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kitvaria_sarene's reviews
2366 reviews
The World According to Dragons by Harmon Cooper
3.0
The World According to Dragons by Harmon Cooper is hard for me to rate.
I was entertained, and finished it rather quickly, however I also found it had quite some bumps along the way.
I really enjoyed the main character, who is rather humble and even though he's very good at his job, he is not arrogant. This was a nice change from many overpowered ones. He seems to care a lot about his friends, but when something horrible happens he almost just shrugs it off. This didn't feel in line with how his character was set up before.
His soul bounded dragon seems to miss any sort of personality, and is rather more like a vehicle / weapon you can summon in a video game.
I liked the way this progression fantasy didn't get bogged down by pages of stats, but on the other hand, besides some cultivation it didn't really feel like progression? More like a standard D&D adventure, collecting things, but without the stats and dice throws.
The action scenes were quick and fun, and I really liked the tone and voice of the book, so overall I enjoyed it, but didn't think I'd have missed out if I read something else instead.
I was entertained, and finished it rather quickly, however I also found it had quite some bumps along the way.
I really enjoyed the main character, who is rather humble and even though he's very good at his job, he is not arrogant. This was a nice change from many overpowered ones. He seems to care a lot about his friends, but when something horrible happens he almost just shrugs it off. This didn't feel in line with how his character was set up before.
His soul bounded dragon seems to miss any sort of personality, and is rather more like a vehicle / weapon you can summon in a video game.
I liked the way this progression fantasy didn't get bogged down by pages of stats, but on the other hand, besides some cultivation it didn't really feel like progression? More like a standard D&D adventure, collecting things, but without the stats and dice throws.
The action scenes were quick and fun, and I really liked the tone and voice of the book, so overall I enjoyed it, but didn't think I'd have missed out if I read something else instead.
Sixpence and Selkies by Tilly Wallace
5.0
Sixpence and Selkies by Tilly Wallace is the fifth book in the Manners and Monsters series. Cosy, cute, but also funny and a bit dark in pieces, this is just my perfect balance for a light read.
The romance in these is such a super slow burn, that it doesn't even bother me. It's quite cute actually, and that from someone who usually despises romance!
There's another mystery, which I found quite predictable this time around, however I absolutely loved exploring a new setting, an old and new home, and how realistically that bit was handled. Mucking about with dirt and just repairing one bit after another, I was right there and rebooted every little glimpse we got off this poor house that needs a loving hand, and a lot of money.
The characters are loveable as always, and I especially enjoyed a tiny little appearance near the end.
This is just pure balm for the soul!
The romance in these is such a super slow burn, that it doesn't even bother me. It's quite cute actually, and that from someone who usually despises romance!
There's another mystery, which I found quite predictable this time around, however I absolutely loved exploring a new setting, an old and new home, and how realistically that bit was handled. Mucking about with dirt and just repairing one bit after another, I was right there and rebooted every little glimpse we got off this poor house that needs a loving hand, and a lot of money.
The characters are loveable as always, and I especially enjoyed a tiny little appearance near the end.
This is just pure balm for the soul!
Twilight Kingdom by H.J. Tolson
4.0
I enjoyed Twilight Kingdom by H.J. Tolson a lot more than the first book in her previous series.
While I'd still put this in the Coming Of / upper YA section. Beware is quite dark with plenty of violence and death, but also felt like it had a lot more depth to it.
I especially enjoyed the world building, with an all new culture and plenty of creatures, runes, magic and other things to discover! The world felt well rounded and like you could actually walk behind every tree and find more world, rather than a two dimensional stage dressing.
Another strength for me were the characters. Not only did I immediately take to Candle, who felt very relatable and not just like the 20th girl who is different but secretly special. I also liked the rag-tag team of outcasts she finds a new family in, and the whole way thy just accept people as they are.
The plot was fine, but felt a bit meandering here and there, which I didn't mind, as I was happy to spend time in this world!
While I'd still put this in the Coming Of / upper YA section. Beware is quite dark with plenty of violence and death, but also felt like it had a lot more depth to it.
I especially enjoyed the world building, with an all new culture and plenty of creatures, runes, magic and other things to discover! The world felt well rounded and like you could actually walk behind every tree and find more world, rather than a two dimensional stage dressing.
