mad3n's reviews
54 reviews

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-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

Think this may be one of the best books I have ever read. The deep inner healing of the main characters, the rich plot, the messages of self love and forgiveness, facing our inner selves, the life saving power of love, friendship and acceptance. The sacrifice and empowerment. UGH there is so many things to be unpacked here and Nesta’s character development is so rich and beautiful. Cassian is PERFECTION. Not to mention the spice in this book is 🥵 cass and nesta are hot hot hot. I can’t say with confidence which book in this series is my favorite because they were all so wonderful in different ways but this one just…. Wow… has solidified SJM as my fav author 

Twisted Lies by Ana Huang

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

Love Stella and Christian 🥹🥹. This book started really strong but the plot slowed down and the characters fell a little flat for me in the middle of the book. Then it got good again at the end. I think this is my second favorite book in the series behind Twisted games solely because twisted games plot was nonstop perfection. However, I enjoyed the spicy scenes between christian and stella more than any others in the series.  

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

emotional medium-paced

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

4.25

WOW!! I actually LOVED this book. The plot felt incredibly rich, the love story was believable and complex.  It was giving modern day bridgerton. Even while Rhys was swoon-worthy, he felt much more human than Alex in book 1 which I appreciated. My only complaint is I feel like there were a few times where the degrading nature of the sex scenes and the dialogue during them felt off-key/unnecessary. I also enjoyed reading Rhys POV more than Bridget’s. I feel like her character was a little flat in the beginning, but overall I loved her and she definately grew. I like twisted games much more than book 1. 

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

somehow SJM has managed to make me cry in every book of this series so far. I know everyone hates on this one, but i personally loved it. It felt like a nice reprieve from the intensity of the others and we got to see the characters hearts/stories/love even more. It really is the “holiday special” of the series but it was perfect!! Anytime spent with the bat boys is time well spent haha

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

dark hopeful mysterious tense 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

3.75

This book was basically the plot of fifty shades of grey except with more dynamic drama/family conflict. B- but not quite a C. I think the plot development is the strength of this book. I inhaled the book and I was rooting for the characters. They had depth forsure, but i wasn’t super connected to them. Sometimes the dialogue felt a little corny, but I enjoyed it overall. 

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

There were some nuggets I really enjoyed and will remember. Overall, it was good, not great. It reads very quickly which is nice. I enjoy the parts where he goes into scriptural interpretation on the concept of slowness and an unhurried life exemplified by Jesus and the bible authors. However, it also felt like there was a lot of unnecessary fluff :/. 

The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients by Irvin D. Yalom

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

Loved reading this with my therapist book club! I love this authors candidness and authenticity. I was inspired and challenged deeply by his reflections. I would definitely recommend to any practicing therapists

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging inspiring tense medium-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? No

5.0

SJM has done it again!!!! I feel so much more attached the the characters in this book then before- even the bone carver lol. I experienced 10 different heart breaks and i loved the depth in this book! I feel like i need a massage and some electrolytes after that final battle scene dang

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-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? No

5.0

This series is my roman empire!!! I loved ACOTAR and this one is EVEN BETTER!!! I don’t have enough words for how obsessed I am 

Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird

inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.25

I really enjoyed this book. I imagine I will go back to it over the years to aid me on my contemplative journey. It set a powerful visual foundation for understanding my one-ness with God and my existence in eternal silence beyond the curtain of my thoughts.