mattiedancer's Reviews (126)

Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Sue Lynn Tan

4.75

adventurous hopeful tense fast-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

Content Warnings

The Love Hypothesis

Ali Hazelwood

4.0

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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: Complicated

Content Warnings

The Priory of the Orange Tree

Samantha Shannon

4.25

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon:

Writing: 4.75⭐️/5

The writing in this novel is some of the most gorgeous writing I’ve read in fantasy in a while. It is artfully crafted in a way that was honestly enjoyable to read. A few sections of the action did feel a bit rushed, but really and truly a stunningly written novel.

Characters: 4⭐️/5

The characters are vibrant and interesting. At some points, I lacked an ability to fully connect with them in a way I would have liked. In short, it was hard to feel immersed in the character’s emotions, because I never really fully got into their skins. Despite that, Shannon creates a beautiful canvas of diverse characters who all have strong goals and captivating personalities. I personally would have loved a bit more time with the characters in their elements (seeing Tané and her dragon more, etc.) so that once they had fallen from their dreams a bit, I felt more connected.

Plot: 4.5⭐️/5

Assassins, blasphemy, dragons, prisoners, pirates, magical fruit, and a lot of badass female characters: what more could I ask for from a high fantasy novel? Honestly, the world itself is so intensely beautiful that at certain times I felt bitter that we didn’t get more time with certain characters. Shannon seems to have used in media res a lot throughout the novel, and, personally, in a newly built fantasy world, I would love a bit more backstory (even as flashbacks) to understand more about the characters, where they come from, and how the plot progression impacts their “normal.”

Post-Reading Rating: 4⭐️/5

So much action packed into the last bit of the novel. I think the pacing feels a bit rushed given the rest of the novel. Overall, satisfied but with a bit of a bittersweet feeling.

Who Should Read This?

Those who love a vibrant high-fantasy novel with amazing worldbuilding
Anyone who loves multiple narrations that weave together
Readers looking for a fantasy read that’s edged with LGBTQIA-friendly romances

Content Warnings

Iron Widow

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.25

adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Writing: 3.75⭐️/5

The writing felt a bit rushed, forced, and unpolished at certain times. At other times, it shone brightly and fiercely. I would love to give it a bit of a higher grade because of how phenomenal I expect their next novels to be, but I saw more potential in the writing than execution. Still solidly written and easy to digest, but there was a lot of exposition when I wanted in-the-moment narration. Oh, also I loved the sheer rage of the writing. I want more in the next novel.

Characters: 4.75⭐️/5

Wu Zetian, Li Shimin, and Gao Yizhi absolutely light my soul. Zetian’s absolute force-of-nature passion for her goals is addicting to read about. She felt vibrant and alive at all times – though maybe a bit misplaced in her society. I would have loved a bit of development into how she became such a literal force of nature, but part of me is okay to accept it as a part of her high Qi levels. I loved the development of the women around Zetian and how unexpected (yet, in many ways, completely expected) some of their characters developed. And every character that was flat and one-dimensional felt absolutely real and stubborn in their identity. Characters were given the opportunity to change and, when they didn’t, found themselves facing the consequences of their one-sided nature

Plot: 4.5⭐️/5

I’m gonna start with the bad because there’s so much to like. Zhao does a lot of the Only-The-Author-Can-Save-Us-Now trope. Lots of rules of this world expand as the characters find themselves in life-threatening positions. However, even though certain moments felt more contrived in this fashion, I never really minded that much. Like, I’d have a quick smile to myself and continue reading. The plot is constantly moving forward and, while it relies on common tropes, they feel inverted or quirky enough that I didn’t really care that they were present. The overall twists and turns of the greater plot kept me absolutely glued to the page. And the ending was a work of art.

Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5

Wait, WHAT?? Where’s the next book? I need it, as soon as possible. I’m addicted.

Who Should Read This?