Another strength for me were the characters. Not only did I immediately take to Candle, who felt very relatable and not just like the 20th girl who is different but secretly special. I also liked the rag-tag team of outcasts she finds a new family in, and the whole way thy just accept people as they are.
The plot was fine, but felt a bit meandering here and there, which I didn't mind, as I was happy to spend time in this world!
Hessians and Hellhounds by Tilly Wallace
5.0
Oh no, how did that happen? I just ran out of books in this series...
Hessians and Hellhounds by Tilly Wallace is the last full novel in the series, only a Christmas novella after this (which I read last Christmas...)
I loved this world so much, and kinda hope we'll see these two solve more murder mysteries in the future, maybe some 20 years later, with a fixed up home?
Anyway, this cosy dark story actually had one moment so full of suspense I felt queasy for a second, before it all was balanced out with a good chuckle. It's not even that unpredictable of a scene, but with the comforting vibes (despite eating brains and murder victims), it definitely surprised me nicely.
The end is open enough to definitely allow more stories, but also complete enough to feel satisfying.
Really my only gripe is having no more books like this to read!
Hessians and Hellhounds by Tilly Wallace is the last full novel in the series, only a Christmas novella after this (which I read last Christmas...)
I loved this world so much, and kinda hope we'll see these two solve more murder mysteries in the future, maybe some 20 years later, with a fixed up home?
Anyway, this cosy dark story actually had one moment so full of suspense I felt queasy for a second, before it all was balanced out with a good chuckle. It's not even that unpredictable of a scene, but with the comforting vibes (despite eating brains and murder victims), it definitely surprised me nicely.
The end is open enough to definitely allow more stories, but also complete enough to feel satisfying.
Really my only gripe is having no more books like this to read!
The Guardian of the Palace by Steven J. Morris
4.0
The Guardian of the Palace by Steven J. Morris is a fast paced urban fantasy, with a team of ex special forces soldiers now trying to settle back into normal life.
Some get a job as security, which is how they get dragged into trying to save the world. And who does the dragging? An elf, a troll, and a couple of other creatures who could be straight out of world of warcraft...
I especially liked how there was no romance, despite the main character being a woman! There's way too few female led books that aren't actually Paranormal Romance in disguise. And on top. She's very good at her job as well. A POV I loved all around!
The plot felt a bit disjointed in places, but the idea behind it all was interesting, and the tone and voice easily hooked me to the end. More like this please!
Some get a job as security, which is how they get dragged into trying to save the world. And who does the dragging? An elf, a troll, and a couple of other creatures who could be straight out of world of warcraft...
I especially liked how there was no romance, despite the main character being a woman! There's way too few female led books that aren't actually Paranormal Romance in disguise. And on top. She's very good at her job as well. A POV I loved all around!
The plot felt a bit disjointed in places, but the idea behind it all was interesting, and the tone and voice easily hooked me to the end. More like this please!
Bibliomancer by James Hunter, Dakota Krout
3.5
Bibliomancer by James A. Hunter and Dakota Krout is a fun LitRPG that easily kept me entertained.
I liked the tone and voice, especially the banter between MC and his book. I was a bit disappointed how late into the story we actually got to the book part, and I must say I enjoyed it a lot more from there on.
Personally I prefer no stat pages, but just generally leveling up and learning new skills and spells, but at least it wasn't overly much here, just a few times throughout the book.
I didn't love the characters as much as with some other litRPGs I've read, but overall it was really entertaining and a quick read.
I liked the tone and voice, especially the banter between MC and his book. I was a bit disappointed how late into the story we actually got to the book part, and I must say I enjoyed it a lot more from there on.
Personally I prefer no stat pages, but just generally leveling up and learning new skills and spells, but at least it wasn't overly much here, just a few times throughout the book.
I didn't love the characters as much as with some other litRPGs I've read, but overall it was really entertaining and a quick read.
The Apprentice Storyteller by Astrid V.J.
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely! 💥
This is not necessarily a bad book, but it is *not at all* my cup of tea. It feels much less like a fantasy book in the second half, but like trying to read a self help / empowerment book.
