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jamies_shelves's reviews
518 reviews
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.
I read 222 pages when this first came out, and then put it aside for whatever reason. Partially because I think a different book I wanted to read even more was published, and partly because she is dense and I was just not feeling it. I just got back to it and started from the beginning, and I was hooked!
Yes, parts were still a bit dry and dense (especially given the premise of him telling his story, so that impacts the writing style and has things broken up) but I loved it.
I was genuinely so interested in each story line/timeline and was so eager to read about what would come next.
I really love Gabriel as a character and I think it's so fascinating to see him younger, with so much faith, and then older with all that faith gone. I'm so interested to see where his story goes next.
Dior is probably my favorite character! What a badass and spitfire! And I love that Dior is so selfless and self sacrificing. And funny.
And I love the relationship that Dior and Gabe have!!! It's so beautiful and pure! (It also really reminded me of Joel and Ellie from TLOU, among other things in this book.)
I also really loved Aaron, and I think had he been in it more, he'd also be my favorite character, but as it is, Dior squeaked by him. I'm so interested in his past and what happened with his first love. DEVASTATING. And the guilt he must feel! I love that we got to see the growth and him stand up for what he believes in! I hope we see more of him in book two, but I sadly doubt it.
I also really liked Astrid and Chloe. Astrid especially, and how she was so ballsy and confident.
The last 40 or so pages just blew me away and I can't wait to see what happens in book two given everything! And too see the tragedy of how Gabe gets to his present day. Even though I hope it's all a trick.
I read 222 pages when this first came out, and then put it aside for whatever reason. Partially because I think a different book I wanted to read even more was published, and partly because she is dense and I was just not feeling it. I just got back to it and started from the beginning, and I was hooked!
Yes, parts were still a bit dry and dense (especially given the premise of him telling his story, so that impacts the writing style and has things broken up) but I loved it.
I was genuinely so interested in each story line/timeline and was so eager to read about what would come next.
I really love Gabriel as a character and I think it's so fascinating to see him younger, with so much faith, and then older with all that faith gone. I'm so interested to see where his story goes next.
Dior is probably my favorite character! What a badass and spitfire! And I love that Dior is so selfless and self sacrificing. And funny.
And I love the relationship that Dior and Gabe have!!! It's so beautiful and pure! (It also really reminded me of Joel and Ellie from TLOU, among other things in this book.)
I also really loved Aaron, and I think had he been in it more, he'd also be my favorite character, but as it is, Dior squeaked by him. I'm so interested in his past and what happened with his first love. DEVASTATING. And the guilt he must feel! I love that we got to see the growth and him stand up for what he believes in! I hope we see more of him in book two, but I sadly doubt it.
I also really liked Astrid and Chloe. Astrid especially, and how she was so ballsy and confident.
The last 40 or so pages just blew me away and I can't wait to see what happens in book two given everything! And too see the tragedy of how Gabe gets to his present day. Even though I hope it's all a trick.
Presidential Chaos by Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I'm so sad this series is over!!!
I really loved getting to learn more about Zeke and Charles, and I loved them as a couple so much!
I kind of thought they might have already been hooking up in the last book, but I didn't think it would be the way it was.
I loved how their relationship developed and I thought they were just so sweet together. And dirty. Damn did Zeke have a mouth on him.
I love how much Chad/Bailey, Robbie/Brandon we got in this and I really liked how they reacted to everything.
I do think the plot was very predictable and I immediately knew who the person trying to get them kicked out was. But I was fine with that because I was reading for the romance. And it would've been ridiculous if it was some random thing that didn't make sense just for shock.
I really love how all of these characters stories ended, and I'm just so sad that it's over!
I really loved getting to learn more about Zeke and Charles, and I loved them as a couple so much!
I kind of thought they might have already been hooking up in the last book, but I didn't think it would be the way it was.
I loved how their relationship developed and I thought they were just so sweet together. And dirty. Damn did Zeke have a mouth on him.
I love how much Chad/Bailey, Robbie/Brandon we got in this and I really liked how they reacted to everything.
I do think the plot was very predictable and I immediately knew who the person trying to get them kicked out was. But I was fine with that because I was reading for the romance. And it would've been ridiculous if it was some random thing that didn't make sense just for shock.
I really love how all of these characters stories ended, and I'm just so sad that it's over!
Master of Mayhem by Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Do I love Robbie even more than Chad?!? IDK, but it's definitely at least equal. Apparently Saxon writes the best himbos and I will fall for them every damn time.
I love how confident Robbie was and how he was just so up for exploring and willing to put himself out there in everything.
