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mikasana's reviews
191 reviews
Sparrow and Vine by Sophie Lark
1.0
** NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW **
Sparrow and Vine is the first installment of a series where the two main characters are from rival families in an arranged marriage. The premise itself is very interesting and sounds almost like a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet with family dynamics and dramatics coming into play.
However, when it comes to the actual story I really struggled with the writing style and found it to be flat and one-dimensional. I couldn't find myself caring for any of the characters or empathizing for any of them. I also felt myself checking the category (YA vs New Adult) because some of the writing choices for similes felt a bit too juvenile for me personally.
And then I came upon some dialogue that stopped me in my tracks and I could not continue reading.
Chapter 8:
""I don't want to sound ignorant," I say to Sadie as we ascend the gentle slope up to the vines, "but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?"
"Sometimes there is." Sadie bites the edge of her lip. "We're a little short on cash this year.""
This scene needs to be taken out or changed. This is an incredibly insensitive and demeaning line between two characters where the second character indirectly agrees with the first character's racist dog whistle of a remark. It would be different if the second character checked the first character for making such a statement, but that doesn't happen. It does not give me a great impression of the author and I feel like this is a direct jab towards Mexican immigrants. I must emphasize its need for removal because this will alienate a substantial portion of readers.
All in all, I had to drop this book which is a shame, because I was very excited for it. However, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to my audience.
Thank you to Bloom Books for allowing me the opportunity to review.
Sparrow and Vine is the first installment of a series where the two main characters are from rival families in an arranged marriage. The premise itself is very interesting and sounds almost like a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet with family dynamics and dramatics coming into play.
However, when it comes to the actual story I really struggled with the writing style and found it to be flat and one-dimensional. I couldn't find myself caring for any of the characters or empathizing for any of them. I also felt myself checking the category (YA vs New Adult) because some of the writing choices for similes felt a bit too juvenile for me personally.
And then I came upon some dialogue that stopped me in my tracks and I could not continue reading.
Chapter 8:
""I don't want to sound ignorant," I say to Sadie as we ascend the gentle slope up to the vines, "but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?"
"Sometimes there is." Sadie bites the edge of her lip. "We're a little short on cash this year.""
This scene needs to be taken out or changed. This is an incredibly insensitive and demeaning line between two characters where the second character indirectly agrees with the first character's racist dog whistle of a remark. It would be different if the second character checked the first character for making such a statement, but that doesn't happen. It does not give me a great impression of the author and I feel like this is a direct jab towards Mexican immigrants. I must emphasize its need for removal because this will alienate a substantial portion of readers.
All in all, I had to drop this book which is a shame, because I was very excited for it. However, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to my audience.
Thank you to Bloom Books for allowing me the opportunity to review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
The Floating World by Axie Oh
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
** NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW **
Final Fantasy fans will be happy with this one -- specifically Final Fantasy 7 fans. You can tell a lot of inspiration for the world and a few of its characters come from that story. Which, for me is fantastic, because I adore Final Fantasy 7.
That being said, why 3.5 out of 5 stars? For one, I really enjoy having complex characters that we, as readers, can both identify with and connect to easily through emotion and drive. I think when the characters were all first introduced it was fine and interesting... but I never really connected with them as much as I wanted to. In that sense, the romance also felt like it happened overnight with no buildup, tension, or aching emotions that usually pull you in so I was a little disappointed in that regards. There were also periods where I felt myself losing interest here and there because despite all the activity happening, I felt like the writing fell a little flat (was more tell than show for my liking).
However, despite all these issues, I found the world itself to be so different, unique and interesting that it gave me just enough to crave more. I feel like the world setting of the Floating World was so fascinating politically, societally and architecturally that it could possibly support several stories just with its culture alone. The side characters were also very unique (I got some Final Fantasy vibes from some of them as well) and I had a good time following along with them and laughing at some of the jokes made at the expense of the other characters.
All in all, this was a great time. If you love magical dystopian worlds with sword-wielding heroes, I would say give this a shot and see what you think. I am looking forward to the second book coming out this year!
Final Fantasy fans will be happy with this one -- specifically Final Fantasy 7 fans. You can tell a lot of inspiration for the world and a few of its characters come from that story. Which, for me is fantastic, because I adore Final Fantasy 7.
That being said, why 3.5 out of 5 stars? For one, I really enjoy having complex characters that we, as readers, can both identify with and connect to easily through emotion and drive. I think when the characters were all first introduced it was fine and interesting... but I never really connected with them as much as I wanted to. In that sense, the romance also felt like it happened overnight with no buildup, tension, or aching emotions that usually pull you in so I was a little disappointed in that regards. There were also periods where I felt myself losing interest here and there because despite all the activity happening, I felt like the writing fell a little flat (was more tell than show for my liking).
However, despite all these issues, I found the world itself to be so different, unique and interesting that it gave me just enough to crave more. I feel like the world setting of the Floating World was so fascinating politically, societally and architecturally that it could possibly support several stories just with its culture alone. The side characters were also very unique (I got some Final Fantasy vibes from some of them as well) and I had a good time following along with them and laughing at some of the jokes made at the expense of the other characters.
All in all, this was a great time. If you love magical dystopian worlds with sword-wielding heroes, I would say give this a shot and see what you think. I am looking forward to the second book coming out this year!
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
tense
medium-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
4.75
Spectacular. Give me 14 sequels right now.
Maaaan... What a series. It's funny because I actually did not enjoy the Cruel Prince funnily enough but I was convinced the later books would make up for it. And boy did they ever. The folk of the air series became its own book epitome in terms of political drama and intrigue. And the writing... ? Poetic. Cardan dropped a few that had me going ditzy-dizzy. And this series hosted one of the most particular hate/love literal enemies to lovers situationships turned relationships I have ever read.
