izzyjunghans's reviews
180 reviews

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I am about to bawl my eyes out omg. ITS SO SAD. I thought the ending to be bittersweet, but not my preferred one. I don’t know I was expecting something different, yet it seems to be the only one that fits. I actually liked Mal in this book a lot and I LOVED Zoya and generally the banter of the characters. 

I wasn’t planning on giving this five stars and I might still change my mind, because WHY IS THE DARKLING DEAD ;( I know he was the villain but I loved him so much and it’s so gut-wrenching (his mothers death too). Like he was just a boy alone (but yes he did do horrible things). I kind of hate the ending, with Alina losing her power. I don’t think she’s weak now, but it’s still sad to know that part of her is gone. I don’t know what ending I was wishing for, her to somehow get with the darkling?

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book way more than the first! Probably, because Alina was more sure of herself, more badass, basically she stood up for herself. The writing style seemed more advanced, or possibly the situations more severe? This book actually felt as though it had less proper plot, because it was all just basically the same setting for like 200 pages, but I liked it nonetheless. Beginning was intriguing as well.

I liked Mal way more here, but he was such an idiot. I looooved Nikolai (sorry I have no idea how his name is written) and I hope he’s not dead, I doubt it tho. Not going to lie I still think the darkling is so hot, like omg I understand how Alina can barely resist him. Also personal opinion: I HATE WHEN THE MC POWERS DISSAPEAR. like tf? It means half of the next book will be her trying to get it back. Real waste of pages.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.0

I feel like this book was slightly underwhelming, possibly because I went in with such high expectations. It kind of felt like I was reading a wattpad book (I love them, but they’re so simple) and I just kept comparing it to literary masterpieces like the poppy wars or the red rising series, where everything is so intricate, complex (and gruesome I suppose). I don’t know if this was wanted, but it was nearly impossible to feel any connection to the love interests and even though it had the length of a normal novel it passed by so quickly that everything seemed to be rushed (even if I guess it was not). Was this initially supposed to be a standalone? I doubt it, but while reading it, it felt like it. So much plot potential stuffed into 328 pages. I guess I have to continue reading to actually see where this goes. I really liked the royal setting and Alina’s progress, but (…)

I did not like how long it took for them to find the stag, like yes draw it out but not for that long and Alina’s actions were so annoying at some points. They were understandable, yet often times so infuriating. Also tbh even after the “betrayal” of the darkling I still thought he was super hot, I would not mind them having a second chance (maybe because he’s the villain ;))

Morning Star by Pierce Brown

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

what the? This book had so many twists and turns (emotion wise) I was going insane. The ending is overshadowing my thoughts of the rest of the novel at the moment, but it was a lot of fighting in space. I loved how the relationships were built and then broken Vice Versa. I loved every interaction in this book.

roque 💔 I saw it coming, but it still hurts, especially after the scene of Darrow and Cassius watching the old videos. Like I feel bad for all of them. Before Cassius was revealed as a „savior“ I was going to say that I pity him and wish for him to turn sides, that he most likely will. HE DID!! For all I know. I feel like he could totally betray again. Also off topic, but I always thought sevro to resemble this quote: „always the bridesmaid never the bride“, but I’m soooo happy for him and victra, they fit so well. Also uncle narol 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔. At the very last scene with the jackal I actually felt sad for him, like he has done horrible things, yet I get it.

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

Omg this book was so tragic (and amazing). The loss in this book is almost as bad as the poppy wars trilogy. Like wtf. Someone who wants to stay sane will not pick up this book. I don’t even know why I’m continuing to read this series, it’s so heartbreaking. I’m literally crying. 

Literally the ending took me out, specifically Fitchners dead head. Like yes I disliked him until I found out he was ares and I loved him sm. And roque being a traitor was obvious but I was denying it will happen until it did! ROQUE! How could you? Also the jackal makes my blood boil. Although I hated the archgovernor and wanted him dead, I wanted Darrow to kill him. Lorn also hurt so bad. Everything hurt in this book. I still miss Pax. If Sevro (?) ever dies I will die. And Victra (was that her name? I’m bad with names) she was such an angel she was one of my favs :(

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I was super excited to read this, but then I started it and it just… dragged for a while? That might be, because I read it in many several sittings and was inconsistent so I couldn’t really get into the plot. Otherwise I loved the characters, the setting, the description and THOMAS! The ending was definitely unexpected (I was thinking it was going to be super obvious). Audrey Rose was amazing and so empowering!

wtf nathanial??? 😭 genuinely that was a real shock and utterly disgusting. 

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad 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

Oh em geeee! Initially it was not my thing at all and just dragging, but once (…) started happening I was so hooked! I usually prefer female authors, because women usually get portrayed so weak in books written by men, (prime example the many women of this book: constant victims of rape and death some totally slayed tho so it’s ok. 

I am crying, sobbing for pax it’s so unfair I hate it. I love Darrow and his followers, so good. 

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Omg WTF? This book is so mf good I cannot fathom it. I loved kai and pae’s dynamic and how it’s soooo slow burn. The teensy tiny love triangle was a little irritating, but it wasn’t that present. The idea of the book, and the complexity of the trials was just amazing. I can’t wait for book too, but…

what the actual hell was that ending, I’m literally reeling from what happened. From the beginning on I hated the idea of pae joining the resistance, yes it was what she was fighting for aswell, but so dumb and it was so obvious what was going to occur later on. Also HELLO? Kai killing her father? Such karma and justice that pae killed the king (as she should). I’m also mad that we don’t get to read how they find out why she did what she did, her reasoning. ALSO ADENA DYING BROKE MY HEART WTFFFFF.

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I just don’t understand why I would pick up this book without checking who the author is uughh, I despise love triangles and this one is no better than the inheritance games. It’s a personal opinion, but there was no build up for the romance, it was just immediate - „insta love“ and I didn’t really understand what she saw in them as well as how fast time passed in the novel. I wasn’t sure if it was hours, days or weeks. Nevertheless it wasn’t all bad, I liked the plot twist, the general idea of the naturals and the setting. It’s a super quick read and it flows nicely.

I am slightly mad that I would have to read the rest of the books to find out who actually killed Cassie’s mom, but Locke being the murderer was 🤯. Also dean is hot and mysterious but micheal is cute and funny. Cant decide. Thsi is why I hate love triangles…

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad 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

I literally cannot I’m words describe how good this books is. Like it’s THAT good. Everything about it (dragons, the love interest, the main character, the setting, the descriptions, the fights, the tension, how everything happens for a reason) is amazing. I cannot wait to read the second and the ending was shocking but I got it spoiled so yeah. 

Liam dying literally KILLED me cause wtf and also xaden and violet ending on bad terms is sad, there’s so much sadness in this book.