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marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1287 reviews
Howl for the Gargoyle by Kathryn Moon
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Stalking, Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Mao, Vol. 18 by Rumiko Takahashi
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Scorched Skies by E.J. Mellow
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Thank you NetGalley for this review copy
This book is the Romantasy we all deserve. The enemies to lover we all deserve. I loved this book so much, aside from some small pacing issues, and maybe some parts that felt over written from time to time, I have no complaints. The romance didn't feel forced, their interactions felt real, and it didn't over shadow the larger plot of saving her family. If anything it added to the tension because it added a layer of complications. Oh, and a refreshing bonus there are no humans in this book. The romance is between two non-humans, which is a nice change. There's still an age-gap that I didn't think needed to be there, but at least she's over 20, which is also a nice change.
Tanwen, at first I was worried that she was going to be similar to other FMC's in romantasy, but she isn't. Sure, there are some common tropes that are part of her character, but with how they're used it doesn't feel tired, or like a cliché. I like the magic she has, it wasn't used in any deep way in this book, but I am curious how it will be used in later books.
Zolya, it was nice that the MMC wasn't a jerk. He loves his sister, he loves his mother, his biggest "crime" is that he's complicit in what his father does. Which doesn't make him a bad person, but he also doesn't really think there's anything he can or should do to change anything. He has the most character development in this book as he starts to see how bad things are under his father's rule. How it effects not only the Süra, but also the women Volari, like his sister and mother. And even the Mütra, and how messed up it was to damn a whole race for simply existing. Granted, it is a little strange that this guy who's been around supposedly for 80 years and has never once thought it was bad the mixed race of beings were killed basically on sight until he met one he thought was pretty. But I digress.
The lore and the magic take more of a back seat than I would like for a fantasy story that has no human equivalent. There are two moons for starters, and as I already mentioned no humans in this world. The Gods talk to the people of this world when they feel like it at least. But I don't really understand the pantheon as of this book. Hopefully the future books will explain it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Sexual assault
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 13 by Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Following what happened during the hunt, and Maomao discoverin Jinshi's Frog (if you know you know), I was expecting more reveals. There was a fairly light-hearted interlude with Maomao and some of the other maids working in the bathhouse, where she helped her friends "network", for when their contracts are up.
While it was nice to have a less tense story, I did want more answers to be revealed. I really hope my library gets the next couple in soon so I can read them.
Season 2 of the anime is almost caught up with what's out in the (translated) manga.
While it was nice to have a less tense story, I did want more answers to be revealed. I really hope my library gets the next couple in soon so I can read them.
Season 2 of the anime is almost caught up with what's out in the (translated) manga.
Dandadan, Vol. 7 by Yukinobu Tatsu
adventurous
funny
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? No
5.0
This was such a good volume. Momo and Okarun are getting SO CUTE!
I loved seeing an old ally show up again, and I hope things work out for Jiji.
I loved seeing an old ally show up again, and I hope things work out for Jiji.
Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Thank You NetGalley for this review copy
This was such a bummer to read. This book did not capture the charm of the show that way I had hoped it did. It read a lot like an A.I. FanFic, and the characters did not have the charm that Betty White, Astelle Getty, Bea Arthur, and Rue McClanahan gave the characters.
Just bummed. Cute idea, and if this had been an episode of The Golden Girls, it might've worked.
This was such a bummer to read. This book did not capture the charm of the show that way I had hoped it did. It read a lot like an A.I. FanFic, and the characters did not have the charm that Betty White, Astelle Getty, Bea Arthur, and Rue McClanahan gave the characters.
Just bummed. Cute idea, and if this had been an episode of The Golden Girls, it might've worked.
Dandadan, Vol. 6 by Yukinobu Tatsu
adventurous
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? No
5.0
Okarun is awesome, and Jiji's kind heart got him in some trouble. What a kind idiot.
That fight scene is going to look awesome animated.
That fight scene is going to look awesome animated.
Stardust Child by Melissa Cave
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
I received this book from NetGalley for review
Another installment to this cozy fantasy romance. Remin and Ophele are so precious. I love seeing how much they've grown together.
This book high lights more of Ophele's time before she met Remin, and how her foster family treated her after her mother's death. Knowing what shaped her and why she is as timid as she is really helps in under standing her motivations in the previous book. While I already felt it was pretty clear that she was abused, I didn't think it could be this bad. The gaslighting and under handed comments were bad enough.