The first chapter already had me DYING. Robbie asking Chad and Bailey to touch their dicks. I'm not exaggerating when I say I burst out laughing on the train, which has never happened to me. And while I didn't laugh that excessively again, I remained laughing and smiling the entire book.
I loved Brandon and Robbie's relationship so much and how it went from experimenting and brofriends, to love and boyfriends.
And the ending 10 Things I Hate About You moment?!? Epic.
And I love how much Chad and Bailey were in it and how they were still so damn cute! I can't wait to see Zeke and Charles' story now. Especially since it's so clear they all dislike Charles so much! I can't wait to see how it comes about, and how everyone reacts!!!
Also I loved the hint of Marshall and his roommate and now to learn he's Saxon's book in the Franklin U series!?!? I'M SO EXCITED!!!
I love how confident Robbie was and how he was just so up for exploring and willing to put himself out there in everything.
The first chapter already had me DYING. Robbie asking Chad and Bailey to touch their dicks. I'm not exaggerating when I say I burst out laughing on the train, which has never happened to me. And while I didn't laugh that excessively again, I remained laughing and smiling the entire book.
I loved Brandon and Robbie's relationship so much and how it went from experimenting and brofriends, to love and boyfriends.
And the ending 10 Things I Hate About You moment?!? Epic.
And I love how much Chad and Bailey were in it and how they were still so damn cute! I can't wait to see Zeke and Charles' story now. Especially since it's so clear they all dislike Charles so much! I can't wait to see how it comes about, and how everyone reacts!!!
Also I loved the hint of Marshall and his roommate and now to learn he's Saxon's book in the Franklin U series!?!? I'M SO EXCITED!!!
King of Thieves by Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was such a fun book! I was grinning the entire time!
Chad is THE himbo. Like, do I not hate that name anymore? He was so fucking cute!
Bailey was cute too! How do I find myself a billionaire like him?
Their relationship was cute and I really liked seeing them sneak around and discover that they were falling for each other.
I love that there was basically no drama and no third act breakup! THANK GOD.
I also loved the small CU Hockey shout out (say UVM didn't have this rivalry because they were rivals with CU instead).
I had a really fun time with this and I seriously loved it!
Chad is THE himbo. Like, do I not hate that name anymore? He was so fucking cute!
Bailey was cute too! How do I find myself a billionaire like him?
Their relationship was cute and I really liked seeing them sneak around and discover that they were falling for each other.
I love that there was basically no drama and no third act breakup! THANK GOD.
I also loved the small CU Hockey shout out (say UVM didn't have this rivalry because they were rivals with CU instead).
I had a really fun time with this and I seriously loved it!
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Was this book extremely predictable? Yes.
Was this book repetitive? Yeah, every scene between Evren and Adara felt like deja vu.
Did I still (mostly) enjoy it? Yeah.
Did I love the ending even though I saw it coming since the beginning of the book? Sure did.
I found Adara a bit annoying and dumb in her decisions. Found Evren okay but bland.
But the author was CRAZYYYY for saying"Is that what you were telling yourself when you were between my thighs? Were you searching for my loyalty?" While surrounded by soldiers and his MOTHER. Damn.
Was this book repetitive? Yeah, every scene between Evren and Adara felt like deja vu.
Did I still (mostly) enjoy it? Yeah.
Did I love the ending even though I saw it coming since the beginning of the book? Sure did.
I found Adara a bit annoying and dumb in her decisions. Found Evren okay but bland.
But the author was CRAZYYYY for saying
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
medium-paced
4.0
This is just going to be some very chaotic thoughts. There will be spoilers.
I really liked this book, but didn't love love it. There were parts I did, then others I was bored.
I was one of the few who hated the ending of HoSaB and I feel justified tbh. I think the entire first part with Bryce in Prythian was boring as fuck. I love Nesta so it was fun to see her and parts were funny, but so much just dragged on. And I feel like it would've actually been more fun for her to have gone to Hel and be training and amassing an army. I also feel like it has to kind of impact ACOTAR since Nesta now has the star sword which bothers me.
I really enjoyed the beginning plot of everyone else though! It was so sad seeing Ruhn, Hunt, and Baxian go through what they did. But not gonna lie, I BURST out laughing when The Hawk used Ruhn's severed hand to give him the middle finger behind Rigelus' back.
I was also very into Ithan, Flynn, Dec, Marc, and Lidia trying to save them.
I feel like a lot of the plots in this book just happened so quickly. Like Ithan saving his man by killing Sigrid, then trying to raise her and it failing, and becoming Prime. Just a lot.
I do love that Ithan is prime though and him seeing Connor??!?! I WAS BAWLING. Just wanting to make his brother proud and then Connor telling him he was proud. STAHP.
