quesara's reviews
84 reviews

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This book is very Crazy Rich Asians meets The Hating Game but in a diary-entry style of writing. I think that’s what made this story difficult to keep me engaged in was that the diary-entry writing glossed over many of the book’s highlights that kept the plot going.

For example with the romance scenes or the date scenes with Eric and Orson, we only got the recapped version whereas I would’ve preferred to read them as they happened. I fell like that could’ve established the romance and helped the story flow so much better. I also felt like the romance with Suresh just kind of came out of nowhere? Like one moment is a yay Eric and the next is Suresh looks good today, I’m into him now. It felt very disorganized in many places. (/spoiler)

Aside from that, I enjoyed Andrea’s condescending tone in the book and her outlook on the world. There were many times that I clasped my hand to my mouth at some plot twists. This was a good quick read or a good beach/pool read for sure.

Content Warnings

The Soul of Power by Callie Bates

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

When I finished Memory of Fire I was really hoping we could’ve continued the romance between Elanna and Jahan. That being said I liked seeing Sophy’s point of view of having to build up the kingdom of Ereni and Carries as queen and I liked seeing this vulnerability in her as she feels alone and not doing a good job.

I liked that the story focused on her bond with her baby, and I loved how Sophy ended up being a sorcerer herself. But I would’ve liked more romance between her and Alistar. It had been a while since I read the first book and by the time I reached the third one, I forgot her and Alistar had a thing. Or I didn’t realize they had a thing because of how wrapped up I was with Elanna and Jahan’s story.
Again, I loved how the second book ended with Elanna and Jahan finally admitting their feelings for each other and I really wished they were in this book more. I feel like I just didn’t get enough of their relationship at all. Or maybe I would’ve liked alternating storytelling points so I could have a bit more of that.

Overall, I thought this was an OK way to end the series. The epilogue felt a bit underwhelming to me but the procession leading up to the ending was great. Jahan and Rhia are my favorite characters ever and I did not expect to get so wrapped into this series as I did. I feel like I need another book or like another chapter of how everything wrapped up but that might just be fam service.

Either way I definitely would recommend this book and this series. It was still a great ride.

The Memory of Fire by Callie Bates

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

I first read The Waking Land and was so-so on it. It wasn’t my absolute favorite but I really enjoyed it. BUT THIS SECOND BOOK WAS SO WORTH IT!! I’m now extremely invested in this series!

I really love that we get to see this universe through Janan’s eyes and how he’s really not as put together and grounded as he appeared in the first book. I loved seeing him be vulnerable and break down when he encountered those of his past.

and I’m so glad that he and Elanna are going to be together!!!! I really love the build-up throughout their relationship and how we’ve seen them come to terms with some of their differences but push past them for each other. I really hope they do get married!!!<\spoiler> I’m so ready for book three!

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced

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

3.5

I loved the overall story but I don’t think this book needed to be over 800 pages. It took a while for the book to really get going and when it did it was very slow paced with some scenes dragging on a little longer than I needed.

However, I really loved the character development in this book and the ending really had me on the edge of my seat. I’m normally not into slow-paced books so this was a wild card for me but that ending made it all worth it.

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