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kaylyn_loves_fantasy's reviews
6 reviews
House of Ash and Shadow by Leia Stone
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.0
Stars: 0/5
Writing/verbage: 0/5
Romance: 1/5
Plot: 0/5
Characters: 0/5
Age: 9+
Review:
DNF. Before reading this book I tried another book by Leia Stone called ‘The Last Dragon King.’ Both of these books were DNF.
Good:
…
Bad:
The dialogue and verbiage. The dialogue reminded me of my stories that I wrote in elementary school. There was no personality to the speech and oftentimes I would have rather there been no dialogue because it was so cringe worthy and pointless. The verbiage was so juvenile that I honestly believed it was written by a middle schooler with a limited vocabulary. For example, I could not tell you have many times the phrase ‘that was mean’ was used!
The ‘telling not showing’. In any good book there is description of actions that shows the emotions of the character. In this book, I was told what the main character and everyone around her felt or acted in situations. It was painful.
The lack of physical description. Throughout the book I had no idea what anyone looked like. What was the main characters hair color? Couldn’t tell you. The love interest’s race? No idea. If the best friend has freckles or not? You know as much as I do.
The characters. All of the characters within the book were lifeless and annoying. Everyone seemed to love the main character even though she was ridiculous and self absorbed. They seemed to all share the same personality traits.
The relationships between the characters. Everyone had such a basic relationship with each other. Obviously everyone is instant friends with the main character and love her to death, and that is pretty much the entirety of their relationship. The dad especially was feminine and annoying, always crying and complaining despite the description of him as being tough and stone faced.
The misplaced use of modern technology. It was like the author couldn’t think of other ways to do certain things such as obtain electricity. Some things within the books were rudimentary, while others were advanced, created a mixed environment that was not easily understandable. Also lived was the language, in which the characters would use slang as well as old-timey verbiage, which was confusing to say the least.
The description of cultural aspects. I felt that everyone was mentioning things in passing and never explaining it to the readers. I never knew what was going on. Take the aspect of the Nightlings for example. They were mentioned in passing and then the main character was told that she would turn into one. How would she turn into one? Why hadn’t she already? What even is it? I never found out.
The pacing. The pacing was way too fast. Within the first ten pages so much had happened that I had no idea how to keep track of time. It seems like her dad was happy, then dying, and then healed all in the same sentence.
The school aspect. This felt like High School Musical with all of the dramatics going on. I’m surprised they didn’t break out in song. There was a classic mean girl and a ‘nice’ girl, a tough ‘I’m not like the other girls’ best friend, and a mysterious and gross love interest. Boring!
Fallon’s strange obsession with Ariyon. From the moment they first met she was admiring him creepily and talking about how good his back felt as they were riding a horse. Creepy! This continued throughout the book and icky romance scenes. I just couldn’t stand reading it!
The main character. This was easily the most annoying main character I have ever read. She was self centered and had no awareness whatsoever. She was such the stereotypical main character, complete with dramatic, self-absorbed scenes and everything! Take when she found out her lineage for example. When the teacher told her about that she literally got up on a desk and opened a window in order to breathe fresh air. Like, what?
Finally:
Overall this book was a wreck. It felt like a first draft. If rewritten and expanded upon, it could possibly be ok, but I do not recommend.
Writing/verbage: 0/5
Romance: 1/5
Plot: 0/5
Characters: 0/5
Age: 9+
Review:
DNF. Before reading this book I tried another book by Leia Stone called ‘The Last Dragon King.’ Both of these books were DNF.
Good:
…
Bad:
The dialogue and verbiage. The dialogue reminded me of my stories that I wrote in elementary school. There was no personality to the speech and oftentimes I would have rather there been no dialogue because it was so cringe worthy and pointless. The verbiage was so juvenile that I honestly believed it was written by a middle schooler with a limited vocabulary. For example, I could not tell you have many times the phrase ‘that was mean’ was used!
The ‘telling not showing’. In any good book there is description of actions that shows the emotions of the character. In this book, I was told what the main character and everyone around her felt or acted in situations. It was painful.
The lack of physical description. Throughout the book I had no idea what anyone looked like. What was the main characters hair color? Couldn’t tell you. The love interest’s race? No idea. If the best friend has freckles or not? You know as much as I do.
