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jenessalikes's reviews
272 reviews
King of Greed by Ana Huang
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listen, Ana writes a particular type of story. It's like watching a bad soap opera. You can't look away no matter how cheesy or illogical it is.
I loved King Of Sin, but I'm a sucker for the fake marriage trope.
King Of Pride was alright, not my fave, but again, I live for the drama.
King Of Greed is peak Ana Huang writing in that it's literally like every other story she has written. And fuck it, I'm here for it! I binged the book and enjoyed it for what it was- a hyper-dramatic soap opera with a groveling man and a kinda dumb woman. Idk that's my jam, apparently. And yes, I'll def be reading King Of Sloth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶🌶/5
I loved King Of Sin, but I'm a sucker for the fake marriage trope.
King Of Pride was alright, not my fave, but again, I live for the drama.
King Of Greed is peak Ana Huang writing in that it's literally like every other story she has written. And fuck it, I'm here for it! I binged the book and enjoyed it for what it was- a hyper-dramatic soap opera with a groveling man and a kinda dumb woman. Idk that's my jam, apparently. And yes, I'll def be reading King Of Sloth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶🌶/5
Heir Of Sun And Moon by Jenessa Ren, Jenessa Ren
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a 4.5 star read for me! (Non-spoiler)
The first 20% of the book struggles with a slow pace in my opinion. I found myself drifting off to look at my phone or wanting to skim. After that initial 20% mark though, the pacing picks up and then it. doesn't. stop.
I'm not joking. 80% of this book left my heart pumping, my anxiety spiking, and my mind spinning. Rebecca gives us small peaks and valleys of action and then cools us down with sweet moments, funny moments, or spice. But overall, the story is arcing towards something big. You can feel the underlying ominous tone for the entire book.
And my gods, does it deliver with that end. I had about three theories running and none of them were fully correct.
How do we go on from here? How are there still three more books planned? IDK but I'm excited as hell to find out.
So why not a full five stars? There is a certain trope that is pretty popular with romantasy books that tends to bug me when it gets drawn out. And this book had that in spades. Eighty percent into the book and we're still dealing with that specific trope, and it did make me want to rage.
Overall though, the story, the plotting, the highs and lows, the characters, the dragons... all of it was leaps and bounds better than Fourth Wing, and I thoroughly enjoyed that book for the vibes. This book isn't just vibes, it's substance. And again, that ending has left me feeling pretty damn feral for book three.
Spice was also spicin, I'd rate it 3.5/5
The first 20% of the book struggles with a slow pace in my opinion. I found myself drifting off to look at my phone or wanting to skim. After that initial 20% mark though, the pacing picks up and then it. doesn't. stop.
I'm not joking. 80% of this book left my heart pumping, my anxiety spiking, and my mind spinning. Rebecca gives us small peaks and valleys of action and then cools us down with sweet moments, funny moments, or spice. But overall, the story is arcing towards something big. You can feel the underlying ominous tone for the entire book.
And my gods, does it deliver with that end. I had about three theories running and none of them were fully correct.
How do we go on from here? How are there still three more books planned? IDK but I'm excited as hell to find out.
So why not a full five stars? There is a certain trope that is pretty popular with romantasy books that tends to bug me when it gets drawn out. And this book had that in spades. Eighty percent into the book and we're still dealing with that specific trope, and it did make me want to rage.
Overall though, the story, the plotting, the highs and lows, the characters, the dragons... all of it was leaps and bounds better than Fourth Wing, and I thoroughly enjoyed that book for the vibes. This book isn't just vibes, it's substance. And again, that ending has left me feeling pretty damn feral for book three.
Spice was also spicin, I'd rate it 3.5/5
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An emotional end to the duology that had me teary-eyed more than once.
Gosh, getting so many intricate storylines and rich history regarding the Shepard King's past and the creation of the cards was really nice!
I really loved the way Rachel wrote each character. It was stunning and heartbreaking and just so well done. The ending was incredible.
I do wish we could have gotten more Ravyn and Elspeth. I understand, given the confines of what happened at the end of book 1, that it needed to take time. But after falling in love with them in ODW and then having their romance pushed to the back burner for this book was a slight disappointment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5
Gosh, getting so many intricate storylines and rich history regarding the Shepard King's past and the creation of the cards was really nice!
I really loved the way Rachel wrote each character. It was stunning and heartbreaking and just so well done. The ending was incredible.
I do wish we could have gotten more Ravyn and Elspeth. I understand, given the confines of what happened at the end of book 1, that it needed to take time. But after falling in love with them in ODW and then having their romance pushed to the back burner for this book was a slight disappointment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5
For the Throne by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Red + Eammon will be my #1 forever and ever and ever.
However
This book was absolutely perfect. My God, last 100 pages turned me into an emotional disaster. One thing I think HW truly excelled at was showcasing non-romantic love. The love of two sisters, just tearing the world and themselves apart for the other
"Mirrors in every way."
But she also did very well at the emotional depth needed to portray the two love stories. Romantic love takes a back seat to friend and familial love in this series, and normally, I would be bored by that, but it absolutely worked here.
I thought the build up to the reveals & big moments was perfect, and I wish there was just a book filled with little slice of life moments for our characters. I'm going to miss them so much 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
1🌶/5
However
This book was absolutely perfect. My God, last 100 pages turned me into an emotional disaster. One thing I think HW truly excelled at was showcasing non-romantic love. The love of two sisters, just tearing the world and themselves apart for the other
"Mirrors in every way."
