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librarianlayla's reviews
940 reviews
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
3.0
3/3.5 stars.
I had really high hopes for this series but I mostly found the characters to be a little bland and they left me feeling nothing. However, the latter half of this book did pick up, and held a lot more emotion and depth.
Overall the series isn't awful, it just didn't live up to the hype for me. I wanted more, had I read this when it first came out - I probably would have been more in love - however I just felt it lacking in areas.
I had really high hopes for this series but I mostly found the characters to be a little bland and they left me feeling nothing. However, the latter half of this book did pick up, and held a lot more emotion and depth.
Overall the series isn't awful, it just didn't live up to the hype for me. I wanted more, had I read this when it first came out - I probably would have been more in love - however I just felt it lacking in areas.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
4.0
4/4.5 stars.
I enjoyed this book far more than I did the Shadow and Bone Trilogy.
I found the characters more interesting and had more depth to them. I felt the storyline was more gripping and held my interest, there were lulls, but overall I enjoyed the heist and the little tidbits of information regarding the characters backgrounds.
I enjoyed this book far more than I did the Shadow and Bone Trilogy.
I found the characters more interesting and had more depth to them. I felt the storyline was more gripping and held my interest, there were lulls, but overall I enjoyed the heist and the little tidbits of information regarding the characters backgrounds.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
4.5 stars.
I enjoyed the character development in this and the high stakes thrill of the game. Parts of the ending caught me off guard which I really appreciated as I love it when I don't know what's coming. Overall a really good cat and mouse joy ride filled with touching moments.
I enjoyed the character development in this and the high stakes thrill of the game. Parts of the ending caught me off guard which I really appreciated as I love it when I don't know what's coming. Overall a really good cat and mouse joy ride filled with touching moments.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
5.0
I loved delving back into this world and seeing things from Cardan's perspective, getting to know things about him that were only eluded to in the series. This book is also so gorgeously illustrated - it is breath taking.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
4.0
3.5/4 stars.
I feel like the overuse of the term 'male' or 'maleness' got on my nerves a little and made the reading a little tedious at times. But let's face it, we all just turned up for Chapter 55, so... you know.
I did enjoy the character development of the main characters, the twists and turns as well as their journey. The writing sometimes makes it a little less enjoyable outside of the 'smutty' sections. But overall I did enjoy the book, and I will be carrying on to find out how this plays out.
I feel like the overuse of the term 'male' or 'maleness' got on my nerves a little and made the reading a little tedious at times. But let's face it, we all just turned up for Chapter 55, so... you know.
I did enjoy the character development of the main characters, the twists and turns as well as their journey. The writing sometimes makes it a little less enjoyable outside of the 'smutty' sections. But overall I did enjoy the book, and I will be carrying on to find out how this plays out.
Stay or Leave: How to remain in, or end your relationship by The School of Life
4.0
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/4 stars.
An insightful book that may be of assistance to those who feel stuck in a relationship, for whatever reason. The majority of the book does sadly focus mostly on hetero monogamous relationships with offspring, which was a little disappointing. But it does attempt, in a very small way, at the end to rectify that by mentioning possible other relationship routes.
I think the advise overall is helpful, I just wish that it was aimed at the wider world of relationships across the entire spectrum.
3.5/4 stars.
An insightful book that may be of assistance to those who feel stuck in a relationship, for whatever reason. The majority of the book does sadly focus mostly on hetero monogamous relationships with offspring, which was a little disappointing. But it does attempt, in a very small way, at the end to rectify that by mentioning possible other relationship routes.
I think the advise overall is helpful, I just wish that it was aimed at the wider world of relationships across the entire spectrum.
Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
5.0
4.5/5 stars.
I did struggle with the beginning of this book, it felt like being dropped into a world that you should already be familiar with rather than a first book world. But as I got to grips with the terminology, the orders and the history, I became really engrossed in the story and the magic system.
The characters are well fleshed out with well rounded flaws and motivations. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. The dark edge to the story was a constant companion.
Looking forward to what the next book will bring.
I did struggle with the beginning of this book, it felt like being dropped into a world that you should already be familiar with rather than a first book world. But as I got to grips with the terminology, the orders and the history, I became really engrossed in the story and the magic system.
The characters are well fleshed out with well rounded flaws and motivations. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. The dark edge to the story was a constant companion.
Looking forward to what the next book will bring.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4.0
Creepy, fast paced and maddening.
I must admit that I spent the first half of this book just generally being angry, I found it difficult to relate to the main character and found her vain, fickle personality grating. But more so than that, the misogynistic, racist men that heavily detailed the book, infuriated me. Which I know is accurate and relevant to the time in which the book takes place, but as I was having trouble finding any redeeming quality in the main character, I was just overtly angry for the first half.
The story itself is very well written, keeping the reader on their toes. It is beautifully alliterative and paints a dark and morose setting. Which I adored, and I did, come the end, feel myself rooting for the characters. Hence my 4 star rating, it is a good book, I think I just found some of the characters too close to home and that grated on me personally - which has absolutely no reflection on the author's capacity to spin a spooky tale.
Overall a book that I think those who love dramatic heroines, creepy haunted mansions and historical science would appreciate.
I must admit that I spent the first half of this book just generally being angry, I found it difficult to relate to the main character and found her vain, fickle personality grating. But more so than that, the misogynistic, racist men that heavily detailed the book, infuriated me. Which I know is accurate and relevant to the time in which the book takes place, but as I was having trouble finding any redeeming quality in the main character, I was just overtly angry for the first half.
The story itself is very well written, keeping the reader on their toes. It is beautifully alliterative and paints a dark and morose setting. Which I adored, and I did, come the end, feel myself rooting for the characters. Hence my 4 star rating, it is a good book, I think I just found some of the characters too close to home and that grated on me personally - which has absolutely no reflection on the author's capacity to spin a spooky tale.
Overall a book that I think those who love dramatic heroines, creepy haunted mansions and historical science would appreciate.
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
A compelling cat and mouse mystery wrapped in a mathematical/geometric fantasy alternative world.
I was worried within the first few chapters that I wasn't going to enjoy the story as it's entire magic system is heavily based in maths/geometry but there is so much more to this story that that and I found it difficult to put down.
Slow to start with but filled with intrigue it really is a fantastic story and I cannot wait for the sequel.
I was worried within the first few chapters that I wasn't going to enjoy the story as it's entire magic system is heavily based in maths/geometry but there is so much more to this story that that and I found it difficult to put down.
Slow to start with but filled with intrigue it really is a fantastic story and I cannot wait for the sequel.
The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni
5.0
This book, my heart, that cliffhanger.
I adored The Prison Healer and so couldn't wait to dive back into their world, and I was not disappointed.
Twists and turns, secrets around every corner and more of the budding romance whilst still not making it a main focus. I couldn't put this book down, it was magnificent.
The third one is too far away and I need it now!
I adored The Prison Healer and so couldn't wait to dive back into their world, and I was not disappointed.
Twists and turns, secrets around every corner and more of the budding romance whilst still not making it a main focus. I couldn't put this book down, it was magnificent.
The third one is too far away and I need it now!