutal novella (novelette?) with lots of horror and a fairytale vibe to it.
This follows a mermaid who is joined by a plague doctor after the kingdom is eaten by the mermaid's daughters.
We only get snippets of the worldbuilding, and have to puzzle the bigget picture together from the few scraps we get. I would have loved to get more, as the lore is fascinating, but I think part of the appeal is also the mystery.
Both mermaid and plague doctor have a past that isn't entirely clear, but it's filled with loss and tragedy. As they stumble over a village of children and the "saints" they worship, they want to try and help the kids before their stories turn into that same tragedy. But not all fairytales end well - a lot of them end with a lot of blood.
This was very gory, but not too bad (as in, I could stand the level of graphic-ess, possibly because its so suffused in the fairytale vibes). There is a romantic subplot, of sorts, which was cute, but as the story was so short I didn't really get invested. Overall, it could have worked with a bit more plot added to it, but I also enjoyed it in its shortness.
This follows a mermaid who is joined by a plague doctor after the kingdom is eaten by the mermaid's daughters.
We only get snippets of the worldbuilding, and have to puzzle the bigget picture together from the few scraps we get. I would have loved to get more, as the lore is fascinating, but I think part of the appeal is also the mystery.
Both mermaid and plague doctor have a past that isn't entirely clear, but it's filled with loss and tragedy. As they stumble over a village of children and the "saints" they worship, they want to try and help the kids before their stories turn into that same tragedy. But not all fairytales end well - a lot of them end with a lot of blood.
This was very gory, but not too bad (as in, I could stand the level of graphic-ess, possibly because its so suffused in the fairytale vibes). There is a romantic subplot, of sorts, which was cute, but as the story was so short I didn't really get invested. Overall, it could have worked with a bit more plot added to it, but I also enjoyed it in its shortness.
The Summer Palace and Other Stories by C.S. Pacat
5.0
Absolutely love that we get to see glimpses into the future of Damen and Laurent, as well as glimpses into the heads of other characters.
Green but for a Season: This is told from Jord's perspective and gives some background to how Laurent won the loyalty of the Prince's Guard. It also shows the beginnings of Jord and Aimeric's romance, making this incredibly heartbreaking to read when you know how it ends.
The Summer Palace: The epilogue of the series about Damen and Laurent visiting the titular summer palace just to hang out. Super sweet and tender, just pure fluff about them being happy and sappy together.
The Adventures of Charls the Veretian Cloth Merchant: Told from Charls POV, this shows the third time he has a run in with his prince and aids Laurent in his schemes. Absolutely hilarious to see, both due to the humor of Charls caring mostly about cloth, him not knowing who Damen/Lamen is, and from seeing Laurent and Damen from an outsider's POV.
Pet: This tells Ancel's story, and his rise into Pet-hood. He is a fascinating and complex character, and this makes me wish we had gotten to see more of him in the original series.
Green but for a Season: This is told from Jord's perspective and gives some background to how Laurent won the loyalty of the Prince's Guard. It also shows the beginnings of Jord and Aimeric's romance, making this incredibly heartbreaking to read when you know how it ends.
The Summer Palace: The epilogue of the series about Damen and Laurent visiting the titular summer palace just to hang out. Super sweet and tender, just pure fluff about them being happy and sappy together.
The Adventures of Charls the Veretian Cloth Merchant: Told from Charls POV, this shows the third time he has a run in with his prince and aids Laurent in his schemes. Absolutely hilarious to see, both due to the humor of Charls caring mostly about cloth, him not knowing who Damen/Lamen is, and from seeing Laurent and Damen from an outsider's POV.
Pet: This tells Ancel's story, and his rise into Pet-hood. He is a fascinating and complex character, and this makes me wish we had gotten to see more of him in the original series.
Prince's Gambit by C.S. Pacat
5.0
Absolute masterclass in enemies-to-lovers, how to slowly establish trust and liking and turn hate to love. Of course, book 1 sets the groundword for it, but I'd argue that Prince's Gambit is doing most of the relationship advancement and heavy work by turning a lack of active dislike into admiration, trust, liking and eventually, care, and more.
That said, the audiobooks... not the best way to read it. Not only did I not like how the narrator choses to emphasize (or not emphasize) some scenes and words. That I can get used to, and I know the books so well I don't mind it that much. But what was worse is that the audiobook quality felt so bad?? I don't always wear headphones when listening but put audiobooks on speaker, and this felt so full of noise and was strangely muffled at parts that it was really grating to listen to.
