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path_through_pages's Reviews (267)
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you very much for the copy of your book in exchange for my honest review!
Overall this book has all the makings of a great YA fantasy. There is unique world building, a bizarre and intriguing power concept, political intrigue and rebellion, religious conflict and multiple POV.
Personally I feel like this book just needed some more thorough editing. All the bones are there it just needed a good polish. There are some continuity errors throughout but nothing I feel detracts from the story.
I do also hold some issue with the FMCs. I felt they could have been more dynamic and given more attention and depth (Aerhee excluded as she was given a lot of backstory to explain her behavior and perceptions). I'm not saying all FMCs need massive back stories but I do need them to have a certain level of depth to feel genuine.
I am looking forward to see how this author grows through the series!
Thank you very much for the copy of your book in exchange for my honest review!
Overall this book has all the makings of a great YA fantasy. There is unique world building, a bizarre and intriguing power concept, political intrigue and rebellion, religious conflict and multiple POV.
Personally I feel like this book just needed some more thorough editing. All the bones are there it just needed a good polish. There are some continuity errors throughout but nothing I feel detracts from the story.
I do also hold some issue with the FMCs. I felt they could have been more dynamic and given more attention and depth (Aerhee excluded as she was given a lot of backstory to explain her behavior and perceptions). I'm not saying all FMCs need massive back stories but I do need them to have a certain level of depth to feel genuine.
I am looking forward to see how this author grows through the series!
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This truly is a book full of epic world building!
But I was very sick during the last half of reading it and feel like I wasn't able to give it the attention it deserved.
I plan on continuing the series so i am hopeful I will fall in love with it!
But I was very sick during the last half of reading it and feel like I wasn't able to give it the attention it deserved.
I plan on continuing the series so i am hopeful I will fall in love with it!
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5⭐!
Once again Rachel Harrison's blend of feminist popcorn horror hits all the right notes!
The first half feels like Thelma and Louise showed up at a classic Brad Pit vampire orgy only to have the mood killed by Van Helsing level horror resulting in confusion, thirst, and chaos!
Then the second half felt like the inner thoughts of every woman who was forced into a box and then conditioned to compare themselves against other women, tainting the beauty of their friendships but never letting it defeat you. I'm sure there are so many women who have struggled with self worth, unworthy love, sub-par partners, and an overall pressure to make themselves smaller and to be content with settling.
At times you dislike both FMC and can't understand their friendship but then you remember you love them and both their stories are unique and they behave the way they do largely due to the same, and different experiences theyve had.
I only wish I got almost an equal look into Naomi's head. I feel like a dual POV would have just pushed this over the top for me!
(And side note to anyone who would like to know, both FMC are childfree, there are no pregnancy tropes, and there are intimate scenes but no real spice)
Once again Rachel Harrison's blend of feminist popcorn horror hits all the right notes!
The first half feels like Thelma and Louise showed up at a classic Brad Pit vampire orgy only to have the mood killed by Van Helsing level horror resulting in confusion, thirst, and chaos!
Then the second half felt like the inner thoughts of every woman who was forced into a box and then conditioned to compare themselves against other women, tainting the beauty of their friendships but never letting it defeat you. I'm sure there are so many women who have struggled with self worth, unworthy love, sub-par partners, and an overall pressure to make themselves smaller and to be content with settling.
At times you dislike both FMC and can't understand their friendship but then you remember you love them and both their stories are unique and they behave the way they do largely due to the same, and different experiences theyve had.
I only wish I got almost an equal look into Naomi's head. I feel like a dual POV would have just pushed this over the top for me!
(And side note to anyone who would like to know, both FMC are childfree, there are no pregnancy tropes, and there are intimate scenes but no real spice)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4⭐s!
As someone who doesn't read romance or spice I was pleasantly surprised! Like many I'm a sucker for the Fae and their shenanigans so I'm always happy when I'm able to read a book that throws in a sprinkle of humor with its magic.
A couple of the things I loved is that the romance felt organic, it made sense, and the first 1/3 of the book where things are progressing it feels like a cozy fantasy romcom!
I also really enjoyed how the FMC was in her mid 20s.vocally childfree, and how there was a character that gave us trans representation.
The magic world that was built was easy to picture and overall the entire writing style was clean, easy to follow, and just descriptive enough to give you the details you need.
The story itself was enjoyable and gave me somewhat similar vibes to Assistant to the Villain (except waaaaaay better in my opinion because although the comedy in this book was minimal it was actually well timed!)
A couple things that are preventing a higher rating.
Although I truly understand and appreciate how Sierra is living as the child of immigrants and as an expat and the generational and familial struggles she faces are very real, I found it hard to like much about her in the beginning. On paper she ticked all the boxes but her angst felt more like that of a teen and not that of a woman in her mid 20s. She does have character development as things progress and I have a feeling this will be addressed better in book 2 but just a heads up to hold out until you get further into the story!
Also as an academic I found her able to jump to the conclusion that her new love interest was something supernatural way too quickly. I needed at least some type of logical reasoning or some more background about her being a believer in such things to make that transition feel more natural.
In general I think I would have liked more information on the fae customs, traditions, practices, etc.
But I'm also just huge on world building!
Other than that it was a very enjoyable read!
As someone who doesn't read romance or spice I was pleasantly surprised! Like many I'm a sucker for the Fae and their shenanigans so I'm always happy when I'm able to read a book that throws in a sprinkle of humor with its magic.
A couple of the things I loved is that the romance felt organic, it made sense, and the first 1/3 of the book where things are progressing it feels like a cozy fantasy romcom!
