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jaedee09's reviews
148 reviews
Blood Sanctuary Part Two by Vela Roth
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I think this whole series will sit right around a 4-star rating. It's very good, and I'm loving the world building and getting to know more and more characters (esp the Hesperines). Sometimes Cassia annoys me, but I can't tell if it's her or just some of the dialogue. The tension and stakes definitely went up a notch in this one! And I so love Lio.
Blood Sanctuary Part One by Vela Roth
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.0
I continue to settle more and more into this magical world. Vela Roth spins such intricate detail into the story and characters. I don't usually enjoy series that go on for more than three or four books, but there is so much to the world of Orthros/Tenebra/Cordium that it doesn't feel like the story is dragging on. Though I do wish Lio would tell Cassia she's his Grace already...
Blood Solace by Vela Roth
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
4.0
A lovely broadening of the world of Blood Grace. I so loved getting to meet and know more of the Hesperine characters! Felt like not much plot-wise happened, but the stage has definitely been set.
Blood Mercy by Vela Roth
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
A good intro book to set up the world and players for this series. I saw the MMC described having “golden retriever energy,” and I think that’s very accurate!
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
#TravellinGGbookclub book
Finally got around to reading this one! It was much more reflective and less "murder mystery" than I was expecting, which I suppose is silly because you know who did it all from the start. Having the narrator/FMC be in Heaven looking down was an interesting way of writing in first person omniscient. It was slow to start, but then I became very interested in all the characters and how their stories would play out. I almost wish I had read this before I had children, but having the perspective of a mother adds a different element to reading this story. Thought the ending was still heart warming, even though it didn't have that sense of justice.
Finally got around to reading this one! It was much more reflective and less "murder mystery" than I was expecting, which I suppose is silly because you know who did it all from the start. Having the narrator/FMC be in Heaven looking down was an interesting way of writing in first person omniscient. It was slow to start, but then I became very interested in all the characters and how their stories would play out. I almost wish I had read this before I had children, but having the perspective of a mother adds a different element to reading this story. Thought the ending was still heart warming, even though it didn't have that sense of justice.
Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I couldn’t put this story down, but I also couldn’t quite give it 4 stars. I wish the plot had fleshed itself out a little more, and I also wish our FMC had more insight and wasn’t so oblivious. Felt like the ending was rushed, and though I appreciate a good cliffhanger, our questions were left with only half answers. I do love the way JLA writes romance and spice! It was *hot* and I appreciated the dynamic between the FMC and the side characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug abuse and Physical abuse
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Loved! Though sometimes I found Misery a bit *much* at the beginning, but maybe that was the audiobook narrator, I don’t know. Loved the story and twists and the knot
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
emotional
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
4.5
Couldn't put this one down! Enjoyed it much more than I expected. Up there with Francesca's story, though I appreciated the spice and pining in hers, and this one was much more "separated by circumstance" but both were in love with one another.
Personal Bridgerton Rankings:
1. When He Was Wicked (Francesca and Michael)
1. An Offer From a Gentleman (Benedict and Sophie)
3. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth and Gareth)
4. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory and Lucy)
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise and Phillip)
6. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Colin and Penelope)
7. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony and Kate)
8. The Duke & I (Daphne and Simon
Personal Bridgerton Rankings:
1. When He Was Wicked (Francesca and Michael)
1. An Offer From a Gentleman (Benedict and Sophie)
3. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth and Gareth)
4. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory and Lucy)
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise and Phillip)
6. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Colin and Penelope)
7. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony and Kate)
8. The Duke & I (Daphne and Simon
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
3.5
This one was also fine. Very different from the show, but had a lot of the same scenes and vibes.
Personal Bridgerton Rankings:
1. When He Was Wicked (Francesca and Michael)
2. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth and Gareth)
3. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory and Lucy)
4. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise and Phillip)
5. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Colin and Penelope)
6. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony and Kate)
7. The Duke & I (Daphne and Simon)
Personal Bridgerton Rankings:
1. When He Was Wicked (Francesca and Michael)
2. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth and Gareth)
3. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory and Lucy)
4. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise and Phillip)
5. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Colin and Penelope)
6. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony and Kate)
7. The Duke & I (Daphne and Simon)
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
emotional
tense
medium-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
2.5
If you've read the book or any reviews, you know why I had to rate this low. I enjoyed it all the way up to "that" scene and just couldn't get past it. I've watched the show (and am currently re-watching it), but was disappointed to find that the book version still existed. There were any number of ways to give Daphne and Simon a regency version of a "third act breakup," but I couldn't get past marital r*pe. Glad they worked through Simon's issues, but it didn't seem like Daphne had much character development outside of learning about sex. Loved all the side characters!
Personal Bridgerton Rankings:
1. When He Was Wicked (Francesca and Michael)
2. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth and Gareth)
3. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory and Lucy)
4. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise and Phillip)
5. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Colin and Penelope)
6. The Duke & I (Daphne and Simon)
Personal Bridgerton Rankings:
1. When He Was Wicked (Francesca and Michael)
2. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth and Gareth)
3. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory and Lucy)
4. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise and Phillip)
5. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Colin and Penelope)
6. The Duke & I (Daphne and Simon)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape