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literaryweaponry's reviews
270 reviews
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Electric Idol by Katee Robert
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. With every book she writes, Katee Robert’s craft just gets better and better and Electric Idol is her best work yet. That is saying a lot because I absolutely loved Neon Gods and I thought there was no way she could outdo herself. But here we are. I’m making the prediction right now that Electric Idol is going to be in the top five of my top ten list for 2022.
But, about the book…
I’m going into this review with the expectation that you, the reader, has read Neon Gods and understands the family dynamics and structures at play. Psyche is the sister of Persephone, daughter of Demeter, and her life is complicated. When her mother decides to marry her off to gain more power, well, here starts the snowball effect that leads to a fantastic, if perilous, romance.
I honestly didn’t think that I would like Psyche. I thought she would be written as sweet and a little simple. I should have known better. Psyche may be sweet but she is also fiercely intelligent, admirably loyal, and always thinking ahead and making a plan to tackle whatever it is that Olympus has thrown her and her family.
Her sweet but cunning personality pared up with Eros’s deadly reputation really stirs the pot. Eros is known as a cold hearted killer without a shred of sympathy or empathy in his body. But, he spares Psyche’s life because she was one of the few people who had ever been kind to him. The drama, romance, and character development from there is truly fantastic. I loved watching these two get to know and trust each other. Their dynamic is wonderful and Eros never looks down on Psyche. He trusts her to make good decisions and follows her lead. That, folks, is sexy.
Overall, I loved this book. I can easily see myself reading this again and am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. Katee Robert has proved again why she is one of my most read authors and if you love an erotic romance with mafia-like themes then you should definitely pick up her Dark Olympus series.
Network Effect by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Murderbot. Each book I read in the series I just enjoy it more and more. In case you are unaware, Murderbot is a SecUnit, or a sentient murder machine designed for the sole purpose of protecting clients. The clients, often silly little humans with an accidental death wish, get themselves into all kinds of trouble and Murderbot begrudgingly helps them out of whatever situation they have found themselves in but it would really rather be watching its media shows.
Murderbot is the best.
I think what draws me most to this series is the fact that Murderbot, despite being a machine, is the most human character I have even seen on page. It has loves and hates, grapples with emotions it denies that it has, absolutely hates to be touched, and has a certain brand of apathy that speaks to my soul. Despite all of that, it does its absolute best to protect the people it claims to not care about.
These books are filled with a humorous examination of human emotions and choices through the lens of a robot that desperately denies its more human aspects. Each story has perilous peril and a choice Murderbot has to make to help or not help the humans it finds itself in the company of.
I don’t want to give too much away as this is the 5th book of the series, however, watching Murderbot grow and learn through each story is nothing short of amazing. Accidentally finding friends (that it denies that it has) and going to great lengths to protect them (despite complaining a great deal in the meantime) is a delightful journey to go on.
This is the best book so far in the series and the first full length novel where Murderbot finds itself on a planet infested with a hostile entity that has captured some of the people it hates to care for. The story also sees the return of a beloved character from a previous novella in the form of a snarky (and slightly violent) space ship.
If you haven’t started reading this series, what are you waiting for? This is escapism at its finest and you will end every story with a smile on your face.
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First half of the book? Good. Very solid. 4 stars. Second half of the book? Yeah, not so much. 2 stars.
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Flames of Lethe by Lexie Talionis
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
TW: rape, abuse
I went into this book expecting reverse harem themes, aware of the trigger warnings, and hoping for an entertaining little story on the side to set up the reverse harem.
What I got was...well, it was pretty terrible.
Jo is one of the more annoying characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading. We are told multiple times that she is strong minded, determined, and bold. However, we are merely told this and what she actually is, is unbearably whiny and simple minded.
The two men that are supposed to be the harem part of this are dull. One is cruel and his whole story arc is sex will set him free or something. I don't know, it got old pretty quick. The other guy is written as more of the impulsive hero who is going to knock a lot of boots and make decisions without thinking them through first and is packing in the pants. Neither one are very interesting.
Even the sex scenes are fairly tame. For a book with self professed "extremely dark themes" everything was pretty dull. There were a couple shock moments as you explore the world but nothing memorable.
Overall, this was a waste of time. It promised a lot and delivered on very little.