The characters. All of the characters within the book were lifeless and annoying. Everyone seemed to love the main character even though she was ridiculous and self absorbed. They seemed to all share the same personality traits.
The relationships between the characters. Everyone had such a basic relationship with each other. Obviously everyone is instant friends with the main character and love her to death, and that is pretty much the entirety of their relationship. The dad especially was feminine and annoying, always crying and complaining despite the description of him as being tough and stone faced.
The misplaced use of modern technology. It was like the author couldn’t think of other ways to do certain things such as obtain electricity. Some things within the books were rudimentary, while others were advanced, created a mixed environment that was not easily understandable. Also lived was the language, in which the characters would use slang as well as old-timey verbiage, which was confusing to say the least.
The description of cultural aspects. I felt that everyone was mentioning things in passing and never explaining it to the readers. I never knew what was going on. Take the aspect of the Nightlings for example. They were mentioned in passing and then the main character was told that she would turn into one. How would she turn into one? Why hadn’t she already? What even is it? I never found out.
The pacing. The pacing was way too fast. Within the first ten pages so much had happened that I had no idea how to keep track of time. It seems like her dad was happy, then dying, and then healed all in the same sentence.
The school aspect. This felt like High School Musical with all of the dramatics going on. I’m surprised they didn’t break out in song. There was a classic mean girl and a ‘nice’ girl, a tough ‘I’m not like the other girls’ best friend, and a mysterious and gross love interest. Boring!
Fallon’s strange obsession with Ariyon. From the moment they first met she was admiring him creepily and talking about how good his back felt as they were riding a horse. Creepy! This continued throughout the book and icky romance scenes. I just couldn’t stand reading it!
The main character. This was easily the most annoying main character I have ever read. She was self centered and had no awareness whatsoever. She was such the stereotypical main character, complete with dramatic, self-absorbed scenes and everything! Take when she found out her lineage for example. When the teacher told her about that she literally got up on a desk and opened a window in order to breathe fresh air. Like, what?
Finally:
Overall this book was a wreck. It felt like a first draft. If rewritten and expanded upon, it could possibly be ok, but I do not recommend.
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Stars: 3.5/5
Writing/verbage: 4.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Age: 13+
Review:
This book was great! Saft wove together the cultural traditions of a Regency-Era England with an intriguing fantasy plot!
Good:
Character relationships and personalities! Every character felt real and alive, and they each had their own speaking cadence and personal preferences.
Description of Cultural Traditions. I really enjoyed the integration of classic English traditions such as during the wedding ceremony.
Tension between Kit and Niamh. Their relationship left me begging for more! The tension throughout the book and ultimate resolution made for the perfect stand-alone romance.
The arc of feelings between characters. I liked how this was not rushed (as often happens in single books) and instead Kit and Niamh gradually developed feelings for each other.
Descriptions of Niamh power and how she used it. I really felt like I was in the moment with her using her magic!
Bad:
The ending. The whole book led up to a dramatic ending, with tons of foreshadowing at some huge battle in which Kit and Niamh come out victorious. This is why when I read the ending I was underwhelmed. It basically ended with a five minute battle in which no one died and people in the town didn’t even notice. I believe it could have ended more dramatically than that, maybe even made way for a sequel.
The lack of tragedy. The big overarching tragedy of the story was the fact that Niamh was dying slowly every time she used her magic. I was expecting some scene where Niamh had overexerted herself so much that she did almost die and yet they found some way to cure her of her disease forever. Instead, all that was given was one fainting scene. In the end, Niamh pretty much said ‘Oh well… I guess I’ll just die happy.’
Finally:
Overall this was a very interesting and enjoyable book which piqued my interest from the first to the last page. I do recommend this to fans of books such as Once Upon a Broken Heart/Caraval, The Cruel Prince, and Bone Criers Moon.
Writing/verbage: 4.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Age: 13+
Review:
This book was great! Saft wove together the cultural traditions of a Regency-Era England with an intriguing fantasy plot!
Good:
Character relationships and personalities! Every character felt real and alive, and they each had their own speaking cadence and personal preferences.
