notatrace280's reviews
19 reviews

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was something else. I didn't quite understand what I was reading and yet, I found myself really enjoying it. Pretty much what I took from this book is that we as humans think we are so powerful but there are inexplicable things that we cannot understand or comprehend with our minds or man made tools. We may very well be an insignificant part of nature that exists within a much more expansive ecosystem without even realizing it because we only see a small portion of what is to see. 

Never have I felt the need to go outside and touch grass while simultaneously fearing that I'm nothing more than grass to something far bigger and greater than myself. 

5/5 stars, would recommend! 

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-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

3.5

The plot was good and the premise of Phantasma was interesting but I found myself wishing more would have been done with it. The story was clearly focused on the spicy romance which isn't a bad thing but I had an issue with it because the author would ramp up the tension only for it to diffuse within an instant with minimal negative consequences for the main characters. 

The spice was pretty good though and the ending did surprise me so worth a good read but not a 5 star in my opinion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-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

5.0

I loved this book even more than the first! If I could give it a 10/5 rating, I would do it! The last 200 pages where a rollercoaster of reveals and twists that I did not foresee. I can't say any book has pulled me more into it's world than this one. The plot and story where just so compelling I find myself pondering on the book and it's messages deeply despite it being a work of fiction. 

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

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

5.0

Wow! Just wow! I knew this book was going to be good but not THIS good! The characters are so well developed and the plot of the story was so well done. Found myself actually feeling inspired while reading it!

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

I really did not like the protagonist much at all and less so in the last 30% of the book. The plot didn't interest me much at all either but I think that's more preference than anything. Felt like a Hallmark Christmas romance which is honestly not a problem but due to my dislike of the protagonist, in this case, it fell flat. The saving grace for me was the spicy scenes. Only wish there where more of them. 

At the end of the day, I'd say it's not for everyone. 

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Was great but I didn't like the ending much. Was a wild ride up until that point though and had me guessing until the final pages! Characters where frustrating me throughout but I think it was intended to be that way. 

The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success by Ed Mylett

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

The beginning chapters where the best in my opinion. Towards the later chapters, I started to lose interest but only because the topics didn't hold much relevance to me. Otherwise a great book that I will most likely be rereading in the near future. 

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

5.0

Absolutely loved this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a masterpiece! While short, the premise was thought provoking and the characters, very well written. It felt as if these people where real and the things they had gone through equally so. It approaches the aftereffects of trauma in a way that is subtle but also in your face all at the same time.