Readers who want an unapologetically angry female protagonist
Readers who enjoy a morally gray character (or two, or three)
Readers looking for a polyamorous LGBTQIA+ story
Readers who love trope inversions
Fans of fantasy/sci-fi reads (it read like a mix of the two)
Readers looking for a fast-paced, emotion-filled novel
Fans of reimagined historical stories
Someone looking for a vibrant story that’s constantly moving and growing (and maybe likes a plot twist or five)
Fans who have dreamt of a blend of The Hunger Games and The Handmaid’s Tale

Final Rating: 4.25⭐️/5

Content Warnings

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen

4.0

emotional hopeful slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Writing: 4.75⭐️/5

While still solidly written, this novel lacked a certain polish that I’ve come to expect from Jane Austen’s work. Part of this might be attributed to the fact that there was much more exposition than normal, even for a Jane Austen novel. Overall, a well-written novel but you can definitely tell it was her first.

Characters: 4.5⭐️/5

The characters felt alive and full, but I missed a bit of development from one of our main love interests, simply because he disappeared for the majority of the novel. Both the sisters had an amazing balance between them and, even while they fought, Austen found a way for you to empathize with both plights. Some of the side characters felt a little underdeveloped in the sense that the author simply told us how we should feel about them instead of naturally developing those feelings.

Plot: 4.25⭐️/5

I am still bummed that I missed out on the conclusion of this romance plot. While we see how everything ends, I wish we had been present for the end and not simply told how each of the characters pairs off. At some points in the novel, things lined up a bit too nicely – not in a way that suggested good development but in a way that suggested a bit of a heavy hand from Austen. The story is a great tale, but I wish it had been given more moments to truly shine. Overall, still solid.

Post-Reading Rating: 3⭐️/5

Okay, so the book was *good* but there was no reason to leave out the characters actually getting together. I felt absolutely disappointed that I never got a scene in which the sisters unite with their loves. The ending also felt a bit contrived, focusing so much on the antagonists throughout the novel that I felt jaded as the reader.

Who Should Pick This Book Up?

Anyone who loves slow-burn romances
Anyone who loves Jane Austen or classic romances
Anyone looking for a slow-paced novel with solid writing
Anyone who likes a good plot twist or two

Final Rating: 4⭐️/5

The Ones We're Meant to Find

Joan He

4.5

adventurous emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Writing: 4⭐️/5

Solidly written with some truly beautiful sections. Lots of really great foreshadowing that you don’t necessarily realize until you look back on it. Parts of the story can be a bit jarring and confusing, though He mostly smooths these out quickly.

Characters: 4⭐️/5

Beautifully different characters with realistic flaws and goals. The end felt a bit forced onto the characters, rather than created by the characters. Some sacrifices for plot over characters.

Plot: 4.75⭐️/5

Superb plot. Everything felt wrapped up at the end, but not too neatly. Some good surprises that didn’t feel forced or fake.

Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5

Amazing plot. Interesting, thoughtful, well-developed and thought out.

Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

Notes: Joan He definitely sacrificed a bit of characterization for plot. Feels like a gem of the genre, regardless.

Content Warnings

Lore Olympus, Season 2

Rachel Smythe

4.25

adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

Stardust

Neil Gaiman

4.25

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Writing: 4.5⭐️/5

The writing quality is smooth and proficient. I don’t have too much to complain about here, as it’s solidly written.

Characters: 4⭐️/5

The characters are well-rounded and honestly quite loveable. At a few moments, the characters seem flatter than they need to and only the main characters really grow throughout the course of the novel. However, this doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the story and each character seems uniquely and lovingly created.

Plot: 4.5⭐️/5

I love the overall story, especially how it inverts common tropes and is unafraid of going boldly against what the reader might expect. I particularly enjoyed how the heroes ended up dealing with the antagonist, mostly because it wasn’t really what I was expecting. I do think that the plot was wrapped up a little too much at the end, but perhaps that’s my enjoyment of the movie’s ending getting in the way of the book’s ending.

Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

Slight bitter tasted post-reading simply because I had such different expectations of how exactly it was going to end. I also lost interest in the book a few times while reading, so it was a bit of a harder start than I was expecting as well.

Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

Content Warnings

Persuasion

Jane Austen

5.0

hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Writing: 5⭐️/5

While the novel follows the slow-paced writing style one comes to expect from Jane Austen, the writing is fabulously well-crafted. Austen allowed the story to be told through great prose, while also leaving room for bits of humour. A highly enjoyable read.

