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jessdrafahl's reviews
123 reviews
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Freya was kind of an annoying character sometimes with her petulant attitude all the time whilst simultaneously ignoring every opportunity she had to have her own freedom, but I feel like the story did a good job of explaining exactly why Freya is like that. In the next book(s) I'm sure we'll get to see her come to terms with herself and finally figure out how to carve her own destiny. I love how each character has their own flaws and deep characterization. A lot of love went into this story and the characters in it. They're all very believable and interesting to read. I need the sequel already.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Animal death, and Death
Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton, Justina Ireland
3.0
Super iffy on this book. It was okay, I guess, but there was just too much going on. Characters were there and seemed important but then they weren’t, and there wasn’t a super clear motive for what was happening. And I just didn’t feel like anything DID happen. There was some good stuff in here but the meat of it was just boring.
Also, the YA books in the HR are very bad at doing romance. Everyone seems to be in love with each other, but there’s absolutely no qualities that make me feel like the couples are anything more than just people that happen to be in the same place who occasionally kiss. I think if the YA HR authors wanted to have as many couples as they do, they really should have spent time giving them backstories and making their relationships actually mean something to the story.
Also, the YA books in the HR are very bad at doing romance. Everyone seems to be in love with each other, but there’s absolutely no qualities that make me feel like the couples are anything more than just people that happen to be in the same place who occasionally kiss. I think if the YA HR authors wanted to have as many couples as they do, they really should have spent time giving them backstories and making their relationships actually mean something to the story.
The Future by Naomi Alderman
4.0
Had a slow start, but I was captivated by the last third. Loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Pandemic/Epidemic, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, and Death
The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen
dark
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
4.0
I was started to get frustrated near the end that the characters hadn't put a lot of pieces together, but the story really wrapped around into a satisfying ending. I loved this story! I didn't know it was about time travel until I actually read it, but that was a wonderful surprise! Time travel is one of my favorite tropes in a story and the possibilities are endless. This story really took advantage of that.
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
3.0
Really liked the plot, setting, and characters, but just a few things really spoiled the book for me. First, some of the actions of the characters were just off-putting. I know the dog thing was meant to be cute, but I truly don't understand how I'm supposed to support a character who literally stole a dog from someone? And hid the dog when she realized that it had an owner? That's just weird. I also really didn't vibe with Jake. And the story never actually explains why he up and left Sadie? There was no reason for that... And then...Ta-Da! It's another story where the main female character has to give up her powers. I hate that trope so much, it took off a full star. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story and the writing. The recipes between the chapters were really cute and I'd like to try one sometime.