nocturnalbookworm's reviews
81 reviews

Elemental Arcane by Phaedra Weldon

2.0

Dolls, Vol. 1 by Yumiko Kawahara

challenging reflective

5.0

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Dead Leaves: 9 Tales from the Witching Season by Kealan Patrick Burke

2.5

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

Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts

dark emotional

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Kidnapping

Bones by Yolanda Olson

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A twisted tale

I've read a lot of fucked up things but this definitely wins the "Most Fucked Up Thing I've Ever Read" award. Guy takes you along on a journey of madness, his madness though remember he's not crazy (or so he says) the descriptions of his delusions and his justification for everything is masterfully done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Stalking, Murder