But she also did very well at the emotional depth needed to portray the two love stories. Romantic love takes a back seat to friend and familial love in this series, and normally, I would be bored by that, but it absolutely worked here.
I thought the build up to the reveals & big moments was perfect, and I wish there was just a book filled with little slice of life moments for our characters. I'm going to miss them so much 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
1🌶/5
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Five brilliant gold stars for this beauty of a book!
The lore, the world building, the magic...all of it came together in a flawless story that left me on the edge of my seat and unable to predict what was going to happen next!
The romance was the sweetest slow burn, something that started sharp and prickly and evolved into tender and sweet. I just LOVED it and I can't wait to dive into For The Throne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
O.5🌶/5
The lore, the world building, the magic...all of it came together in a flawless story that left me on the edge of my seat and unable to predict what was going to happen next!
The romance was the sweetest slow burn, something that started sharp and prickly and evolved into tender and sweet. I just LOVED it and I can't wait to dive into For The Throne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
O.5🌶/5
Healer to the Ash King by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oooh this was a spicy, tension-y, slow burn, crazy, wild ride of a treat book!
Picture: Village girl with strong magic, beloved by her people, suddenly forced to go work for the cruel Ash King.
There's a Bachelor style competition going on for him to find his bride and Cailin is to be the official healer for them. Because yeah, instead of cutie little bake-offs or whatever (idk I've never seen The Bachelor) the girls have to endure death obstacles and literal fighting with each other in order to prove their worthiness as queen.
Meanwhile, Ash King doesn't hide his desire to bed the village girl Cailin while he hunts for his new bride. And people start getting a lil sus about them.
It's honestly a really fun, twisted little romance and I enjoyed it!
The overall pacing was a little janky and ending did feel rushed, but whatever. If you want a quick read then grab this bad boy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Picture: Village girl with strong magic, beloved by her people, suddenly forced to go work for the cruel Ash King.
There's a Bachelor style competition going on for him to find his bride and Cailin is to be the official healer for them. Because yeah, instead of cutie little bake-offs or whatever (idk I've never seen The Bachelor) the girls have to endure death obstacles and literal fighting with each other in order to prove their worthiness as queen.
Meanwhile, Ash King doesn't hide his desire to bed the village girl Cailin while he hunts for his new bride. And people start getting a lil sus about them.
It's honestly a really fun, twisted little romance and I enjoyed it!
The overall pacing was a little janky and ending did feel rushed, but whatever. If you want a quick read then grab this bad boy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶🌶🌶.5/5
The Memory Curse by Sheila Masterson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Whew, this was an emotional doozy of a book.
At no point did it feel "safe" to be relaxed while reading this. Sometimes, I even hesitated picking up my Kindle because all I kept thinking was, "What is Sheila going to throw at my lil sweet bbs now".
But my curiosity always won out because each chapter only made you want to read the next one.
This story was a high stakes journey about love, sacrifice, healing, and the repercussions of choices made not for one's true self. It's heartbreaking and then heart mending, and yet I still feel a little sad about it all.
I need to go read some brainless filthy smut to rebalance after this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶/5
At no point did it feel "safe" to be relaxed while reading this. Sometimes, I even hesitated picking up my Kindle because all I kept thinking was, "What is Sheila going to throw at my lil sweet bbs now".
But my curiosity always won out because each chapter only made you want to read the next one.
This story was a high stakes journey about love, sacrifice, healing, and the repercussions of choices made not for one's true self. It's heartbreaking and then heart mending, and yet I still feel a little sad about it all.
I need to go read some brainless filthy smut to rebalance after this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶/5
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A gorgeous sequel to Belladonna! Foxglove takes the intrigue, the mystery, and romance of its predecessor and amps it up in this whodunit fantasy that weaves in the most intricate twists and reveals.
I absolutely loved getting Blythe's povs, and that ending? I was screeching from the treetops.
Death is babygirl and FINALLY we see someone else do a little self-sacrificing that wasn't Signa.
I cannot wait for Wisteria and the brilliance that I already know the finale to this trilogy will be!
I absolutely loved getting Blythe's povs, and that ending? I was screeching from the treetops.
Death is babygirl and FINALLY we see someone else do a little self-sacrificing that wasn't Signa.
I cannot wait for Wisteria and the brilliance that I already know the finale to this trilogy will be!
Woven by Gold by Elizabeth Helen
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The continuation of the Beasts of Briar has sweet moments, a few spicy ones, and overall, will leave you wanting more info on a thorny prince.
War is coming to the Autumn Realm and its up to the High Princes and the Lady of Castletree to try and stop it.
Rosie really grows as a character in this book and I loved her big reveal at the end (even if we knew it was coming). I do hope we see her actually train with her newfound abilities in book 3.
While we see Rosie FINALLY get to bang one of these hottie princes...it wasn't the one I wanted 😭
Still, overall while the story did seem to lag in a few places, it left me wanting the next book right away! I can't wait to see what happens!
And I swear we better see a certain prince mate with our girl OR ELSE.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶1/5
War is coming to the Autumn Realm and its up to the High Princes and the Lady of Castletree to try and stop it.
Rosie really grows as a character in this book and I loved her big reveal at the end (even if we knew it was coming). I do hope we see her actually train with her newfound abilities in book 3.
While we see Rosie FINALLY get to bang one of these hottie princes...it wasn't the one I wanted 😭
Still, overall while the story did seem to lag in a few places, it left me wanting the next book right away! I can't wait to see what happens!
And I swear we better see a certain prince mate with our girl OR ELSE.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶1/5