And speaking of Ithan.... Ithan and Tharion are IN LOVE and I just need them to bang already. Like they're so clearly obsessed with each other and meant to be. I need it.
I like his wife enough, but nahhh they need a divorce. Let her save her friend and be with him. And let Ithan pick up the pieces.
Once Bryce got back to her world I loved her and I found her so funny in this book. Really made me love her a lot more than I had.
I'm very interested in Ariadne and what's going on there.
I loved Lidia and her relationship with her sons! She's SUCH a badass. When she told Ruhn he didn't deserve her story.... DAMNNNNN. I do love them together though.
I cried a lot when Bryce saw Danika and Connor and it makes me happy that they do get to have an afterlife and that Bryce, Ithan, and Baxian will meet up with them again one day. It crushes my heart that Baxian lost his mate. I wish we got to see him and Danika together. THAT'S the bonus content I want from SJM.
I think it's very sweet that Jesiba basically waited to be willing to trade her life for Bryce's. Clearly by this point we know that SJM bringing characters back from the dead is her MO but it's getting tiring. And I'm someone that NEVER wants a character to die and fully HEAs. But then don't tease that they're dead.
I really liked this book, but didn't love love it. There were parts I did, then others I was bored.
I was one of the few who hated the ending of HoSaB and I feel justified tbh. I think the entire first part with Bryce in Prythian was boring as fuck. I love Nesta so it was fun to see her and parts were funny, but so much just dragged on. And I feel like it would've actually been more fun for her to have gone to Hel and be training and amassing an army. I also feel like it has to kind of impact ACOTAR since Nesta now has the star sword which bothers me.
I really enjoyed the beginning plot of everyone else though! It was so sad seeing Ruhn, Hunt, and Baxian go through what they did. But not gonna lie, I BURST out laughing when The Hawk used Ruhn's severed hand to give him the middle finger behind Rigelus' back.
I was also very into Ithan, Flynn, Dec, Marc, and Lidia trying to save them.
I feel like a lot of the plots in this book just happened so quickly. Like Ithan saving his man by killing Sigrid, then trying to raise her and it failing, and becoming Prime. Just a lot.
I do love that Ithan is prime though and him seeing Connor??!?! I WAS BAWLING. Just wanting to make his brother proud and then Connor telling him he was proud. STAHP.
And speaking of Ithan.... Ithan and Tharion are IN LOVE and I just need them to bang already. Like they're so clearly obsessed with each other and meant to be. I need it.
I like his wife enough, but nahhh they need a divorce. Let her save her friend and be with him. And let Ithan pick up the pieces.
Once Bryce got back to her world I loved her and I found her so funny in this book. Really made me love her a lot more than I had.
I'm very interested in Ariadne and what's going on there.
I loved Lidia and her relationship with her sons! She's SUCH a badass. When she told Ruhn he didn't deserve her story.... DAMNNNNN. I do love them together though.
I cried a lot when Bryce saw Danika and Connor and it makes me happy that they do get to have an afterlife and that Bryce, Ithan, and Baxian will meet up with them again one day. It crushes my heart that Baxian lost his mate. I wish we got to see him and Danika together. THAT'S the bonus content I want from SJM.
I think it's very sweet that Jesiba basically waited to be willing to trade her life for Bryce's. Clearly by this point we know that SJM bringing characters back from the dead is her MO but it's getting tiring. And I'm someone that NEVER wants a character to die and fully HEAs. But then don't tease that they're dead.
Final Play by Eden Finley
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I actually feel like I'm about to cry. I'm so fucking emotional about this series being over.
I'm so happy we got this final book to tie everything up and show us where everyone ended up.
I genuinely love every single character and relationship in this series so much. It's insane.
I'm so excited to reread CU Hockey now that I know all of these amazing people and can enjoy their cameos!
I'm so happy we got this final book to tie everything up and show us where everyone ended up.
I genuinely love every single character and relationship in this series so much. It's insane.
I'm so excited to reread CU Hockey now that I know all of these amazing people and can enjoy their cameos!
Hat Trick by Eden Finley
5.0
I LOVE THIS SERIES WITH MY ENTIRE BEING!!
I'm not going to lie. I was nervous about this one. I loved Jet in every book, but I'm not a huge age gap person and so I wasn't sure about him and Soren. But honestly, the gap isn't that big, and thankfully Jet is a bit older now.
I really loved their story and how they did end up hooking up at the Stanley Cup and now years later get together for real.
I like that they were able to experience other relationships and realize that they want each other.
I was nervous that Harley would be an obstacle to their relationship, and I'm SO glad it didn't go that route. Love Finley for that.
