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jayseejewel's reviews
101 reviews
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
5.0
9/10
A good horror with a bit of romance that surprised me
Pros:
- The author was really good at describing the horror scenes, better than movies in my opinion
- I like that there were dark scenes but they weren't too explicitly described
- The romance was surprisingly enjoyable and didn't feel out of place amid the horror
- Had a lot of mystery
- It was always clear which character was who
Cons:
-(spoiler) I was slightly disappointed by the final villains but that was a personal preference
-(spoiler) The father being a jerk was never fully addressed
A good horror with a bit of romance that surprised me
Pros:
- The author was really good at describing the horror scenes, better than movies in my opinion
- I like that there were dark scenes but they weren't too explicitly described
- The romance was surprisingly enjoyable and didn't feel out of place amid the horror
- Had a lot of mystery
- It was always clear which character was who
Cons:
-(spoiler) I was slightly disappointed by the final villains but that was a personal preference
-(spoiler) The father being a jerk was never fully addressed
Fable by Adrienne Young
4.0
8.5/10
A fantasy set in a pirate-filled world with a touch of romance
Pros:
- had an unexpected romance
- immersive
- definitely has the feeling of an adventure
- pretty good characters
Cons:
- I felt like not a lot happened overall
- Would have liked a bigger climax. This story felt like the first 1/3 of a book, not an entire book on its own.
A fantasy set in a pirate-filled world with a touch of romance
Pros:
- had an unexpected romance
- immersive
- definitely has the feeling of an adventure
- pretty good characters
Cons:
- I felt like not a lot happened overall
- Would have liked a bigger climax. This story felt like the first 1/3 of a book, not an entire book on its own.
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
4.0
8./10
A solid book but too similar to Ender's Game to go without being compared
Pros:
- It has a solid plot, a sense of mystery, and general progression
- Some characters were good (getting a strong sense of comradery is good for stories like this)
- Writing is good. It's Sanderson so that's a given.
Cons:
- I came into this book expecting a strong feeling of adventure like Mistborn but felt disappointed, as it really is a similar plot to Ender's Game but without strong characters and a satisfying answer to the mystery
- Spoilers: the mystery wasn't bad by any means but didn't surprise me and I didn't find it particularly unique or satisfying. Sometimes that's good but for this one, it felt a little flat.
- I really didn't like the main character. She definitely fell prey to the sassy and rude stereotype yet everyone loves and compliments her (often for no reason).
- I hated how the MC would hate the other male lead for seemingly no reason besides his position. This changed halfway through but by that point it was too late, as her narration made me dislike her for being selfish and whiny for the first half of the story.
Overall: A good books for teens but I prefer Ender's Game for its better handling of characters. Disliking the main character is the main reason this rating dropped.
A solid book but too similar to Ender's Game to go without being compared
Pros:
- It has a solid plot, a sense of mystery, and general progression
- Some characters were good (getting a strong sense of comradery is good for stories like this)
- Writing is good. It's Sanderson so that's a given.
Cons:
- I came into this book expecting a strong feeling of adventure like Mistborn but felt disappointed, as it really is a similar plot to Ender's Game but without strong characters and a satisfying answer to the mystery
- Spoilers: the mystery wasn't bad by any means but didn't surprise me and I didn't find it particularly unique or satisfying. Sometimes that's good but for this one, it felt a little flat.
- I really didn't like the main character. She definitely fell prey to the sassy and rude stereotype yet everyone loves and compliments her (often for no reason).
- I hated how the MC would hate the other male lead for seemingly no reason besides his position. This changed halfway through but by that point it was too late, as her narration made me dislike her for being selfish and whiny for the first half of the story.
Overall: A good books for teens but I prefer Ender's Game for its better handling of characters. Disliking the main character is the main reason this rating dropped.
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
5.0
9.5/10
An immersive adventure in a magical world
Pros:
- I liked the magic systems. They were creative but rooted in asian fantasy (it felt like a manga but in book form)
- The characters were solid. I didn't love any of them but they were well written and likeable enough
- The romance was slow but clean and satisfying, which I love
- I liked how the character was limited by her voice
- The twist wasn't amazing or anything but sufficed
Cons:
- The communication between the MC and other characters, where they just knew what she was thinking based on her waving her hands around, felt a little unrealistic at times
- The main character isn't particularly different from other YA protagonists. She wasn't annoying, don't get me wrong, but I didn't find myself loving her or worrying about her well-being.
Overall: An excellent book, well written and with very few flaws, hence the high rating. I didn't fall in love with it but it was definitely an objectively good read.
An immersive adventure in a magical world
Pros:
- I liked the magic systems. They were creative but rooted in asian fantasy (it felt like a manga but in book form)
- The characters were solid. I didn't love any of them but they were well written and likeable enough
- The romance was slow but clean and satisfying, which I love
- I liked how the character was limited by her voice
- The twist wasn't amazing or anything but sufficed
Cons:
- The communication between the MC and other characters, where they just knew what she was thinking based on her waving her hands around, felt a little unrealistic at times
- The main character isn't particularly different from other YA protagonists. She wasn't annoying, don't get me wrong, but I didn't find myself loving her or worrying about her well-being.
Overall: An excellent book, well written and with very few flaws, hence the high rating. I didn't fall in love with it but it was definitely an objectively good read.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
5.0
9/10
A book I was surprised to enjoy. I do wish it had more romance, though.
Pros:
- The story always kept me interested, even when there wasn't a whole lot happening
- I liked two of the three main characters. They were very assertive and always acted instead of whining. They truly were the saviors and heroes of the story, though their actions mainly affected the men in their lives
- I like that the villains are sympathetic (I considered the male leads the villains for most of it) and the main villain (the demon) was straightforward but had clear motivations
- There was always a sense of suspense and intrigue behind the story and worldbuilding
- The world felt fresh and fleshed-out
Cons:
- The servant girl's story was interesting but didn't feel necessary. I feel like her POV could have been taken out and it wouldn't have had a huge impact on the story.
- I wanted more romance. There was only a little bit toward the end and it was satisfying but left me sad that it wasn't at least hinted at more in the overall plot
- The book could feel slow in the first half because you had no idea where it was going, then it picked up halfway through and didn't stop until the end
Overall: A book that surprised me with its immersion and eventual plot. I wouldn't mind reading it again now that I understand where everything is going.
A book I was surprised to enjoy. I do wish it had more romance, though.
Pros:
- The story always kept me interested, even when there wasn't a whole lot happening
- I liked two of the three main characters. They were very assertive and always acted instead of whining. They truly were the saviors and heroes of the story, though their actions mainly affected the men in their lives
- I like that the villains are sympathetic (I considered the male leads the villains for most of it) and the main villain (the demon) was straightforward but had clear motivations
- There was always a sense of suspense and intrigue behind the story and worldbuilding
- The world felt fresh and fleshed-out
Cons:
- The servant girl's story was interesting but didn't feel necessary. I feel like her POV could have been taken out and it wouldn't have had a huge impact on the story.
- I wanted more romance. There was only a little bit toward the end and it was satisfying but left me sad that it wasn't at least hinted at more in the overall plot
- The book could feel slow in the first half because you had no idea where it was going, then it picked up halfway through and didn't stop until the end
Overall: A book that surprised me with its immersion and eventual plot. I wouldn't mind reading it again now that I understand where everything is going.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
4.0
8.5/10
A SFF romance that I would have loved if I read it in my teens
Pros:
- It's a fairy tale reimagining (cinderella + snow white) but has a fresh take and lots of interesting sci-fi worldbuilding, alongside interesting magic
- The main character was good for a YA protagonist and the male lead was simple but good
- The world was the most interesting part, especially the villain and her powers. The hints at other fairytale characters (like rapunzel) left me wanting more
Cons:
- There were some coincidences and it was very much a "you were special all along and never knew it" plot but I didn't hate it
- It does read like a YA novel so as an adult, the dialogue and reading experience was slightly lessened
- I wish the stepmother had more nuance. She's very bland and acts evil just because the story demands it. I prefer when the stepmother has a bit more of a complex personality where she is evil but has reasons and emotions behind her actions (like Ever After or the Disney remake).
Overall: Great for teens, good for adults. I did buy the second one so I'd like to see where the story goes
A SFF romance that I would have loved if I read it in my teens
Pros:
- It's a fairy tale reimagining (cinderella + snow white) but has a fresh take and lots of interesting sci-fi worldbuilding, alongside interesting magic
- The main character was good for a YA protagonist and the male lead was simple but good
- The world was the most interesting part, especially the villain and her powers. The hints at other fairytale characters (like rapunzel) left me wanting more
Cons:
- There were some coincidences and it was very much a "you were special all along and never knew it" plot but I didn't hate it
- It does read like a YA novel so as an adult, the dialogue and reading experience was slightly lessened
- I wish the stepmother had more nuance. She's very bland and acts evil just because the story demands it. I prefer when the stepmother has a bit more of a complex personality where she is evil but has reasons and emotions behind her actions (like Ever After or the Disney remake).
