nerdybookster's reviews
678 reviews

The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

I struggled to get into it. While the idea seemed quite intriguing, I was not interested in the storyline and kept getting distracted by other books that held my attention much better. 

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

This book was brilliant. I loved the storytelling. We definitely get to watch Essiya/Sylvia grow into the person she was meant to be. There were times when I felt bad, but I knew there had to be some good reason for what was happening. I was not disappointed! The constant fighting between Arin and Sylvia was great. 

I absolutely cannot wait to get the next one and see where it goes.

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I loved this one. It was just as good as the first book and I am so glad I got my hands on it (only 6 more to go). We follow Xie Lian as he learns more about his past and the things he has forgotten. I liked that we are now getting the history itself as well as a new part. That is quite interesting. 

I am enjoying watching Xie Lian come to terms with his own past and own the things he's done, good and bad. 

The Oracles of Apollo: Practical Ancient Greek Divination for Today by John Opsopaus

challenging informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.0

Honoring Your Ancestors: A Guide to Ancestral Veneration by Mallorie Vaudoise

informative inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.0

This was a quick read for a nonfiction. I'm sure you're supposed to actually go through it slowly and do all of the journal prompts, but I didn't really feel called to it. 

This book is all about finding ways to pay homage to one's ancestors, be they of blood or vocation or anything else. We are given brief histories on topics relating to ancestor veneration and then different ways to do so. I did like that she included more than one Tradition and made it known that you did not have to adhere to that particular Tradition. You could adapt it as you like to suit your own spiritual needs. 

I will definitely be implementing some ideas from this book into my daily life. 

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-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

I rather enjoyed this book. I had been looking forward to it for some time and I wasn't let down by it. 

We are following Soraya, a girl who was cursed when she was born and has no idea why. All she wants is to break the curse and to be able to interact with people without fear of accidentally killing them. It was amazing and I loved watching Soraya learn who really had her back and who was actually her enemy.

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

Another amazing read. I loved working through the mystery with the characters. Who did what and why? My guess had been right. One of them was just too convenient a choice for the actual perpetrator. He barely knew anyone or anything that was related there. I think the connections were also a bit too...easy? Simple? They jumped too quickly into the idea of who it was without stopping to think. I loved how it we got to read the book she was writing as well as her critique partner's thoughts and then the letters from the various governmental agencies? Chef's kiss. It was beautiful. 

The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The second book in the Broken Earth trilogy (third, and next on my list being The Stone Sky). I loved the continuation of the story. We are still following Essun in this one, but now we are starting to get more from her daughter, Nassun as well. I can't really say super much, since this is the middle book in a series and I don't want to spoil it, but it was really good and I definitely enjoyed it. 

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

adventurous challenging funny inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Easily a five-star read. I absolutely loved the exchanges between the Villain and Evie. How he slowly, despite himself, revealed his life to her. Things that he had not told to any of his other employees. Not even the ones who had been with him for years. It was beautiful. I am looking forward to the next book to see if they get him back from wherever he ended up and what is going on with Nura Sage. I need to know!!!