I also love that Matt was pretty accepting of their relationship right away!
I'm honestly devastated that this series is over, but so happy I get the final novella to say goodbye.
And I can't wait to reread the CU Hockey series now that I know all of these guys so I can appreciate the cameos!!!
I'm not going to lie. I was nervous about this one. I loved Jet in every book, but I'm not a huge age gap person and so I wasn't sure about him and Soren. But honestly, the gap isn't that big, and thankfully Jet is a bit older now.
I really loved their story and how they did end up hooking up at the Stanley Cup and now years later get together for real.
I like that they were able to experience other relationships and realize that they want each other.
I was nervous that Harley would be an obstacle to their relationship, and I'm SO glad it didn't go that route. Love Finley for that.
I also love that Matt was pretty accepting of their relationship right away!
I'm honestly devastated that this series is over, but so happy I get the final novella to say goodbye.
And I can't wait to reread the CU Hockey series now that I know all of these guys so I can appreciate the cameos!!!
Blindsided by Eden Finley
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I love this series so much!!!
I've been waiting for Talon and Miller's story so eagerly since reading Matt and Noah's. And I'm so happy that it was everything I hoped for and more!
I love that Shane experimented in college after Talon left. And I love that as soon as Marcus got turned on by Matt and Noah he just accepted it so easily.
I loved their relationship so much! I love how they were truly best friends first, and still have that bond.
And I love how much Damon, Maddox, Noah, and Matt were in this one! I really love seeing all the connections and how they're all friends.
And I love that Lennon wrote their coming out piece. Such amazing connections.
I've been waiting for Talon and Miller's story so eagerly since reading Matt and Noah's. And I'm so happy that it was everything I hoped for and more!
I love that Shane experimented in college after Talon left. And I love that as soon as Marcus got turned on by Matt and Noah he just accepted it so easily.
I loved their relationship so much! I love how they were truly best friends first, and still have that bond.
And I love how much Damon, Maddox, Noah, and Matt were in this one! I really love seeing all the connections and how they're all friends.
And I love that Lennon wrote their coming out piece. Such amazing connections.
Deke by Eden Finley
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
I think my favorite in the series so far?
I've already read the CU Hockey series, so I know of Ollie, and I was so happy to get his story! I can't wait to reread CU Hockey when I finish these and hear them all talk of him knowing his background.
I really love Ollie and his family so much! (I don't love the fact that Max is clearly into Ash though. Gross.)
I love that this book showed a different way families can react and how even being so happy and supportive of an LGBTQ kid can have negative effects.
And I loveeee that they're still calling him Clark!!!!
I really liked Lennan and the fact that he has integrity. I love that he never even considered selling Ollie's story, and I'm so happy with how his career ended up (on the Sports Illustrated writing about gay athletes front).
I just really loved them as a couple and had a super fun time reading this!
I also love all of the cameos of Maddox, Damon, Matt, and Noah. And side characters like Jet! I loved seeing Jet more like a friend than the little brother, but the hint of him and Soren tbh. I know they are the couple and have a book, but with Jet being so young it just gives me such a fucking ick. And I know Jet is older when it gets to his book (at least she originally said he would be) but it seems clear something happened now and I'm not a fan. So far. I'm sure I'll eat my words. But I'm also not a huge age gap person.
Also I really want to fucking know what happened between Maddox's sister and Damon's friend! Why not hint this book?!??!?
I think my favorite in the series so far?
I've already read the CU Hockey series, so I know of Ollie, and I was so happy to get his story! I can't wait to reread CU Hockey when I finish these and hear them all talk of him knowing his background.
I really love Ollie and his family so much! (I don't love the fact that Max is clearly into Ash though. Gross.)
I love that this book showed a different way families can react and how even being so happy and supportive of an LGBTQ kid can have negative effects.
And I loveeee that they're still calling him Clark!!!!
I really liked Lennan and the fact that he has integrity. I love that he never even considered selling Ollie's story, and I'm so happy with how his career ended up (on the Sports Illustrated writing about gay athletes front).
I just really loved them as a couple and had a super fun time reading this!
I also love all of the cameos of Maddox, Damon, Matt, and Noah. And side characters like Jet! I loved seeing Jet more like a friend than the little brother, but the hint of him and Soren tbh. I know they are the couple and have a book, but with Jet being so young it just gives me such a fucking ick. And I know Jet is older when it gets to his book (at least she originally said he would be) but it seems clear something happened now and I'm not a fan. So far. I'm sure I'll eat my words. But I'm also not a huge age gap person.
Also I really want to fucking know what happened between Maddox's sister and Damon's friend! Why not hint this book?!??!?