Overall: Great for teens, good for adults. I did buy the second one so I'd like to see where the story goes
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
5.0
9/10
A solid fantasy and romance for young adults
Pros:
- the worldbuilding is simple but good, with interesting powers and a solid (albeit cliche) class system
- the differences in class reminded me of Hunger Games (but a little less interesting)
- the main character was solid and her motivations made sense, same with the other male leads
- I did enjoy the (spoiler) twist that the brother was evil, though I would have preferred he be the love interest who started evil but turned good in the next book, as the actual male lead is pretty basic and boring
Cons:
- there isn't a lot of new ground covered here. The story is good and simple but isn't anything we haven't seen before
- Like I said, I wanted to see the mc (spoiler) get with the evil brother and see him change over time. That would have been a lot more interesting and less boring than the male lead that is clearly meant to get with her by the end
- the story does have the obvious issue of being written for young adults, which makes dialogue and narration suffer slightly
Overall: Good for teens, pretty good for new adults. Very simple but still good. I would have liked some more unique romance arcs though.
A solid fantasy and romance for young adults
Pros:
- the worldbuilding is simple but good, with interesting powers and a solid (albeit cliche) class system
- the differences in class reminded me of Hunger Games (but a little less interesting)
- the main character was solid and her motivations made sense, same with the other male leads
- I did enjoy the (spoiler) twist that the brother was evil, though I would have preferred he be the love interest who started evil but turned good in the next book, as the actual male lead is pretty basic and boring
Cons:
- there isn't a lot of new ground covered here. The story is good and simple but isn't anything we haven't seen before
- Like I said, I wanted to see the mc (spoiler) get with the evil brother and see him change over time. That would have been a lot more interesting and less boring than the male lead that is clearly meant to get with her by the end
- the story does have the obvious issue of being written for young adults, which makes dialogue and narration suffer slightly
Overall: Good for teens, pretty good for new adults. Very simple but still good. I would have liked some more unique romance arcs though.
The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín
5.0
9.5/10
I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this book but was not disappointed. It feels like a nosleep story, with very dark villains and monsters, made even more harrowing because the horrors are happening to children.
Pros:
- I love the setting. Children disappearing and dying in a game against fae creatures. The setting they encounter when they actually enter the games. The descriptions of the monsters and the (spoilers) realization that the monsters are all remnants of people and children who died there
- I like that the rules are well established (both for how the call works and ways to defeat the villains with promises)
- I like that the main character has a clear limit (disability) but they don't whine about it or ruin the story by focusing on it too much. It adds to her character rather than becoming her whole identity
- The twist (spoilers: that the people who came back actually did it because they agreed to help the villains) was one I enjoyed. It was predictable but in a satisfying "I knew it! It's exactly what I wanted to see!" kind of way rather than "yes, we know. boring".
Cons:
- The characters were definitely written like children, which always adds a bit of annoying flare to the dialogue and such. However, it didn't stop me from putting the book down and wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been
- The world of the villains felt very hard to follow. It felt like everything changed constantly and was random (which is partly the point) but I may have liked to see some hints left by the former escapees or inhabitants.
I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this book but was not disappointed. It feels like a nosleep story, with very dark villains and monsters, made even more harrowing because the horrors are happening to children.
Pros:
- I love the setting. Children disappearing and dying in a game against fae creatures. The setting they encounter when they actually enter the games. The descriptions of the monsters and the (spoilers) realization that the monsters are all remnants of people and children who died there
- I like that the rules are well established (both for how the call works and ways to defeat the villains with promises)
- I like that the main character has a clear limit (disability) but they don't whine about it or ruin the story by focusing on it too much. It adds to her character rather than becoming her whole identity
- The twist (spoilers: that the people who came back actually did it because they agreed to help the villains) was one I enjoyed. It was predictable but in a satisfying "I knew it! It's exactly what I wanted to see!" kind of way rather than "yes, we know. boring".
Cons:
- The characters were definitely written like children, which always adds a bit of annoying flare to the dialogue and such. However, it didn't stop me from putting the book down and wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been
- The world of the villains felt very hard to follow. It felt like everything changed constantly and was random (which is partly the point) but I may have liked to see some hints left by the former escapees or inhabitants.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
5.0
10/10
A bit of nostalgia clouds my viewing here (as this book was part of my childhood) but it's still a really solid story (and superior to the movies, of course).
