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miyaosamu's reviews
312 reviews
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Thank you to Random House/Delacorte Press for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
song of silver, flame like night was absolutely brilliant, well paced and impressive in lore and worldbuilding for being the first in its series. with the depth of the kingdom’s decades of history and intricate magic system of qì energy cannot express how immediately captivated i was into this book. in addition to once the story’s action and pace hit early on, it never slowed down for too long before picking right back up. to be honest though, i might be a bit biased as this book truly got me out of a long reading slump as this was a fantasy i very much enjoyed and had me on the edge of my seat to see where it would all go. like sure there's some of the usual young adult fantasy archetypes, but on personal preferences and being a mood reader it can be easily still entertaining for what i needed at this moment.
this had everything i love in a fantasy for the most part with such an interesting world of the last kingdom with its detailed history and current colonial conflicts, the magic system wielders being called practitioners with a hidden school for young students and secrets to uncover on small journeys that keeps readers attention and the pace consistent. mysterious empathizing backstories for our two mains lan and zen and their dynamic was so amusing with the contrast they had of not just personalities but in their qì energy as well. you can sense that sort of yin and yang between them, of opposite forces yet a shared pull of a bond to another. their emotions and attachment to one another is a bit quick of a whirlwind but keep in mind romance a very small subplot to the bigger plot as i personally think their emotions provided well to their trust in each other and furthering development each other's complex character development and hard decisions to make for the sake of their lives or saving the nation. lan our main character, she is one with goals to figure out her past she vaguely remembers and the legacy left to her, her actions are rather rash but it was compelling to see what of her experiences would affect her belief system and the tough choices ahead of her. along with zen, he's a usual mysterious brooding but fiercely protective though quite literally fighting demons of his past and present, as he seems to be more morally grey struggling with the choices he's given versus what has been taught to him.
but importantly other than our mains and their connections, it well covers themes of effects of colonialism on a nation and figuring out how to fight back without breaking one's ideals along with how history affects the generation to this day seeing things devastatingly repeat. a few other characters like shà’jūn and tài were charming side characters and a bit of affection and angst between them i can't wait to see more of, and there's dilaya who is frustrating to our mains at first but readers come to understand her hostility and see her development as well. there's more particular dynamics that hit my heart, a sort of adoptive father/kid found family and blood relation revelations. subjectively, especially the last 20 percent had me go through such a rollercoaster of emotions of shock and devastation that it emotionally is a 5 star read for me, but as a whole leaning towards a 4.5 star read. consequence of reading and getting invested in a first book of a series as an advanced copy, going to have to wait ages til the sequel. this was a strong, solid start and i have such high hopes and anticipations for the continuation of this series and following how these characters will grow in resolve to face what is next.
song of silver, flame like night was absolutely brilliant, well paced and impressive in lore and worldbuilding for being the first in its series. with the depth of the kingdom’s decades of history and intricate magic system of qì energy cannot express how immediately captivated i was into this book. in addition to once the story’s action and pace hit early on, it never slowed down for too long before picking right back up. to be honest though, i might be a bit biased as this book truly got me out of a long reading slump as this was a fantasy i very much enjoyed and had me on the edge of my seat to see where it would all go. like sure there's some of the usual young adult fantasy archetypes, but on personal preferences and being a mood reader it can be easily still entertaining for what i needed at this moment.
this had everything i love in a fantasy for the most part with such an interesting world of the last kingdom with its detailed history and current colonial conflicts, the magic system wielders being called practitioners with a hidden school for young students and secrets to uncover on small journeys that keeps readers attention and the pace consistent. mysterious empathizing backstories for our two mains lan and zen and their dynamic was so amusing with the contrast they had of not just personalities but in their qì energy as well. you can sense that sort of yin and yang between them, of opposite forces yet a shared pull of a bond to another. their emotions and attachment to one another is a bit quick of a whirlwind but keep in mind romance a very small subplot to the bigger plot as i personally think their emotions provided well to their trust in each other and furthering development each other's complex character development and hard decisions to make for the sake of their lives or saving the nation. lan our main character, she is one with goals to figure out her past she vaguely remembers and the legacy left to her, her actions are rather rash but it was compelling to see what of her experiences would affect her belief system and the tough choices ahead of her. along with zen, he's a usual mysterious brooding but fiercely protective though quite literally fighting demons of his past and present, as he seems to be more morally grey struggling with the choices he's given versus what has been taught to him.