The character who's had the most development is Remin, he's open to trusting people more, and I love how sweet and tender he is with Ophele. I did like that more of this book showed more of his heroism and what it's like outside the walls of the city. The 'devils', I'm still straggling with picturing them. But I am glad that the local threat of mystical beasts had more focus in this book. In the previous one they felt more like a far away threat in a way.
The additional POVs in this book have me very curious for the rest of the series. Lady Verr, and the Emperor himself. I do wonder to a degree if the Empress had her hands in what happened to both Remin and Ophele. The Emperor clearly hates his wife, as it states in the prologue, and I do wonder if he had wanted to marry someone else and if that person had been Ophele's mother. As for Lady Verr, I have no idea what her goals are, but at the moment I don't fully trust her. She is up to something, but I don't think it's to hurt anyone. I think it's something selfish. I hope that this will be answered in the next book. Which I am very excited to read.
This is a book is a great balance of romance and political intrigue. It is refreshing reading a romance between to people who undoubtedly unflinchingly love each other. I want this to become a trend again where love and compassion between characters is at the forefront.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, War
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Dandadan, Vol. 5 by Yukinobu Tatsu
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
This was an exciting volume to read. It overlaps with the end of the first season, and I am so excited for season 2. Found out who those creepy people are in town, and what was causing all bad stuff in that house.
The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I received this book from NetGalley for review.
I enjoyed this book, and it has a lot of potential. It has a really interesting and unique magic system. Overall, I like how different the characters are to each other. The three siblings are very different from each other, and the mayakari (witches in this world) while they all live by the same code, more or less, are also very different. I don't know how old these characters are supposed to be though, they could be as old as 25, or as young as 15.
I do like both POV characters, Ashoka and Shakti, but I found myself switching between who annoyed me the most at times. Shakti is very impulsive, and while I do understand why I also felt that she should've already learned her lesson to not be impulsive from the curse she casts at the start of the book. I didn't really care for where her character ended up at the end of this book, it bordered on cliche in my opinion.
Ashoka, started out as a very oatmeal character, but I enjoyed reading his chapters more than Shakti's. His character growth felt more substantial. Though I don't know where his character is headed from here. Things could really go either way for him. I don't know how many books this series will have, that will effect the trajectory of his character and the rest of the story.
There wasn't a very clear through line of a plot in this book, and I think that hurts the book overall. Yes, Ashoka's goal is to end suffering but he doesn't have a plan to do that. And Shakti's plan is the same, and she could've used the collective more smartly, but she just uses it to yell at the emperor, and do some really rash dream walking. She had no clue if her dream walking would actually change anything. There is potential, in this book, but I feel that it could've used some more revisions first. There are some strange word/sentence choices that on reflection didn't make sense.
I enjoyed this book, and it has a lot of potential. It has a really interesting and unique magic system. Overall, I like how different the characters are to each other. The three siblings are very different from each other, and the mayakari (witches in this world) while they all live by the same code, more or less, are also very different. I don't know how old these characters are supposed to be though, they could be as old as 25, or as young as 15.
I do like both POV characters, Ashoka and Shakti, but I found myself switching between who annoyed me the most at times. Shakti is very impulsive, and while I do understand why I also felt that she should've already learned her lesson to not be impulsive from the curse she casts at the start of the book. I didn't really care for where her character ended up at the end of this book, it bordered on cliche in my opinion.
Ashoka, started out as a very oatmeal character, but I enjoyed reading his chapters more than Shakti's. His character growth felt more substantial. Though I don't know where his character is headed from here. Things could really go either way for him. I don't know how many books this series will have, that will effect the trajectory of his character and the rest of the story.
There wasn't a very clear through line of a plot in this book, and I think that hurts the book overall. Yes, Ashoka's goal is to end suffering but he doesn't have a plan to do that. And Shakti's plan is the same, and she could've used the collective more smartly, but she just uses it to yell at the emperor, and do some really rash dream walking. She had no clue if her dream walking would actually change anything. There is potential, in this book, but I feel that it could've used some more revisions first. There are some strange word/sentence choices that on reflection didn't make sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Hate crime, Self harm
Minor: Vomit