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kitvaria_sarene's reviews
2366 reviews
The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence
3.75
I enjoyed The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence, but I must confess I didn't love it anywhere near as much as the first.
It's hard to put my finger on why exactly - the prose was just as gorgeous as always, but the characters somehow didn't connect with me as much, which I think is more due to the scattered plot than the characters themselves?
I really enjoyed the new POV with two siblings who lived as slaves until we meet them, and they move on to a life within the library. I found their perspective fascinating and liked another view on things.
However all our characters from boon one seem to stall, both in their character as in what actually happens. It doesn't seem like much has changed from the start of the book to the end of the book, even though quite a lot of running and fighting was going on.
I did enjoy the world building and a bit more glimpses into the library, but I would have loved a bit more exploration of those parts.
The time jumps and interconnected strands, worlds, and plot lines were at times just a bit too much for me. Not that I couldn't follow, it just switched so much I started to care less? It was just a bit too restless to let me settle in, if that makes sense?
I'm also not a fan of most romance, and the (not overly much to be fair) romance in here did not work for me at all.
All in all not a bad book at all, just not a favourite, like I was expecting.
It's hard to put my finger on why exactly - the prose was just as gorgeous as always, but the characters somehow didn't connect with me as much, which I think is more due to the scattered plot than the characters themselves?
I really enjoyed the new POV with two siblings who lived as slaves until we meet them, and they move on to a life within the library. I found their perspective fascinating and liked another view on things.
However all our characters from boon one seem to stall, both in their character as in what actually happens. It doesn't seem like much has changed from the start of the book to the end of the book, even though quite a lot of running and fighting was going on.
I did enjoy the world building and a bit more glimpses into the library, but I would have loved a bit more exploration of those parts.
The time jumps and interconnected strands, worlds, and plot lines were at times just a bit too much for me. Not that I couldn't follow, it just switched so much I started to care less? It was just a bit too restless to let me settle in, if that makes sense?
I'm also not a fan of most romance, and the (not overly much to be fair) romance in here did not work for me at all.
All in all not a bad book at all, just not a favourite, like I was expecting.
The Oathsworn Legacy by K.R. Gangi
3.75
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely!
This book almost needs two ratings from me. I didn't really connect well with the first half. It felt quite "episodic", with seemingly unconnected little side quests and no real direction. It felt too easy and more like a D&D campaign with new distractions for each session.
So if I would have had to rate this book in the first third, I'd probably have gone with a low score.
However, somewhere around the middle I noticed I actually started to care for the characters, and slowly there was some overarching plot emerging.
Slowly, slowly this book managed to get Its hooks into me, and I got more and more invested.
The second half was a good read, and by the end I was fully lost in this world, and celebrating and grieving with the characters.
It went from disjointed adventures, a bit like a "B movie" version of Ryiria, to a gripping epic fantasy.
I really wish the start would be polished up a bit more, and the young men slang toned down a bit. I fully understand that it's meant to show the growth of the two brothers, but it was just a tad too heavy for my liking.
I didn't really care for any of the characters as it was just action after action, and a bit of "oh whatever, we're the best, just lets go and kill some more monsters" with a shrug and no real depth or consequences.
Once they actually get some padding and start to feel like people, and not just overpowered game characters who'll just succeed at anything anyway the story improves so much!
This book almost needs two ratings from me. I didn't really connect well with the first half. It felt quite "episodic", with seemingly unconnected little side quests and no real direction. It felt too easy and more like a D&D campaign with new distractions for each session.
So if I would have had to rate this book in the first third, I'd probably have gone with a low score.
However, somewhere around the middle I noticed I actually started to care for the characters, and slowly there was some overarching plot emerging.
Slowly, slowly this book managed to get Its hooks into me, and I got more and more invested.
The second half was a good read, and by the end I was fully lost in this world, and celebrating and grieving with the characters.
It went from disjointed adventures, a bit like a "B movie" version of Ryiria, to a gripping epic fantasy.
