karireads's reviews
1372 reviews

Caged by Jennifer Blackstream

mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.

The prose is somewhat awkward and clunky, but the real problem was the women characters. Riba is called fat from her first appearance, she is always helpful and sweet when she isn’t being emotional and problematic. The women exist solely as objects of desire except, oddly, an assassin who falls in love with Cale for no apparent reason. 

The Spiritglass Charade by Colleen Gleason

4.0

Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep

adventurous

2.0

I get annoyed when characters make decisions that are obviously stupid, not wrong but stupid, even when they are warned that they are being stupid and that they may get themselves killed but they go merrily on their way doing stupid things. Gemma did several stupid things and she didn’t have any reason to put herself in danger. I skimmed the last half of the book because I was so annoyed at her.

The Golden Spider by Anne Renwick

adventurous medium-paced

3.0

Savage Crowns by Matt Wallace

adventurous 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? No

5.0

The New Empire by Alison McBain, Alison McBain

emotional reflective 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

4.5

Set in an alternate 17th century where the Chinese made contact with the indigenous peoples of the Americas, The New Empire is the story of Jiangxi's life after he is sold into slavery as a child following the assassination of his emperor father. Jiangxi grows into a man as a privileged slave of spiritual leader Onas but wrestles with his sense of responsibility how for the other enslaved who have less privileged lives.

The characters are complex and well-crafted and there are no easy answers. The growth of the relationship between Jiangxi and Onas, and between Jiangxi and his fellow enslaved, rings true. 

Definitely recommend.

A Shortcut in Time by Charles Dickinson

2.75

Sky Coyote by Kage Baker

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

5.0

The Queen of Bedlam by Robert R. McCammon

4.75