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kassidyscatalogue's reviews
86 reviews
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
As my first read from T. Kingfisher, I was pleasantly surprised. I needed a quick book to hit my yearly goal and I'm glad I picked up Thornhedge.
I never really felt bonded to the story of sleeping beauty but I really enjoyed this retelling. I like that the evil fairy is good and the princess was bad in this story. I thought Halim was a great sidekick and I really connected with Toadling. She was just trying her best to help out and fix her mistakes. The ending had me tearing up a little,especially when i thought she just left Halim without saying goodbye .
I really enjoyed this novella and would definitely recommend.
I never really felt bonded to the story of sleeping beauty but I really enjoyed this retelling. I like that the evil fairy is good and the princess was bad in this story. I thought Halim was a great sidekick and I really connected with Toadling. She was just trying her best to help out and fix her mistakes. The ending had me tearing up a little,
I really enjoyed this novella and would definitely recommend.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lock in by John Scalzi
adventurous
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? No
4.0
When I picked this book up, I was desperate for something that wasn't romantasy. I am definitely happy with my choice. This book was a great pallete cleaner.
The story moved quickly, I think the whole book lasted a week in the story. I got a little confused with all the different names and companies. Especially since characters are overlapping and sometimes two characters are combined into one. I thought about making a chart at one point just to keep track of everyone and how they connected.
Overall, I really like this book. I really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect and enjoyed the science ideas behind the world building. I thought it was a unique perspective on a matrix-like idea.
The story moved quickly, I think the whole book lasted a week in the story. I got a little confused with all the different names and companies. Especially since characters are overlapping and sometimes two characters are combined into one. I thought about making a chart at one point just to keep track of everyone and how they connected.
Overall, I really like this book. I really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect and enjoyed the science ideas behind the world building. I thought it was a unique perspective on a matrix-like idea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After reading many fantasy romance books I just found this one predictable. I haven't read the others yet but I can probably tell you what's going to happen based on the formula I'm seeing. Maybe later in the series things will be different and I am willing to read the next one to find out.
Despite the predictability I did enjoy the book. I like the Gryvern and can tell that it will be back in the future. The last scene is a good lead in to the next book, and makes me want to come back.
Overall it was an average read with the typical romantasy formula. It has enough differences and intrigue to make me want to read the next book at least. We'll see if I want to continue after that.
Despite the predictability I did enjoy the book. I like the Gryvern and can tell that it will be back in the future. The last scene is a good lead in to the next book, and makes me want to come back.
Overall it was an average read with the typical romantasy formula. It has enough differences and intrigue to make me want to read the next book at least. We'll see if I want to continue after that.
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really loved this story.
I picked A Song to Drown Rivers up without really knowing what it was about. I didn't read the blurb they give you, I just liked the cover and knew it was Asian inspired.
Boy did I go for a ride. Liang did a great job keeping me glued to the pages. She took politics and made it captivating. I needed to know what was going to happen next. How was Xishi going to entrance Fuchai? What would he do if he found out her plans?
Liang did a really nice job making me love Fuchai, the enemy king. I loved that he wasn't purely evil, but rather...morally grey as some would say. I liked how you could tell Xishi was torn between him and her duty to the Yue. At times I almost wished she didn't have to follow through with her plans.
The ending had me sobbing. I liked the change in perspective and I think it really added to the story.
This book had a great story and tackled some tough questions about morality, loyalty, and guilt. There were also a lot of great quotes throughout.
The only issue I had was that it is labeled as romance and fantasy, however I didn't see any fantasy elements within the story. I believe this would be more along the lines of historical fiction. Despite that, I definitely recommend reading it.
I really loved this story.
I picked A Song to Drown Rivers up without really knowing what it was about. I didn't read the blurb they give you, I just liked the cover and knew it was Asian inspired.
Boy did I go for a ride. Liang did a great job keeping me glued to the pages. She took politics and made it captivating. I needed to know what was going to happen next. How was Xishi going to entrance Fuchai? What would he do if he found out her plans?
Liang did a really nice job making me love Fuchai, the enemy king. I loved that he wasn't purely evil, but rather...morally grey as some would say. I liked how you could tell Xishi was torn between him and her duty to the Yue. At times I almost wished she didn't have to follow through with her plans.
The ending had me sobbing. I liked the change in perspective and I think it really added to the story.
This book had a great story and tackled some tough questions about morality, loyalty, and guilt. There were also a lot of great quotes throughout.
The only issue I had was that it is labeled as romance and fantasy, however I didn't see any fantasy elements within the story. I believe this would be more along the lines of historical fiction. Despite that, I definitely recommend reading it.
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
A beautiful web of a story. Weaved through loveable, flawed characters and expertly crafted foreshadowing.
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I laughed. I cried. I fell in love. I cried some more.
I absolutely loved reading this epic story. As someone who knew next to nothing about the Iliad and the story of Achilles, I was excited to open this up. Although this is an old story, it felt very refreshing. Miller did a great job showing the absolute devotion Patroclus and Achilles have for each other. I loved how open they were about everything and how they communicated their feelings and fears amongst each other.
Miller did a great job expressing the different emotions and events that happen throughout a lengthy war. I felt the frustration, fear, anguish, love, commeraderie and absolute agony along with the characters.
Definitely a 5 star read.
I absolutely loved reading this epic story. As someone who knew next to nothing about the Iliad and the story of Achilles, I was excited to open this up. Although this is an old story, it felt very refreshing. Miller did a great job showing the absolute devotion Patroclus and Achilles have for each other. I loved how open they were about everything and how they communicated their feelings and fears amongst each other.
Miller did a great job expressing the different emotions and events that happen throughout a lengthy war. I felt the frustration, fear, anguish, love, commeraderie and absolute agony along with the characters.
Definitely a 5 star read.