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kitvaria_sarene's reviews
2234 reviews
Undying: A Hellequin Universe Novella by Steve McHugh
5.0
Undying by Steve McHugh is a novella, set within the Hellequin series.
While it can theoretically be read on its own, you'll get the most out of it, if you read the main series first.
This short and fast paced action story works so well, because all the world building and character development has already been done, and you're ready to just step into the story.
And what a fun little ride it was! I just can't get enough of Remy the sweary foxman, and having a bit of Nate again was a special treat after such a long pause.
I would happily have spent 10 times as many pages with this crew, but the story managed to be satisfying even at that length.
Highly recommended for fans of the series!
While it can theoretically be read on its own, you'll get the most out of it, if you read the main series first.
This short and fast paced action story works so well, because all the world building and character development has already been done, and you're ready to just step into the story.
And what a fun little ride it was! I just can't get enough of Remy the sweary foxman, and having a bit of Nate again was a special treat after such a long pause.
I would happily have spent 10 times as many pages with this crew, but the story managed to be satisfying even at that length.
Highly recommended for fans of the series!
Between Dragons and their Wrath by Devin Madson
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Between Dragons and Their Wrath by Devin Madson is a queer epic fantasy that held me hostage from page one.
I absolutely loved the characters from the start, with a women working in a glass blowers workshop, a dragon rider, and a laundry maid with sudden strange plant magic creeping up.
All three of them felt so real, they walked off the page and into the real world, or at least it felt like that to me. Non of them are heroes or villains, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, their virtues and vices.
The world building was equally amazing, with different cultures, politics, drugs enabling speaking to dragons, science, poisons, magic and much more.
The plot was nice and twisty, with betrayals and loyalties as well as plenty of backstabbing, blackmail and spys everywhere. Trust no one, but find allies. Sounds fun right? I know I'd not survive a single week, luckily the characters are way better adjusted than me.
It's definitely an epic fantasy with spicy scenes though, do not expect a romance or romantasy, or you'll be disappointed.
The world is queer normative, and there's plenty of m/m and f/f attraction, with a few rather spicy scenes. Especially one of the female characters is rather horny, and keeps getting distracted by pretty bodies.
If you follow my review, you know I usually despise most romance (tropes) and sex scenes in my books, as most of them feel badly written to me. The ones in here I didn't mind, as they didn't follow the annoying tropes, and the sex scenes were straight forward, no "plowing the fields" or exploding beds.
My only tiny niggle is the end being rather abrupt, and so I felt like there should have been a bit more. I seriously can't wait for the next book!
I absolutely loved the characters from the start, with a women working in a glass blowers workshop, a dragon rider, and a laundry maid with sudden strange plant magic creeping up.
All three of them felt so real, they walked off the page and into the real world, or at least it felt like that to me. Non of them are heroes or villains, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, their virtues and vices.
The world building was equally amazing, with different cultures, politics, drugs enabling speaking to dragons, science, poisons, magic and much more.
The plot was nice and twisty, with betrayals and loyalties as well as plenty of backstabbing, blackmail and spys everywhere. Trust no one, but find allies. Sounds fun right? I know I'd not survive a single week, luckily the characters are way better adjusted than me.
It's definitely an epic fantasy with spicy scenes though, do not expect a romance or romantasy, or you'll be disappointed.
The world is queer normative, and there's plenty of m/m and f/f attraction, with a few rather spicy scenes. Especially one of the female characters is rather horny, and keeps getting distracted by pretty bodies.
If you follow my review, you know I usually despise most romance (tropes) and sex scenes in my books, as most of them feel badly written to me. The ones in here I didn't mind, as they didn't follow the annoying tropes, and the sex scenes were straight forward, no "plowing the fields" or exploding beds.
My only tiny niggle is the end being rather abrupt, and so I felt like there should have been a bit more. I seriously can't wait for the next book!
Herald by Rob J. Hayes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Herald by Rob J Hayes is the first epic story in a new series. It's a whole series of 3 series, all interconnected, but I was told by the author this one was the best start. You apparently can read each series on its own, but if you are like me and really want a reading order, start here.
I LOVED this book! It has everything.
* A deep history, and mythology - even more so in the other series as I understand.
* Likeable young characters with a good coming of age story.
* Characters as old as dirt. Maybe older.
* Friendships and betrayals.
* Bad villains who you can still kinda relate to - the best villains there are.