Pros:
- It has a real sense of adventure and the slow pacing doesn't feel as bad, since this is more of a journey and less like a war (like LOTR)
- Bilbo is lovely. He's so grumpy and lazy all the time that it's always funny to see him actually get up and do something when he has to. His casting in the films was the best part
- There is a clear sense of progression and a climax (though the battle being omitted due to sleep is a bit...anticlimactic, though it's almost funny that it ends up that way and suits Bilbo well)
- the world is full and immersive, as expected of Tolkien
Cons:
- I never like singing in a book. Personally not a fan
- The dwarves all blur together. I only remembered the names because they rhymed
- It can get a bit slow at points but doesn't take away from the enjoyment
Overall: A good book. Maybe a little overrated because I grew up with it but I think it's a much easier read than LOTR and a fun trip into Middle Earth without the baggage of wars and the ring (yet)
A bit of nostalgia clouds my viewing here (as this book was part of my childhood) but it's still a really solid story (and superior to the movies, of course).
Pros:
- It has a real sense of adventure and the slow pacing doesn't feel as bad, since this is more of a journey and less like a war (like LOTR)
- Bilbo is lovely. He's so grumpy and lazy all the time that it's always funny to see him actually get up and do something when he has to. His casting in the films was the best part
- There is a clear sense of progression and a climax (though the battle being omitted due to sleep is a bit...anticlimactic, though it's almost funny that it ends up that way and suits Bilbo well)
- the world is full and immersive, as expected of Tolkien
Cons:
- I never like singing in a book. Personally not a fan
- The dwarves all blur together. I only remembered the names because they rhymed
- It can get a bit slow at points but doesn't take away from the enjoyment
Overall: A good book. Maybe a little overrated because I grew up with it but I think it's a much easier read than LOTR and a fun trip into Middle Earth without the baggage of wars and the ring (yet)
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
5.0
10/10
One of my all-time favorites. I learned about it from the movie but really prefer the book. There is a bit of nostalgia here but it's still something I can reread whenever I want.
Pros:
- The Characters. I love Sophie (she isn't whiny, she's hardworking, and she has two characters arcs (one at the start where she becomes old and decides to just go with it and work hard, then another where she goes to save Howl and tries her best despite putting herself down all the time)
- This Howl is the superior version. I love this whiny, annoying, bratty Howl who acts like a flirt to hide his own insecurities. He's such a flawed and hilarious character that I love to hate. We only got a tiny bit of that in the movie and I wish there was more of it.
- The other characters are great too and I'm glad this book has a set villain, unlike the movie
- The plot is a bit more standard than the movie's
- I like that the romance is there but hidden so you have to reread the book to spot hints that Howl likes Sophie and vice-versa.
- The world is immersive and the magic is subtle but unique and fun. It can get dark too (with the fire demons and their consequences)
Cons:
- I would have preferred more romance, especially toward the end. It's one of my main complaints as this love story is a type I rarely see executed well (playboy and serious girl)
- There isn't a lot of tension in the book, which works well for the cheery and fun plot but can make the pacing suffer slightly
- The world does feel slightly unexplored for some reason, though that's just a personal thing
Overall: One of my favorite books of all time. I recommend it to anyone for its fun humor and immersive world.
One of my all-time favorites. I learned about it from the movie but really prefer the book. There is a bit of nostalgia here but it's still something I can reread whenever I want.
Pros:
- The Characters. I love Sophie (she isn't whiny, she's hardworking, and she has two characters arcs (one at the start where she becomes old and decides to just go with it and work hard, then another where she goes to save Howl and tries her best despite putting herself down all the time)
- This Howl is the superior version. I love this whiny, annoying, bratty Howl who acts like a flirt to hide his own insecurities. He's such a flawed and hilarious character that I love to hate. We only got a tiny bit of that in the movie and I wish there was more of it.
- The other characters are great too and I'm glad this book has a set villain, unlike the movie
- The plot is a bit more standard than the movie's
- I like that the romance is there but hidden so you have to reread the book to spot hints that Howl likes Sophie and vice-versa.
- The world is immersive and the magic is subtle but unique and fun. It can get dark too (with the fire demons and their consequences)
Cons:
- I would have preferred more romance, especially toward the end. It's one of my main complaints as this love story is a type I rarely see executed well (playboy and serious girl)
- There isn't a lot of tension in the book, which works well for the cheery and fun plot but can make the pacing suffer slightly
- The world does feel slightly unexplored for some reason, though that's just a personal thing
Overall: One of my favorite books of all time. I recommend it to anyone for its fun humor and immersive world.