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redfae's reviews
164 reviews
The Unseen Ones by Danielle Harrington
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? Yes
5.0
Picking up where book 1 ended, you’re right in the heart of the action. Things are going horribly wrong for Hollis just as her eyes are finally open to which side she needs to be on.
Execution is looking very probable, but thanks to an Allie she’s given a second chance. Trying to make amends and prove herself, Hollis is on her own and powerless. Through her determination to do the right thing, this is an action packed redemption story that had me addicted.
Once again, it ended on a cliff hanger so I’ve got to read the next one!
Execution is looking very probable, but thanks to an Allie she’s given a second chance. Trying to make amends and prove herself, Hollis is on her own and powerless. Through her determination to do the right thing, this is an action packed redemption story that had me addicted.
Once again, it ended on a cliff hanger so I’ve got to read the next one!
The Diseased Ones by Danielle Harrington
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Diseased Ones
Hollis is a great character for this story. She’s been raised as an a obedient member of society. No emotions. No powers. On the day of her sixteenth birthday she goes to take the test to confirm she doesn’t have the disease, and fails.
Hollis had to hide out with the rebels, the people she was raised to fear and hate. It’s difficult for her to embrace her power and make friends. Even as she starts to adjust to her new life, she is constantly wishing for a cure and to go home.
Following Hollis’ story meant we got to understand both sides of this war. Her motives made sense, although I didn’t agree with all her choices. All the abilities and corruption, made for great world building.
Hollis is a great character for this story. She’s been raised as an a obedient member of society. No emotions. No powers. On the day of her sixteenth birthday she goes to take the test to confirm she doesn’t have the disease, and fails.
Hollis had to hide out with the rebels, the people she was raised to fear and hate. It’s difficult for her to embrace her power and make friends. Even as she starts to adjust to her new life, she is constantly wishing for a cure and to go home.
Following Hollis’ story meant we got to understand both sides of this war. Her motives made sense, although I didn’t agree with all her choices. All the abilities and corruption, made for great world building.
Trouble by Non Pratt
emotional
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This story is told brilliantly with two POVs. Hannah is having fun with the lads, but is about to discover she’s pregnant but who is the dad. Aaron is the new boy in school, escaping his past but what is he running from. The rumour mill starts as teens try to guess the dad, and it doesn’t help that Hannah’s best friend has fallen out with her over not being told sooner. Then Aaron steps up as the dad, except the pair know he isn’t because they never had sex. The way this story is told, their secrets unravel at the perfect moment to build up the anticipation and make it a page turner. I loved this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Sexual content
The Girl Behind The Glass: Spellbound Chronicles, Dark Fairytale Retold by April Grace
adventurous
medium-paced
5.0
This a Snow White retelling with a twist. Yes, there is an evil step mum that is a witch, and she is the super baddie. And, the princess does escape to the woods but…
This story is about two - no three - main characters. Each of them have their own sass and strength. The world building is great, from the witch run mirror city, to the Icefall palace, and the spiritual Roth witch plane. The locations were vivid and the chatacters voices unique.
Their stories intwine and a magical adventure with many surprises along the way awaits. There is death. There is betrayal. There is the uncovering of secrets. Best of all there is plenty of magic.
This beefy book packs a lot in. I loved it. And, I’m sure you will too!
This story is about two - no three - main characters. Each of them have their own sass and strength. The world building is great, from the witch run mirror city, to the Icefall palace, and the spiritual Roth witch plane. The locations were vivid and the chatacters voices unique.
Their stories intwine and a magical adventure with many surprises along the way awaits. There is death. There is betrayal. There is the uncovering of secrets. Best of all there is plenty of magic.
This beefy book packs a lot in. I loved it. And, I’m sure you will too!
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis by Roxy Eloise
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
This book is set in a futuristic boarding school where the students train to become enforcers. Aurora was taken there at a young age, told she was an orphan. She has questions about that night but not allowed to ask.
She gets coupled with Pax, giving them certain privileges like going out on patrol and competing in the tournament. Things get heated until they discover something that drives Pax to attempt getting uncoupled. Meanwhile, the cocky juvie Aurora has been allocated seems to know her better than herself.
As Aurora uncovers secrets about herself, she will discover there’s more to her than just being an enforcer.
