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redfae's reviews
171 reviews
Songbird Heir: A World Of Magic, A World Of Steel by April Grace
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book packs in a lot! It’s basically three stories in one and all of them overlap.
You have Silver the Steel Princess helping her finance Elijah save his sister Faith. You have the Tinker Eden uncovering more secrets of his heritage. And, a new main character to this book was Adelia, the fiery Pirate Princess, with a big secret of her own.
All of them are on their own adventures battling evil queens across the realms. And, for fans that have read April’s other series, you may spot of a crossover character.
This book was fast paced and a lot of fun.
You have Silver the Steel Princess helping her finance Elijah save his sister Faith. You have the Tinker Eden uncovering more secrets of his heritage. And, a new main character to this book was Adelia, the fiery Pirate Princess, with a big secret of her own.
All of them are on their own adventures battling evil queens across the realms. And, for fans that have read April’s other series, you may spot of a crossover character.
This book was fast paced and a lot of fun.
Checkmate by Malorie Blackman
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Another great book in the series. One of the main characters this time is Callie. As a teen mum Sephy has to grow up fast and she does everything she can to protect her baby, especially from how her dad died.
It was heart breaking to see how Callie went from being a sweet innocent child, to getting groomed to be used by The Liberation Militia.
So far this book had the happiest ending out of all three, but it’s still not a HEA. I’m starting to understand that HEA is not Malorie’s thing.
It was heart breaking to see how Callie went from being a sweet innocent child, to getting groomed to be used by The Liberation Militia.
So far this book had the happiest ending out of all three, but it’s still not a HEA. I’m starting to understand that HEA is not Malorie’s thing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Hate crime and Racism
Tithe by Holly Black
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook so perhaps I missed something but this book was a mixed bag for me.
I went in with super high expectations as Holly herself had set the bar high by making me love all her other books I’ve read but for some reason this one just didn’t hit the same. I didn’t fully connect with Kaye, and didn’t love Corne.
What I did love though was the world building of the Fae world. It’s what a keep coming back for and she delivered. The way Holly describes them in a way that makes them beautifully and enchanting but equally dangerous and scary, is an art.
I went in with super high expectations as Holly herself had set the bar high by making me love all her other books I’ve read but for some reason this one just didn’t hit the same. I didn’t fully connect with Kaye, and didn’t love Corne.
What I did love though was the world building of the Fae world. It’s what a keep coming back for and she delivered. The way Holly describes them in a way that makes them beautifully and enchanting but equally dangerous and scary, is an art.
A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I borrowed the audio book. It was very insightful. Very awkward and relatable, but full of honesty.
Gleam by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Auren is back under King Midas’ control and back in her cage. But Auren has grown a lot since book one, and she’s no longer the girl that saw safety behind the bars. This book delivered everything I’ve been waiting for in the series. I’ve wanted her to take control of her fate, and feared she’d allow a man to be the hero. But she no longer fears her powers. Along with the romance with Slade, it was a lot of fun to see Auren become strong and take back her power.
This could be the end of the series but the ending does leave it open for more stories and I can see there are three more books.
Sadly the next three books don’t appear to be available through my library so I might stop here, but I’m also eager for more. I might buy the whole series for my shelves.
This could be the end of the series but the ending does leave it open for more stories and I can see there are three more books.
Sadly the next three books don’t appear to be available through my library so I might stop here, but I’m also eager for more. I might buy the whole series for my shelves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
I Believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
My son told me about this incredible book they’d shared at school and I wanted to read it too but couldn’t find it on Libby or Borrow Box. Instead, I found this book by the same author and as a fan of unicorns I decided to give it a listen.
It’s a beautiful children’s story about how the children in the town discover stories at the library. The librarian shares many stories with the children but also a personal one about how she got the unicorn and of the book burnings.
I loved the story and I would recommend it to others to share with children. However, be aware that there is a fire, and if that’s a topic your child is triggered by then this might not be for them.
It’s a beautiful children’s story about how the children in the town discover stories at the library. The librarian shares many stories with the children but also a personal one about how she got the unicorn and of the book burnings.
I loved the story and I would recommend it to others to share with children. However, be aware that there is a fire, and if that’s a topic your child is triggered by then this might not be for them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’m not familiar with the Legend this story was based on, which made it a new and fresh idea for me. I listened to the audio and loved the world building and powers. For me the main character and love interest were a bit plain and about midway I sped up the audio hoping to get to sometime more emotive and passionate but the characters are very reserved. I still enjoyed the story and pleased I tried something different.
Glint by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
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
The main character is captured by the feared enemy, exchanging her gilded cage for life as a war prisoner. Her captives surprise her in more ways than one and she starts to see her captivity in a new light.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the world building and history of the world, and how quickly I felt immersed in it. I found Violet an interesting character and enjoyed the contrast between Dain (her long term sexy male BFF), and Xaden (the hot guy raised with every reason to hate her). The brutal training to prepare them to ride a dragon was fun to read. I loved the twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
Gild by Raven Kennedy
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can see how this book could be triggering for some as the main character is the favourite in a harem/brothel. Her master is King Midas and as his favourite she’s been gold touched, the other women are called saddles. As the main character is gold, she stands out, and she’s the only one Midas does not share. The world is very patriarchal and the women are seen as sex objects. I found her an interesting character. Despite the fact she was owned by Midas she relies on him for safety and loves him. It reminded me of Stockholm syndrome. The women witness the men discussing war, and they get sold off to earn favour with armies. There is a lot of politics at play too, and who to trust. The book ends on a cliff hanger, and I was very curious about a character introduced at the end that I will NEED to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Slavery and Trafficking
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment