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jls6283's reviews
111 reviews
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
I have a bone to pick, and it is NOT with SJM - it’s with members of her fandom.
The way people talk about this book online I was expecting it to be BORING and for Chaol to *finally* be a giant douche-canoe that I would end up hating since everyone else hates on him…
To me, the beauty of all these Maasverse books has been people/fae/whatever have big, emotional reactions (like humans are supposed to). Her characters feel deeply and grow and learn and evolve and adapt. I HATE how so many people who like these books praise female characters (like Nesta or Manon) for their healing journey and growth, BUT FOR SOME REASON DON’T WANT MALE CHARACTERS TO DO THE SAME.
I’ve been pro-Chaol from the beginning. Does he mess up? Yes. Does he question everyone and everything and sometimes get confused about what he believes in? Yes! He’s a human being! I’ve certainly done all of these things and I understand him so much.
If you’ve ever felt depressed and unloveable, this book is almost triggering. 😅 I had more of an emotional reaction to this one than any of the others so far. It might be my favorite of them so far - I know that’s a hot take, but I’ll stand by it! I’m so proud of my boy Chaol ❤️
The way people talk about this book online I was expecting it to be BORING and for Chaol to *finally* be a giant douche-canoe that I would end up hating since everyone else hates on him…
To me, the beauty of all these Maasverse books has been people/fae/whatever have big, emotional reactions (like humans are supposed to). Her characters feel deeply and grow and learn and evolve and adapt. I HATE how so many people who like these books praise female characters (like Nesta or Manon) for their healing journey and growth, BUT FOR SOME REASON DON’T WANT MALE CHARACTERS TO DO THE SAME.
I’ve been pro-Chaol from the beginning. Does he mess up? Yes. Does he question everyone and everything and sometimes get confused about what he believes in? Yes! He’s a human being! I’ve certainly done all of these things and I understand him so much.
If you’ve ever felt depressed and unloveable, this book is almost triggering. 😅 I had more of an emotional reaction to this one than any of the others so far. It might be my favorite of them so far - I know that’s a hot take, but I’ll stand by it! I’m so proud of my boy Chaol ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Definitely heartbreaking and a reminder that no matter how “successful” people look, you don’t know the full story.
There are A LOT of trigger warnings here that I found very jarring so I couldn’t go any higher on my rating for me personally. I very much appreciate her sharing her story.
There are A LOT of trigger warnings here that I found very jarring so I couldn’t go any higher on my rating for me personally. I very much appreciate her sharing her story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Blood
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
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
4.75
I finally understand why people love Throne of Glass so much.
WOW.
WOW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, War
Minor: Vomit
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
That was …interesting…
I think I’m just salty because I thought I could catch on to Freida and her twists, but then of course she got me…
I think I’m just salty because I thought I could catch on to Freida and her twists, but then of course she got me…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really like this series and am very invested in the characters.
Some things felt a little drawn out, but they were worth the ending…
Sometimes the emotional whiplash and indecision from these characters annoys me, but then again… they are 19-25 year olds (minus Rowan 😅)
I’m going to say something that is an unpopular opinion 😅 (spoilers ahead)Chaol is not wrong for being skeptical of magic. He’s literally trying to save Dorian from a king who hoarded all the magic for himself and he wants to make sure there are power checks so that something like this doesn’t happen again. He knew that she held the entire city of Doranelle hostage for Maeve’s behavior, and he fears that the people of Adarlan - regardless of their feelings for the king - will all similarly suffer at Aelin’s hand. He’s the human voice of reason in this series…
Also Aelin is a bitch to him when she blames him for EVERYTHING that happened while she was gone, yet tells him “You do not get to blame me for that - for his (the king’s) actions.” I still love her and am rooting for her, but this was not it and she was truly unlikeable at the beginning of this book. Chaol gave up his entire life (as he should’ve) when he understood what was going on. He gets so much hate (from Aelin and fans of the series) and I don’t get it 🫣
Some things felt a little drawn out, but they were worth the ending…
Sometimes the emotional whiplash and indecision from these characters annoys me, but then again… they are 19-25 year olds (minus Rowan 😅)
I’m going to say something that is an unpopular opinion 😅 (spoilers ahead)
Also Aelin is a bitch to him when she blames him for EVERYTHING that happened while she was gone, yet tells him “You do not get to blame me for that - for his (the king’s) actions.” I still love her and am rooting for her, but this was not it and she was truly unlikeable at the beginning of this book. Chaol gave up his entire life (as he should’ve) when he understood what was going on. He gets so much hate (from Aelin and fans of the series)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Vomit
Moderate: Slavery, Pregnancy
Minor: Emotional abuse, Classism
Huge content warning for stillborn birth too. Not sure why that’s not an option on StoryGraph
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
This story is so complex and layered!
There are A LOT of new characters in this book. And all the old ones go through IMMENSE amounts of growth. It’s insanity
There were some spots that were tedious, but I’m sure will pay off in the end in SJM fashion.
I will say too this is where I feel like the writing style matured more. The first two did have some strange writing/editing choices in my opinion.
There are A LOT of new characters in this book. And all the old ones go through IMMENSE amounts of growth. It’s insanity
There were some spots that were tedious, but I’m sure will pay off in the end in SJM fashion.
I will say too this is where I feel like the writing style matured more. The first two did have some strange writing/editing choices in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Medical content
The Coworker by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Not my favorite Freida, but in true Freida fashion it’s a fun, twisty read.
However, I think if she would’ve said the word “turtle” one more time, my head would’ve exploded.
However, I think if she would’ve said the word “turtle” one more time, my head would’ve exploded.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual content
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
I read the prequel third, and honestly I think it would’ve had more emotional impact if I had read it first. I probably would’ve rated it higher, but I knew what was coming. I assumed people said to read it 3rd because it gave away the surprise ending to book 2, but it absolutely does not at all.
Reading it 3rd also just breaks up all the momentum that was built with the characters in 1 and 2.
Reading it 3rd also just breaks up all the momentum that was built with the characters in 1 and 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Torture, Murder
Minor: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Even more action packed than the first!