That said, the audiobooks... not the best way to read it. Not only did I not like how the narrator choses to emphasize (or not emphasize) some scenes and words. That I can get used to, and I know the books so well I don't mind it that much. But what was worse is that the audiobook quality felt so bad?? I don't always wear headphones when listening but put audiobooks on speaker, and this felt so full of noise and was strangely muffled at parts that it was really grating to listen to.
Overgrowth by Mira Grant
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
This was a highly anticipated read for me. I love many of the author's books, I adore aliens, and I love horror, and especially plant-based body horror is super fascinating for me.
Unfortnately, the book ended up not really working for me.
I think my main issue with the book was the pace, combined with the narration. It was just too slow for me. While I enjoyed reading about what was happening, and Stasia is a great protagonist on paper, something about this book reaaaally dragged. I couldn't read more than a chapter or two at a time, and it felt like I was reading forever when I just progressed a few %. I was never excited to pick the book up again, and I even took a month long break from reading in the middle, which I usually never do, and I almost always DNF books I pause. It did not get that far with this one, because, again, I did enjoy the plot itself?
But something was just not working. I think a big part of that was the narration, though I'm not sure I can put in words what about it. Something I noticed before with this author's works is that her style seems to work better for me in audiobook format. In this one in particular I noticed myself skimming or skipping entire paragraphs a lot, which is not something I usually do. But I kept drifting off. In audio, that is not something that happens to me, as listening to the narrator keeps me focussed in a way that reading this myself doesn't.
But unfortunately I did not read this in audio, so I struggled with focussing on a lot of this.
While that was my main issue, I also wasn't entirely satisfied with the plot. It's cool, don't get me wrong, and I mainly had a good time with it. But the way things wrapped up, the whys and hows, the big reveals and revelations... they did not entirely make sense to me. Maybe that is because of my inability to focus on the writing, I may have very well missed the details, but I would not be able to summarize the exact reasonings behind and mechanisms of the invasion.
I did enjoy the ending - it was very unexpected, and I honestly admire the author for going with that rather than anything else. It felt very satisfying, actually. That said, several details did not make sense to me (which may be up to me) and what bothered me more was that it felt like it ended a bit too soon. I can see why it ended when it did - it fit very well. However, a huge part of the book was the reaction of Stasia's friends and boyfriend to what was happening. This was taken away from the ending, which felt like an oversight (though it also could have been done deliberately to keep it slightly open to how things will go, given that this has strong horror elements).
Speaking of horror - the book blends genres a bit. I would not call this a 100% horror book. It is horrifying in many aspects, but does not go into as much detail in the body horror and invasion stuff as it could have. There's plenty of SciFi with the aliens and all, though for me, it was still a very human and humanity focussed story, rather than about science. Even though it's told from the perspective of an alien.
I think, ultimately, that may also have contributed to my struggling with the book. It explores humanity from the perspective of someone who is very much not human, but way raised by, lives among, and loves humans and humanity. I think a bit less introspection would have worked better for me personally. I'm not sure, because everything about that sounds awesome to me, and I'm heartbroken I didn't get as into it as I wanted to.
Overall, this is a good book about an alien invasion, told from the perspective of one of the aliens who loves humans. I loved this in concept.but did not work for me as much as I wanted it to.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Unfortnately, the book ended up not really working for me.
I think my main issue with the book was the pace, combined with the narration. It was just too slow for me. While I enjoyed reading about what was happening, and Stasia is a great protagonist on paper, something about this book reaaaally dragged. I couldn't read more than a chapter or two at a time, and it felt like I was reading forever when I just progressed a few %. I was never excited to pick the book up again, and I even took a month long break from reading in the middle, which I usually never do, and I almost always DNF books I pause. It did not get that far with this one, because, again, I did enjoy the plot itself?
But something was just not working. I think a big part of that was the narration, though I'm not sure I can put in words what about it. Something I noticed before with this author's works is that her style seems to work better for me in audiobook format. In this one in particular I noticed myself skimming or skipping entire paragraphs a lot, which is not something I usually do. But I kept drifting off. In audio, that is not something that happens to me, as listening to the narrator keeps me focussed in a way that reading this myself doesn't.
But unfortunately I did not read this in audio, so I struggled with focussing on a lot of this.