I really wish the start would be polished up a bit more, and the young men slang toned down a bit. I fully understand that it's meant to show the growth of the two brothers, but it was just a tad too heavy for my liking.
I didn't really care for any of the characters as it was just action after action, and a bit of "oh whatever, we're the best, just lets go and kill some more monsters" with a shrug and no real depth or consequences.
Once they actually get some padding and start to feel like people, and not just overpowered game characters who'll just succeed at anything anyway the story improves so much!
The Vengeance by Emma Newman
3.5
I met Emma Newman at BristolCon in October, and was lucky enough to get an ARC of The Vengeance. I'm also still quite hyper about being brave enough to approach her and ask for it, after she asked bloggers to come and ask her for one.
She was so super nice, which makes it hard that this is my least favourite book of hers so far. I absolutely loved Brother's Ruin and Planetfall 1&2.
Don't get me wrong, The Vengeance is still a fine book, or I wouldn't have finished it, it simply wasn't an instant favourite like the others.
I liked the start, and the end, but the middle didn't catch me as much. A main reason for this was the main character, who was both sceptical of everything, but on the other hand also just going along with whatever cake her way. Having grown up with pirates and a rather rough background, it didn't really feel very organic. She simply never asks the right questions, and makes one stupid decision after the other, while things mostly bumble along. I also simply didn't like her voice, with way too many explanations! for my taste.
The actual fantasy part only shows up super late in the book, and I was wondering if this was historical fiction and I just misunderstood it being SFF (my ARC copy misses the vampires mentioned on the cover of the finished book.)
The last bit really picked up the pace and I did like it better, as the main character finally seemed authentic again, even though it was a bit rushed and easy.
I did enjoy the setting, the historical accuracy and the sapphic aspect, even though the romance also felt a bit rushed.
She was so super nice, which makes it hard that this is my least favourite book of hers so far. I absolutely loved Brother's Ruin and Planetfall 1&2.
Don't get me wrong, The Vengeance is still a fine book, or I wouldn't have finished it, it simply wasn't an instant favourite like the others.
I liked the start, and the end, but the middle didn't catch me as much. A main reason for this was the main character, who was both sceptical of everything, but on the other hand also just going along with whatever cake her way. Having grown up with pirates and a rather rough background, it didn't really feel very organic. She simply never asks the right questions, and makes one stupid decision after the other, while things mostly bumble along. I also simply didn't like her voice, with way too many explanations! for my taste.
The actual fantasy part only shows up super late in the book, and I was wondering if this was historical fiction and I just misunderstood it being SFF (my ARC copy misses the vampires mentioned on the cover of the finished book.)
The last bit really picked up the pace and I did like it better, as the main character finally seemed authentic again, even though it was a bit rushed and easy.
I did enjoy the setting, the historical accuracy and the sapphic aspect, even though the romance also felt a bit rushed.
The Son of the Morning by Jacob Peppers
3.0
The Son of the Morning by Jacob Peppers.
The idea had a lot of potential, but sadly the story didn't really pull it off for me.
I didn't really like most of the characters, with the main character seeming to be both incredibly stupid, a hero type who feels he needs to rescue everyone and is super fair, but also we are told about this utter rage he feels at times. And that's my main problem, I got told most of this, I didn't organically feel it with the characters.
He is super sad because his parents got killed when he was a kid? If you say so. He's super frustrated for reasons? If you say so. He's filled with rage? If you say so.
They also seem to just get past those feelings I'm told they are feeling in the next paragraph again. So we might need to be told again a little bit later.
Same for other moments, when people seems almost on the brink of break down, but hey! They can turn into deus ex machina mode still after all.
I did like the female main character mostly, but she also just forgets to use her brain at times, and acts totally out of character.
We also have a mute... let's call him warrior type for lack of a better word. I enjoyed him the most, probably because he's mute, so can't prove his stupidity by what he says...
The world was nice to explore, I liked the monsters, the gods and all, I just wish there would have been a bit more plot cohesion as well as a bit more depth to the characters.
