kathlyn's reviews
116 reviews

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

3.5

This was a quick, easy read which is what I expected. I really love fairytale retellings, and I thought that this was such an interesting, unique take on a retelling.

I loved the multiverse setting/concept. I thought that it was a really good idea.

With that being said, I wish there was more. I totally think a short book can be impactful, but this book read like an outline of a longer book to me. I wanted more character development and more tension building. Because of the length, some things felt shallow and underdone. Since I didn’t get a lot of time getting to know the characters, their interactions sometimes felt awkward or flat. I wish the author had taken this idea and written a longer fantasy book with more character depth and worldbuilding. 
I might pick up another one of this series’ books if I want a short, easy read, but I wish they were just more. 

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

5.0

I haven’t read anything else by Cassandra Clare, but this book was awesome. The worldbuilding was so carefully crafted. There was so much going on and so many details that showed how much work and research went into this book. I really enjoyed the characters as well. While Kel and Lin were definitely the main characters, I do think side characters were properly fleshed out and interesting to reach about. I do think this truly is a high fantasy and is a bit slower paced than some other books. It relies a lot on the reader being interested in all of the political machinations of the court rather than lots of action. I really enjoyed this but readers more used to YA or low fantasy might not like it. I also really liked how the books explores different things like class, gender, sexuality, and religious tension. 
I can’t wait for the next one. 

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng

3.75

I read this book so fast. I really liked the concept, and it was a super easy read since it was so fast paced. I also liked the characters and their relationships a lot. I’m not a big horror reader, but there was just enough horror and creepiness for me. If you like super scary horror stories, you probably won’t love this. I also just wish the story and the worldbuilding had a little more depth.

I thought the celestial maiden stuff was super interesting, but it didn’t always make sense to me. I also think the first 2/3 of the book did a great job building tension and then the last act was super rushed and ruined all of the tension building. Like there were all of these weird things happening at the workshop, slowly building the weird atmosphere and then literally within a page or two everyone was wearing white and looked the same and was super creepy. I also felt the ending wasn’t very satisfying. I guess it might be setting up for a sequel, but I think this story would’ve served better as a stand alone with a better ending.

Also I just wanted more focus on the K-pop, like more about the outfits and the aesthetics and the concerts. 

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

4.75

I love when genres are blended, especially if fantasy is involved. I love the worldbuilding; the author did a great job creating an interesting and in-depth world to dive into. The whole story gave me batman vibes even though there are no real “superheroes.” The city felt like Gotham to me. 
I also loved how much focus was put on the relationship between the MC and her sisters. It was a great example of how not all family relationships are clear cut. There can be good and bad. I also thought that Io’s fears and anxieties were written well. A lot of fantasy MCs are immune to anxiety, but Io is not. But she also is able to overcome it when she needs to. 
A lot is jammed into this book. Even though so much occurs, I did occasionally feel like the story lagged a bit.

I did see the twist of who was behind the wraiths coming from pretty far away. I felt like the information shared about the order of the furies was always a little forced, and they were mentioned a lot despite not really having a lot of bearing on the current characters until the end.

I will definitely be reading the next book as soon as it comes out.  

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the idea of a bunch of immortal women helping steer heroes to glory. I also loved how they get immortal horse sidekicks. Reed was a fun main character to follow

I’m really happy she stuck with the order. I hate when women MCs lose their powers or give it all up for love or whatever. I do think she got to act without consequence a lot.

This is a rare fantasy book in that I was actually invested in the action sequences. Normally, I’m skimming big battle sequences, but the writing and characterizations had me very invested and paying close attention.

I definitely felt the hero’s glory during the battle scene where they finally break the siege.

 

The Deep by Rivers Solomon

4.0

Ship It by Britta Lundin

3.75

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

4.0

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

4.5

This book was so awesome! The worldbuilding is well done and interesting. I loved the mechanics behind shaping the dragon’s breath. It was so unique. Anequs was such a great main character and narrator. I loved reading a character who despite facing prejudice never faltered in confidence or dedication to her identity. Her maturity and matter-of-factness was really refreshing. It’s so frustrating to constantly read women characters who suffer from low self esteem or are embarrassed by who they are. Anequs was determined and self assured. The plot did occasionally feel a little slow paced for me, but I still can’t wait for the story to continue! 

Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

3.0