While that was my main issue, I also wasn't entirely satisfied with the plot. It's cool, don't get me wrong, and I mainly had a good time with it. But the way things wrapped up, the whys and hows, the big reveals and revelations... they did not entirely make sense to me. Maybe that is because of my inability to focus on the writing, I may have very well missed the details, but I would not be able to summarize the exact reasonings behind and mechanisms of the invasion.
I did enjoy the ending - it was very unexpected, and I honestly admire the author for going with that rather than anything else. It felt very satisfying, actually. That said, several details did not make sense to me (which may be up to me) and what bothered me more was that it felt like it ended a bit too soon. I can see why it ended when it did - it fit very well. However, a huge part of the book was the reaction of Stasia's friends and boyfriend to what was happening. This was taken away from the ending, which felt like an oversight (though it also could have been done deliberately to keep it slightly open to how things will go, given that this has strong horror elements).
Speaking of horror - the book blends genres a bit. I would not call this a 100% horror book. It is horrifying in many aspects, but does not go into as much detail in the body horror and invasion stuff as it could have. There's plenty of SciFi with the aliens and all, though for me, it was still a very human and humanity focussed story, rather than about science. Even though it's told from the perspective of an alien.
I think, ultimately, that may also have contributed to my struggling with the book. It explores humanity from the perspective of someone who is very much not human, but way raised by, lives among, and loves humans and humanity. I think a bit less introspection would have worked better for me personally. I'm not sure, because everything about that sounds awesome to me, and I'm heartbroken I didn't get as into it as I wanted to.
Overall, this is a good book about an alien invasion, told from the perspective of one of the aliens who loves humans. I loved this in concept.but did not work for me as much as I wanted it to.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat
5.0
I have no clue what to do with myself after finishing this. Book 3 hasn't even been announced yet. I am in shambles.
I said it before and I said it again - on paper, not much about this series appeals to me. But I trust C.S. Pacat's writing, and my god, it gets me so hard every time.
After the reveal at the end of Dark Rise, reading about Will and from his perspective is absolutely fascinating. He is incredibly manipulative, but like, in a good way? Or at least he tells himself he is doing it for good. And for good reasons.
The cast of characters grows and shrinks, and I truly enjoy reading from all their perspectives, even Elisabeth, who is just a child. But what makes the series so stunning and fascinating and utterly enthralling is how entangled all these characters are, both from their pasts and in the present. It is so much fun to follow their complications relations and fluctuating alliances and groups, and I absolutely loved that.
The plot felt a bit meandering at times, but it fit the pace very well and was always captivating. There were more glimpses in the pasts, including flashback/memory scenes that paint a very different picture than the one we are given by the stories that have made if from past to present.
Another intriguing part of the book is the sheer amount of characters that have... a certain tension, I hesitate to call it chemistry, between them. Part of that is the age of the cast, as this is a YA novel, and I fear I am reading into things, but it also makes it a lot of fun to try and figure out which hints of a romantic subplot may develop into something more.
Not that there really is a romance - there are hints of one, for obvious reasons, but even that is very much not romantic, and explored only minimally. It may be done in a slow-burn way, though I didn't really read it that way.
That said, the events of the ending are utterly shattering, both for plot reasons as well as for the few hints of romance.
There were a few details that didn't quite make sense to me, specifically centered around characters and their loyalties, and some of the character dynamics. But it didn't bother me overmuch, and may be explained later.
I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel, and I am already looking forward to rereading this.
I said it before and I said it again - on paper, not much about this series appeals to me. But I trust C.S. Pacat's writing, and my god, it gets me so hard every time.
After the reveal at the end of Dark Rise, reading about Will and from his perspective is absolutely fascinating. He is incredibly manipulative, but like, in a good way? Or at least he tells himself he is doing it for good. And for good reasons.
The cast of characters grows and shrinks, and I truly enjoy reading from all their perspectives, even Elisabeth, who is just a child. But what makes the series so stunning and fascinating and utterly enthralling is how entangled all these characters are, both from their pasts and in the present. It is so much fun to follow their complications relations and fluctuating alliances and groups, and I absolutely loved that.
The plot felt a bit meandering at times, but it fit the pace very well and was always captivating. There were more glimpses in the pasts, including flashback/memory scenes that paint a very different picture than the one we are given by the stories that have made if from past to present.
