pastorscratchy1reads's reviews
25 reviews

A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

3.75

My whole review is a spoiler.

First off, the book was not as good as the first. At times it felt like when the author couldn't come up with a plot she just added smut. I really liked how the first one had very little smut, but this book was smut every time you turned around. It mostly focused on Alaric and Talasyn's romance, which would be fine if it wasn't so PHYSICAL. I want them to build feelings for each other, not fall in love because they feel "physically attracted". I felt like most that was the majority of the feelings between them. There were some parts where they did show some emotional attraction to each other,and those parts were my favorites. The ending was really ambiguous,  which I guess is the point of a cliffhanger, but still I HAVE TO WAIT 2 YEARS?! Overall, this book was a weak middle addition to the series,where when the author couldn't come up with a plot she added smut. I hope the next book is better.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, and Sexual content

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.25

I love this series. Everything about it, from the world building to the characters is amazing. It isn't perfect, but it is darn close.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

adventurous challenging dark tense 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

4.25

Cardan really took "Would you still love me if I was a worm?" to the next level. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Murder, and War

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Stalking

Minor: Drug use and Alcohol

Bloom by Kenneth Oppel

adventurous dark 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? No

3.75

It was pretty good, but not for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Violence, and Colonisation

The Selection by Kiera Cass

emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.25

Strong start to the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Minor: Cursing

The Elite by Kiera Cass

emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.75

A weaker middle book imo

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Minor: Cursing

The One by Kiera Cass

emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Solid conclusion to the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Gaslighting, and War

Minor: Cursing and Sexual content

The Wicked King by Holly Black

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.75

Oh my gosh.

The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

fast-paced

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

3.75

Wish there was a little more detail and drama, but that's just me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, and War

Minor: Cursing

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing

Really liked this book, but it kind of felt like the typical dystopian series.