Description of Cultural Traditions. I really enjoyed the integration of classic English traditions such as during the wedding ceremony.
Tension between Kit and Niamh. Their relationship left me begging for more! The tension throughout the book and ultimate resolution made for the perfect stand-alone romance.
The arc of feelings between characters. I liked how this was not rushed (as often happens in single books) and instead Kit and Niamh gradually developed feelings for each other.
Descriptions of Niamh power and how she used it. I really felt like I was in the moment with her using her magic!
Bad:
The ending. The whole book led up to a dramatic ending, with tons of foreshadowing at some huge battle in which Kit and Niamh come out victorious. This is why when I read the ending I was underwhelmed. It basically ended with a five minute battle in which no one died and people in the town didn’t even notice. I believe it could have ended more dramatically than that, maybe even made way for a sequel.
The lack of tragedy. The big overarching tragedy of the story was the fact that Niamh was dying slowly every time she used her magic. I was expecting some scene where Niamh had overexerted herself so much that she did almost die and yet they found some way to cure her of her disease forever. Instead, all that was given was one fainting scene. In the end, Niamh pretty much said ‘Oh well… I guess I’ll just die happy.’
Finally:
Overall this was a very interesting and enjoyable book which piqued my interest from the first to the last page. I do recommend this to fans of books such as Once Upon a Broken Heart/Caraval, The Cruel Prince, and Bone Criers Moon.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Stolen Throne by Abigail Owen
adventurous
dark
funny
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
Rating: 5 stars
Age: 15+
Genre: High Fantasy, Dark Romance
My Review:
This book is 100% a STAPLE in YA Romantasy. The kiss scenes and the tension between the two lovers are on point! Through the book, the relationship develops but not steadily, giving the whole book a relation to real life relationships. Also, each of the characters down to the smallest side character are all unique and relatable to real life in some way, not filtered or plastic at all. From internal to external dialogue, action scenes, spicy scenes, and moments of conflict, this book is just really well written! The main character, Meren, is one of the least annoying main characters I’ve read, and she has valid, real emotions that make the story come to life. On top of that, each of the characters go through such an amazingly powerful character arc, their personalities changing and progressing as the story goes on. In addition to all of this, the world building is SO GOOD. This world includes beautiful descriptions of scenery, regional architectural and cultural traditions, an advanced religious system, and an internal social structure that is so well described that it feels like real life! Overall one of my favorite books ever, a MUST READ. (Although that end did make a piece of me die inside, I cannot wait until November 2024!)
Age: 15+
Genre: High Fantasy, Dark Romance
My Review:
This book is 100% a STAPLE in YA Romantasy. The kiss scenes and the tension between the two lovers are on point! Through the book, the relationship develops but not steadily, giving the whole book a relation to real life relationships. Also, each of the characters down to the smallest side character are all unique and relatable to real life in some way, not filtered or plastic at all. From internal to external dialogue, action scenes, spicy scenes, and moments of conflict, this book is just really well written! The main character, Meren, is one of the least annoying main characters I’ve read, and she has valid, real emotions that make the story come to life. On top of that, each of the characters go through such an amazingly powerful character arc, their personalities changing and progressing as the story goes on. In addition to all of this, the world building is SO GOOD. This world includes beautiful descriptions of scenery, regional architectural and cultural traditions, an advanced religious system, and an internal social structure that is so well described that it feels like real life! Overall one of my favorite books ever, a MUST READ. (Although that end did make a piece of me die inside, I cannot wait until November 2024!)
The Liar's Crown by Abigail Owen
adventurous
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
To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
I’m usually not a fan of the slow-start books and not gonna lie it took a bit of effort to get through the first 50 pages and whatnot but I’m really glad I did! The commander recruit relationship is great, and I thought that Jude had such great depth to him. I did think the side characters should have been included in the story more, characters like Alec and Nic were just kinda there for me. But I always love when the author makes up a whole religion (like Caraval) and she did a great job building the world and the story around this central religion. The end was a real twist and a setup for a great duology or trilogy. I fell like this series should only go on for one or two more books, if it goes on for too long I think it will become like Maximum Ride or even Shatter Me towards the end. I really thought this was a great book though, an easy read too it’s you’re looking for a kind of in-between-series book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Cursing
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