Another intriguing part of the book is the sheer amount of characters that have... a certain tension, I hesitate to call it chemistry, between them. Part of that is the age of the cast, as this is a YA novel, and I fear I am reading into things, but it also makes it a lot of fun to try and figure out which hints of a romantic subplot may develop into something more.
Not that there really is a romance - there are hints of one, for obvious reasons, but even that is very much not romantic, and explored only minimally. It may be done in a slow-burn way, though I didn't really read it that way.
That said, the events of the ending are utterly shattering, both for plot reasons as well as for the few hints of romance.
There were a few details that didn't quite make sense to me, specifically centered around characters and their loyalties, and some of the character dynamics. But it didn't bother me overmuch, and may be explained later.
I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel, and I am already looking forward to rereading this.
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
5.0
It took me a bit to warm up to the narrator, and while I still don't think the narration does the book justice, I really wanted to read this in audio.
I love how this series sets up an enemies-to-lovers arc. You can see only the enemies in this first book of the series, and my god, they have plenty reasons to hate each other.
I also found that all the horrible stuff that happened hit me much harder this time around. Ouch.
I love how this series sets up an enemies-to-lovers arc. You can see only the enemies in this first book of the series, and my god, they have plenty reasons to hate each other.
I also found that all the horrible stuff that happened hit me much harder this time around. Ouch.
Shameless Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
4.0
Something about this felt different than the other books in the series/by the authors.
It wasn't hate-to-love, exactly, but it felt like the truly first book where for a long time the characters genuinely didn't like each other, even beyond the point where they have sex.
Oskar is acerbic and pushes everyone away, and Lane is stubborn and determined to save Oskar from himself - they meshed well, but also clashed heavily. It made their eventual falling for each other all the sweeter, though there wasn't all that much sweetness between them even in their loving moments.
The added tension of their workplace romance with potential ethical issues was handled rather well, or I guess it was never an issue between the two of them, more of an outside conflict that threatened the relationship. There was no direct power imbalance between them (other than a bit of consensual sexual one).
I appreciate the change of pace in the series, so far each book has been very unique and distinct from each other.
Content warnings include: public sex, exhibitionism, sex on-page, workplace relationship with potential ethical issues; Mentions of homophobia, teen getting kicked out for being gay.
It wasn't hate-to-love, exactly, but it felt like the truly first book where for a long time the characters genuinely didn't like each other, even beyond the point where they have sex.
Oskar is acerbic and pushes everyone away, and Lane is stubborn and determined to save Oskar from himself - they meshed well, but also clashed heavily. It made their eventual falling for each other all the sweeter, though there wasn't all that much sweetness between them even in their loving moments.
The added tension of their workplace romance with potential ethical issues was handled rather well, or I guess it was never an issue between the two of them, more of an outside conflict that threatened the relationship. There was no direct power imbalance between them (other than a bit of consensual sexual one).
I appreciate the change of pace in the series, so far each book has been very unique and distinct from each other.
Content warnings include: public sex, exhibitionism, sex on-page, workplace relationship with potential ethical issues; Mentions of homophobia, teen getting kicked out for being gay.
Possessive Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
3.0
The 8th installment of the Puckboys series made me a bit wary of it by featuring a bit of (former) bully-victim trope. However, seeing both Conner and Parker already introduced in Forbidden Puckboy made me quite excited for this one, as I really enjoyed Connor's arc in it.
I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot. The book has overlap with Forbidden Puckboy , and Connor starts out in a bit of a crisis after realizing that his little brother is feeling smothered by his overbearing protectiveness. And it has him questioning all other aspects of his life as well.
The whole plotline with Parker buying Connor's team to "make his life living hell" as revenge for getting bullied in high school is immediately revealed as a setup - Parker has no revenge plans, and his grudge is overshadowed by grief for his father, who is the real reason why he bought the hockey team.
There still is plenty of resentment between the two for a good chunk of the beginning of the book. But it was mostly understandable. I liked reading about how these two got closer.
However, even as I was enjoying myself, there were some cracks in there that didn't sit quite right with me - Connor doesn't seem to grasp the horrors of bullying that Parker went through (even if not at his hand), and while he eventually gives an genuine apology, there are repeated comments or stray thoughts that show he does not really understand that trauma. Even in the epilogue there's a comment, which felt really out of place.
