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marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1284 reviews
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
Daindreth's Empress by Elisabeth Wheatley
adventurous
dark
tense
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
3.5
This book took be a bit longer to get through than I thought it would. I had some minor pacing issues with this book. This book is fairly short, and a lot is happening to the point where I didn't feel like the plot had enough time to breathe.
I've been watching the author's videos about how she approaches characters so I know why she wrote Vesha the way she did in this book, but in a way she felt like a completely different character than she did at the start of the series. In a more inconsistent way than in a 'character growth' way. I didn't hate how she was portrayed in this book, I just would've preferred had those nuances been there at the start of the series. I also didn't hate how her arc was resolved, I think it was possibly the best outcome. I did grow rather frustrated with her by the half-way point of the book. I feel like she should've realized a lot sooner that she was being duped. They're demons, and she was willing to trust them.
Amira and Daindreth, my care of them as a couple had dwindled a little by this book. I knew they were 'safe', since that is what makes a romance, but I they started to be boring. A lot of repetitiveness with their characterization. While their love for each other is the driving force for how they make decisions, I personally feel that there as a little too much emphasis on them over what was going on around them, and considering what is going on around them the focus, for me, felt misguided.
Sair and Thadred were a far more interesting pairing. Rhis, Sair's son, was also adorable. And I think he added to their dynamic. Neither was in this book as much as I would've liked.
This book is just under 300 pages, but I feel that it could've used another 50-100 pages. The ending was very abrupt. A lot was left unresolved, and while there is a spin-off sequel, it follows Thadred and Sair. Which is cool and could be interesting, I feel there's more with Daindreth and Amria that's left more or less unresolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner
Inara might be my favorite character in this book. For being so young she has gone through too much and is still so strong in the face of it. She must be protected at all costs. I loved reading her POV chapters and finding out more of who and what she is and why she has the power she does. There's more to be said about her, but all that leans on spoilers so I won't get into it.
adventurous
- 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
This book was a bit of a whirlwind, and it felt longer than it was. In a good way. So much plot and character development happens in barely 400 pages. I've read books 600+ pages that don't have this much meaningful detail. The writing is some of my favorite since Laini Taylor. They don't have similar writing at all, but both authors are able to draw the same level of emotion from me while I'm reading.
Inara might be my favorite character in this book. For being so young she has gone through too much and is still so strong in the face of it. She must be protected at all costs. I loved reading her POV chapters and finding out more of who and what she is and why she has the power she does. There's more to be said about her, but all that leans on spoilers so I won't get into it.
Elo is still a character I don't care too much about. He borders on self-righteousness, and I don't really like those kinds of characters. I understand, to a degree, why he's that way. He's just a little too noble, especially with whats going on around them. A few side-characters use his morals against him, more than once, and it's like... come on dude, you know they don't have the same morality as you, stop expecting the best from people when you know they don't care about being good anymore.
Arren's chapters, while I liked them, I felt there should've been more. There were a couple of moments that felt like something was glossed over. There's an instance were I feel like someone should've noticed something he was doing, but for some reason nobody seemed to and I thought that was weird. But I am glad that his chapters were included.
Kissen, continues to be a badass. Her tough exterior is to protect that she has such a soft heart, and I just love her. Kissen is tied for my favorite character. Her plot-line in this book was really tense. Her coming to terms with which god she's mad at, and those she has to trust after years of hating them all. I think she adds a nice balance to the characters in this book. Especially with Arren and Elo. Those two are the opposite sides of the same coin in a way. They are both a little self-righteous, and Kissen is a very much tell it like it is character. She speaks her mind with little qualms over if it bothers anybody.
I am a little mad that I started this series when I did, because now I have to wait to read the final book. I should've waited a week or two so I wouldn't have to wait as long to read the third book. Luckily I already have it on hold at the library, so the wait shouldn't be too-too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 11 by Kanehito Yamada
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? No
5.0
These are getting better and better.