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iam's reviews
1673 reviews
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The only reason I read this is because my partner felt like reading this to me - and because he censored a lot of the violence and assaults for me. (Plus he did all the voices differently so that was a great experience.)
The age of most of the characters is so distracting to me - these are all children??? At least half of them could have been aged up no problem and it wouldn't have changed anything, and of the other half I still can't justify their age except for one or two. I know GRRM has since admitted the ages did not work out the way he intended, but combined with how the writes about the female characters' bodies... ew.
Like dude why is this character describing her sister by her breasts?? Why are you describing a tween girl by her breasts??
"Blabla it's fantasy" yeah exactly and he chose to make his fantasy setting this way?? That is my issue??
Not saying the characters are not complex or well written - they are written just fine. But, again, not a fan of how most of these are children, and I honestly quickly grew tired of several aspects of the writing style. I do love attention to details, and cool clothes, but I honestly could not have cared less about most of the characters clothings, or food, or breasts.
Also the naming conventions??? I'm sure there are analysis videos out there about how it all makes sense but why is there Kevin, John, Robert, on one hand and then Cersei, Arya, Daenerys, etc??
Plus you can't tell me that every single one of the 29342390482 named side characters that appeared on one (1) page end up being important. And if they are, they should be more memorable (flaming sword monk dude was great for example) and/or not all have such similar names.
Maybe it will be more interesting to me once it starts deviating from the show, but I can also acknowledge that this is just not the kind of epic fantasy I enjoy the most.
The age of most of the characters is so distracting to me - these are all children??? At least half of them could have been aged up no problem and it wouldn't have changed anything, and of the other half I still can't justify their age except for one or two. I know GRRM has since admitted the ages did not work out the way he intended, but combined with how the writes about the female characters' bodies... ew.
Like dude why is this character describing her sister by her breasts?? Why are you describing a tween girl by her breasts??
"Blabla it's fantasy" yeah exactly and he chose to make his fantasy setting this way?? That is my issue??
Not saying the characters are not complex or well written - they are written just fine. But, again, not a fan of how most of these are children, and I honestly quickly grew tired of several aspects of the writing style. I do love attention to details, and cool clothes, but I honestly could not have cared less about most of the characters clothings, or food, or breasts.
Also the naming conventions??? I'm sure there are analysis videos out there about how it all makes sense but why is there Kevin, John, Robert, on one hand and then Cersei, Arya, Daenerys, etc??
Plus you can't tell me that every single one of the 29342390482 named side characters that appeared on one (1) page end up being important. And if they are, they should be more memorable (flaming sword monk dude was great for example) and/or not all have such similar names.
Maybe it will be more interesting to me once it starts deviating from the show, but I can also acknowledge that this is just not the kind of epic fantasy I enjoy the most.
A Burning Desire by Hailey Turner
4.0
Love this short story describing Sean and Alexei's first date! Though their dates seem to go south quite often, mostly due to Alexei's temper... still adore those two.
A Royal Escape by Hailey Turner
3.5
Cute and slightly steamy short story/epilogue to Liam and Oliver after In The Solace. Adds very little other than another dig at Rupert, but still nice
In the Solace by Hailey Turner
adventurous
fast-paced
3.0
While I appreciate getting to return to the Metahuman series, and getting some attention on Liam, it was just glaringly obvious that this one was just not as well plotted in any aspect as the rest of the series.
I loved that we got to see Kyle and Jamie's wedding, but their POV chapters felt perfunctory at best, and only there to justify writing their wedding from their POV.
The romance between Oliver and Liam COULD have been nice - I liked their banter in Fire in the Heart, and I liked that they had a history. However, ultimately their relaionship was purely based on Liam feeling guilty over what he did to Oliver in the past, while Oliver wanted nothing to do with him save for physical attraction. Which... not a good basis for a relationship. There was also no development beyond fucking once and then suddenly they are head over heels.
Plus, to be honest, the way Liam pursued Oliver way beyond Oliver repeatedly saying he wanted nothing to do with Liam left a bad taste in my mouth.
The plot, on the surface, is them chasing after Bennet who escaped at the end of In the Requiem, but to be honest even that felt half baked - there are other new villains at play, and Bennet barely appears.
Still a super fun and entertaining read, and I feel bittersweet having finished it given that this is the last in the series.
