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marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1261 reviews
Wedded to the Wanton Witch by S.L. Prater
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
This was, fine. I would've liked more of a link to the first two books in the series, but overall I did like this book.
The relationship moved faster in this book, but I kind of didn't mind. They had some funny banter, and I liked that they were willing to stand up for each other when it called for it.
But I wish there had been more of a conclusion for the Glen character than we got. He was a bit of a thorn in everybody's side lurking in the background. He caused a huge problem for FMC before the start of the series, then when he shows up again he's just a nuisance, but I don't really know what sort of comeuppance he got, it didn't feel that there was any real consequence for what he did.
I do like this world, even though it feels a little underdeveloped. Or that there's another series that should be read first to explain more of it. But these are nice low-stakes romance fantasy.
The relationship moved faster in this book, but I kind of didn't mind. They had some funny banter, and I liked that they were willing to stand up for each other when it called for it.
But I wish there had been more of a conclusion for the Glen character than we got. He was a bit of a thorn in everybody's side lurking in the background. He caused a huge problem for FMC before the start of the series, then when he shows up again he's just a nuisance, but I don't really know what sort of comeuppance he got, it didn't feel that there was any real consequence for what he did.
I do like this world, even though it feels a little underdeveloped. Or that there's another series that should be read first to explain more of it. But these are nice low-stakes romance fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I think the hype got to me on this one. It was good, I didn't hate it, but it was just fine. I know one thing that hindered my enjoyment was the character names. For the life of me I can't remember anybody's name beyond Maia, the main character. The terms and titles for everything was really hard to follow and remember. I first tried to read this as an ebook, but I decided to switch to the audiobook hoping it would help. It did to a degree, as I didn't have to guess how to pronounce anything, but it was still hard to follow who was who by the end. The narrator/voice actor did a great job, it's just that the names are so complicated that they didn't stick with me.
The overall plot and seeing Maia gain courage to do what he felt was right, in any other setting would feel more generic, but with the wold building, and the kind of character Maia is, the unwanted half-goblin child of the elf emperor, it added a layer to the story that isn't in a lot of other books with a similar plot.
One of the main things that kept this book from me loving it as much as I had hoped was the feeling that I was drowning in the character names and the world building I did feel like I was missing some of the nuance. I appreciate the in-depth world building done in this book, but I also feel like I was just thrown in the deep end of the pool and expected to swim. There was an extenisve glossary at the start of the book explaining all of that, but it's only in the physical and the ebook versions not in the audiobook. I don't think it would've helped, I wouldn't want to keep referencing the glossary whenever a new character was introduced.
I am undecided if I want to read the other books in this world. They follow other characters, and since I can't remember who was who, I don't know if I will care or not about their story. I would prefer to read more of Maia. He had finally come fully into his own at the end of the book, and I'd like to read more of him being the emperor over other characters lives.
Traitor Son by Melissa Cave
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This might actually be my least favorite World of Elan book. It's still a really great book, but it felt like the majority POV was through a character I don't care about. Hilfred (Reuben), I do not care one ounce about that character or his background. I understand why it was through his POV. Certain events had to be told from an "outside" perspective, but I still didn't care about his back story. It wasn't something I wondered after his role in Revelations was over.
All that aside, this was a plot dense book considering how short it is. One thing that can be said about Sullivan is he doesn't waste pages. There are so many books that are 500-600 pages that do not have as much plot relevant 'stuff' as books in this world/series. I do think that there could have and should have been more POV moments through Rose's eyes. Her story is so tragic and sad. I hate to think of what Ruben's father made her think that Ruben knew what was going to happen to her. He was just a kid trying to do the right thing, and his father was a selfish ass who liked to blame others for his choices.
Oddly, it felt like Royce and Hadrain took a back seat for this book. I didn't count their page time, but it must've still been at least half the book. But I didn't feel like they were the main characters of this story, and I waned them to be. I like that they have inside jokes now, and how close they've gotten in the year since they met. I totally forgot what Gwen had told Rose about her (Rose) falling in love, and since I'm using the library for this first read through I can't go back and check. Likely nothing good considering what happened to her.
I forgot what a pone Saulder is, and I wish Ruben had said something to the King about the Bishop visiting him the day before, and what he said. Ruben didn't seem like the religious type. So he couldn't have any faith in the church, not to mention Bishop Saulder was one of the people who tired to stop him from trying to rescue the Royal family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 6 by Kanehito Yamada
adventurous
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
Reviewing so many fantastic manga volumes has really skewed my average rating. But it also means my reading this year has been enjoyable.
Reading about the second challenge after watching the anime has a different impact. It's still thrilling, but visually it's better in the anime.