What makes it worse, is a lot of what feels super preachy to me, is coming from a 13 year old boy, if I read it right, talking to a 40 year old woman.
The prose is fine, and I liked the start.
The world building felt under developed and the plot more like an afterthought. I do think this is intentional, but not for me.
However I am decidedly not the target audience for this type of book, I'm the authors own words:
"The transformational message is rock solid"
This is not necessarily a bad book, but it is *not at all* my cup of tea. It feels much less like a fantasy book in the second half, but like trying to read a self help / empowerment book.
What makes it worse, is a lot of what feels super preachy to me, is coming from a 13 year old boy, if I read it right, talking to a 40 year old woman.
The prose is fine, and I liked the start.
The world building felt under developed and the plot more like an afterthought. I do think this is intentional, but not for me.
However I am decidedly not the target audience for this type of book, I'm the authors own words:
"The transformational message is rock solid"
Relight My Fire by C.K. McDonnell
4.0
Relight My Fire by C.K. McDonnell brings yet more mysteries and disasters for the Stranger Times staff.
The new case is interesting, and I especially loved the new villain in here! Necromancy isn't found in too many fantasy books, and as I always had a certain fascination with death I'm happy whenever I come across it.
Once again a lot of dark humour as well as sarcastic remarks and banter, which made this a very quick and entertaining read. I wish there was a bit more focus on our main group of characters though, as there's so much going on, their interactions feel a bit short.
I really love how these books are both kinda self contained on the mystery front, but also have an overarching plot that nicely carries the reader from book to book.
The new case is interesting, and I especially loved the new villain in here! Necromancy isn't found in too many fantasy books, and as I always had a certain fascination with death I'm happy whenever I come across it.
Once again a lot of dark humour as well as sarcastic remarks and banter, which made this a very quick and entertaining read. I wish there was a bit more focus on our main group of characters though, as there's so much going on, their interactions feel a bit short.
I really love how these books are both kinda self contained on the mystery front, but also have an overarching plot that nicely carries the reader from book to book.
Ain't No Witch: The Wanderings of Mamma Lucy by John Linwood Grant
4.0
Ain't no witch by John Linwood Grant is a collection of stories, about Mama Lucy and her hoodoo.
Set in America in the time of the Jim Crow laws, it felt well researched and smoothly fitting the time frame.
Mama Lucy is going where she needs to be, and helps people whose troubles she's drawn to. I really enjoyed her tone and matter of fact way of life, so I was easily drawn into this collection.
I also liked the mix of supernatural and very down to earth topics, which made for a fresh reading experience!
Set in America in the time of the Jim Crow laws, it felt well researched and smoothly fitting the time frame.
Mama Lucy is going where she needs to be, and helps people whose troubles she's drawn to. I really enjoyed her tone and matter of fact way of life, so I was easily drawn into this collection.
I also liked the mix of supernatural and very down to earth topics, which made for a fresh reading experience!
The Primal Hunter by Zogarth
2.5
The Primal Hunter by Zogarth is a litRPG that features even more overpowered characters than usual.
There's two of them who can just easily beat anything and everything, even if the other one is a way higher level. This over the top power fantasy was a bit annoying at times to be honest. It also took away some of the suspense, if you just know they can shrug off everything from the start.
However I did enjoy the tone and voice of the main character, so I was still easily hooked and well entertained.
The world was interesting, and I liked some of the side characters a lot, while others where a bit to stereotypical.
This one has a lot of stat sheets, I personally prefer less of those, and instead just info on new skills and level ups, especially in an audiobook, where you can't just glimpse at the sheet and look for big jumps.
All in all a quick and easy read.
There's two of them who can just easily beat anything and everything, even if the other one is a way higher level. This over the top power fantasy was a bit annoying at times to be honest. It also took away some of the suspense, if you just know they can shrug off everything from the start.
However I did enjoy the tone and voice of the main character, so I was still easily hooked and well entertained.
The world was interesting, and I liked some of the side characters a lot, while others where a bit to stereotypical.
This one has a lot of stat sheets, I personally prefer less of those, and instead just info on new skills and level ups, especially in an audiobook, where you can't just glimpse at the sheet and look for big jumps.
All in all a quick and easy read.