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laura_hart15's reviews
72 reviews
The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
House of Shadows by Darcy Coates
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse
The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Absolutely loved it! Definitely different from the others, but still enjoyable. I'm very happy that we got to see into more of the family history of Diana and even the fact her and Matthew's families had been intertwined in the past was also very fascinating!
The development of the twins was so much fun to watch.
Diana, she just seems to have become less strong-willed to prove herself and be a go-getter. Kindof sad to see less of her strong will.
Matthew, oh dear Matthew. He definitely was done dirty to a degree.
Ysbeau, she was done even dirtier. She was barely there and even then she didn't seem to be herself. Only seemed to be a means to an end.
Only thing I didn't really like was the way it ended. Yes, in a way I got excited that she left it to where she could continue the story in the future. But the character that showed up at the end just felt so disjointed from the previous experiences we've gotten with her. That in and of itself was a disappointment. But then again, it was a bit nice to see her subdued.
The development of the twins was so much fun to watch.
Diana, she just seems to have become less strong-willed to prove herself and be a go-getter. Kindof sad to see less of her strong will.
Matthew, oh dear Matthew. He definitely was done dirty to a degree.
Ysbeau, she was done even dirtier. She was barely there and even then she didn't seem to be herself. Only seemed to be a means to an end.
Only thing I didn't really like was the way it ended. Yes, in a way I got excited that she left it to where she could continue the story in the future. But the character that showed up at the end just felt so disjointed from the previous experiences we've gotten with her. That in and of itself was a disappointment. But then again, it was a bit nice to see her subdued.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Sexual content and Blood
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Man, they are getting better and better with each book! By the title, I was expecting it to go one way, but it completely went the other! And I am all for it! I am looking forward to continuing the series!
THEORY: The main Mog leader guy is Lorac. And he is Ella's dad? Maybe? Not sure.... we shall see
THEORY: The main Mog leader guy is Lorac. And he is Ella's dad? Maybe? Not sure.... we shall see
Of Shadows and Death by Sharlene Healy
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
It was a good retelling of Rapunzel, but there are several things that just didn't cut it for me. I had high hopes for this book, since it is my first time reading any kind of retelling.
I'll start with the bad, then end on the good:
First, the chapter lengths were so very uncomfortably short. It didn't allow for any wiggle room, or the ability to get really deep into the story and get lost in it. Which is the whole reason why I read. The whole reason for me is to get lost in the story and I didn't really find myself getting lost in it, just more of being uncomfortable. It just felt like I was someone who was unwanted in a room when mom and dad are arguing, and you want to disappear.
Secondly, what the heck. Why is she wanting to get it on with the vampire she literally met not even two weeks ago, and even then, they had like, what, two or three conversations. I get it, she feels lonely in the tower, but really. This isn't even realistic. But hey, its fiction, so I guess it doesn't matter. Though there are about two or three scenes that do "go there", albeit each time is only about two or three very short paragraphs.
Thirdly, there were a few times where it was really nice to see her enjoying herself at the Vampire Castle learning new things and such. But at the same time, it was awkward, though I guess that it is just because she didn't have any interactions with others outside of her "mom". Also, she seemed very trusting with her love interest's mom and was telling her things.
Fourthly, I loved that she was able to find a way to have a companion, and though I have a fear of spiders, it was really cool that she got to have a spider as her companion and that she was able to get it to communicate with it's "cousins" to go throughout the land to find out things and tell her stuff that helped. So it didn't seem like she was a total damsel in distress.
SPOILERS Start here:
I liked how she got the spider cousins to go whisper to her real parents and to get through the spell.
Fifthly, I loved how she was able to figure out that she could pull shadows from the Vampires that essentially kills them, or at east makes them super weak.
Overall, it was a good book. I'm not sure if I would recommend it. But if you don't really care about getting to deep into the story, then go for it. Would I re-read it? Probably not, but there is a small chance that I might go back and skim it a little. But I am interested in the other books in the series.
I'll start with the bad, then end on the good:
First, the chapter lengths were so very uncomfortably short. It didn't allow for any wiggle room, or the ability to get really deep into the story and get lost in it. Which is the whole reason why I read. The whole reason for me is to get lost in the story and I didn't really find myself getting lost in it, just more of being uncomfortable. It just felt like I was someone who was unwanted in a room when mom and dad are arguing, and you want to disappear.
Secondly, what the heck. Why is she wanting to get it on with the vampire she literally met not even two weeks ago, and even then, they had like, what, two or three conversations. I get it, she feels lonely in the tower, but really. This isn't even realistic. But hey, its fiction, so I guess it doesn't matter. Though there are about two or three scenes that do "go there", albeit each time is only about two or three very short paragraphs.
Thirdly, there were a few times where it was really nice to see her enjoying herself at the Vampire Castle learning new things and such. But at the same time, it was awkward, though I guess that it is just because she didn't have any interactions with others outside of her "mom". Also, she seemed very trusting with her love interest's mom and was telling her things.
Fourthly, I loved that she was able to find a way to have a companion, and though I have a fear of spiders, it was really cool that she got to have a spider as her companion and that she was able to get it to communicate with it's "cousins" to go throughout the land to find out things and tell her stuff that helped. So it didn't seem like she was a total damsel in distress.
SPOILERS Start here:
I liked how she got the spider cousins to go whisper to her real parents and to get through the spell.
Fifthly, I loved how she was able to figure out that she could pull shadows from the Vampires that essentially kills them, or at east makes them super weak.
Overall, it was a good book. I'm not sure if I would recommend it. But if you don't really care about getting to deep into the story, then go for it. Would I re-read it? Probably not, but there is a small chance that I might go back and skim it a little. But I am interested in the other books in the series.
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
2.25 Star. It was just not enjoyable. Mare is still very self-centered, but she tries to seem caring, though it seems forced.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Spoilers are in here. But I definitely felt like there were some things that could have been left out.
The whole love triangle still feels really odd to me, but I feel like in the end, she wrote it in a way that made it almost worth having it. But I also feel like she, in a way, took the easy way out in the end with Tessa and Jem's love story.
The whole love triangle still feels really odd to me, but I feel like in the end, she wrote it in a way that made it almost worth having it. But I also feel like she, in a way, took the easy way out in the end with Tessa and Jem's love story.