I loved that we got to see Kyle and Jamie's wedding, but their POV chapters felt perfunctory at best, and only there to justify writing their wedding from their POV.
The romance between Oliver and Liam COULD have been nice - I liked their banter in Fire in the Heart, and I liked that they had a history. However, ultimately their relaionship was purely based on Liam feeling guilty over what he did to Oliver in the past, while Oliver wanted nothing to do with him save for physical attraction. Which... not a good basis for a relationship. There was also no development beyond fucking once and then suddenly they are head over heels.
Plus, to be honest, the way Liam pursued Oliver way beyond Oliver repeatedly saying he wanted nothing to do with Liam left a bad taste in my mouth.
The plot, on the surface, is them chasing after Bennet who escaped at the end of In the Requiem, but to be honest even that felt half baked - there are other new villains at play, and Bennet barely appears.
Still a super fun and entertaining read, and I feel bittersweet having finished it given that this is the last in the series.
Fire in the Heart by Hailey Turner
fast-paced
4.0
Absolutely adore Sean and Alexei so I loved that they get a novella dedicated to their wedding and honeymoon - even if the latter gets a bit sidetracked.
The action is sort of minor, but I enjoyed the glimpses of Liam and a new character which sets up groundwork and teases at the last book in the series.
I also kinda really enjoyed seeing a mission failing?! And the book just ending with that? It was just nice to see that these usually overpowered characters can fail too (without too bad setbacks, of course.)
The action is sort of minor, but I enjoyed the glimpses of Liam and a new character which sets up groundwork and teases at the last book in the series.
I also kinda really enjoyed seeing a mission failing?! And the book just ending with that? It was just nice to see that these usually overpowered characters can fail too (without too bad setbacks, of course.)
New Horizons by Hailey Turner
adventurous
fast-paced
3.5
While I enjoy Trevor getting a novella for himself, and Brendan as the first non-metahuman POV characters, the continued abuse of power that goes entirely unreflected and uncriticized really grates in this one.
I did not mind the fast romance, it's a novella after all, and I enjoyed the bedroom telekinetics.
I did not mind the fast romance, it's a novella after all, and I enjoyed the bedroom telekinetics.
In the Requiem by Hailey Turner
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I do enjoy this as finale for the series, and I continue to be impressed by the author's ability to keep the tension consistently high. However, it doesn't really add anything new to the table, even when the stakes keep getting raised.
The ending was a bit overly convenient, but certainly did not lack emotion.
The ending was a bit overly convenient, but certainly did not lack emotion.
In the Blood by Hailey Turner
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Super high stakes, as usual.
Less undercover missions, and more focus on Jamie's torn loyalties between with family and his job, which also puts strain on his relationships with Kyle (though there is no drama).
Alexei and Sean meanwhile... ouch. They face their own (professional) issues. I like how the aftermath isn't glossed over, though I wish there was more of a focus on the therapy and trauma recovery, though I guess most of that is meant to be covered by Out of the Ashes.
Less undercover missions, and more focus on Jamie's torn loyalties between with family and his job, which also puts strain on his relationships with Kyle (though there is no drama).
Alexei and Sean meanwhile... ouch. They face their own (professional) issues. I like how the aftermath isn't glossed over, though I wish there was more of a focus on the therapy and trauma recovery, though I guess most of that is meant to be covered by Out of the Ashes.
Out of the Ashes by Hailey Turner
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I do appreciate that recovery and trauma is the focus of this book, and not brushed over. That said... it's not really handled in the depth it deserves, considering the horrific things Sean and Alexei went through. 3 months seems like way too little time between the trauma and going back in the field.
That said, this is still a super fun novella that covers a fun and exciting mission, their realtionship dynamic shifting, and some hurt & comfort in the context of trauma recovery following the aftermath of In the Blood.
That said, this is still a super fun novella that covers a fun and exciting mission, their realtionship dynamic shifting, and some hurt & comfort in the context of trauma recovery following the aftermath of In the Blood.
In the Shadows by Hailey Turner
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
Alexei and Sean's book, and as such I love it because they are my favourite characters. The missions/plot had plenty of undercover spy work as well as lots of heavy action, and it was all executed well.
The flaws about lack of criticism against the military etc still remains, but I still adore the series and the characters.
The flaws about lack of criticism against the military etc still remains, but I still adore the series and the characters.