mileswithmontana's reviews
32 reviews

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I thought this book went much farther in depth with Anthony and Kate’s mental battles and it helps describe their characters more than the show. I also loved Kate and Edwina’s relationship more here. However, the show does make it a bit more dramatical and definitely more diverse, which does add to the entertainment. I struggled getting into this book at first because I wasn’t loving the characters that much, but after the Pall Mall game I was invested. 

Starsight by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

At the start of this book I didn’t know if I liked the direction it was taking, but I’m glad I stayed along for the ride. I almost want to give this 5 stars, but I was missing a bit of emotional connection to the side characters; however, the complexity of this story and all of the thought processes behind it have to be applauded. This book has way more layers and politics than the first, but Spensa manages even more character development and finds out hidden truths about herself and the galaxy. This series is quickly becoming a “must read” recommendation from me. 

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

This book could’ve been amazing, the premise and historical setting was a great backdrop for these characters. After 400 pages I couldn’t tell you much about the main character or her magic. She didn’t have a personality or a clear want in the book. The pacing was off the entire book, it dragged on about nonsense and flitted through the important scenes. The most interesting character was The Familiar, however, his magic is also unclear. I was hoping for a better explanation, but the ending just sort of wrote everything off. I know the Inquisition was not a black and white ordeal, but the processes and motives of the aristocrats were questionable at best. If you are truly a fan of Bardugo’s work you can try this and compare to her other works, however, if you’re looking for a historical fantasy, there are better works out there. 

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

5.0

I was hesitant to pick up this book, second chance romances usually aren’t my genre, but I’m so glad I did. This book is more right person, wrong time and it shows how much growth the couple has gone through in their time apart. This made me feel all the feelings and see the characters rock bottom and still root for them to overcome it. I really enjoyed Tia Williams writing, Eva & Shane feel so real; they are never perfect and Eva is constantly dealing with her disability, because even love can’t make that go away. There should be a trigger list for this because it does deal with heavy drug use, alcoholism, and cutting. 

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.75

If you took Top Gun and put it on another planet where you have to fight aliens, then took Tom Cruise and turned him into a 17 year old girl at the beginning of her training and added a bucket of character development you’d get this book. This is a Sci-Fi YA novel that sucks you in right from the prologue. The characters have so many layers and everyone shows growth throughout the book. You’re too busy with the plot to try and figure out the mystery that lingers in the shadows, and every time it’s brought to your attention you don’t even know where to start. The audio for this was fantastic, however if you have it in print it does help with ship designs and flight schematics. Can’t wait to read the next one in the series! 

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

I would’ve finished this in one sitting if I could’ve. I love how Constanta writes her last letter with so much hindsight, cutting through the lavender haze, and so much contempt for her husband that his name is never even mentioned in the book. There’s so much hurt and longing in her words. A beautiful story, even if it’s about vampires. 

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

The first 100 pages was a bit hard for me to get into, I think because of the switch in character perspectives and realizing I wasn’t going to get other characters until later in the story. This story has a fantastic and semi-complex magic system, but it’s written so lyrically and in-depth you can’t help but be pulled in. I will think of the Nightmare forever, he might be one of my favorite characters I’ve ever read,I love a character that speaks in rhymes and riddles. Only having two books is a bittersweet feeling, but I thought everything ended well with no loose ends. 

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A dark fantasy with poetry, how have I not read this sooner?! It’s amazing in it’s writing style and delivery. Also has several nods to “The Highwayman” poem by Alfred Noyes. I loved this book, it has a unique magic system, a villain that maybe isn’t the real villain, and a side story romance. This is a book you could read several times and find something new each time. 

Unhinged by Vera Valentine

funny 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

For a 70 page novella about a door the last thing I was expecting was Greek mythology. It’s a very cliche and almost comical story, but knowing that going in, it delivers what I expected. Also, Drys is 4 stars of sweetness. 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

funny lighthearted medium-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

Now this is banter I could read all day. Daphne and Simon had me laughing and smiling throughout the book. I have seen the show so I did know everything that would happen, but I still read this rather quickly, simply because I couldn’t put it down.