Good enough to finish, but I won't read any sequels in the series.
The idea had a lot of potential, but sadly the story didn't really pull it off for me.
I didn't really like most of the characters, with the main character seeming to be both incredibly stupid, a hero type who feels he needs to rescue everyone and is super fair, but also we are told about this utter rage he feels at times. And that's my main problem, I got told most of this, I didn't organically feel it with the characters.
He is super sad because his parents got killed when he was a kid? If you say so. He's super frustrated for reasons? If you say so. He's filled with rage? If you say so.
They also seem to just get past those feelings I'm told they are feeling in the next paragraph again. So we might need to be told again a little bit later.
Same for other moments, when people seems almost on the brink of break down, but hey! They can turn into deus ex machina mode still after all.
I did like the female main character mostly, but she also just forgets to use her brain at times, and acts totally out of character.
We also have a mute... let's call him warrior type for lack of a better word. I enjoyed him the most, probably because he's mute, so can't prove his stupidity by what he says...
The world was nice to explore, I liked the monsters, the gods and all, I just wish there would have been a bit more plot cohesion as well as a bit more depth to the characters.
Good enough to finish, but I won't read any sequels in the series.
Hell For Hire by Rachel Aaron
4.0
Hell for Hire by Rachel Aaron is the start to a fun urban fantasy series.
The two main characters play well of each other. One is a very optimistic witch who decided to start his own "Blackwood" to get past warlocks trying to force recruit him.
The other is the head of a motley crew of free demons, who took the job of being his security service for a month.
These two opposites definitely attract, there's a little hint of romance, but mostly there's friendship and loyalty between the crew. I adored the banter and quibbles so much.
The world was interesting, though I'd have liked it a bit deeper and a little more explanations.
I'll definitely keep reading on!
The two main characters play well of each other. One is a very optimistic witch who decided to start his own "Blackwood" to get past warlocks trying to force recruit him.
The other is the head of a motley crew of free demons, who took the job of being his security service for a month.
These two opposites definitely attract, there's a little hint of romance, but mostly there's friendship and loyalty between the crew. I adored the banter and quibbles so much.
The world was interesting, though I'd have liked it a bit deeper and a little more explanations.
I'll definitely keep reading on!
The King of Avalon by Steve McHugh
4.5
The King of Avalon by Steve McHugh
Oh what a delight to be with the Hellequin crew again! How I missed all of these people.
Having Mordred as main character was amazing, and I can't get enough of the banter and friendships.
Oh what a delight to be with the Hellequin crew again! How I missed all of these people.
Having Mordred as main character was amazing, and I can't get enough of the banter and friendships.
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater
4.0
I did enjoy The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater a lot, but not as much as her regency fairly takes, or one of my all time favorite books: Small Miracles.
I was instantly in love with the no nonsense main character, who is very straight forward and doesn't let things like fairies or hauntings scare her.
I also liked the second main character, a very mysterious "monster" of a man.
I adored the mutual respect they grew, but the romance between these two didn't really work for me at all. I usually detest romance to be fair, so other people might love exactly what I don't.
Another bit that wasn't perfect for me was the mix of plot and pacing. I can absolutely love a glacial slow slice of life book, but here I just found the balance between "nothing is happening" and then some suspense scenes just not ideal.
As I enjoyed the characters, the world, the magic and the little glimpses behind the veil so much, it's still a good 4* book for me. I was just expecting a full happy 5*.
I was instantly in love with the no nonsense main character, who is very straight forward and doesn't let things like fairies or hauntings scare her.
I also liked the second main character, a very mysterious "monster" of a man.
I adored the mutual respect they grew, but the romance between these two didn't really work for me at all. I usually detest romance to be fair, so other people might love exactly what I don't.
Another bit that wasn't perfect for me was the mix of plot and pacing. I can absolutely love a glacial slow slice of life book, but here I just found the balance between "nothing is happening" and then some suspense scenes just not ideal.
As I enjoyed the characters, the world, the magic and the little glimpses behind the veil so much, it's still a good 4* book for me. I was just expecting a full happy 5*.
Brother's Ruin by Emma Newman
5.0
Brother's Ruin by Emma Newman feels like it was written for me.
I was instantly drawn to the tone and voice of the main character, and couldn't put it down till I ran out of pages.
A young woman trying to find her way in a time when everything is run by men.
Add to that having magical abilities and a brother with health issues and you have quite some friction to build a story on. It doesn't start off on a bang, instead it slowly drags you into this world.
It is under 200 pages, yet to me it felt like a full novel, as it just managed to pack character development and magic so efficiently into the story. Being set in a familiar time and city obviously makes it a bit easier to cut down on worldbuilding, so instead we can focus on other parts, like the magical society.
I must say I am currently really enjoying this setting, and am blowing through books like Stormsong, Blood over Bright Haven and simialr. This is another amazing addition.
I was instantly drawn to the tone and voice of the main character, and couldn't put it down till I ran out of pages.
A young woman trying to find her way in a time when everything is run by men.
Add to that having magical abilities and a brother with health issues and you have quite some friction to build a story on. It doesn't start off on a bang, instead it slowly drags you into this world.
It is under 200 pages, yet to me it felt like a full novel, as it just managed to pack character development and magic so efficiently into the story. Being set in a familiar time and city obviously makes it a bit easier to cut down on worldbuilding, so instead we can focus on other parts, like the magical society.
I must say I am currently really enjoying this setting, and am blowing through books like Stormsong, Blood over Bright Haven and simialr. This is another amazing addition.
The Chalice War: Cauldron by David B. Coe
3.0
The Chalice War: Cauldron by David B. Coe
I liked it a bit better than the first book, though I still don't know why I need to know that she would happily take this random man to bed on first sight, as she is bi. I could do with less insta horny or love. I'm looking specifically for urban fantasy and not paranormal romance to not get that, and yet, here it is. Not too bad, but still...
I do like the animals, the creatures, the myths, and Australia is a nice setting.
I liked it a bit better than the first book, though I still don't know why I need to know that she would happily take this random man to bed on first sight, as she is bi. I could do with less insta horny or love. I'm looking specifically for urban fantasy and not paranormal romance to not get that, and yet, here it is. Not too bad, but still...
I do like the animals, the creatures, the myths, and Australia is a nice setting.
Mistlight by J.A. Andrews
medium-paced
5.0
Mistlight by J.A. Andrews is the second book in the Aenigma Lights series.
While I liked book one, book two is the one that hooked me body and soul. It took me a bit to get as connected to these characters as I did with the authors previous series, but now I am fully addicted.
I simply love the magic in this world, and seeing more of the classsic style fantasy races like elves and dwarves. Andrews manages to give me that familiar feeling, while still having a fresh tone and voice.
The banter and humour is balanced well with character growth, betrayals and hard decisions.
The found family, friendships and loyalties are simply addictive, and I wish I was part of this ragtag team of different people!
While I like grimdark as much as cosy fantasy, I sometimes wish the middle ground, that is neither just bleak, nor too easy or shallow. J.A. andrews series scratch that itch perfectly, and I can't wait to read more about these characters and setting!
While I liked book one, book two is the one that hooked me body and soul. It took me a bit to get as connected to these characters as I did with the authors previous series, but now I am fully addicted.
I simply love the magic in this world, and seeing more of the classsic style fantasy races like elves and dwarves. Andrews manages to give me that familiar feeling, while still having a fresh tone and voice.
The banter and humour is balanced well with character growth, betrayals and hard decisions.
The found family, friendships and loyalties are simply addictive, and I wish I was part of this ragtag team of different people!
While I like grimdark as much as cosy fantasy, I sometimes wish the middle ground, that is neither just bleak, nor too easy or shallow. J.A. andrews series scratch that itch perfectly, and I can't wait to read more about these characters and setting!