readerinvelaris's reviews
155 reviews

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

medium-paced

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

4.0

I really liked this book. The magic system is very interesting. The characters are complex. And as for the world and its secrets, there are still so much things to learn about it. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and where this story is going. I just hope none of my favorite characters die.
This book was what I was in the mood for, a fantasy book with a bit of a romance subplot.

Queens of Mist and Madness by Lisette Marshall

medium-paced

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

4.0

I think I would have enjoyed the book even more if I hadn’t taken too much time to read it, but I didn’t have as much free time as I would have liked.
Anyway, I liked the series a lot. Unlike the previous book, Emelin started to make better choices and I liked her again. I would have preferred a bit more drama, but overall, the plot twists were good even though some of them were predictable. Even though Emelin’s and Creon story ended, there will be more books about the other characters, so I’m excited to read those spin-offs! I still feel like the series as a whole was missing something, Creon’s POV. I think the story would had been more interesting.
Personally I was not in the mood for smut, so I didn’t enjoy that much the sex scenes. Thankfully there weren’t that many, but still. This is a me problem, so I wouldn’t know for sure if those scenes were good.
It was a great series overall, my favorite thing was the magic system, I find it very unique.

Ruins of Sea and Souls by Lisette Marshall

slow-paced

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

4.0

The story and plot are very interesting. I like almost all the characters, but I disliked Emelin in this one so bad. At first I completely understood the choices she made, but as the book progressed, it was so difficult to see eye to eye with her. I wanted to slap her like a hundred times to make her see straight. And when she has to make a very important decision, she finally decides to make a choice, consequences be damned, but this decision was crucial and even though a part of me agrees with her, a bigger part is like girl, you had a lot of opportunities to make the right thing and you decide now is the time. Long story short, I am so annoyed with her, I hope she stops being so stupid in the final book otherwise she is going to ruin the whole series for me.
So I’m giving this 4 stars because the world, story, and the rest of the characters are great. Giving it less stars because of just one character (albeit the main one) is not fair to the book.

Lord of Gold and Glory by Lisette Marshall

slow-paced

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

4.0

This was so good, although it was a lot more slow-paced than the first book. I’m looking forward to reading the next book and discover some new things, as well as new places in this world. Even though Agenor made his first appearance in this book and it was for a short time, I already like him a lot. I’m debating if I should read his book before continuing with the third book because I am so intrigued by him.
Anyway, I can’t wait to read more about Emelin and Creon, their relationship is kind of cute and I ship them so hard!

Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall

medium-paced

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

4.0

It was so good! I found the magic system very interesting and unique. And since this is the start of the series, it set the foundations for the plot of the rest of the books.
I really liked the characters, Emelin and Creon are so interesting and fun to read because of their banter. I love Creon, and I can’t get enough of him. There is so much to know about him, I’m looking forward to reading about that. As for Emelin, she is very brave, and even though it was mentioned a few times in this book, I know she is going to be very powerful. And there are secrets about her to uncover so I’m excited about that.
It was a great first book, I’m excited to read the second one right now!

Whispers of the Deep by Emma Hamm

medium-paced

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

3.5

This was way better than I expected. I don’t normally read monster romances because they are not something I really enjoy, but I liked this one. Although the fact that this book takes place under water had me a bit anxious because I am afraid of sharks, well, it’s more a phobia than anything else. Anyway, thankfully there was not a shark attack here, but they were mentioned and one appeared very briefly but I imagined another animal instead lol.
Putting that aside, the story was good. I had a good time reading about Arges and Mira’s love story. At first I wasn’t convinced about their romance, but as I kept reading, I couldn’t help but root for them. I was hoping for some kind of angst, and it delivered in that regard. Even though I truly enjoyed this book, I just couldn’t completely connect to the story because like I said, I am not a big fan of monster romances so it was a bit hard for me to truly enjoy and love the book. But if you do love monster romances, or are interested in them, I think this book is a good start.
This is told in dual POV, which I love in romances because I want to be able to understand and like both main characters.

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

medium-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

5.0

Omg! Part of me can’t believe I just finished this series, but another part is having a bittersweet moment about it lol.
A lot of things happened in this book, I suffered a lot, but there were cute and adorable scenes that made me hopeful for what was to come. Even still, I cried a lot towards the end. I am not forgiving Sarah J. Maas for what she did to my heart.
Now, this was an amazing story with amazing characters. I am mad at myself from a few years ago for not reading this series, but I am so happy and glad I finally did because I enjoyed it so much. I can totally understand why this is a favorite series for so many people. Personally, even though I enjoyed it a lot, I think the ACOTAR series keeps the position of my favorite series by this author, so far.
I’m pretty sure I’m going to be thinking about these characters and world for a long time, wondering how they are doing and hoping the better world they dreamed about is becoming a reality.
I can definitely see these books being considered classics in the fantasy genre.
I really want to thank Sarah for coming up with this story and writing it so we could all meet these characters and fall in love with them.

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

medium-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

5.0

When I started this book, I was a bit skeptical about it because I’ve read some reviews saying that it was boring or that they weren’t interested in reading it because they don’t like Chaol. That was not the case for me. I enjoyed this book from the very first page to the last.
It was so interesting to read about another continent and its people and traditions and politics. It truly was amazing and now I want more books set in Antica because I feel like there are still things to know about it.
I love Chaol and Yrene, as well as Nesryn and Sartiq. Their stories and adventures and everything the four of them went through was so interesting and exciting to read. I wanted to keep reading this book all the time.
I know Chaol is not perfect, he made a lot of mistakes in the past, but his growth in this book was so good. I think he deserves more appreciation from the fandom because he is such a complex character, which I guess takes a bit more of understanding from everyone else to like him.
Now I am ready to read the final book in this series. I have to confess, I am so scared for all the things Sarah J. Maas is going to make these characters go through.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

medium-paced

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

5.0

Oh my god! What did I just read?! This book was amazing! It broke my heart a lot of times, but I enjoyed every second of my pain lol. I know the next book and final book in this series is going to break my heart a million times more, and although I don’t think I’m ready for it, I am looking forward to reading how this all ends.
I am seriously speechless right now. I love these characters, but the plot line is beyond this world. I am enjoying reading the twists and turns, coming up with my own theories. I am seriously having a blast. Although like I said, my heart is suffering.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

medium-paced

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

4.5

Oh my god! There were a lot of plot twists I didn't see coming at all. I was so shook. I'm so excited to read the next books since I'll be tandem reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.
This book made me suffer so much, but it also put my heart hack together a little bit.
Even though I wish the romance was more present in the story, I am enjoying the fantasy aspect being the main focus of the whole series.
Even though I love reading more and more point of views, I don't think I can take more of them because I get attached to these characters and then I just suffer!