jasmyn9's reviews
1758 reviews

Allanon's Quest by Terry Brooks

dark sad fast-paced

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

3.0

I little informative of how Allanon found the Ohmsfords, but I'm not sure how much it really added to the story yet. Maybe once it's paired with the other short stories they will form a better picture.

Dalton's Undoing by RaeAnne Thayne

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a fun guy with a player reputation meets good girl storyline. A little predictable with the back and forth, will they won't they aspects. But the kids really helped showcase Seth's personality and desire to be there for all of Jenny's family. Jenny was a little too worried about her reputation at times. The fact that she had been burned before by a playboy seemed like a far better reason and wasn't really fleshed out as much as I think it could have been.

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

A very slow start. It wasn't until around halfway through that the story picked up and got interesting. I loved the addition of the new doorway and the journey Sally went on, both physically and emotionally. I just wish we'd seen more of Zero.

House of Frank by Kay Synclaire

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

The House of Frank is an amazing story full of magic, cherubs, half-gargoyles, and fairy creatures. It touches on so many topics and handles them with such care and understanding. From found family, the many stages and types of grief, and owning your strengths and weaknesses. Saika arrives at Ash Gardens prepared to bury her sister's ashes, but has cold feet. When Frank asks her to stay until she is ready, she finds herself the newest employee/resident. But Ash Gardens has a few problems - it's fally apart, and Saika may have the knowledge to help fix it. 

As the residents of Ash Garden work to save the house, they become their own family, supporting each other, fighting with each other, and in the end, saving each other. 

Fire & Fate by Serena Valentino

adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.0

I always thought Hades was a great character in Disney. Seeing his "other self" fight against his fate, making friends and forging connections with The Odd Sisters. He is far more of a hero in this story than a villain, and I really enjoyed seeing him get a bit of a happily ever after.

Of Thieves and Shadows by Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison

dark emotional mysterious 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

3.5

I'm not sure which fairy tale was supposed to be represented in this book. Not the worst thing, because it was quite adventurous and revealed a lot of little secrets that had been hanging out in the background. I saw a lot of more of Madame and learned more about who (and what) she may be as her daughters unravel some of her plans. I was very hesitant about this series after the first book, but I'm glad I've stuck with it as they are getting better each time, and the story is getting very intriguing. It really doesn't hurt that the animals are super cute.

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0

An interesting and very different follow-up to Holes. Armpit is a good kid (teenager) trying to make something of his life, and it all spirals out of control - mostly because of other people. A bit of a rollercoaster ride of emotions, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. It's definitely there, but it's a bit unclear and unresolved at the same time.

The Sinner by J.R. Ward

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

3.75

Syn really makes a mess of things in his life. Satisfying his urge to kill by taking on random jobs as a hitman until he meets reporter, Joe Early. Joe is a lot more than just a reporter, and I really liked her most of the time. I could do without the big gun she carried around that mostly didn't really do anything other than serve as a reminder that she carried a gun around. In the overall story of the Brotherhood, this book served as a turning point - a big one - and it seemed to take a little away from Syn and Joe's story at times. 

Mark of Fire by Richard Phillips

adventurous dark 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

3.0

A decent start to a fantasy series. Pre-written destinies, hidden love, kingdoms betrayed and saved, magic (an interesting system I haven't read before). At times a little over detailed, and physically impossible (even in fantasy land, "normal" bodies can't bend in certain directions.) 

A very big story in a very large world, a good example of epic fantasy. While the world is big, the story focuses mostly on two groups, which makes the story much easier to follow than when the party splits into dozens of different places. The elemental magic was an interesting spin - having to use actual elemental creatures to perform it - and the concept behind the Endarian magic was interesting as well. The fight scenes got to be a bit much, with things not quite possible because physics still holds true to warriors on horseback. A great first book that ends with definitely more to come, but in a place you can breathe a bit as well.

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

adventurous emotional reflective sad 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 really love the world building - the clash of technology and magic. A battle between the good of the ones you love and the good of all. To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is a fantastic start to series where the lines between good and evil are difficult to see, and may not always exist. Ruying is a very complex character that will do anything to save her family - but that may mean sacrificing everything else. All the characters have a lot of depth to them - even the ones that I would consider "side characters" are brought to life and feel very real.