izzie_27's reviews
422 reviews

The Bonus by TL Swan

emotional lighthearted 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

This was a hard one to review. I enjoyed the story, my first T L Swan. The pining from both Gabriel and Grace was beautiful and I loved that this story spanned many years of their life. I wish we saw more fiesty Gracie from their PA days, we start the book with her in a massive simp depressive slump. If I'd seen more of their back and forth which is clear in

the additional chapter at the end from Gabriel's perspective then I think I would've believed their chemistry early on a bit more

. The side characters including

the children

and Debbie and Mark (hmm can't wait for that story) were well great additions that really elevated the story. 

However at points I didn't care about the characters and the back and forth between like/list/hate/distrust constantly while adding tension did get a bit tiring over time. However that's fiction and the contemporary romance setting needed something to build that tension. The reveal near the end

that Gabriel's father had cheated with his PA and the twisted relationship he had with his mother as a result probably would've been better earlier on because for ages I kept wondering what Gracie saw in Gabriel however at the same time the layers we had of Gabriel being built and revealed over time was great

.

So really I feel like the book was good, especially if you like contemporary romance, but for someone who probably doesn't always like contemporary romance, it was probably a "it's me, not you" situation.

Stars: 3.75/5
Spice: 2/3

The Last Conversation by Paul Tremblay

challenging dark mysterious relaxing 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

A great last story for me in the Forward Collection. Human decisions in sci fi scenarios will always be my vice.

You Have Arrived at Your Destination by Amor Towles

challenging dark reflective fast-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

Another wild ride, I will spend time wondering how I would've approached the same situation.

Emergency Skin by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This was a wild ride and I loved every minute. Similar vibes to Murder of Diaries.

Randomize by Andy Weir

informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

The Succubus's Prize by Katee Robert

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.0

A solid outing into the Demon universe. While I enjoyed the story I didn't connect as much to the characters as I had previously and found the insta-lust a bit much considering how much Belladonna supposedly had squashed her feelings due to shame and conditioning from her upbringing. 
Spice: 3/3 (shapeshifting succubi with polyamorous culture opened up a huge realm of possibilities here).

Ark by Veronica Roth

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

An interesting concept but I struggled to connect with the characters.

Summer Frost by Blake Crouch

challenging dark reflective tense fast-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

5.0

Barbarian's Treat by Ruby Dixon

lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

I love coming back to Not Hoth and seeing the little ones grow up is a treat in itself.

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional 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

4.0

The ending to the Throne of Glass series was a good book but didn't hit all the marks. 
Pros
Many POVs really built the suspense and action 

I did appreciate that Aelin for once stopped being all powerful. I hated that with every book she got more and more ultra powerful

ACOTAR Easter Egg was cute!
Yrene is everything 

I ate up every couple who were angry at each other but after living through war fell into each other's arms

Cons
As is a common complaint with a Maas book, there are many near end twists which seem to miraculously save our heroes.

Aelin bringing out yet another secret army after secret army was just one step too far

Additionally, I didn't feel like the stakes were adequately balanced. The only key losses were

Gavriel and The Thirteen

. These were devastating however I felt like they were tokenistic sub characters to lose.