I am getting very excited to read on past the events of the anime, and reading these is making me more excited for season 2, and makes me want to do another rewatch of the anime.
Reading about the second challenge after watching the anime has a different impact. It's still thrilling, but visually it's better in the anime.
I am getting very excited to read on past the events of the anime, and reading these is making me more excited for season 2, and makes me want to do another rewatch of the anime.
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
This book is, gross. Overly gruesome to be more precise. There's already a lot of body horror, and the level of emotional and physical abuse being thrown around honestly makes me nervous for how I know things will progress.
I understand that the main character is deeply sheltered, and literally jumps on the first man to show her attention and kindness. But it feels excessive. She's also extremely selfish and dumb.
I loved The Witch and The Woodsman, but there's something that feels hollow about this story. Something that makes all the gruesome and dark things feel more like they were written for shock value than to add to what it going on. I'm not familiar with the story this is a retelling of (The Juniper Tree), but I feel like the point is being overshadowed by the darkness of events in this book.
I plan to read more books by Reid, I only hope that her other books aren't filled with shock-value gore and horror.
I understand that the main character is deeply sheltered, and literally jumps on the first man to show her attention and kindness. But it feels excessive. She's also extremely selfish and dumb.
I loved The Witch and The Woodsman, but there's something that feels hollow about this story. Something that makes all the gruesome and dark things feel more like they were written for shock value than to add to what it going on. I'm not familiar with the story this is a retelling of (The Juniper Tree), but I feel like the point is being overshadowed by the darkness of events in this book.
I plan to read more books by Reid, I only hope that her other books aren't filled with shock-value gore and horror.
The Apothecary Diaries 11 by Natsu Hyuuga
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
More mysteries and more reveals.
We finally get to know the Empress Dowager in this volume and some of her past, and some of the previous Emperor. He's such a creep.
I'm even more confused now. Is Jinshi the son or brother of the Emperor? I thought I had it figured out, but now I'm confused. Is this volume a red herring? Are they trying to do double fake?
I was really loving how everybody around Jinshi can see how smitten he is with MaoMao. He's very much in denial about how he feels about her.
We finally get to know the Empress Dowager in this volume and some of her past, and some of the previous Emperor. He's such a creep.
I'm even more confused now. Is Jinshi the son or brother of the Emperor? I thought I had it figured out, but now I'm confused. Is this volume a red herring? Are they trying to do double fake?
I was really loving how everybody around Jinshi can see how smitten he is with MaoMao. He's very much in denial about how he feels about her.
The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
I love this world. Sullivan writes some of my favorite characters in all fantasy. Seeing where Royce and Hadrian started, and how much they hated each other compared to what close brother-like friends they were at the start of Theft of Swords is almost endearing. It makes sense they'd feel the way did before they got to know each other. Even in Revelations they had different views on things, Royce is far more cynical than Hadrian is. But it gives them a good balance of character. Even knowing they made it out of their dire situation, I was excited to read how they got there.
I was also ecstatic that Gwen was a main POV in this book. She was always a character I wanted to know more about in Revelations. I knew based on how Sullivan writes other female characters that there had to be more to her than was initially revealed. I just love her character, and hope she's in more books in this series.
I do also hope to learn more about Arcadius. I know he's not Turin, but I've heard whispers that there are context clues that he's Trilos. But I'm not certain about that based on what happens to Arcadius in Revelations. This does add to the loose ends that have yet to be fully tied up from the other books in this world.
The mission itself, of stealing the book is pretty cut and dry. The subtle humor in this series is what I feel like a lot of authors try to do but aren't good at. The humor is my kind of humor though, a little dry and sarcastic.
This book (the series too) really should be read after reading Revelations, even though these events take place before. I'm glad that I had changed my plan to read things in chronological order. I don't think things would've had the same impact had I read them that way. Maybe on a re-read I'll read them in that order.
I already have the sequel to this book from the library so I'm going to start that one right away. I hope/want to buy all the books in this world.
Something's Wrong With Us, Volume 18 by Natsumi Andō
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Eh... I feel like things are unreasonably melodramatic now. Bringing in a mustache-twirling villain in a step-mother feels over the top.
I'm just not sure these volumes are needed. I don't even know if the next one is the last one at this point. If it keeps going, I might just stop. The story was wrapped up (imo) in vol. 16
I'm just not sure these volumes are needed. I don't even know if the next one is the last one at this point. If it keeps going, I might just stop. The story was wrapped up (imo) in vol. 16
Something's Wrong With Us, Volume 17 by Natsumi Andō
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
I don't know why this plot-line was here exactly, maybe to show how much the characters have grown beyond being angry at the world. The moments between Tsubaki and Nao were really sweet and I wish there had been more. The ending panel was amazing.