Would I have liked more Jude and Cardan together being soft and fuzzy? Sure. But that's not them at this point in their lives. To love openly is to trust openly. And for two people who have been brought up in a world ready to stab them at the first opportunity, trust is not easy. Seeing how far they have come both as a couple and as individuals has been quite the ride. And now I feel like we only scantly touched the surface of them as a team.
I think I am ready for more? Yeah. I am ready for more.
Maaaan... What a series. It's funny because I actually did not enjoy the Cruel Prince funnily enough but I was convinced the later books would make up for it. And boy did they ever. The folk of the air series became its own book epitome in terms of political drama and intrigue. And the writing... ? Poetic. Cardan dropped a few that had me going ditzy-dizzy. And this series hosted one of the most particular hate/love literal enemies to lovers situationships turned relationships I have ever read.
Would I have liked more Jude and Cardan together being soft and fuzzy? Sure. But that's not them at this point in their lives. To love openly is to trust openly. And for two people who have been brought up in a world ready to stab them at the first opportunity, trust is not easy. Seeing how far they have come both as a couple and as individuals has been quite the ride. And now I feel like we only scantly touched the surface of them as a team.
I think I am ready for more? Yeah. I am ready for more.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
This knocks Cruel Prince out of the park. Pacing is so much better and the court politics keep you on your toes the entire time.
And the quotes? Some of these lines had me melting into a human puddle. Like,"Yes, my sweet villain, my darling god. I will be as sober as a stone carving, just as soon as I can." Excuse me??? I was not prepared for that arrow to pierce me like that straight to the heart.
And the quotes? Some of these lines had me melting into a human puddle. Like,
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
This was very different from any other romantasies I have read. Yes, it has fae and a court system with various elemental powers, but its world and worldbuilding were very unique.
The fae here are far more sinister and feral. They explicitly repeat just how far removed fae are from certain emotions and you are often reminded of the inhumanness of underfae and “nasties”.
Also this was a lot darker than I expected — it was very gory with some potentially triggering themes. There was one scene in particular that I stressed over worrying about how a certain death for someone was going to occur.
Also this is very slow-paced but I think the payoff makes it worth it. The politics and scheming are the primary storyline of this book and trying to figure out intentions and loyalties kept you guessing. There were trials included, but I’d argue they weren’t essential to the story.
As for the romance, it was very minor but I enjoyed the setup for a certain character if you were paying attention to the bread crumbs. (winkwink)
The fae here are far more sinister and feral. They explicitly repeat just how far removed fae are from certain emotions and you are often reminded of the inhumanness of underfae and “nasties”.
Also this was a lot darker than I expected — it was very gory with some potentially triggering themes. There was one scene in particular that I stressed over worrying about how a certain death for someone was going to occur.
Also this is very slow-paced but I think the payoff makes it worth it. The politics and scheming are the primary storyline of this book and trying to figure out intentions and loyalties kept you guessing. There were trials included, but I’d argue they weren’t essential to the story.
As for the romance, it was very minor but I enjoyed the setup for a certain character if you were paying attention to the bread crumbs. (winkwink)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Torture, Vomit, and Trafficking
Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
slow-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
4.0
Very much enemies to lovers. I enjoyed it… most of it… but that ending was a little too sad for me. This couple’s entire story is surrounded by tragedy, to the point the ending kind of ticked me off.
Plus it doesn’t really make sense. You break the “rules” of the universe so your punishment is death despite being an “immortal” creature? Suuuure. Okay.
Plus it doesn’t really make sense. You break the “rules” of the universe so your punishment is death despite being an “immortal” creature? Suuuure. Okay.
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
There were some good moments in here and then there were meh moments. The meh moments dominated unfortunately.
I felt like the story here was weaker than its predecessors and I felt that with how long it took me to finish this.
Still love the characters, but did not love the story here.
I felt like the story here was weaker than its predecessors and I felt that with how long it took me to finish this.
Still love the characters, but did not love the story here.
The Heir by Sophie Lark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
So slooooooooow. Jesus. Such a shame because this is such a cool concept but this took me WAY too long to even get interested. Way too long to even start. The writing is fine but the pacing was terrible.
A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun. Different. A little similar to your standard fae romantasy but also not quite the same aside from the typical fae court shenanigans.
The FMC is already married, trapped to a loser whose galavanting and unpaid debts are slowly destroying her. Until one day she is offered an opportunity she cannot refuse…
Very, very addicting but maybe a bit too long? I feel like it could have been shorter by about 100 pages.
The FMC is already married, trapped to a loser whose galavanting and unpaid debts are slowly destroying her. Until one day she is offered an opportunity she cannot refuse…
Very, very addicting but maybe a bit too long? I feel like it could have been shorter by about 100 pages.
The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
This is literally YA Bridgerton mixed with some Fae shenanigans and court politics (think Cruel Prince).
I loved the romance in this one and particularly felt the pang with some of the angst. The pining and the hints at the burning of forbidden romance? Umf!
A little predictable but it was easy to get into with loveable characters. I made some guesses about how the ending would play out and I guessed a lot of them well. I did not guess some of the surprises throughout the rest of the story though, which kind of surprises me now.
I did particularly like that even though we are mostly in Ivy’s POV, we got some bonus POVs from many of the other characters to learn their truths/motivations. Almost felt like a bit of a mystery/investigative story as well.
A little predictable but it was easy to get into with loveable characters. I made some guesses about how the ending would play out and I guessed a lot of them well. I did not guess some of the surprises throughout the rest of the story though, which kind of surprises me now.
I did particularly like that even though we are mostly in Ivy’s POV, we got some bonus POVs from many of the other characters to learn their truths/motivations. Almost felt like a bit of a mystery/investigative story as well.