loiereads's reviews
265 reviews

Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

OH MY GOODNESS I JUST !!!!
MY EMOTIONS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE RIGHT NOW! 
I love Haymitch so much, and when I heard that there was going to be a prequel novel for his games, I was so excited! 
I have to be honest and say that I really didn’t enjoy President Snow’s prequel. I just couldn’t vibe with him and see past my blinding hatred for him so it was difficult for me to connect to the story. 
But this… damn, this was the complete opposite. As soon as I started reading, I couldn’t stop. It was so interesting to see Haymitch at the start; cheeky, slightly carefree - in love. It’s such a stark contrast compared to how we know him from The Hunger Games novels. It was heartbreaking to see him change over time, with the things he had to go through and see. I really enjoyed going back into the games and seeing them from another person’s perspective. 
I was gripped throughout the whole story and I just wanted to keep reading and reading until I got to the end. 
And let me tell you: that epilogue absolutely DESTROYED ME. I didn’t realise how much I needed new Katniss and Peeta content until now. 
AGH. I just !!!!
This book was definitely worth waiting for, and definitely worth all the hype. I can’t wait for the MOVIE ADAPTATION - because there better be one, otherwise I’m THROWING HANDS. 
I think Suzanne should do a Finnick prequel now 😉

A Lonely Broadcast: Book Two by Kel Byron

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Oh maaaaaaan, I've been waiting to read this book for such a LONG TIME. 
When I read the first book I fell in LOVE. This second instalment did NOT disappoint. Kel Byron's writing is just !!! AMAZING !!! INCREDIBLE !!! ENCAPTIVATING !!!
The way the characters have been written makes me adore the HECK out of them. 
Honestly, I would do ANYTHING for Daniel. He is such a sweet, beautiful, gentle soul who MUST BE PROTECTED. 
I also absolutely adored the development between Evelyn and Finn. My heart aches so much but I just !!!!!! cannot put my emotions into words right now. 
The little town of Pinehaven is completely MESSED up but I absolutely LOVE the chaos. Every single page of this second instalment captivated me. 
I heard that there's going to be a third book as well, and dude, sign me the F up. I am so ready.

Phantom Hearts by Rosie Talbot

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

A sweet little read, but I couldn't really form any strong connections with the characters. The art style also wasn't quite my cup of tea: everyone kind of looked the same. I think this story idea would have been really interesting if it could have been lengthened a little more. Perhaps over two volumes or so. 
Regardless, it was still a relaxed, easy read so no real complaints here. 

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I always feel like I'm gonna get attacked when I say I haven't really enjoyed a Stephen King book. If I'm being honest, I just don't really understand the hype. 
The story concept for Pet Semetary was interesting, yes. And - to a certain degree - I did enjoy parts of this one. But whenever I read Stephen King, I feel as though I have to wade through pointless ramblings before I can get to the good stuff. 
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and I think it helped me to enjoy it fractionally more than if I were to have just read it. It just wasn't able to grip me as much as I would have liked. 
Please don't hate me for not being that impressed by Stephen King 🙈🫠

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

No. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was my book club's 3rd book in total, but the first one of this year. I was so super excited to read it, and absolutely loved the atmosphere and the world building. It managed to grip me at the start, and I was really looking forward to seeing what it is that everyone is raving about. 
Now, I do have to admit that whilst reading (although I did enjoy it), I did feel as though I was constantly waiting for something more to happen. I can remember being about halfway through and being like "Okay, but when is it gonna hit me??" Like, I really wanted this book to punch me in the gut and have me absolutely enthralled, but I have to be honest and say that, unfortunately, it didn't quite do that. 
Come the last few chapters, I was HOOKED, and I really enjoyed the ending, which is why I've given it a solid 3.5. I feel excited to read the second book, and find out what comes next, but I would have really loved that feeling of "I cannot wait to read more" throughout the entirety of the book. 
Nevertheless, it was a great read, and I think Rebecca Yarros has done a great job with this fantasy world, and I'm looking forward to see what happens next! 

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Oh man, I LOVE books like this. There us so much within this story that I can reate to, and it's honestly so nice to feel such a connection to a story and characters. 
This was such a beautiful and emotional read. I loved the characters and the genuine development of their relationship. I loved their backstories and their personalities. The art was BEAUTIFUL! I love Faith's signature art style. I've read her graphic novel, Pumpkinheads which she made with Rainbow Rowell, and as soon as I started reading Hockey Girl Loved Drama Boy, I instantly fell in love. 
I love that this story shows that sometimes people don't need labels in life. As long as yoy know yourself, you don't owe an explanation to anyone else. I really love that. 
There's honestly so much to love and to take from this story, and I'd definitely recommend it for your next read! 

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

adventurous

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

OH MY GOODNESS. The amount of  exposition this book has is INSANE. So many times I completely forgot where I was because there were paragraphs and paragraphs of over-explanation that could have been weaved into the story way more subtly. 
And to be honest, I just didn't care??? I had no attachment to any of these characters or the story. It just felt like one big over-explanation info-dump party. 

The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

This was not it.