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megliz's reviews
236 reviews
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
This really blew me away. It was such an interesting take on the Arthur/Knights of the Round Table/Merlin myth retelling. The world building of this stands up to a high fantasy. It was unique and complex. I can't wait to see if it is explored even more in later novels.
I really liked all three of the main characters: Bree, Nick, and Sel. I feel like we got the least amount from Nick. I really do hope we get more. Sel was such a dick, but I love his turn around. I really liked how his background and Nick's were intertwined, but then part of his storyline in Bree's were intertwined. By the end, I felt like all three of them were tied up in a knot, and you really didn't know what will happen next in any of their relationships. The side characters were really amazing. I loved William and Greer were my favorites with honorable mentions to Sarah and Whitty.
The plot on its own on its own stood up. But Deonn did such an amazing job with character development. Bree's grief, her growth to understand and accept that, was a beautiful part of the story. There was a really strong connection to Black history. Not only with part of the magic system, but the reality of being black in the south. Whilen the fantasy elements were amazing and interesting, it was the emotions that really made this book amazing.
There were a lot of fun twists and turns throughout the book. I did guess the big major plot twist. I felt that if you knew anything about history, it was pretty obvious, but the lead up was still really interesting. For a YA book, there were real consequences and injuries. It felt like they were actually fighting for their lives instead of just miraculously coming out of battle perfectly healthy every time.
My only gripes are why did she have to be 16? I understand it's a YA book, but it felt like they really should have been college-aged. Also, if they were older, I'd feel a lot better about the fact that I'm hoping for a polyamorous situation. Like I want them to be boyfriends, but I also want them to have a girlfriend.
I will definitely be continuing this series. I already went out and bought the second book before I even finished the first book.
This really blew me away. It was such an interesting take on the Arthur/Knights of the Round Table/Merlin myth retelling. The world building of this stands up to a high fantasy. It was unique and complex. I can't wait to see if it is explored even more in later novels.
I really liked all three of the main characters: Bree, Nick, and Sel. I feel like we got the least amount from Nick. I really do hope we get more. Sel was such a dick, but I love his turn around. I really liked how his background and Nick's were intertwined, but then part of his storyline in Bree's were intertwined. By the end, I felt like all three of them were tied up in a knot, and you really didn't know what will happen next in any of their relationships. The side characters were really amazing. I loved William and Greer were my favorites with honorable mentions to Sarah and Whitty.
The plot on its own on its own stood up. But Deonn did such an amazing job with character development. Bree's grief, her growth to understand and accept that, was a beautiful part of the story. There was a really strong connection to Black history. Not only with part of the magic system, but the reality of being black in the south. Whilen the fantasy elements were amazing and interesting, it was the emotions that really made this book amazing.
There were a lot of fun twists and turns throughout the book. I did guess the big major plot twist. I felt that if you knew anything about history, it was pretty obvious, but the lead up was still really interesting. For a YA book, there were real consequences and injuries. It felt like they were actually fighting for their lives instead of just miraculously coming out of battle perfectly healthy every time.
My only gripes are why did she have to be 16? I understand it's a YA book, but it felt like they really should have been college-aged. Also, if they were older, I'd feel a lot better about the fact that I'm hoping for a polyamorous situation. Like I want them to be boyfriends, but I also want them to have a girlfriend.
I will definitely be continuing this series. I already went out and bought the second book before I even finished the first book.
The Lost Queen by Signe Pike
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars
This markets itself as a mix between Merlin and Outlander. And while that's true, I feel like it definitely leans more into the historical fiction aspects than the romance. The romance is a very, very small part of the plot. However, on the historical side, it was amazingly done and extremely well researched. There were a lot of Celtic ritual and lore that was really interesting.
My biggest problem is that I really didn't like the main protagonist. As a child, she felt too adult, and then, as an adult, she felt very childish. She is supposed to be this great queen, but she makes horrible decisions that are very selfish. This is a trilogy, so perhaps she'll grow further in the series. There were so many amazing characters. I just wish we got other people's points of view throughout the book.
I will be continuing on with this series, but I won't be something I'm gonna pick up immediately.
This markets itself as a mix between Merlin and Outlander. And while that's true, I feel like it definitely leans more into the historical fiction aspects than the romance. The romance is a very, very small part of the plot. However, on the historical side, it was amazingly done and extremely well researched. There were a lot of Celtic ritual and lore that was really interesting.
My biggest problem is that I really didn't like the main protagonist. As a child, she felt too adult, and then, as an adult, she felt very childish. She is supposed to be this great queen, but she makes horrible decisions that are very selfish. This is a trilogy, so perhaps she'll grow further in the series. There were so many amazing characters. I just wish we got other people's points of view throughout the book.
I will be continuing on with this series, but I won't be something I'm gonna pick up immediately.
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Damian Duffy, Octavia E. Butler
dark
emotional
reflective
3.0
This is my second adaptation of an Octavia Butler book by Duffy. I really think the art style just leans into this type of story. It's a very harrowing story to read living in this time period. Almost a view into the future that could be. However, I felt it was really focused on religious aspects, and I just didn't care for that personally. I feel like the graphic novel really leaned into the horror of dystopian acts but maybe it was a little weak on the writing, because it very much focused on a few aspects and other things felt kind of under explained.
