katreadsskulls's reviews
25 reviews

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This whole series was full of tropes, but it wasn’t terrible. Entertaining for sure, but I finished all 3 books and still would have rather read it from the Darklings POV than Alina’s. Good YA series, I’d reccomend it to teens looking for an older universe if they liked Harry Potter, Red Queen, etc, but personally maybe dual POVs would have helped because I just couldn’t connect to Alina. The ending was pretty unsatisfying, I just feel like there was more to this universe that was planned but we couldn’t see due to being in Alina’s POV. Not a bad book, I just wanted more depth.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

4.0

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

3.75

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I picked this up as a break between heavier books and it was a good brain break book. Fluffy rom com style, it was entertaining. Honestly I thought it read like a fanfiction and found out after finishing it was originally posted on Wattpad. Nothing wrong with that, it just is what it is. Good for a quick read,  not really a world that’s immersive. 
I liked the casual inclusion of more diverse characters in the background and the respect shown there.

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow. Foreshadowing from book one doesn’t come to fruition until book three. 
Okay so I was disappointed for all of 50 pages when I figured out who the stalker was, but that didn’t last long because the mid book twist had me hanging on every word. Legitametly could not put the book down for the last 250 pages. The foreshadowing arc that showed up a smidge in the second book was fully revealed and I can’t commend this author enough. Extremely well thought out, all of the characters have depth, Pip’s substance and PTSD struggle was well depicted, the tension throughout was top notch… personally by the third book in most series I find that the story loses its edge, but this one was the best in the series. 
I’ll absolutely be tracking down any other books this author writes, I loved this series!

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Coming off of the first book, Im happy to say this one didn’t have the normal “second book slump” so many series have.
I really like that the author shows how much of a toll the events of the first book took on Pip and how reluctant she is to get into another mystery. It makes it less of a cheap thriller book and gives her a more realistic feel. The betrayal by a few of her friends could have been better fleshed out, but that is honestly such a minor detail in everything else I can’t bring myself to care much. 
Awesome twist at the end which brought context and depth into part of the first book, everything knits together so perfectly!
Love it, couldn’t get the third book open quickly enough!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

3.0

This wasn’t badly written, I just couldn’t get into it.

Maven’s betrayal was spoiled for me when I checked the dust jacket of the second book to make sure I had the next book ready, so the book lost some tension for me.

Without that being spoiled, it might have helped, but this threw me into a reading slump. I’ll come back and read the rest a different time, but it just seemed too familiar, like I’ve read this plot and characters before.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was pretty entertaining, the author did a great job with foreshadowing throughout the book, but didn’t make the ending predictable. Pip and friends are relatable and I hated the ending for two of them. Won’t give it away, but seeing their bond in the rest of the book made me feel awful for the reveal. Was very surprised that JB wasn’t involved in some way, but a great set up for more.

Cloak & Dagger Burlesque by Lizzie Strong

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This was such a fun read! I wasn’t sure how I’d like the dragon character but the vibes and chemistry between Tahlia and Delilah were impeccable!  If you like grumpy/sunshine with a flirty bit of bratting in there, this is perfect!  I liked the lore drops in the background and it helped flesh out a few things I’d wondered about some of Lizzie Strong’s other books in the same universe. 

Definitely a quick read, I barely put it down since starting.  It was everything I was hoping it would be; playful, funny, and occasionally heartbreaking. I will say to please pay attention to the warning list on this one. Personally, I do not think it was gorey and the blood was very mild, but one of the fmcs was a kidnapping victim with flashbacks to (non sexual) torture and while it is set in a fantasy universe, it does hit hard. 

ALSO, I loved Calcifer’s (Delilah’s dad) entire character; his protective acceptance of Delilah, his deranged penchant for chaos, and his enthusiastic encouragement of their relationship was really refreshing to see!  There is a story line about his and Delilah’s relationship that I won’t spoil, but it was a unique way of showing a father/daughter relationship, especially with their background!

Overall, loved it! Pay attention to the trigger warnings, but if it sounds like your cup of tea, it’s a cozy, endearing book!

Fangs and Frenemies by Sierra Cross

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was a solid, cozy paranormal mystery book! Definitely a quick read, it’s fast paced both in terms of the plot moving and somewhat unrealistic character reactions but it didn’t detract from the story in my opinion. I enjoyed the subtle bi representation from Max, the fmc’s estranged best friend, and the constant banter and terrible puns kept the whole book comfortable and fluffy. The descriptions of a lot of the food made me ravenous, I wish we had a bakery like the one described! There wasn’t many enjoyable romantic interests in this book, but it looks like it’s being set up for book 2. Or 3, I’ve noticed it tagged as a slow burn.

Overall, cute story, quick read, a great palette cleanser between more dense books or for a vacation book. Will be reading book 2 soon!