* Characters who surprise you with who they really are. I love it when they feel organic and yet manage to catch me off guard.
* Mysteries, twists and turns.
* Adventure, action and thrilling fight scenes.
* Slow and thought provoking moments.
* Banter and humour for a nice balance.
I was immediately drawn into the story, and really blew through the whole, rather big, book in no time at all, when I didn't even have much time to read or listen.
I can't recommend it highly enough, and can't wait to delve into the others!
I LOVED this book! It has everything.
* A deep history, and mythology - even more so in the other series as I understand.
* Likeable young characters with a good coming of age story.
* Characters as old as dirt. Maybe older.
* Friendships and betrayals.
* Bad villains who you can still kinda relate to - the best villains there are.
* Characters who surprise you with who they really are. I love it when they feel organic and yet manage to catch me off guard.
* Mysteries, twists and turns.
* Adventure, action and thrilling fight scenes.
* Slow and thought provoking moments.
* Banter and humour for a nice balance.
I was immediately drawn into the story, and really blew through the whole, rather big, book in no time at all, when I didn't even have much time to read or listen.
I can't recommend it highly enough, and can't wait to delve into the others!
How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger
5.0
How To Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger is a cute but partly tragic story from the Parasol Protectorate series. We see one of the previous side character as a main character. As he's quite problematic at the start, I was a bit wary going into this one, but he's grown and I really enjoyed both his character transformation and his new partner!
I also loved to see some of the other characters again.
I also loved to see some of the other characters again.
The First Scars: by Ivor K. Hill
3.0
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely! 🔥
The First Scars by Ivor K. Hills for some reason never clicked with me. I'm having the hardest time trying to put a finger on why, but I just never really got drawn in.
I kept reading, as it's not a bad book, but just a few days after reading it, I'm having trouble to even remember what it was about, apart from some scenes that stuck with me.
The beginning was good, and the characters and world interesting, or I'd not have finished it, I just remained sorting on my couch reading, instead of getting fully immersed.
I think this is more an incompatibility issue between me and the book, then a problem of the book itself though.
The First Scars by Ivor K. Hills for some reason never clicked with me. I'm having the hardest time trying to put a finger on why, but I just never really got drawn in.
I kept reading, as it's not a bad book, but just a few days after reading it, I'm having trouble to even remember what it was about, apart from some scenes that stuck with me.
The beginning was good, and the characters and world interesting, or I'd not have finished it, I just remained sorting on my couch reading, instead of getting fully immersed.
I think this is more an incompatibility issue between me and the book, then a problem of the book itself though.
Moonshadow's Guardian by Dianna Gunn
3.75
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely. 🔥
Moonshadow's Guardian by Dianna Gunn has quite some flaws. I noticed them while reading, but somehow I still enjoyed the story a lot!
At times it feels like you missed a book, with things just being thrown in, but it wasn't so complex that I minded it much. Just had a few "Hu?" moments.
It feels more like different scenes and bits put together than one smooth storyline. The world building also feels a bit mix and match instead of a cohesive mass.
There's some consistency issues along the way.
However, even noticing all these, the tone and voice just pulled me in, and I kept reading on. I simply enjoyed the characters, and so was happily sauntering along with them.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Was it any enjoyable read? Absolutely yes!
Moonshadow's Guardian by Dianna Gunn has quite some flaws. I noticed them while reading, but somehow I still enjoyed the story a lot!
At times it feels like you missed a book, with things just being thrown in, but it wasn't so complex that I minded it much. Just had a few "Hu?" moments.
It feels more like different scenes and bits put together than one smooth storyline. The world building also feels a bit mix and match instead of a cohesive mass.
There's some consistency issues along the way.
However, even noticing all these, the tone and voice just pulled me in, and I kept reading on. I simply enjoyed the characters, and so was happily sauntering along with them.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Was it any enjoyable read? Absolutely yes!
Embargo on Hope (Star Marked #1) by Justin Doyle
3.0
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely! 🔥
Embargo of Hope by Justin Doyle is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy, that felt skewered towards sci-fi to me.
I was intrigued by the world and easily drawn in, but sadly the farther I read, the less engaged I was. I can't really exactly point out what the problem was, mostly I didn't care for the characters enough to be fully invested in their fate I think.
It's a pretty epic scale, so you need to pay attention to follow, but it's not a hard read.
Embargo of Hope by Justin Doyle is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy, that felt skewered towards sci-fi to me.
I was intrigued by the world and easily drawn in, but sadly the farther I read, the less engaged I was. I can't really exactly point out what the problem was, mostly I didn't care for the characters enough to be fully invested in their fate I think.
It's a pretty epic scale, so you need to pay attention to follow, but it's not a hard read.
Death's Emissary by Emily Devereux
3.5
Death's Emissary by Emily Devereux is a really promising debut.
It'll appeal to fans of YA fantasy, mythology and everyone who just loves Death as a character, like I do.
I was so happy there didn't seem to be a romance at first, but alas, with almost any female lead YA stories, it was to come after all.
I especially liked the start, the training and learning about the world. While it had quite some of the tropes, it was engaging and interesting and easily held my attention.
The second half felt a bit disjointed at times, and the action sequences didn't always grab me as much as they should.
The world building and voice kept me reading and entertained to the end though.
It'll appeal to fans of YA fantasy, mythology and everyone who just loves Death as a character, like I do.
I was so happy there didn't seem to be a romance at first, but alas, with almost any female lead YA stories, it was to come after all.
I especially liked the start, the training and learning about the world. While it had quite some of the tropes, it was engaging and interesting and easily held my attention.
The second half felt a bit disjointed at times, and the action sequences didn't always grab me as much as they should.
The world building and voice kept me reading and entertained to the end though.
Death's Beating Heart by Rob J. Hayes
4.0
While I really enjoyed Death's Beating Heart by Rob J. Hayes, for me it was the weakest book in the series.
Don't get me wrong, I love Eska. I would read stories from her view all day long, every day if I could. So by no means was this a bad book. There's all the emotional torture and and action I was expecting, and we get to see a lot of well known faces again.
However it felt like this book didn't really add as much to the story / world / character development as previous books have.
It felt more like an add on, than the epic conclusion I was expecting. I'm still happy I got to spend more time with these characters I have grown to love so much, so it's well worth the read!
Don't get me wrong, I love Eska. I would read stories from her view all day long, every day if I could. So by no means was this a bad book. There's all the emotional torture and and action I was expecting, and we get to see a lot of well known faces again.
However it felt like this book didn't really add as much to the story / world / character development as previous books have.
It felt more like an add on, than the epic conclusion I was expecting. I'm still happy I got to spend more time with these characters I have grown to love so much, so it's well worth the read!
Hallowed by Y. R. Liu
4.0
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely! 🔥
Hallowed by Y.R. Liu shows a lot of promise!
While there are plenty of tropes, and quite some flaws, the overall tone and voice kept me well entertained all the way through.
I enjoyed the main character. A somewhat naive girl who is definitely more passive and following along than having agency is usually not my type, but it was organically written and really fit her backstory. She is quite brave, and for once we have a young heroine, who does not have a love interest!
The side characters were a bit stereotypical, with the cold hearted assassin and so on, but there were a few nice surprises! Like a prince who is actually kind, and aman on power who is definitely on the spectrum. He's not a major character, but I enjoyed reading about someone who needs a clear rhythm to their day!
This book could have been quite a bit shorter, if you took out detailed descriptions of people who are only minor aide characters and such, and could be amazing if you instead added a bit more depth to characters and world building.
But even as is, this is a very enjoyable read that I breezed through in no time at all! While some bits are pretty predictable, it did catch me by surprise a few times, which is rather rare these days!
Even more impressive, seeing the author only has two books listed so far.
Hallowed by Y.R. Liu shows a lot of promise!
While there are plenty of tropes, and quite some flaws, the overall tone and voice kept me well entertained all the way through.
I enjoyed the main character. A somewhat naive girl who is definitely more passive and following along than having agency is usually not my type, but it was organically written and really fit her backstory. She is quite brave, and for once we have a young heroine, who does not have a love interest!
The side characters were a bit stereotypical, with the cold hearted assassin and so on, but there were a few nice surprises! Like a prince who is actually kind, and aman on power who is definitely on the spectrum. He's not a major character, but I enjoyed reading about someone who needs a clear rhythm to their day!
This book could have been quite a bit shorter, if you took out detailed descriptions of people who are only minor aide characters and such, and could be amazing if you instead added a bit more depth to characters and world building.
But even as is, this is a very enjoyable read that I breezed through in no time at all! While some bits are pretty predictable, it did catch me by surprise a few times, which is rather rare these days!
Even more impressive, seeing the author only has two books listed so far.