but importantly other than our mains and their connections, it well covers themes of effects of colonialism on a nation and figuring out how to fight back without breaking one's ideals along with how history affects the generation to this day seeing things devastatingly repeat. a few other characters like shà’jūn and tài were charming side characters and a bit of affection and angst between them i can't wait to see more of, and there's dilaya who is frustrating to our mains at first but readers come to understand her hostility and see her development as well. there's more particular dynamics that hit my heart, a sort of adoptive father/kid found family and blood relation revelations. subjectively, especially the last 20 percent had me go through such a rollercoaster of emotions of shock and devastation that it emotionally is a 5 star read for me, but as a whole leaning towards a 4.5 star read. consequence of reading and getting invested in a first book of a series as an advanced copy, going to have to wait ages til the sequel. this was a strong, solid start and i have such high hopes and anticipations for the continuation of this series and following how these characters will grow in resolve to face what is next.
A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
arc copy paused, did not pick up after march
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
paused, been over a year since i picked it up made it 40% in from what i remember
Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
this was pretty much your standard ek romcom for audiences who've read her previous works with great banter between the couple, fun friend groups and over the top town side plot drama. gen and evan were entertaining yet of course they fell victim to flat tropes of party girl and bad boy toxic cycle of influence on each other, and this being a supposed second chance romance i expected a bit more and gen leading harrison on was unnecessary. i did like the dynamics they both had with their families with both gen and evan knowing one another since they were kids and their issues with their mothers growing up, but also evan being close with his twins and gen with her father and all her brothers. it was just the romance with getting each other back itself could've been handled better, the chemistry and history was there, but personally could've used more angst. other good things was at least their communication was decent in letting the other know what they had to change, and each character's development wanting to be better for the other, other than that it overall fell pretty flat and boring at most parts for me.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
had such high hopes for this sapphic romcom with the premise of two girls on a bachelor-esque reality show with former exes and getting the revenge on the guy as he cheated on one girl with the other. i think it was just my personal tastes and being a mood reader that i didn't completely click with this story and its execution, before my critiques though i did absolutely love the cute development of the romance between maya and skye and the humor in this. other than that, i know its for the sake of reality show and competition but the hate and drama between the girls along with not believing maya's side of the story at first just rubbed me the wrong way, and knowing jordy's fake exterior beforehand made it all the more exasperating seeing his interactions with maya, skye and all the other girls. shout out to perrie though for being the one there for maya since meeting. also i think it would've made more sense for these characters to be older especially with the number of exes jordy had and the characters could've matured more for a true second chance but yes then again i understand this whole thing its just a fame, public image and money grab at the same time. so overall this book wasn't completely for me as i wished to see more of the romance between maya and skye and a better revenge plot, but i have high hopes for gonzales's other works nevertheless!
had such high hopes for this sapphic romcom with the premise of two girls on a bachelor-esque reality show with former exes and getting the revenge on the guy as he cheated on one girl with the other. i think it was just my personal tastes and being a mood reader that i didn't completely click with this story and its execution, before my critiques though i did absolutely love the cute development of the romance between maya and skye and the humor in this. other than that, i know its for the sake of reality show and competition but the hate and drama between the girls along with not believing maya's side of the story at first just rubbed me the wrong way, and knowing jordy's fake exterior beforehand made it all the more exasperating seeing his interactions with maya, skye and all the other girls. shout out to perrie though for being the one there for maya since meeting. also i think it would've made more sense for these characters to be older especially with the number of exes jordy had and the characters could've matured more for a true second chance but yes then again i understand this whole thing its just a fame, public image and money grab at the same time. so overall this book wasn't completely for me as i wished to see more of the romance between maya and skye and a better revenge plot, but i have high hopes for gonzales's other works nevertheless!
Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to Random House - Ballantine for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
with its intriguing premise of new adult fantasy murder mystery with ancestral magic on a rural island, spells for forgetting disappointingly fell flat for me. the fantasy pitch was personally misleading as it reads more contemporary mystery thriller with very little magical aspects. i really wanted to love this one a lot, there was much missed potential with expanding on magical users, the town history, and depth on character dynamics but its main focus was more so unsolved murder and the townspeople's grudges. reiterating as i said before of more contemporary as the story was also overshadowed by drama of the villagers' gossips, secrets between everyone, and biased suspicions. the main problem i had was this was supposedly new adult and the main characters are in their early 30s yet they're written like they're still in high school, unbearable and childish. the romance of the story had great potential too, yet was hastily developed even if they had history. it all also came down with needing more fleshed out characters and thorough on character relationships with one another like a lot of things would've been solved between the friend group particularly, quicker if they knew the word, communication. though i've heard praises about young's fable duology, so i still have high hopes for those books. overall, the mystery itself keeps readers pulled in to figure out the truth of everything that happened however even that aspect felt solved abruptly with its rushed ending.
