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meetmeinmalkovich's reviews
797 reviews
Beastcall: a Paladins of the Harvest Novella by Kaden Love
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Kaden's grimdark fantasies need to be on your radar.
As a prequel novella to Elegy of a Fragmented Vineyard, this is a quick read, but it's a detailed, action-packed introduction to this world.
Scores:
Characters: 8/10 The characters are really good
Atmosphere: 13/14
breakdown
- setting: 9/10 I want to read more like this
- mood: 4/4 I felt all the feels
Writing Style: 16/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 8/10 Very good storyteling
- grammar: 4/4 No issues
- format: 4/4 No issues
Plot: 9/10 Unique + paced well
Intrigue: 12/14
breakdown
- overall: 9/10 Didn't want to put it down
- readability: 3/4 Would re-read
Logic: 13/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 9/10 I understand + want more
- character logic: 4/4 The characters made sense
Excitement: 7/10 I had a good time
Totals:
CAWPILE: 78/90
Final Rating: 4 Stars
As a prequel novella to Elegy of a Fragmented Vineyard, this is a quick read, but it's a detailed, action-packed introduction to this world.
Scores:
Characters: 8/10 The characters are really good
Atmosphere: 13/14
breakdown
- setting: 9/10 I want to read more like this
- mood: 4/4 I felt all the feels
Writing Style: 16/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 8/10 Very good storyteling
- grammar: 4/4 No issues
- format: 4/4 No issues
Plot: 9/10 Unique + paced well
Intrigue: 12/14
breakdown
- overall: 9/10 Didn't want to put it down
- readability: 3/4 Would re-read
Logic: 13/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 9/10 I understand + want more
- character logic: 4/4 The characters made sense
Excitement: 7/10 I had a good time
Totals:
CAWPILE: 78/90
Final Rating: 4 Stars
Molten Flux by Jonathan Weiss, Jonathan Weiss
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Ryza doesn't give a flux.
He's been conscripted to the ever-moving fortress known as Revance, but something needs to be fixed with operations, and Ryza is hellbent on figuring it out. I gotta say, this book captured me from the start!
My CAWPILE Scores:
Characters: 9/10 They live free in my head
Ryza is a reluctant hero who slips up, but he's such a cool character, flaws and all. I, of course, LOVE HOLM also.
Atmosphere: 14/14
breakdown
- setting: 10/10 Spot on world-building
- mood: 4/4 Felt all the Feels
This was a mashup of some of my favorite elements in science fiction, so this really hit the nail on the head for me. It was the perfect atmosphere. Chef kiss to making me scream at a character. Haven't done that in a hot minute.
Writing Style: 15/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 8/10 Very good storytelling
- grammar: 3/4 Some grammatical errors
- format: 4/4 No formatting issues
For the most part, the storytelling was engaging and easy to read.
Plot: 9/10 Different and I liked it
From the start, I was enthralled with the idea of a Mad Max + Howl's Moving Castle concept, and Weiss delivered so much more!
Intrigue: 13/14
breakdown
- overall: 9/10 Didn't want to put it down
- readability: 4/4 Gonna start a book club forum
Logic: 13/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 9/10 I understand and want more
- character logic: 4/4 Characters made sense
Even when I wanted to throttle some characters, they do make sense, lol
Excitement: 10/10 I'm in the exclusive fan group
EVERYONE GO OUT AND READ THIS OK? OK.
Totals:
CAWPILE: 82/90
Final Rating: 5 Stars
He's been conscripted to the ever-moving fortress known as Revance, but something needs to be fixed with operations, and Ryza is hellbent on figuring it out. I gotta say, this book captured me from the start!
My CAWPILE Scores:
Characters: 9/10 They live free in my head
Ryza is a reluctant hero who slips up, but he's such a cool character, flaws and all. I, of course, LOVE HOLM also.
Atmosphere: 14/14
breakdown
- setting: 10/10 Spot on world-building
- mood: 4/4 Felt all the Feels
This was a mashup of some of my favorite elements in science fiction, so this really hit the nail on the head for me. It was the perfect atmosphere. Chef kiss to making me scream at a character. Haven't done that in a hot minute.
Writing Style: 15/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 8/10 Very good storytelling
- grammar: 3/4 Some grammatical errors
- format: 4/4 No formatting issues
For the most part, the storytelling was engaging and easy to read.
Plot: 9/10 Different and I liked it
From the start, I was enthralled with the idea of a Mad Max + Howl's Moving Castle concept, and Weiss delivered so much more!
Intrigue: 13/14
breakdown
- overall: 9/10 Didn't want to put it down
- readability: 4/4 Gonna start a book club forum
Logic: 13/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 9/10 I understand and want more
- character logic: 4/4 Characters made sense
Even when I wanted to throttle some characters, they do make sense, lol
Excitement: 10/10 I'm in the exclusive fan group
EVERYONE GO OUT AND READ THIS OK? OK.
Totals:
CAWPILE: 82/90
Final Rating: 5 Stars
The Dryad's Crown by David Hopkins
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a really immersive, epic generational fantasy mixed with mythology/folklore. I very much enjoyed it and listened to the audiobook in tandem.
My CAWPILE Scores:
Characters: 8/10 Most of them are really good.
Atmosphere: 12/14
breakdown
- setting: 9/10 I want to read more like this
- mood: 3/4 Some scenes had me captivated
Writing Style: 16/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 8/10 Very good storytelling
- grammar: 4/4 No grammar issues
- format: 4/4 No formatting issues
Plot: 8/10 A little different + well paced
Intrigue: 11/14
breakdown
- overall: 8/10 I want to read more like this
- readability: 3/4 Would re-read
Logic: 13/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 9/10 I understand + want more
- character logic: 3/4 Some characters didn't fit
Excitement: 9/10 Have told my friends about it
+
My DP2 Scores:
Dialogue: 4/4 Dialogue flowed naturally
Performance: 3/4 Good performance
Pace: 4/4 Pace flowed naturally
Totals:
CAWPILE: 76/90
DP2: 11/12
Final Rating: 4 Stars
My CAWPILE Scores:
Characters: 8/10 Most of them are really good.
Atmosphere: 12/14
breakdown
- setting: 9/10 I want to read more like this
- mood: 3/4 Some scenes had me captivated
Writing Style: 16/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 8/10 Very good storytelling
- grammar: 4/4 No grammar issues
- format: 4/4 No formatting issues
Plot: 8/10 A little different + well paced
Intrigue: 11/14
breakdown
- overall: 8/10 I want to read more like this
- readability: 3/4 Would re-read
Logic: 13/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 9/10 I understand + want more
- character logic: 3/4 Some characters didn't fit
Excitement: 9/10 Have told my friends about it
+
My DP2 Scores:
Dialogue: 4/4 Dialogue flowed naturally
Performance: 3/4 Good performance
Pace: 4/4 Pace flowed naturally
Totals:
CAWPILE: 76/90
DP2: 11/12
Final Rating: 4 Stars
Pathlighter by Rob Leigh
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
This is a great debut from a Break-ins author! You don't want to miss this one.
CAWPILE REVIEW
** I recently altered some of the tenants and how I break them down. The score with the key phrase plus the further breakdown is now included. Scores are now out of 86 instead of 70. :) **
<b>Characters:</b> 8/10 <i>The characters are really good!</i>
It's not often that I come across a multi-POV book where I like all the characters, but I especially love Roy & Rhaiga.
- third person
- multi-POV
<b>Atmosphere:</b> 8/10 <i>The setting/mood worked</i>
<b>Writing Style:</b> 15/18**
<u>breakdown</u>
- <b>storytelling:</b> 8/10 <i>Very good storytelling</i>
- <b>grammar:</b> 3/4 <i>Some grammatical errors</i>
- <b>formatting:</b> 4/4 <i>No formatting issues</i>
<b>Plot:</b> 7/10 <i>Not unique but enjoyable</i>
Don't see this as negative! Plot is one I always feel compelled to explain further because I am a character-driven reader, and I read primarily fantasy, so plots do start mirroring each other -- this is natural. <i>Pathlighter</I> may not have a super original storyline, but it's ABSOLUTELY ENJOYABLE, and I am invested in this story.
<b>Intrigue:</b> 11/14**
<u>breakdown</u>
- <b>overall:</b> 8/10 <i>I want to read more from this author/series</i>
- <b>re-readability:</b> 3/4 <i>Would Re-Read</i>
<b>Logic:</b> 13/14**
<u>breakdown</u>
- <b>plot logic:</b> 9/10 <i>I understand the plot and want more</i>
- <b>character logic:</b> 4/4 <i>Characters made sense</i>
<b>Excitement:</b> 9/10 <i>Have told friends about this</i>
Total Score: 71/86
Rating: 4
CAWPILE REVIEW
** I recently altered some of the tenants and how I break them down. The score with the key phrase plus the further breakdown is now included. Scores are now out of 86 instead of 70. :) **
<b>Characters:</b> 8/10 <i>The characters are really good!</i>
It's not often that I come across a multi-POV book where I like all the characters, but I especially love Roy & Rhaiga.
- third person
- multi-POV
<b>Atmosphere:</b> 8/10 <i>The setting/mood worked</i>
<b>Writing Style:</b> 15/18**
<u>breakdown</u>
- <b>storytelling:</b> 8/10 <i>Very good storytelling</i>
- <b>grammar:</b> 3/4 <i>Some grammatical errors</i>
- <b>formatting:</b> 4/4 <i>No formatting issues</i>
<b>Plot:</b> 7/10 <i>Not unique but enjoyable</i>
Don't see this as negative! Plot is one I always feel compelled to explain further because I am a character-driven reader, and I read primarily fantasy, so plots do start mirroring each other -- this is natural. <i>Pathlighter</I> may not have a super original storyline, but it's ABSOLUTELY ENJOYABLE, and I am invested in this story.
<b>Intrigue:</b> 11/14**
<u>breakdown</u>
- <b>overall:</b> 8/10 <i>I want to read more from this author/series</i>
- <b>re-readability:</b> 3/4 <i>Would Re-Read</i>
<b>Logic:</b> 13/14**
<u>breakdown</u>
- <b>plot logic:</b> 9/10 <i>I understand the plot and want more</i>
- <b>character logic:</b> 4/4 <i>Characters made sense</i>
<b>Excitement:</b> 9/10 <i>Have told friends about this</i>
Total Score: 71/86
Rating: 4
The Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
If ever there was a neutral review from me, it is this one. I will say, however, that I am a bit disappointed. The structure is what made this so unenjoyable. If all the "History" had been put as a forward it may have been better, but I do realize not many people actually read those and thus might have missed the point of the book in the first place. This is why it was hard to review for me.
I liked the concept. I didn't like the execution. I didn't feel anything like I hoped I would, especially because this is an intriguing topic to me. I like the bog bodies, and the idea of telling the fictional, "would-be" story of a real adolescent bog body sounds cool! It just got cut up and made it an odd push and pull between fiction and the author's anecdotes about writing them.
My CAWPILE Scores:
Characters: 5/10 No strong feelings
Atmosphere: 7/14
breakdown
- setting: 6/10 Something is off
- mood: 1/4 I didn't feel a thing
Writing Style: 11/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 5/10 No strong feelings
- grammar: 4/4 No grammar issues
- format: 2/4 Formatting made it hard to read
Plot: 5/10 No strong feelings
Intrigue: 7/14
breakdown
- overall: 5/10 No strong feelings
- readability: 2/4 Unhauling
Logic: 9/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 5/10 No strong feelings
- character logic: 4/4 Characters made sense together
Excitement: 4/10 Eh, I'm ok without it
Totals:
CAWPILE: 48/90
Final Rating: 3 Stars
I liked the concept. I didn't like the execution. I didn't feel anything like I hoped I would, especially because this is an intriguing topic to me. I like the bog bodies, and the idea of telling the fictional, "would-be" story of a real adolescent bog body sounds cool! It just got cut up and made it an odd push and pull between fiction and the author's anecdotes about writing them.
My CAWPILE Scores:
Characters: 5/10 No strong feelings
Atmosphere: 7/14
breakdown
- setting: 6/10 Something is off
- mood: 1/4 I didn't feel a thing
Writing Style: 11/18
breakdown
- storytelling: 5/10 No strong feelings
- grammar: 4/4 No grammar issues
- format: 2/4 Formatting made it hard to read
Plot: 5/10 No strong feelings
Intrigue: 7/14
breakdown
- overall: 5/10 No strong feelings
- readability: 2/4 Unhauling
Logic: 9/14
breakdown
- plot logic: 5/10 No strong feelings
- character logic: 4/4 Characters made sense together
Excitement: 4/10 Eh, I'm ok without it
Totals:
CAWPILE: 48/90
Final Rating: 3 Stars
Harbinger of Justice by Andrew Watson
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
<u>My CAWPILE Scores:</u>
Characters: <b>9/10</b> <i>They live rent-free in my head</i>
Atmosphere: <b>13/14</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- setting: 9/10 <i>I want to read more like this</i>
- mood: 4/4 <i>I felt all the feels</i>
Writing Style: <b>17/18</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- storytelling: 9/10 <i>Excellent storytelling</i>
- grammar: 4/4 <i>No grammar issues</i>
- format: 4/4 <i>No formatting issues</i>
Plot: <b>8/10</b> <i>A little different + well paced</i>
Intrigue: <b>12/14</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- overall: 9/10 <i>Didn't want to put it down</i>
- readability: 4/4 <i>Dying to reread</i>
Logic: <b>13/14</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- plot logic: 9/10 <i>I understand + want more</i>
- character logic: 4/4 <i>Characters made sense together</i>
Excitement: <b>10/10</b> <i>I am in the fan club. </i>
<u>Totals:</u>
CAWPILE: 82/90
<b>Final Rating: 5 Stars</b>
Characters: <b>9/10</b> <i>They live rent-free in my head</i>
Atmosphere: <b>13/14</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- setting: 9/10 <i>I want to read more like this</i>
- mood: 4/4 <i>I felt all the feels</i>
Writing Style: <b>17/18</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- storytelling: 9/10 <i>Excellent storytelling</i>
- grammar: 4/4 <i>No grammar issues</i>
- format: 4/4 <i>No formatting issues</i>
Plot: <b>8/10</b> <i>A little different + well paced</i>
Intrigue: <b>12/14</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- overall: 9/10 <i>Didn't want to put it down</i>
- readability: 4/4 <i>Dying to reread</i>
Logic: <b>13/14</b>
<u>breakdown</u>
- plot logic: 9/10 <i>I understand + want more</i>
- character logic: 4/4 <i>Characters made sense together</i>
Excitement: <b>10/10</b> <i>I am in the fan club. </i>
<u>Totals:</u>
CAWPILE: 82/90
<b>Final Rating: 5 Stars</b>