mad_bandersnatch's reviews
53 reviews

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

Loved this book.  The main characters (Gideon Nav) pov is brilliant in it's sarcasm, wit (or lack thereof), and general doneness with her necromancer.  The juxtaposition of Gideon's inner thoughts to the horrors and down right life threatening situations throughout the book are hilarious.   As are her descriptions of anyone not a beautiful woman.  "Uncomfortably buff, with upsetting biceps. He looked like a collection of lemons in a sack' is one the funniest descriptions of a person I've ever read.
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book from the few things I had seen or heard of it, but it delivered on all the main points I was hoping for.  Creepy necromantic magic systems, that included not just skeleton armies but blood, flesh, and spirit components.  A interesting and diverse cast, evil plots, mystery, swords, and epic battles.  I was a little disappointed with the general lack of more SciFi elements but that was by far made up for by the for fantasy parts.  The prolog seems to promise more exploration of this galaxy and it's planets in the sequel which I am very excited to begin.

Witch King by Martha Wells

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-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

3.5

This feels like a solid start to a series.  There is a lot of intesting world building and magic system to be explained, which might have taken away a bit from developing some of the characters more.   Aside from the main character Kai and his friend/partner in crime Ziede we don't get a whole lot of character development. But what we do get has left me interested enough to find out more about them in a sequel.
The book flips back and forth between the past and the present, and I did find the past storyline to be far more intriguing than the present day.  
In general it was a slow burn to not a whole lot of pay off in the present day plot but some satisfying concussions to the past. 
As a stand alone I found it to be a bit meh with a lot of unanswered questions or character development but has promise as a starting point for future books.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Beauregard Lionett by Marisha Ray, Matthew Mercer, Mae Catt

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

adventurous dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

Rereading the series to finally finish it in its entirety.  I do love this one in particular because it's were we are introduced to some on my favorate characters and relationships.  Here we meet Faile, and Matt starts to finally come into his own as a character.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense 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

5.0

Classic tale from middle Earth.  Tolkien takes you on a wonderful adventure with our Dear Mr. Baggins over hill, under Dale and back again.  Lots of goblins, dwarfs, dragons and wizards.  

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.25

A very intriguing book full of court politics, lost magics and prophecies.  
I enjoyed seeing the world from the very different views of the two main characters and the way their world's collide.
This book does take awhile to realy get moving and everything seems to happen all at once right at the end, only to hang you off a cliff.  So supposed to say I can't wait for the next one.

Damsel: the new classic fantasy adventure now a major Netflix film starring Millie Bobby Brown by Evelyn Skye

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Realy liked this book, was a nice fast paced adventure full of sisterhood and a mother's love in all kinds of forms.  
Felt they where a little heavy handed with Elenore deing willing to sacrifice everything for her people in the beginning.  Yes we get it she is dedicated, no need to repeat it a million times till there is suddenly a  dragon. 

But other wise liked Eleanor's character, and that the dragon wasn't just a one note beast. But a equil to the protagonists intelligence and cunning.

Really liked to ending but from what I've seen of the movie clips I think they have changed it which makes me a bit sad.

That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

Definitely NSFW fantasy smutt, but very fun.  Hard not to love a heroine with not only pockets in her skirt but are full of snacks and booze.  And who can weaponize apples.
Story is a bit cheesy, but in a fun way. Felix while not having to many apperances was my favorate, sassy golden retriever werewolf man that he is.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

Rereading this after quite a few years as I never actually finished the series.  Still love the book and world.  
Pretty standard chosen ones heros journey, but a solid introduction to the world, magic system and characters.

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0