paperandspines's reviews
156 reviews

Guarded Treasure by Mae Lovette
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

The pacing was too slow and I just lost interest. Not much happens and the “chemistry” between the MCs feels so stiff

The Archer's Alchemy by SA Heiden

5.0

Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The Archer's Amulet by S.A. Heiden

4.0

One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake

5.0

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

4.0

The Golden Key by Cass Geller
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

I tried, okay. I tried so hard to make it through this, and I just CANNOT. The writing is repetitive. The characters have zero development. The FMC is not intelligent, and I got so tired of being stuck in her brain. This story is predictable, but also it seems like there are so many better directions this story could have gone in? I was expecting Bear-shifters (like a were-bear situation). If that happens, I’ll never know because I couldn’t make it past 33%. The misuse/misspelling of phrases was horrible. And I know this is written in British English-that’s not the misspellings I’m talking about. “Stealing my spine” instead of “steeling”. “Site” instead of “sight”. Just simple fixes that a couple extra reads could’ve caught. 

Not to mention if I had to hear about “Mads’ autumnal orbs” ONE MORE TIME. Or “Aurelia’s BLUE ORBS” ONE. MORE. TIME. Also, while we’re on the subject of EYES- if Mads’ is from the Winter realm, why are his eyes described as autumnal? AND WHY IS FIRE THE ELEMENT FOR WINTER?? 

I just have too many questions too early in the book, and I think it would be best for everyone if I just quit now. Extremely repetitive writing. Misused phrases/misspelled words. Bland characters. Slow pacing. Overall, not for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

I didn’t love the FMC and I struggled with the first person POV. By 25%, I just didn’t care about either of the MCs and the story felt very slow. Also, magic is mentioned within the first 5% but then isn’t brought up again until 20% and I thought, “there’s magic in this? Oh yeah I guess there is.” That’s not good. That’s not something that should be so easily forgotten when it clearly is a plot point. This just didn’t work for me. Zero chemistry between MCs but then they talk about kissing out of nowhere. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is my favorite kind of book to read. The writing is beautiful and magical and this is a gorgeous love story. The format of the story telling was so good. I’ll be rereading this one, I’m sure. 

Did I always know what was happening outside of the letters? Nope. Did it matter? Not one bit. 

This is up there with AWYITE by Olivie Blake as far as beautiful love stories go. Absolutely obsessed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.

So beyond boring. I’ve tried FOUR times to get into this. I CAN’T DO IT. Most times we don’t need a villain backstory. Snow is sinister enough without an explanation-I don’t need to know why he is how he is…he just IS. Also, he’s a whiny little baby and I’m so glad to no longer be stuck in his inner dialogue.