I went into this book expecting reverse harem themes, aware of the trigger warnings, and hoping for an entertaining little story on the side to set up the reverse harem.
What I got was...well, it was pretty terrible.
Jo is one of the more annoying characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading. We are told multiple times that she is strong minded, determined, and bold. However, we are merely told this and what she actually is, is unbearably whiny and simple minded.
The two men that are supposed to be the harem part of this are dull. One is cruel and his whole story arc is sex will set him free or something. I don't know, it got old pretty quick. The other guy is written as more of the impulsive hero who is going to knock a lot of boots and make decisions without thinking them through first and is packing in the pants. Neither one are very interesting.
Even the sex scenes are fairly tame. For a book with self professed "extremely dark themes" everything was pretty dull. There were a couple shock moments as you explore the world but nothing memorable.
Overall, this was a waste of time. It promised a lot and delivered on very little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
King of Battle and Blood was one of my most anticipated reads for 2021. I’ve made it no secret that I love a good new adult fantasy romance. Throw in a healthy dose of violence and I am absolutely sold. It also helps that I enjoy St. Clair’s books based on Persephone and Hades so, to say the least, I had high expectations for this read.
For the most part, I enjoyed the characters in this book. Isolde is bold, brave, and knows her own mind. Was she a little cliched? Sure. But that didn’t stop me from liking her character. She is faced with a hard choice, does she or dose she not sacrifice herself to the enemy in order to save the kingdom she loves? It took bravery to step up to the plate and marry Adrian even though she thought she was signing her own death warrant. My only complaint about her is that she doesn’t seem to develop further over the story. What you see is what you get. Yes, she is supposed to have this mysterious back story that slowly comes to light but if you have two brain cells knocking around it is easy to figure out and doesn’t come as any surprise.
Then there is Adrian who is pretty much every male interest I’ve ever loved. He is not good nor is he evil. He does what has to be done in order to accomplish his goals and does not hesitate to stomp some toes (or some skulls) along the way. For being the king in the kingdom of vampires he was pretty tame about the whole blood drinking scenario although I suspect that will show up more in the second book (in a more kinky kind of way).
St. Clair’s writing works for me. It just does. I can get lost in the stories she crafts quite happily. But, they are a little shallow. Everything feels very surface level and I couldn’t see anything really churning beneath the surface. However, the surface is vibrant enough to keep me interested.
Overall, this book was enjoyable. There is a perilous peril on the horizon, enough sexy scenes to satisfy me, and the support characters were interesting enough (although a little cookie cutter). I would have liked a little more background and depth to the story but it was enough to keep me happy throughout. When the next book in the series comes out, I will certainly be reading it.
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“I've often wondered if power does this to a man: unravels him slowly over time, doubt itching beneath his flesh until it's all that's left.”
Shea Ernshaw quickly became one of my auto-buy authors after I fell in love with her YA novels, The Wicked Deep and Winterwood. Her writing style sucks me in and completely immerses the reader in whatever world she has crafted.
A History of Wild Places is no different.
When I opened Ernshaw's adult debut, I wasn't really sure what kind of story I would find. Her previous two books I'd read had elements of fantasy but, as far as I knew, this one did not. What it had was an underlying mystery, an unsettling little town that gave off strong The Village(2004) vibes, and the threat of something dangerous in the woods.
The atmosphere in this novel is top notch. Even when a character is going about a mundane task like stepping into the house out of the rain, there is still that slightly disquieted vibe running throughout the page. You know there is something horrible going on under the surface of the story, you can almost taste it, but it taunts you and you can't put the book down until you reach the climax and all the pieces start falling into place.
I loved this book and will continue picking up anything by Ernshaw. There is nothing quite as satisfying as being swept away in a good story and she does it so well.
Shea Ernshaw quickly became one of my auto-buy authors after I fell in love with her YA novels, The Wicked Deep and Winterwood. Her writing style sucks me in and completely immerses the reader in whatever world she has crafted.
A History of Wild Places is no different.
When I opened Ernshaw's adult debut, I wasn't really sure what kind of story I would find. Her previous two books I'd read had elements of fantasy but, as far as I knew, this one did not. What it had was an underlying mystery, an unsettling little town that gave off strong The Village(2004) vibes, and the threat of something dangerous in the woods.
