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librarianlayla's reviews
736 reviews
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
5.0
I adored Vicious, and Vengeful didn't let me down. It was dark, fast paced, calculated and bloody. The additional characters really helped to make this story even more fascinating, the struggles, the personality shifts. Everything. I cannot wait for a 3rd installment!
Vivatera by Candace J. Thomas
3.0
I received an eARC through NetGalley. So I'm not 100% sure how much the ARC differs from the final product as Goodreads suggests the book is longer than the copy I received.
Overall I really enjoyed the story idea. Anything to do with magic and self-discovery is always right up my alley. However I also require a lot of depth to my characters, which I feel was a little lacking. Especially as this story is told from multiple view points.
At times there was a lot of detail about the surrounding areas, and then nothing at all about the people. Some of the scenes appeared a little skimmed over, and I feel that they could have been perfect opportunities for more character interactions and relationship building.
The world itself sounds vast and there are so many different culture's and races that I felt needed to be experienced a little bit more. I really wanted to connect deeply with the world and the characters, as a lot of them had the makings of really interesting, in depth people. I just felt that there was something missing.
And one slightly picky view (again I'm not sure if this is different in the finished book) is that all of the characters have great, well thought out names, except for a character named 'Browneyes' - I feel for such a mysterious, badass, villain - she deserved a better name than just Browneyes. All the other characters have great names, and I was just disappointed. She seems like she should be an important character, although not much was revealed about her past, and how she connects to everything.
Great story premise - I just wanted a bit more from the characters so I could really root for them.
Overall I really enjoyed the story idea. Anything to do with magic and self-discovery is always right up my alley. However I also require a lot of depth to my characters, which I feel was a little lacking. Especially as this story is told from multiple view points.
At times there was a lot of detail about the surrounding areas, and then nothing at all about the people. Some of the scenes appeared a little skimmed over, and I feel that they could have been perfect opportunities for more character interactions and relationship building.
The world itself sounds vast and there are so many different culture's and races that I felt needed to be experienced a little bit more. I really wanted to connect deeply with the world and the characters, as a lot of them had the makings of really interesting, in depth people. I just felt that there was something missing.
And one slightly picky view (again I'm not sure if this is different in the finished book) is that all of the characters have great, well thought out names, except for a character named 'Browneyes' - I feel for such a mysterious, badass, villain - she deserved a better name than just Browneyes. All the other characters have great names, and I was just disappointed. She seems like she should be an important character, although not much was revealed about her past, and how she connects to everything.
Great story premise - I just wanted a bit more from the characters so I could really root for them.
New World Rising by Jennifer Wilson
4.0
*CW for mentions of both physical and sexual violence*
Dark, fast paced, raw.
I love edgy dystopian stories, and New World Rising didn't disappoint. Right from the start it is brutal, and grips the reader. The world is split after apocalyptic events, and the main character Phoenix has had to learn how to survive in it, all on her own.
There are a diverse collection of characters, and a lot of blurred lines as to who is really good and who is wrong in this world. A lot of underlying depth to so many characters.
If I had anything negative to say, it would be that the events that happen to her parents, are relayed a little too often. I feel that the opening sequence gave enough detail, and maybe it needed to be mentioned once after. But not as frequently as it was. It is clear enough that her past has shaped the way she is now, and I think that there could have been more to her, without the constant need to repeat the exact same lines over and over.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced nature of the story, the gritty determination and intellect that makes Phoenix so intriguing and the development of her character. I hope I can pick up the sequels in the future.
Dark, fast paced, raw.
I love edgy dystopian stories, and New World Rising didn't disappoint. Right from the start it is brutal, and grips the reader. The world is split after apocalyptic events, and the main character Phoenix has had to learn how to survive in it, all on her own.
There are a diverse collection of characters, and a lot of blurred lines as to who is really good and who is wrong in this world. A lot of underlying depth to so many characters.
If I had anything negative to say, it would be that the events that happen to her parents, are relayed a little too often. I feel that the opening sequence gave enough detail, and maybe it needed to be mentioned once after. But not as frequently as it was. It is clear enough that her past has shaped the way she is now, and I think that there could have been more to her, without the constant need to repeat the exact same lines over and over.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced nature of the story, the gritty determination and intellect that makes Phoenix so intriguing and the development of her character. I hope I can pick up the sequels in the future.
The Hippo at the End of the Hall by Helen Cooper
5.0
I was sent an eARC of this through NetGalley for my honest feedback.
4.5 stars out of 5.
A delightful story of a young boy discovering more about his family history, spun together with whimsy and adventure.
Highly recommend for fans of stories such as Night At The Museum, Peter Pan or Jumanji.
4.5 stars out of 5.
A delightful story of a young boy discovering more about his family history, spun together with whimsy and adventure.
Highly recommend for fans of stories such as Night At The Museum, Peter Pan or Jumanji.
Soulbinder by Sebastien de Castell
5.0
4.5 stars.
I felt this was a little slower to get into than the previous books in the series. I think this isn't quite the full five stars I usually give because Ferius isn't really featured in the story, and honestly I love the back and forth between her and Kellen.
But still a fantastic book, I love following Kellen on his path and I can't wait to read the next one!
I felt this was a little slower to get into than the previous books in the series. I think this isn't quite the full five stars I usually give because Ferius isn't really featured in the story, and honestly I love the back and forth between her and Kellen.
But still a fantastic book, I love following Kellen on his path and I can't wait to read the next one!
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
5.0
So many beautiful elements interwoven to create this magical story. Struggled to put it down.
It will delight, excite and sadden you. But it will be 100% worth the journey, I cannot wait for the sequel.
It will delight, excite and sadden you. But it will be 100% worth the journey, I cannot wait for the sequel.