joyfulfoodie's reviews
317 reviews

X's For Eyes by Laird Barron

adventurous dark mysterious fast-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

2.0

I spent so much of this book wondering what I was reading. I described a small part of it to my husband early on and he goes “you know you don’t have to finish it right?” It was just so weird. 
I originally selected this because it is an X title and I do those silly alphabet challenges every year. I kept at it to get credit for the X and because it is short. If it had been longer I’m not sure I would have been able to read it. If you are going for short and different you may just have found what you’re looking for. 
Not for me. An interesting side quest but not a new favorite. 

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Fluffy easy read for the end of the year. Very easy to love characters. Female lead is a little manic pixie dream girl, but it works. Lots of humorous moments and character … well, growth? No one feels broken before but they definitely make gains on areas they are already well progressed on. 
There is a trope near the end that I don’t love but it doesn’t ruin it for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

funny lighthearted fast-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 did not read book one in this series. I might have gotten a little more out of it if I had, but felt like you could jump in just fine. Book one follows the main character’s brother and his romance. He features here but you know him just fine from just this book. 
I give a lot of 5 star reviews. This one didn’t reach that because I didn’t particularly care for this author’s style of smut. If you like other works by this author I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one, I just don’t love some of the word choice for how sex scenes were depicted. I don’t mind explicit, but I think there are better nouns to be found. Also didn’t love the “follow his gut/dick” line the male lead drags out at least once a chapter. 
Characters had some personal growth. I was rooting for them. It was an easy fluffy read which was nice for the end of the year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content

Minor: Alcoholism and Death

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

4.75

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I have no words yet, I just finished this, it was amazing. 

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was excellent. As with the first, the voice actor does a terrific job with individualizing the characters. 
Book two has done an excellent job moving the story forward. Some parts were as anticipated but there were plenty of “…oh… Oh my” moments mixed in as well. I am thoroughly enjoying the world Brandon Sanderson has built and looking forward to book three and beyond. I suspect this series will end up on my favorites of all time list.

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny 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

5.0

I read this one thanks to my husband's urging - he is a big fan of the author and of this series. I listened to the audiobook reading of it, which was very well done. The voice actor - Michael Kramer - is skilled at making distinct characters vivid and unique. There were a few places I felt I might have benefited from reading a print copy, as there is so much world-building done... lots of place names and skill/religion terminology that I would have liked to see written down.
Speaking of, the world-building is excellent. Great depth to the new features introduced. Supporting characters also feel quite complete.
I laughed out loud at several points; it is really engaging. I'm looking forward to starting book two.

King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

dark mysterious 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

3.0

I was less impressed with this one - greatly preferred her Persephone X Hades books. I think part of my problem was that after reading those, with such strong greek mythological tie ins, I kept expecting this one to be Tristan and Isolde, not Adrian. I don't mind the liberties taken with vampire lore. What I really didn't care for was how much of the plot felt like it was only there as a bridge between sex scenes. The first is placed so early in the book you have no vested interest in the characters yet. And the scenes aren't even that good. So if you're only reading it for the smut you had better options out there. I am not sure if I will bother with book two... I saw reviews of book two that made it seem like it is just one prolonged hold to get to book three (which isn't published yet as I write this.) So I can't see liking book two more, and will likely have forgotten it before book three comes out. I might revisit them if book three gets better reviews, but for now this one is a pass.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

This book did not go at all the way I thought it would. Very gripping. I looked at how much I had left at 10:30pm and went oh no. I have to finish it don’t I? And I did. 
Very skillfully done, I don’t know how to say more without giving things away. If you like murder mysteries and have enjoyed the first two in the trilogy you should enjoy this one. 

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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

5.0

A reread. I listened to the audiobook this time. 

I think I enjoyed this as much the second time as the first. It holds up well. There were moments I remembered coming before they arrived and a few that surprised me a second time, good fun. I am again relieved that I don’t have to wait for the next book to be published.