The atmosphere in this novel is top notch. Even when a character is going about a mundane task like stepping into the house out of the rain, there is still that slightly disquieted vibe running throughout the page. You know there is something horrible going on under the surface of the story, you can almost taste it, but it taunts you and you can't put the book down until you reach the climax and all the pieces start falling into place.
I loved this book and will continue picking up anything by Ernshaw. There is nothing quite as satisfying as being swept away in a good story and she does it so well.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“The fates weren't dangerous because they were evil; the fates were dangerous because they couldn't tell the difference between evil and good.”
Folks, my feelings for this book are all over the place. Was it good? Was it bad? Did it comfort me in a time of existential crisis? I don't know but maybe together we can work it out.
Stephanie Garber's writing and I have an uncomfortable relationship. Her first books, the Caraval trilogy, were a roller coaster of some of the most entertaining and worst writing I have ever read. Even now I can tell you how I felt about each book individually but, as a whole, I still haven't a clue.
Which leads me to Once Upon a Broken Heart, her newest book. To be up front with you I had no intention of reading this series. I did not want to find myself on another love/hate roller coaster thank you very much. But, oh boy am I a sucker, and when Barnes & Noble announced their very pretty rose gold edition? I couldn't pass it up. So here we are, with me once more conflicted over a Garber book. I hate it here. Or do I love it? Who knows!
This title started off in a fashion that simply shouts "ya fantasy romance" and since that is one of my favorite genres, I have no problems with that. We have a young woman, Evangeline, who is in love with a young man that spurns her and instead of crying about it she seeks revenge. I am 100% on board with this, you get your comeuppance boo-boo.
Evangeline is a confused character with strong feelings and has a tendency to jump to conclusions with very circumstantial evidence. I'm not complaining, she is seventeen. She is supposed to be confused and have strong feelings and not think things through. That is part of being a teenager. However, after a while her near constant flip-flopping between opinions and emotions did get a little tiresome. I can easily see a young woman in a difficult situation who is being given conflicting information having trouble ferreting out the truth but, honey, stick with a decision for more than a chapter and a half please.
I did like the magical elements of this book. You are introduced to it slowly and learn about the magic at nearly the same time that Evangeline does. It is also magic that makes sense while still having a sense of wonder and mystery to it.
Alright, lets skip to the real reason I read this book, shall we? Jacks. If you read the Caraval trilogy you remember Jacks and if you have an ounce of sense in your head you fell in love with his over the top, often brooding character. Jacks is my favorite kind of YA male love interest. Seemingly chaotic, often mysterious, a bit of a show off, but keeps his real purpose close to the vest. Jacks gets Evangeline into all kinds of mischief but, as she could have put a stop to it before any of it began, I don't particularly feel bad for her. Jacks is up to something big and I cannot wait to find out what it is!
Overall, this book was an easy read. There was nothing overly complicated but it still managed to be entertaining. Sure, there were a few bits that annoyed me (mostly Evangeline see-sawing her opinions) but for the most part it was just a fun time. Look at that. We got to the end of the review and together, I think, we've waded through my thoughts well enough for me to say that I enjoyed this book. How about that.
Folks, my feelings for this book are all over the place. Was it good? Was it bad? Did it comfort me in a time of existential crisis? I don't know but maybe together we can work it out.
Stephanie Garber's writing and I have an uncomfortable relationship. Her first books, the Caraval trilogy, were a roller coaster of some of the most entertaining and worst writing I have ever read. Even now I can tell you how I felt about each book individually but, as a whole, I still haven't a clue.
Which leads me to Once Upon a Broken Heart, her newest book. To be up front with you I had no intention of reading this series. I did not want to find myself on another love/hate roller coaster thank you very much. But, oh boy am I a sucker, and when Barnes & Noble announced their very pretty rose gold edition? I couldn't pass it up. So here we are, with me once more conflicted over a Garber book. I hate it here. Or do I love it? Who knows!
This title started off in a fashion that simply shouts "ya fantasy romance" and since that is one of my favorite genres, I have no problems with that. We have a young woman, Evangeline, who is in love with a young man that spurns her and instead of crying about it she seeks revenge. I am 100% on board with this, you get your comeuppance boo-boo.
