kissievendor's reviews
128 reviews

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The audio was very good. Again a nice story, but the tea about publishing might have been a bit overshadowed by the rest.

It could also be I just expected more about what publishing is like from other reviews.

Anyways, solid Kuang novel as always!

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.5

Finding Me by Viola Davis

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racism

Elevation by Stephen King

emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? No

4.0

War Doctor: Surgery on the Front Line by David Nott

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Orakel by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

slow-paced

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

1.5

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

I am intrigued enough to read the second book. 

Otherwise, it was fine and enjoyable 

The worldbuilding is a bit confusing and the houses make little sense, but it has characteristics of some major fantasies like Twilight and Teen Wolf, which makes it fun.

The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

2.5

Well, this was something. 

The writing style was fine, but I’m just not a sci-fi person. What are bots and how do they work? Not explained. Also the plot was very vague.

There is plenty of room for world building. But instead, random sci-fi words are being thrown around.

I liked that it is Vietnamese, with the names and everything. And there’s references to history and stuff… but the nicknames are kind of odd in English. 

I gave sci-fi a try at least.