Characters: 5⭐️/5

I found the characters very well-written and developed. Honestly, several of them were either loveable or hateable. Anne Elliot, our main character, is immediately described as having weathered a deep and fast love years prior, and it’s instantly revealed that the only reason her engagement was broken off was through the persuasion of other people. This immediately created a complexity of emotion within Anne and made her one of the more complex characters in the novel. Throughout the course of the book, you meet Sir Walter Elliot and Elizabeth Elliot, who are made to feel real by their absolute disdain for everything they believe to be beneath them. Mary Musgrove, a sister to our main character, is a privilege, attention-seeking girl who is brought to life as she attempts to escape the mundanity of her life through drama. And then we have Captain Wentworth, who is the internalizing love interest of Anne, who surprised me constantly at his emotions, actions, and depth.

Plot: 5⭐️/5

While this is a slow-paced novel, the precision in which this plot is executed is stunning. The first half of the book is spent setting up a fantastic (and devious) plot twist which is slowly and subtly hinted at and finally revealed at the end of the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed how patient Austen was in executing this, while making sure that the reader was somewhat (subconciously) prepared for the reveal.

Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5

I re-read a certain chapter immediately after finishing the book. Such a beautiful slow-burn of a romance that delivers beautiful.

Who Should Pick This Book Up?

Anyone who loves slow-burn romances
Anyone who loves Jane Austen or classic romances
Anyone looking for a slow-paced novel with great writing

Final Rating: 5⭐️/5

It Ends with Us

Colleen Hoover

1.5

emotional sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Writing: 2⭐️/5

The writing was poor by published standards. At many times, the author reverted to exposition, choosing to tell us what we needed to know rather than show us through the actions of characters. One section of solid writing stood out to me in the entire novel. The rest, by comparison, was unpolished and unrefined – though readable.

Characters: 1⭐️/5

The characters in It Ends With Us are almost all flat. Even our MC, Lily, seems at many times a flat character who exists as an empty vessel to carry us through the plot. Other than her hatred for her father, her love of gardening, and her attachment to Atlas, I really didn’t learn anything about her that didn’t feel universally applicable to almost anyone. Similarly, Atlas was one-dimensional: essentially a ghost who haunted Lily throughout the novel, only to show up at convenient times to say exactly the right (or wrong) thing. Allysa is maybe the worst of the bunch. Her character is rich, kind, and sad, as she’s an “infertile” woman who wants to work for free to rid herself of the thoughts of her childless life. Of course, though that character might have been interesting, Hoover decides to retcon this by making her get immediately pregnant, despite believing she can’t get pregnant. Sure, okay.

Beyond this, Ryle is the most developed character in the novel, mainly because of his *spoilers* abusive tendencies and the author’s need to justify this through history. We understand that he’s abusive because of an unnamed mental illness that has plagued him since his brother’s death. We see Ryle as kind and loving yet capable of great abuse and hurt. I can’t feel good about the fact that the most developed is an abusive, rich, privileged man.

Plot: 2⭐️/5

Colleen Hoover tried to invert parts of the romance genre. For that, I can be appreciative of what she tried to do with the plot. However, much of this novel is so underdeveloped that I can’t understand why the plot wasn’t pushed further. At many points, Hoover seemed to abandon a hard topic by way of easier plot devices. For example, as Lily is attempting to leave Ryle, she easily remembers Atlas’ phone number and rides off in his car to the hospital. The sheer abandonment of a more interesting plot (where Lily has to find her own way, for once, in this world) for an easy out by the author made the book less interesting. Similarly, I wondered how a woman who is attempting to leave an abusive relationship doesn’t consider (even for a small, guilty moment) getting an abortion of their love child. Lily has spent the entire book discussing how terrible it was to grow up in an abusive household and watch an abusive man, only to be a-okay at the thought of bringing an abusive man’s child into the world. The plot’s desire to talk about only one hard topic (domestic abuse) is concerning for me, when there are so many other topics right around it, waiting to be discussed.

Post-Reading Rating: 0.5⭐️/5

I almost threw my phone against the wall. I regretted reading it so much.

Final Rating: 1.5⭐️/5

Content Warnings

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