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ris's reviews
93 reviews
Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet
fast-paced
1.0
UGGGGGGGH. This could have been a six book series- WHY WHY WHY AMANDA??? WHY did we rush SO MUCH!!!!! And the worst part?? I RECOMMENDED THIS SERIES TO OTHERS!!!
I REALLY loved the first book. Like, will-pretend-the-rest-of-the-series-wasn't-so-atrocious levels of love. Bouchet could have spent another year's worth of refining and writing to properly pace these books out instead of the mad dash to the finish line. The characters were enjoyable, the lore and history she OBVIOUSLY spent time learning about were so intricate and exciting, and yet everything- and I mean EVERYTHING- was rushed to the point of an unenjoyable read.
Also PLEASE do not get me started on dialogue. Sweet baby Jesus in heaven on HIGH, that was some CRINGE shit.
Also ALSO, for a main character who's supposed to be some badass warrior princess hardened by a megalomanic mother, the Gods sure have to intervene every five seconds and EVERY. SINGLE. BATTLE to save her life. Either Griffin (stupid name) or Beta Team (made me laugh every time) save her (RIP KATO MY MAN DID NOT DESERVE TO GET POOFED OUT OF EXISTENCE) or the Gods intervene to give her a weapon or a power or divine interceding.
ALSO ALSO ALSO. What the fuck was that ending. Seriously. What was it. THREE (and a half if you count Piers' story, which I don't because it was atrocious and cringe) books were spent prepping to fight the evil mother who ULTIMATELY EARNED FORGIVENESS DESPITE G R O S S COUNTS OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND TORMENT. AND SHE GETS TO BE FORGIVEN??? NO. NO NO NO. THIS MOTHER LOCKED HER CHILDREN IN CAGES. SHE BEAT THEM TO A LITERAL PULP. SHE ORCHESTRATED THE DEATH OF MULTIPLE CHILDREN. NO SHE DOES NOT GET TO BE FORGIVEN. KILL THIS BITCH!!
Anyways. I wrote this to apologize for everyone I recommended this to. I apologize for this gross misjudgment on my part. From now on, it's back to not trusting people on instagram (@thebibilophileblonde, you did this to me with this book AND immortal city!!!!), and reading the ENTIRE series before recommending books.
Thank you and goodnight.
I REALLY loved the first book. Like, will-pretend-the-rest-of-the-series-wasn't-so-atrocious levels of love. Bouchet could have spent another year's worth of refining and writing to properly pace these books out instead of the mad dash to the finish line. The characters were enjoyable, the lore and history she OBVIOUSLY spent time learning about were so intricate and exciting, and yet everything- and I mean EVERYTHING- was rushed to the point of an unenjoyable read.
Also PLEASE do not get me started on dialogue. Sweet baby Jesus in heaven on HIGH, that was some CRINGE shit.
Also ALSO, for a main character who's supposed to be some badass warrior princess hardened by a megalomanic mother, the Gods sure have to intervene every five seconds and EVERY. SINGLE. BATTLE to save her life. Either Griffin (stupid name) or Beta Team (made me laugh every time) save her (RIP KATO MY MAN DID NOT DESERVE TO GET POOFED OUT OF EXISTENCE) or the Gods intervene to give her a weapon or a power or divine interceding.
ALSO ALSO ALSO. What the fuck was that ending. Seriously. What was it. THREE (and a half if you count Piers' story, which I don't because it was atrocious and cringe) books were spent prepping to fight the evil mother who ULTIMATELY EARNED FORGIVENESS DESPITE G R O S S COUNTS OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND TORMENT. AND SHE GETS TO BE FORGIVEN??? NO. NO NO NO. THIS MOTHER LOCKED HER CHILDREN IN CAGES. SHE BEAT THEM TO A LITERAL PULP. SHE ORCHESTRATED THE DEATH OF MULTIPLE CHILDREN. NO SHE DOES NOT GET TO BE FORGIVEN. KILL THIS BITCH!!
Anyways. I wrote this to apologize for everyone I recommended this to. I apologize for this gross misjudgment on my part. From now on, it's back to not trusting people on instagram (@thebibilophileblonde, you did this to me with this book AND immortal city!!!!), and reading the ENTIRE series before recommending books.
Thank you and goodnight.
The Immortal City by Amy Kuivalainen
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? N/A
3.75
I liked it, and I'll read the rest of the books. There was just something lacking. Maybe I didn't click with the FMC/MMC like I thought I would, but it didn't keep my attention. I loved the storyline, very original, but the characters fell flat for me.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
In a world of dragons, gryphons, magic, and naven (idk I listened to the audiobook), these people use a Gregorian calendar.
This is a romance book that also has dragons. Do not get it confused. Dragons are completely secondary to the romance between Xaden and Violet (who he calls Violence. Which made me cringe every single time I heard it).
Once again, I am bamboozled into thinking that a book is going to be AMAZING by middle aged white women on Facebook and TikTok. Really, it's my fault at this point. I simply have to trust my instincts and start judging books by their covers. It's not that it's bad. It's that it's NOT good. If you received a "book hangover" from this, seek medical attention.
Was it enjoyable? No. Did I like the characters? No. Was the dialogue awkward, did I cringe at points, and did I guess everything that was going to happen? Absolutely.
What's most frustrating is that it COULD have been great if Yarros had taken another year or so to cut the tropes out, develop her characters more, and refine the dialogue. It really could've been the next ACOTAR but for Dragons. But it's like she leaned into every crappy romance schtick, and, for me, it was ruined.
All of THIS^ coming from someone who genuinely enjoys reading Ice Planet Barbarians should tell you a thing or two.
Unfortunately, the last 8% of the book was VERY good, earning a whole star for how great the battle scene was. Twist at the end was also great so I will be reading the next one, begrudgingly.
This is a romance book that also has dragons. Do not get it confused. Dragons are completely secondary to the romance between Xaden and Violet (who he calls Violence. Which made me cringe every single time I heard it).
Once again, I am bamboozled into thinking that a book is going to be AMAZING by middle aged white women on Facebook and TikTok. Really, it's my fault at this point. I simply have to trust my instincts and start judging books by their covers. It's not that it's bad. It's that it's NOT good. If you received a "book hangover" from this, seek medical attention.
Was it enjoyable? No. Did I like the characters? No. Was the dialogue awkward, did I cringe at points, and did I guess everything that was going to happen? Absolutely.
What's most frustrating is that it COULD have been great if Yarros had taken another year or so to cut the tropes out, develop her characters more, and refine the dialogue. It really could've been the next ACOTAR but for Dragons. But it's like she leaned into every crappy romance schtick, and, for me, it was ruined.
All of THIS^ coming from someone who genuinely enjoys reading Ice Planet Barbarians should tell you a thing or two.
Unfortunately, the last 8% of the book was VERY good, earning a whole star for how great the battle scene was. Twist at the end was also great so I will be reading the next one, begrudgingly.
Measure of a Man by inadaze22
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
For Cedar by Emily Rose
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Death
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It felt like too much, and also not enough, happened in the course of 400 pages
Update: last five chapters???????? Amazing. So satisfying. Okay Blake. You won this one
Update: last five chapters???????? Amazing. So satisfying. Okay Blake. You won this one
Aerie: A Fantasy Novel by S.E. Wendel
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
WHERE IS THE HYPE FOR THIS BOOK!!! WHERE IS THE HYPE!!!!!!!! Someone please call up the millennial fairy fuckers on tik tok and get them riding the Wings Train PLEASE.
For every girly who read Maximum Ride and thought, "God I'd love to fuck a man with wings", and also Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness and thought, "FUCK I wanna be a knight!"...THIS IS FOR YOU!!!
This book is masterfully written, has great pacing, LGTBQ characters, a diverse cast, badass women, AND IT DESERVES MORE HYPE!!! Give copies of this book out at Christmas
For every girly who read Maximum Ride and thought, "God I'd love to fuck a man with wings", and also Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness and thought, "FUCK I wanna be a knight!"...THIS IS FOR YOU!!!
This book is masterfully written, has great pacing, LGTBQ characters, a diverse cast, badass women, AND IT DESERVES MORE HYPE!!! Give copies of this book out at Christmas
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, War, Violence, and Torture
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.75
Aunt B, girl, you deserved better and I'll love you forever. One of the best secondary characters in this whole series
I liked the shepherd and the little man. Loved Hugh D'Ambry as well
I liked the shepherd and the little man. Loved Hugh D'Ambry as well