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nocturnalbookworm's reviews
72 reviews
The Devil's Fingers by Hunter Shea
challenging
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This read just like a B-Movie creature feature which was exactly what I was looking for. There were a couple of troupes and moments of characters doing stupid or seemingly out of character things that kinda took me out of it at some points but overall i still enjoyed the story.
I received a free copy of this book through netgally in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book through netgally in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Darkwalker on Moonshae by Douglas Niles
adventurous
3.75
This one reads just like the tale of a tabletop D&D party’s adventure in novel form. I would say this is neither good nor bad, it really depends on what you are wanting/expecting from reading this. It struck a nice balance between it’s tense and somber moments and its more jovial adventure ones.
Plot
As stated above this book takes place in the forgotten realms, a campaign setting for D&D. Specifically in the southern most of the Moonshae Isles, Gwynneth. The world felt sufficiently fleshed out, and unlike some other fantasy novels did not feel overwhelming in the amount of information throw at the reader. The introduction of people, places, culture, and history felt very smooth and natural.
World Building
I’ll be honest, I didn’t like Tristian. He still isn’t my favorite but it was nice to see him grow at least a little bit. I hope as the rest of the trilogy unfolds he grows and matures substantially more. Robyn is my favorite hands down, I really enjoyed her take no nonsense attitude, and I was pleasantly surprised to see badass female characters like her and the Sisters of Synnoria in an older fantasy novel.
Characters
I’s a fan of multiple POV fantasy anyway but I really enjoyed the way this book handled it. The transitions were almost always at some sort of cliffhanger, leaving you with wondering tension as you read. Some may not be a fan but for me personally it helped keep me interested.
Writing Style
I found this to be genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes you are just in the mood for troupe filled, good vs evil, high fantasy, and this book scratches that itch.
Enjoyment
Overall Rating 3.7/5
For Fans Of:
- Classic D&D Party Adventure
- Badass Female Characters
- Multiple POV
- Troupe Filled Fun
- Character Growth
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Holy Sh*t At first that's all I can say. I intended to just start this before bed last night and I literally could not put it down. The storytelling style was so smooth and the pacing of everything being revealed just sucked me in where I couldn't help but keep turning the pages. A chilling and dark story if you are easily disturbed or triggered this is not the book for you but if you can handle it it is a haunting and engaging story.
I read a lot of reviews where people said things like they couldn't imagine certain victims in the story reacting to things the way they do or taking the actions they do and I have to say, as someone who has been though psychologically and sexually abusive relationships and situation, I found the depictions of the victims disturbingly and heartbreaking realistic. What I went through is nowhere near what happens in this book, but I did find the coping mechanisms and the rational of some of the victims in the book all too familiar at times. We all like to imagine we may be a certain way or do certain things in bad situations, but things like this can really fuck someone up psychologically and you just don't know until you are in that place.
I read a lot of reviews where people said things like they couldn't imagine certain victims in the story reacting to things the way they do or taking the actions they do and I have to say, as someone who has been though psychologically and sexually abusive relationships and situation, I found the depictions of the victims disturbingly and heartbreaking realistic. What I went through is nowhere near what happens in this book, but I did find the coping mechanisms and the rational of some of the victims in the book all too familiar at times. We all like to imagine we may be a certain way or do certain things in bad situations, but things like this can really fuck someone up psychologically and you just don't know until you are in that place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Confinement, Death, and Kidnapping