I enjoyed Connor a lot in Forbidden Puckboy as the levelheaded, a bit too serious older brother. So I was a bit dissappointed when his characterization in Possessive Puckboy veered much more into sulky and meatheaded, with a bit of density for what mostly felt like comedic relief in situations that didn't really need it. At the same time he was also ready to be vulnerable and unselfconscious, which I appreciated and liked a lot. All that, however, didn't quite fit together with the possessive streak that gives the book its title.
Which is exactly the problem I had with the book - it did not feel like it was entirely cohesive. I enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half did not seem to fit with it at all. The direction both Parker's and Connor's stories take together was almost completely removed from where they start at the beginning, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but Connor's in particular hit me completely out of left field. It is set up, in a way, but still felt underdeveloped and made me feel a bit concerned.
I did not have an issue with Connor deciding to quit hockey, but the timeline from the first inkling to definitely quitting felt way too fast, and that's not really addressed at all. And it's not like he has a plan B?? I guess he has a ton of money and doesn't need to worry about getting a new job, but it still bothered me.
The book of course has a happy ending, and I am glad for the characters, but for me it didn't feel really satisfying because I couldn't quite get on board with how fast and definite the big decisions the characters make felt. Maybe that's me-issue.
I also felt like there was a big stretch towards the latter half of the book that was really focussed on the romance, that would have done better with some outside influence to the characters. I would have enjoyed more cameos of the familiar characters, and more focus on the pet that Parker gets eventually, that felt a bit like an afterthought.
There is setup for the next book, which I'm looking forward to, even though it's not what I expected. I was really surprised to see very little of Lachie, the youngest Kikishkin brother, who I expected to be the main character in the next Puckboys book. Instead we get two new characters, one of which gets an introduction quite late in this book.
Overall a fine hockey romance, but far from my favourite in this series due to how the main character doesn't seem to genuinely understand what bullying does to its victims, the lack of cohesion in the plot, and some personal issues with how the story progressed.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot. The book has overlap with Forbidden Puckboy , and Connor starts out in a bit of a crisis after realizing that his little brother is feeling smothered by his overbearing protectiveness. And it has him questioning all other aspects of his life as well.
The whole plotline with Parker buying Connor's team to "make his life living hell" as revenge for getting bullied in high school is immediately revealed as a setup - Parker has no revenge plans, and his grudge is overshadowed by grief for his father, who is the real reason why he bought the hockey team.
There still is plenty of resentment between the two for a good chunk of the beginning of the book. But it was mostly understandable. I liked reading about how these two got closer.
However, even as I was enjoying myself, there were some cracks in there that didn't sit quite right with me - Connor doesn't seem to grasp the horrors of bullying that Parker went through (even if not at his hand), and while he eventually gives an genuine apology, there are repeated comments or stray thoughts that show he does not really understand that trauma. Even in the epilogue there's a comment, which felt really out of place.
I enjoyed Connor a lot in Forbidden Puckboy as the levelheaded, a bit too serious older brother. So I was a bit dissappointed when his characterization in Possessive Puckboy veered much more into sulky and meatheaded, with a bit of density for what mostly felt like comedic relief in situations that didn't really need it. At the same time he was also ready to be vulnerable and unselfconscious, which I appreciated and liked a lot. All that, however, didn't quite fit together with the possessive streak that gives the book its title.
Which is exactly the problem I had with the book - it did not feel like it was entirely cohesive. I enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half did not seem to fit with it at all. The direction both Parker's and Connor's stories take together was almost completely removed from where they start at the beginning, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but Connor's in particular hit me completely out of left field. It is set up, in a way, but still felt underdeveloped and made me feel a bit concerned.
The book of course has a happy ending, and I am glad for the characters, but for me it didn't feel really satisfying because I couldn't quite get on board with how fast and definite the big decisions the characters make felt. Maybe that's me-issue.
I also felt like there was a big stretch towards the latter half of the book that was really focussed on the romance, that would have done better with some outside influence to the characters. I would have enjoyed more cameos of the familiar characters, and more focus on the pet that Parker gets eventually, that felt a bit like an afterthought.
There is setup for the next book, which I'm looking forward to, even though it's not what I expected. I was really surprised to see very little of Lachie, the youngest Kikishkin brother, who I expected to be the main character in the next Puckboys book. Instead we get two new characters, one of which gets an introduction quite late in this book.
Overall a fine hockey romance, but far from my favourite in this series due to how the main character doesn't seem to genuinely understand what bullying does to its victims, the lack of cohesion in the plot, and some personal issues with how the story progressed.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent