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nivibasson's reviews
102 reviews
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.5
Let's start with things I liked... Kai Azer, the writing and the banter.
I will call this book a proper romantasy book since other than the romance there was only 10% story.
Nevertheless, This book can be called fast-paced and yet it took me a whole month to finish.
Since I am no romance girly, and even though I enjoyed some banter and cute scenes and giggled on so many pages, I still need a story to keep me going after every chapter. Something more than just romance and it lacked in that area.
If I talk about the story
Before starting it, I read one review which called it "Shein's version of Red Queen".
I am no big Red Queen fan and have a personal beef with that series.
So I was skeptical starting this.
Initially, it did feel like a Shein version of Red Queen because there were so many elements which didn't feel original and just copied versions of either the former series or the Hunger Games.
But I would say Red Queen is more political while this is more romantic and I enjoyed Powerless's writing more than the former one.
There are some shock elements towards the end and a nice ending too.
But is the story original? Well, can't say much about it. Too much similar stuff.
Also, the trials were such a drab. I think this is the most boring trial I have ever read.
But now where credit is due is romance.
I won't say it is enemies to lovers
Rather a stranger to lover to enemies
Also forbidden romance.
It was written so beautifully. The words, the lines, that you wanna keep on rereading those.
Kai Azer is definitely my fav character. He had spark, charm, sarcasm, wit and everything. His dialogues and his scenes were the only blissful thing in this book which kept me giggling and kicking my feet nonstop.
Would I read the next book or novella?
Yes I would, the story might be similar but I still enjoyed it. The ending was dramatic and good.
Can't wait to get my hands on it.
I will call this book a proper romantasy book since other than the romance there was only 10% story.
Nevertheless, This book can be called fast-paced and yet it took me a whole month to finish.
Since I am no romance girly, and even though I enjoyed some banter and cute scenes and giggled on so many pages, I still need a story to keep me going after every chapter. Something more than just romance and it lacked in that area.
If I talk about the story
Before starting it, I read one review which called it "Shein's version of Red Queen".
I am no big Red Queen fan and have a personal beef with that series.
So I was skeptical starting this.
Initially, it did feel like a Shein version of Red Queen because there were so many elements which didn't feel original and just copied versions of either the former series or the Hunger Games.
But I would say Red Queen is more political while this is more romantic and I enjoyed Powerless's writing more than the former one.
There are some shock elements towards the end and a nice ending too.
But is the story original? Well, can't say much about it. Too much similar stuff.
Also, the trials were such a drab. I think this is the most boring trial I have ever read.
But now where credit is due is romance.
I won't say it is enemies to lovers
Rather a stranger to lover to enemies
Also forbidden romance.
It was written so beautifully. The words, the lines, that you wanna keep on rereading those.
Kai Azer is definitely my fav character. He had spark, charm, sarcasm, wit and everything. His dialogues and his scenes were the only blissful thing in this book which kept me giggling and kicking my feet nonstop.
Would I read the next book or novella?
Yes I would, the story might be similar but I still enjoyed it. The ending was dramatic and good.
Can't wait to get my hands on it.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
Twist and turns, dark atmosphere, magic, power, murder, mystery, it had everything.
This was such a cosy dark academia mystery. I adore such books a lot. Perfect to read in autumn or early winter.
If I talk about the story, I love the plot. The whole secret society, murder and mystery surrounding it was so brilliant. Plus the twist
I freaking loved it (better than the last two thrillers I read).
I was able to predict who did the murder just 35% into the book but MC also had that person in her suspect list, so maybe it was intentional by the author so that we don't see other twists coming from miles away.
Now about writing, I love the dark academia genre. It has never disappointed me.
I am a fan of Leigh Bardugon i have said this before and I would say it again, the way she writes her characters is just🤌🏻🤌🏻.
Every character is unique, so badass in their way.
I really liked Alex, Darlington and Dawes.
Initially, the reason I was not able to feel the vibe was because Alex felt off. Her voice and her action didn't match and it just seemed odd to me until I realised after further reading that she was just pretending to be nice just to settle. The moment her voice and actions started matching, the book just changed its pace for me.
Darlington is such a sweetie. I loved him so much. There is just something beautiful about people having dreams and doing everything in their power to achieve them.
I admired Darlington a lot because of this, his desires and ambitions. ( now that I think about it, he does have a little bit of Kaz inside him. Just a little bit).
I would love to see more of him in the next book.
Dawes was a surprise. She is such a baddie (so ironic though)
No matter how scared and anxious she is, she doesn't back away from speaking her mind, sharing her opinions boldly and asking the right questions. I love her for this.
I loved it so much. Thank god it lived up to the hype. Seriously can't wait to read the next book.
This was such a cosy dark academia mystery. I adore such books a lot. Perfect to read in autumn or early winter.
If I talk about the story, I love the plot. The whole secret society, murder and mystery surrounding it was so brilliant. Plus the twist
I freaking loved it (better than the last two thrillers I read).
I was able to predict who did the murder just 35% into the book but MC also had that person in her suspect list, so maybe it was intentional by the author so that we don't see other twists coming from miles away.
Now about writing, I love the dark academia genre. It has never disappointed me.
I am a fan of Leigh Bardugon i have said this before and I would say it again, the way she writes her characters is just🤌🏻🤌🏻.
Every character is unique, so badass in their way.
I really liked Alex, Darlington and Dawes.
Initially, the reason I was not able to feel the vibe was because Alex felt off. Her voice and her action didn't match and it just seemed odd to me until I realised after further reading that she was just pretending to be nice just to settle. The moment her voice and actions started matching, the book just changed its pace for me.
Darlington is such a sweetie. I loved him so much. There is just something beautiful about people having dreams and doing everything in their power to achieve them.
I admired Darlington a lot because of this, his desires and ambitions. ( now that I think about it, he does have a little bit of Kaz inside him. Just a little bit).
I would love to see more of him in the next book.
Dawes was a surprise. She is such a baddie (so ironic though)
No matter how scared and anxious she is, she doesn't back away from speaking her mind, sharing her opinions boldly and asking the right questions. I love her for this.
I loved it so much. Thank god it lived up to the hype. Seriously can't wait to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The pacing felt a little bit off, nevertheless, I did enjoy the book. I was able to guess almost all the twists except one towards the end which actually made me enjoy the book even more. Just had a lot more hopes from this one.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
3.0
Predicatable, able to guess many things after 40% of read. In mystery novel if I am able to guess then the whole essence of mystery loses. Although very fast paced. Took me out of a reading slump.