kingkiara's reviews
83 reviews

Dark Magick by Cate Tiernan

dark lighthearted tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Blood Witch by Cate Tiernan

dark lighthearted tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Coven by Cate Tiernan

dark lighthearted reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan

lighthearted reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

challenging tense slow-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

3.25

This was cute story overall, although a bit unbalanced in terms of painfully lengthy slow burn begining to rushed ending. 

I adored sam and was filled with rage everytime she hurt him for no real reason. He had such golden retriever energy and I love that! I also found it funny how real emotions would get stuck in her throat but one little mention of anything true crime related would unpause her. It's really an interesting irony that her safe place was in the hidden within the darkest concepts of life while the lightest ones that are supposed to be intrinsically embedded into your subconscious as essential building blocks of life, such as frienship or love, were the most terrifying for her.

 I definitely would not mind a spin off about Alison after what happened with Phoebe in middle school up until seeing her come back for the summer. A fun quick read for the most part.

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

This was the most adorable audible read, the voice acting alone was worth it. This story was hilarious, relatable & well paced. The way the characters were written reminded me a little of TJ Klune in the very best way. I legitimately want to create an army of chaotic ginger bread people now. I wouldn't be mad if this turned into a series where we could see mona navigate the limits of her powers as she grows or even a spin off of another minor wizard like rock cheese guy. 

I'm excited to read more from this author 💛

The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

Cute, fun, quick 

How to Train Your Mind: Exploring the Productivity Benefits of Meditation by Chris Bailey

informative slow-paced

1.5

I'm glad this was free with my audible because it probably would have been better as a blog post or a marketing email. I was looking for something to help me retrain my brain in regards to intrusive thoughts as the title suggests however this was more a "why you should meditate" and this could have been okay if it included a more detailed "how to meditate". As a neurodivergent person i wish there were more tools or techniques paired with the meditation to make it more feasible. The "just do it" attitude felt a bit tone deaf and added to the feeling that there wasn't much substance behind the text. 

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

informative reflective slow-paced

2.5

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Full series review, read on audible.

Honestly I wish I would have stopped after the first book. That one was just the best of the trilogy based on plot, mystery and engagement. The other two definitely aren't bad though, I just kind of had to drag myself to the finish line because I was kind of over it by the middle of the second book. It just felt like it was being dragged out just to push another book in a way that took all the fun out of figuring out the worlds worked. It also felt a bit pointless and did not answer any real questions about the way certain things worked. 

I've read a few other books from this author that i love so i was excited for this one and just ended up not being my vibe i guess. However i adored lilah & rhys relationship with Kl. Additionally if there is ever a spin off about meris and how she made her black market, i would read it in a heartbeat.