Great world building, and characters. This book left me wanting more. Bring on book two.
She gets coupled with Pax, giving them certain privileges like going out on patrol and competing in the tournament. Things get heated until they discover something that drives Pax to attempt getting uncoupled. Meanwhile, the cocky juvie Aurora has been allocated seems to know her better than herself.
As Aurora uncovers secrets about herself, she will discover there’s more to her than just being an enforcer.
Great world building, and characters. This book left me wanting more. Bring on book two.
Flunked by Jen Calonita
adventurous
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
The story sucked me in from the start with pickpocket Gilly stealing from the elites and princesses so she could help feed her siblings. Gilly is the oldest child of a large family that live in a boot. When she is caught stealing, she’s taken away to Fairytale reform school.
At first Gilly is keen to get home ASAP as she worries her family needs her. Then she starts to notice things aren’t perfect at reform school, and catches on to a villian uprising.
Gilly makes friends, and together they decide that will save the school and stop the villains. Filly’s friends are all unique and lots of fun. My least favourite was her room mate. The teachers are all well known villains from fairytales, i enjoyed seeing them in their new roles delivering classes.
The story is aimed at young readers. It’s an easy fast read with a happily ever after.
At first Gilly is keen to get home ASAP as she worries her family needs her. Then she starts to notice things aren’t perfect at reform school, and catches on to a villian uprising.
Gilly makes friends, and together they decide that will save the school and stop the villains. Filly’s friends are all unique and lots of fun. My least favourite was her room mate. The teachers are all well known villains from fairytales, i enjoyed seeing them in their new roles delivering classes.
The story is aimed at young readers. It’s an easy fast read with a happily ever after.
Sea Witch Rising by Sarah Henning
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really enjoyed Sea Witch which set high expectations for Sea Witch Rising. I really wanted to love this book but I just didn’t get into it.
The flicking back and forth between the POV kept taking me out of the story, and as I’d get into a character, we’d flit to the other again and I’d lose the connection I had.
I wasn’t a fan of Alia. I found her annoying, and then I didn’t feel the emotional connection when she turned to foam. There just felt like a lot of running about, and confusion.
There was a hint of a romance that never really amounted to anything, and was a bit disappointing. A lot happened in the story but the two main characters seemed to be on their own journeys and there wasn’t a link by the end.
I finished it. I still love book one, which is a standalone. Because of that I’d check out more of Sarah’s books but this one just didn’t hit the spot for me.
The flicking back and forth between the POV kept taking me out of the story, and as I’d get into a character, we’d flit to the other again and I’d lose the connection I had.
I wasn’t a fan of Alia. I found her annoying, and then I didn’t feel the emotional connection when she turned to foam. There just felt like a lot of running about, and confusion.
There was a hint of a romance that never really amounted to anything, and was a bit disappointing. A lot happened in the story but the two main characters seemed to be on their own journeys and there wasn’t a link by the end.
I finished it. I still love book one, which is a standalone. Because of that I’d check out more of Sarah’s books but this one just didn’t hit the spot for me.
Soul of Glass and Fire by Arianne Nicks
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I preferred book two to book one. Sophie gets a reality check at the start of this novel, and realised that she had previously been naive about a lot of things. Her guard is up and rightly so.
This book is a clean romance, so one of the attacks from the warriors was quite alarming but thankfully her true love was quick to her rescue before anything really happened. The almost horror is enough to raise her walls further. This forces the romance to be a slow burn.
We discover the true Kane in this book which answered a lot of my questions from book one. I wanted to know more about Raiden, and book two delivers. There is more magic as Sophie starts to explore the power of her Nexus connection and her own abilities.
The epilogue at the end, promises what I want for book three! With that, I see this series getting better and better.
This book is a clean romance, so one of the attacks from the warriors was quite alarming but thankfully her true love was quick to her rescue before anything really happened. The almost horror is enough to raise her walls further. This forces the romance to be a slow burn.
We discover the true Kane in this book which answered a lot of my questions from book one. I wanted to know more about Raiden, and book two delivers. There is more magic as Sophie starts to explore the power of her Nexus connection and her own abilities.
The epilogue at the end, promises what I want for book three! With that, I see this series getting better and better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
dark
fast-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? No
4.0