with its intriguing premise of new adult fantasy murder mystery with ancestral magic on a rural island, spells for forgetting disappointingly fell flat for me. the fantasy pitch was personally misleading as it reads more contemporary mystery thriller with very little magical aspects. i really wanted to love this one a lot, there was much missed potential with expanding on magical users, the town history, and depth on character dynamics but its main focus was more so unsolved murder and the townspeople's grudges. reiterating as i said before of more contemporary as the story was also overshadowed by drama of the villagers' gossips, secrets between everyone, and biased suspicions. the main problem i had was this was supposedly new adult and the main characters are in their early 30s yet they're written like they're still in high school, unbearable and childish. the romance of the story had great potential too, yet was hastily developed even if they had history. it all also came down with needing more fleshed out characters and thorough on character relationships with one another like a lot of things would've been solved between the friend group particularly, quicker if they knew the word, communication. though i've heard praises about young's fable duology, so i still have high hopes for those books. overall, the mystery itself keeps readers pulled in to figure out the truth of everything that happened however even that aspect felt solved abruptly with its rushed ending.
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.75
so where can i find a malakai korede who read kikiola’s all time favorite sci-fi fantasy book series and gives her all of his reactions raving about it. and continues to do even more than just that, despite the fake relationship pact! honestly honey & spice was subjectively the most perfect college set romcom i have ever read with ambitious personalities clashing, the fake dating pact aspect, their clever banter, the amount of tension that had me hooked, cliché college societies and gossipy drama, along with women empowerment and going deeper on navigating feelings versus protecting one’s heart. this story had my favorite aspect of layered characters in romances with backstories explaining some of the choices and going about messy feelings they don’t know what to do with. kikiola was a character i could deeply understand but some of her moments overthinking and embarrassing herself were just so funny because of how relatable she is! kiki and malakai truly had me reading with the biggest grin on my face. the most enjoyable reading experience, i loved it so much my hopeless romantic heart may have shed a tear or two at the end. in my personal opinion definitely sets a standard in its own, within the new adult college romance contemporary genre.
-
original review: subjectively, the most perfect college set romcom i have ever read with fake dating, their clever banter, the amount of tension and some literal spice, along with women empowerment and going deeper on navigating feelings versus protecting one's heart. honey & spice had my favorite aspect of layered characters in romances with backstories explaining some of the choices and going about messy feelings they don't know what to do with. kiki and malakai just had me reading with the biggest grin on my face.
-
original review: subjectively, the most perfect college set romcom i have ever read with fake dating, their clever banter, the amount of tension and some literal spice, along with women empowerment and going deeper on navigating feelings versus protecting one's heart. honey & spice had my favorite aspect of layered characters in romances with backstories explaining some of the choices and going about messy feelings they don't know what to do with. kiki and malakai just had me reading with the biggest grin on my face.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown: Bonus Story by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
genuinely the fun time i had with this one, to me personally was just young adult contemporary excellence so wholesome it felt like a hug. it reminded me of my younger days reading contemporaries like these, being a brisk read not super nuanced of course but somehow perfectly the right amount of character development, dynamics in both friends and families, and a charming romance. claudia wallace our main, is one that doesn't like to get out of her comfort zone, particularly in the department of making an effort to get to know people other than her childhood best friend and family and this book takes it to heart in highlighting her growth in making new friends. one thing leads to another which leads claudia stuck in the school play but also a tentative new friend despite their first interaction, and we get to see claudia navigate all the new social situations she finds herself in but also figuring out her own self and her emotions.
i loved watching her friendship with iris grow, and the effort they make for one another that they haven't really done before in truly wanting to know each others' interests. it's funny how they came to be since both and no one else expected a friendship to bloom between them. then there's gideon, oh how i was just instantly so delighted by him. claudia and gideon's interactions and each other's unique humor had me laughing out loud at some moments. some of claudiagideon's interactions in a nutshell are character who endearingly rambles about their passionate hobby and character who listens with their undivided attention, and they have my whole heart at that. readers' can just tell how enamored gideon was by claudia and the lengths he went to get to know her more!! also enjoyed touching on the aspects of claudia's relationship with her older siblings, really portraying the contrast defining types of relationships claudia is familiar with. overall, my reading experience with foolish hearts had grinning from ear to ear and satisfied my heart very much... a new comfort read!