Evangeline is a confused character with strong feelings and has a tendency to jump to conclusions with very circumstantial evidence. I'm not complaining, she is seventeen. She is supposed to be confused and have strong feelings and not think things through. That is part of being a teenager. However, after a while her near constant flip-flopping between opinions and emotions did get a little tiresome. I can easily see a young woman in a difficult situation who is being given conflicting information having trouble ferreting out the truth but, honey, stick with a decision for more than a chapter and a half please.
I did like the magical elements of this book. You are introduced to it slowly and learn about the magic at nearly the same time that Evangeline does. It is also magic that makes sense while still having a sense of wonder and mystery to it.
Alright, lets skip to the real reason I read this book, shall we? Jacks. If you read the Caraval trilogy you remember Jacks and if you have an ounce of sense in your head you fell in love with his over the top, often brooding character. Jacks is my favorite kind of YA male love interest. Seemingly chaotic, often mysterious, a bit of a show off, but keeps his real purpose close to the vest. Jacks gets Evangeline into all kinds of mischief but, as she could have put a stop to it before any of it began, I don't particularly feel bad for her. Jacks is up to something big and I cannot wait to find out what it is!
Overall, this book was an easy read. There was nothing overly complicated but it still managed to be entertaining. Sure, there were a few bits that annoyed me (mostly Evangeline see-sawing her opinions) but for the most part it was just a fun time. Look at that. We got to the end of the review and together, I think, we've waded through my thoughts well enough for me to say that I enjoyed this book. How about that.
Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I picked this book up on a whim. I was feeling a little sick, a little burnt out, and decided to spend my day off curled up in my most comfortable chair with my crabby cat reading. So, I walked to my shelves and just grabbed the first book that caught my eye.
When I tugged this one off the shelf I really wasn't too sure what it was about other than it had been pitched as a ya gothic fantasy which, honestly, was enough of a sell for me. With my fluffy grey cat beside me, I got comfy and started to read.
This book pulled me in right away.
Sometimes a person is in the mood for dense, complex books with a heavy story and complex themes. Sometimes you are in the mood for simple, fast paced fantasy. This one falls in the latter category and it does it well. Very quickly you start to care about the main characters, Leta and her little brother. They are orphans who were taken in by someone who does not treat them well and Leta protects her little brother fiercely. You might say a little too fiercely.
But when a dark stranger appears and demands Leta's brother go with him for some magical reason, Leta demands to go with them. Away from the abusive house, they find themselves swept up in a bid to save the world. Obviously, there are some bumps along the way and nothing ever goes to plan (or it would be a really short book) and you get to witness a lot of character growth. I think that is one of my favorite things in books, watching as the character grow and learn and either become better people or devolve into villains.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and flew through it in a single day. I can't remember the last time I did that when I wasn't reading a novella. If you enjoy ya fantasy with some slightly sinister undertones and a few sips of romance then I would recommend this book. It did what I expect from a ya fantasy and did it well while giving it that looming, dark vibe to make it more gothic.
When I tugged this one off the shelf I really wasn't too sure what it was about other than it had been pitched as a ya gothic fantasy which, honestly, was enough of a sell for me. With my fluffy grey cat beside me, I got comfy and started to read.
This book pulled me in right away.
Sometimes a person is in the mood for dense, complex books with a heavy story and complex themes. Sometimes you are in the mood for simple, fast paced fantasy. This one falls in the latter category and it does it well. Very quickly you start to care about the main characters, Leta and her little brother. They are orphans who were taken in by someone who does not treat them well and Leta protects her little brother fiercely. You might say a little too fiercely.
But when a dark stranger appears and demands Leta's brother go with him for some magical reason, Leta demands to go with them. Away from the abusive house, they find themselves swept up in a bid to save the world. Obviously, there are some bumps along the way and nothing ever goes to plan (or it would be a really short book) and you get to witness a lot of character growth. I think that is one of my favorite things in books, watching as the character grow and learn and either become better people or devolve into villains.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and flew through it in a single day. I can't remember the last time I did that when I wasn't reading a novella. If you enjoy ya fantasy with some slightly sinister undertones and a few sips of romance then I would recommend this book. It did what I expect from a ya fantasy and did it well while giving it that looming, dark vibe to make it more gothic.