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lotecider's reviews
67 reviews
Hooked by Emily McIntire
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book was a decent read- it had a good plot, one that did make you wonder what would happen next with some twists and turns to keep things interesting. The characters weren't overbearing or one dimensional, they were actually interesting. There were references to the original Peter Pan story which I found amusing.
Due to the nature of this being set around organised crime, it does get violent and there is some significant gore. I found that the overall story setting was well done too.
The actual romance between the characters was pleasant to read through. I feel like even though at times it felt unrealistically rushed, overall it was passionate, with a delectable balance of steam and fluff.
Spice level: 3.5/5
Due to the nature of this being set around organised crime, it does get violent and there is some significant gore. I found that the overall story setting was well done too.
The actual romance between the characters was pleasant to read through. I feel like even though at times it felt unrealistically rushed, overall it was passionate, with a delectable balance of steam and fluff.
Spice level: 3.5/5
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book is a good example of a cozy "no plot just vibes" book. It throws you deep into the life of the main character and explores loneliness with profoundness and simplicity. There's no flowery language and overall it's a very conversational book. The characters feel organic and real, and the main character is someone who, although advertises herself as flat, is actually quite endearing. Her situation at face value seems esoteric, but as you turn the pages, Fuyuko's monotonous world becomes more vivacious and her interactions with the people and the world around her are wonderful to read through.
Mountains Made of Glass by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book had potential. The plot was good but underdeveloped. I know it was a short book but I think the writing favoured the smut over actual plot. Also, although I normally lobe juicy spicy scenes, most of the smut in this book felt so inorganic and forced. It was honestly too much and it made the relationship between the characters quite toxic . As far as story retellings go, it was an enjoyable story, there were a couple of lovable side characters however generally it just felt really really rushed. Had the book had maybe 20 more pages, and less smut, the ratin would've been much much much higher.
Spice level: 3.5/5
Rating: 2/5
Spice level: 3.5/5
Rating: 2/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Violence, Murder
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Honestly a perfect example of what a YOUNG ADULT fantasy book should look like. So many YA books are basically adult books in disguise, but this is true to it's genre.
It's easy to read and digestible despite some of the things touched upon (see content warnings below). It's a slow burn romance, but thankfully the romance doesn't dominate the plot. It enhances it perfectly.
Alosa is genuinely such a wonderful character- she's charming, confident, independent, but best of all, she's all those things whilst also being unapologetically feminine. I feel like so many books and modern day "strong independent women" discard their femininity to be "strong" but Alosa proves you can be all of that and still embrace yourself.
It's not a five star read for me because I feel like small parts of the book were rushed and a bit flimsy in execution. I would have to reread some parts because of this which took away from the otherwise great experience.
It's easy to read and digestible despite some of the things touched upon (see content warnings below). It's a slow burn romance, but thankfully the romance doesn't dominate the plot. It enhances it perfectly.
Alosa is genuinely such a wonderful character- she's charming, confident, independent, but best of all, she's all those things whilst also being unapologetically feminine. I feel like so many books and modern day "strong independent women" discard their femininity to be "strong" but Alosa proves you can be all of that and still embrace yourself.
It's not a five star read for me because I feel like small parts of the book were rushed and a bit flimsy in execution. I would have to reread some parts because of this which took away from the otherwise great experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book was soooooo much better than the first. I absolutely loved how the characters actually had proper personalities.
I think this book acted like a filler episode, but not in a bad way at all! Important details were found out, crucial developments were made and we got to learn more about the world of the shadow hunters.
The angst and slow burn of the romances, combined with the gradual build up of tension, all came together to make for a harmonious final act of the book.
I think this book acted like a filler episode, but not in a bad way at all! Important details were found out, crucial developments were made and we got to learn more about the world of the shadow hunters.
The angst and slow burn of the romances, combined with the gradual build up of tension, all came together to make for a harmonious final act of the book.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
So the plot for this book was actually fun to read and surprisingly thrilling. It's a fast paced book with more smut than plot, but of the plot that is there, it's good. I liked the characters and for some reason I was especially drawn to Aly as a character. I think both main characters were likeable and funny where they needed to be.
I must say though there were a few things that take away from the book. It's easy to read but by no means the best book written and it does take away from the experience if you're not used to reading lower level writing. Furthermore, at times the characters came across as weirdly self aware- it felt like they were recalling their own therapy notes and that was annoying to read/listen.
Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
So this book is extremely smutty. It's enjoyable, though, and surprisingly not repetitive. I would definitely advise EVERYONE to pay attention to the trigger warnings in the beginning, regardless of your taste in this genreespecially since having that kind of scene straight after a murder is not digestible at all
Overall though, a pretty decent read, does it's job ad a dark romance 🤣
I must say though there were a few things that take away from the book. It's easy to read but by no means the best book written and it does take away from the experience if you're not used to reading lower level writing. Furthermore, at times the characters came across as weirdly self aware- it felt like they were recalling their own therapy notes and that was annoying to read/listen.
Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
So this book is extremely smutty. It's enjoyable, though, and surprisingly not repetitive. I would definitely advise EVERYONE to pay attention to the trigger warnings in the beginning, regardless of your taste in this genre
Overall though, a pretty decent read, does it's job ad a dark romance 🤣
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Murder
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
I've read this book before and whilst the story and the writing and the world and characters brought me the same love and joy I felt when I first read TOG, unfortunately the audiobook format just missed the mark. The narrator is very talented and I'm sure there are many people who've enjoyed this iteration of the audiobook, however it just took away from the enjoyment of this book for me.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was so much fun to read!!!!! This book had my literally wheezing because it was just so entertaining. It's cringe, it has predictable tropes, it's completely bonkers in some parts, but all of that makes it all the more enjoyable!!! This book I think is especially a good read if you've been reading really deep/intense literature and you want a bit of a mental break: it's got all the tropes and plot points of a really intense fantasy but it's lighthearted and easy to read!
It has a tasteful amount of spice (chilli rating 🌶🌶🌶) where it doesn't interfere or dominate the plot so it's quite palatable, but obviously if you're not into it you can skip it without feeling like you're missing major parts of the story.
I've been torn whether to give this book a 3.5 or 4 in terms of rating. In terms of negative aspects of the book, I'd say the end was a bit underwhelming, though it's not a completely let down for the book, and it felt like the energy that was constant throughout the rest of the book kind of just dropped towards the end. I also feel like it's definitely not a book everyone would enjoy if you don't like reading predictable stories. So for those reasons I've given it a 3.75 :)
It has a tasteful amount of spice (chilli rating 🌶🌶🌶) where it doesn't interfere or dominate the plot so it's quite palatable, but obviously if you're not into it you can skip it without feeling like you're missing major parts of the story.
I've been torn whether to give this book a 3.5 or 4 in terms of rating. In terms of negative aspects of the book, I'd say the end was a bit underwhelming, though it's not a completely let down for the book, and it felt like the energy that was constant throughout the rest of the book kind of just dropped towards the end. I also feel like it's definitely not a book everyone would enjoy if you don't like reading predictable stories. So for those reasons I've given it a 3.75 :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The main character is lovable and with every page I wanted to find out more and more about his story and how it'll unfold. I also think the characters around him only added to this; they were all likeable and believable. As Yunjae goes through the events of the story, his lack of emotional response did not take away from how raw and impactful some of the events were and it reallt shed a light onto how important emotions are- and how sometimes they can be detrimental to us. I love how genuine the relationships he's formed feel and the ending was perfect too. This book reminded me a lot of the Korean drama "A Beautiful Mind"