I also really enjoyed how the FMC was in her mid 20s.vocally childfree, and how there was a character that gave us trans representation.
The magic world that was built was easy to picture and overall the entire writing style was clean, easy to follow, and just descriptive enough to give you the details you need.
The story itself was enjoyable and gave me somewhat similar vibes to Assistant to the Villain (except waaaaaay better in my opinion because although the comedy in this book was minimal it was actually well timed!)
A couple things that are preventing a higher rating.
Although I truly understand and appreciate how Sierra is living as the child of immigrants and as an expat and the generational and familial struggles she faces are very real, I found it hard to like much about her in the beginning. On paper she ticked all the boxes but her angst felt more like that of a teen and not that of a woman in her mid 20s. She does have character development as things progress and I have a feeling this will be addressed better in book 2 but just a heads up to hold out until you get further into the story!
Also as an academic I found her able to jump to the conclusion that her new love interest was something supernatural way too quickly. I needed at least some type of logical reasoning or some more background about her being a believer in such things to make that transition feel more natural.
In general I think I would have liked more information on the fae customs, traditions, practices, etc.
But I'm also just huge on world building!
Other than that it was a very enjoyable read!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was going to rate this book a 4 star until the very end when I bumped it up to 5.
I have never read a series that so beautifully captured the concept of hope. The ending had me feeling joyful, inspired, and heartbroken all at once.
Knowing what I know about mankind and humans I am worried for the world Spook and the others may have to make, but it is so much more hopeful and joyous than what they had all gone through, especially knowing who is watching over them.
The idealism surrounding religion, seeing the truth in all of them and knowing that those truths could lead to a perfect world both connected to our past and inspiring of our future hit me so much more deeply than I thought it would. Again knowing what I know about humankind, my realism kicks in and dampens this a bit, but having that idealism preserved in this story gives such a rare feeling of true hope I feel is lost in so much of our day to day lives.
I have also never read a series where every, single, character was able to meet their potential. There really was not a single small role in all of this and it was so beautifully crafted.
This will forever be one of my favorite series!
I have never read a series that so beautifully captured the concept of hope. The ending had me feeling joyful, inspired, and heartbroken all at once.
Knowing what I know about mankind and humans I am worried for the world Spook and the others may have to make, but it is so much more hopeful and joyous than what they had all gone through, especially knowing who is watching over them.
The idealism surrounding religion, seeing the truth in all of them and knowing that those truths could lead to a perfect world both connected to our past and inspiring of our future hit me so much more deeply than I thought it would. Again knowing what I know about humankind, my realism kicks in and dampens this a bit, but having that idealism preserved in this story gives such a rare feeling of true hope I feel is lost in so much of our day to day lives.
I have also never read a series where every, single, character was able to meet their potential. There really was not a single small role in all of this and it was so beautifully crafted.
This will forever be one of my favorite series!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun and silly! For fans of Star Trek or just bad sci-fi this book was a fast, easy read that let you laugh at the absurdity of things you love while also appreciating the work that goes (or doesn't go) into it.
For sure recommend if you need a pallet cleanser of a book, something fun to get you between heavier reads!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just... So freaking good 😭😭😭
I waited FAR TOO LONG to start this series! As a YA book it is EXCEPTIONAL, reading it as an adult it is endlessly enjoyable.
Sanderson's ability to create entire universes, have hard themes, but sprinkle it with humor is such a masterful talent that I am continuously impressed by.
I CANNOT WAIT to keep reading.
I waited FAR TOO LONG to start this series! As a YA book it is EXCEPTIONAL, reading it as an adult it is endlessly enjoyable.
Sanderson's ability to create entire universes, have hard themes, but sprinkle it with humor is such a masterful talent that I am continuously impressed by.
I CANNOT WAIT to keep reading.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this one far more than the first book! The language is much easier to follow and having all the backstory out of the way made it far easier to just jump into the mystery!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.75
I really enjoyed this story! I loved the personality variety of the characters and it was both refreshing and humbling to read from such a mature perspective.
High stakes murder with low stakes energy and lemon drizzle.
This truly was an enjoyable and warming read that let you read about murder and realize you don't call you family enough.
One thing that does annoy me. *SPOILER*
Why Was Elizabeth so critical and unforgiving of her friend for killing a murderer who got away with it due to a sexist system. A situation that resulted in her husband killing a horrific, greedy man to protect her. Yes I get it, her husband didn't have a super 'righteous' notice but, Elizabeth still went to the police which resulted in the mans suicide.
But then Elizabeth was NOT critical of a man she barely knew who confessed to two murders, that were revenge based, and let's him live on as a handy man in the community? Like yeah I get it he reminds you of the son you always wanted but the weird sense of justice for some and not others felt weird and out of character.
I really enjoyed this story! I loved the personality variety of the characters and it was both refreshing and humbling to read from such a mature perspective.
High stakes murder with low stakes energy and lemon drizzle.
This truly was an enjoyable and warming read that let you read about murder and realize you don't call you family enough.
One thing that does annoy me. *SPOILER*
Why Was Elizabeth so critical and unforgiving of her friend for killing a murderer who got away with it due to a sexist system. A situation that resulted in her husband killing a horrific, greedy man to protect her. Yes I get it, her husband didn't have a super 'righteous' notice but, Elizabeth still went to the police which resulted in the mans suicide.
But then Elizabeth was NOT critical of a man she barely knew who confessed to two murders, that were revenge based, and let's him live on as a handy man in the community? Like yeah I get it he reminds you of the son you always wanted but the weird sense of justice for some and not others felt weird and out of character.