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
First thing, I went into this book thinking it was romantic fairy tale telling, and that's not what it is. So it really skewed my reading experience. It's beautifully written. It's really descriptive. It's really true to Russian folklore and the time period.
But I found it really boring. It took a long time for the plot to get started. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary side information that I could have cared less about. Personally, I really didn't like the multiple character POV that the book was written in. It would change the middle of a chapter, and I would be confused about who was talking.
Maybe I'll pick up the rest of the series on a dark winter night, but I won't be adding the rest of the series to my TBR.
But I found it really boring. It took a long time for the plot to get started. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary side information that I could have cared less about. Personally, I really didn't like the multiple character POV that the book was written in. It would change the middle of a chapter, and I would be confused about who was talking.
Maybe I'll pick up the rest of the series on a dark winter night, but I won't be adding the rest of the series to my TBR.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
First thing, I went into this book thinking it was romantic fairy tale telling, and that's not what it is. So it really skewed my reading experience. It's beautifully written. It's really descriptive. It's really true to Russian folklore and the time period.
But I found it really boring. It took a long time for the plot to get started. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary side information that I could have cared less about. Personally, I really didn't like the multiple character POV that the book was written in. It would change the middle of a chapter, and I would be confused about who was talking.
Maybe I'll pick up the rest of the series on a dark winter night, but I won't be adding the rest of the series to my TBR.
But I found it really boring. It took a long time for the plot to get started. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary side information that I could have cared less about. Personally, I really didn't like the multiple character POV that the book was written in. It would change the middle of a chapter, and I would be confused about who was talking.
Maybe I'll pick up the rest of the series on a dark winter night, but I won't be adding the rest of the series to my TBR.
Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 stars
🌶🌶 spicy.
I completely understand why people love this book. It is a fun, sweet romance. However, it's a Hallmark movie in book form. I found it to be kind of slow paced and a little boring at times. It took a while for them to act on their feelings. I would have loved to see the trial that Skylar went through in the middle of the book and then saw more of her kicking ass and taking names.
The best parts were the kids and her relationship with the kids. In most romance books with kids, the kids are kind of like plants in the corner. They're just sort of there. I really like that Elsie Silver involves them in the story, and they are real fleshed out characters of their own.
I did listen to the audiobook, and Teddy Hamilton killed it. I really wish it would have been done more duet style because I hated the voice the female narrator gave the man. I mean, when you have a voice like Teddy Hamilton, just please use it. But the female narrator did a beautiful job singing the songs.
I hated the first one, but I like this one well enough that I will be continuing on with the series.
🌶🌶 spicy.
I completely understand why people love this book. It is a fun, sweet romance. However, it's a Hallmark movie in book form. I found it to be kind of slow paced and a little boring at times. It took a while for them to act on their feelings. I would have loved to see the trial that Skylar went through in the middle of the book and then saw more of her kicking ass and taking names.
The best parts were the kids and her relationship with the kids. In most romance books with kids, the kids are kind of like plants in the corner. They're just sort of there. I really like that Elsie Silver involves them in the story, and they are real fleshed out characters of their own.
I did listen to the audiobook, and Teddy Hamilton killed it. I really wish it would have been done more duet style because I hated the voice the female narrator gave the man. I mean, when you have a voice like Teddy Hamilton, just please use it. But the female narrator did a beautiful job singing the songs.
I hated the first one, but I like this one well enough that I will be continuing on with the series.
Bro and the Beast 5 by L.C. Davis
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
We're at the end of Raul and Brad's relationship, and we get their happily ever after. I really like throughout the whole series, the growth that Brad grows through of just learning to love and accept himself. It's very sweet. Before we can get to the rest of their lives, they have to deal with the big bad Constantine. Which sets off for our spinoff, featuring Devon.
If you're not looking for something super serious, but still we'll make you laugh and kick your feet, and has surprisingly emotional moments, I would highly recommend diving in and having a good time with this series.
If you're not looking for something super serious, but still we'll make you laugh and kick your feet, and has surprisingly emotional moments, I would highly recommend diving in and having a good time with this series.
Bro and the Beast 4 by L.C. Davis
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This one was really plot heavy. There's a lot of running around setting things up, trying to get back to the right world. I really love the hilariousness of the frat bros, and their reaction to Brad and Raul was really cute. Thousand island dressing was terrible. I'm glad I didn't have to deal there for very long.
Bro and the Beast 3 by L.C. Davis
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This really shouldn't be as good as it is. It's a really silly concept that has a lot of heart and humor. I loved getting more of Devon and Brad's relationship. I liked the introduction of Luna. The best part was the ending with the ridiculousness of the frat bros and Raul in the real world.
The Angel of Khan el-Khalili by P. Djèlí Clark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars
This is a short story about a girl asking an angel for a miracle. She has to give something to be given the miracle. This was a short but powerful tale that packed a lot of emotion into 30 pages. It's written in second person POV, which isn't my favorite, but it doesn't distract from the emotion of the story.
This is a short story about a girl asking an angel for a miracle. She has to give something to be given the miracle. This was a short but powerful tale that packed a lot of emotion into 30 pages. It's written in second person POV, which isn't my favorite, but it doesn't distract from the emotion of the story.