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rollie's reviews
40 reviews
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
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
4.0
Every page of this book could be completely blank, barring the story about the goat chained to a refrigerator on page 99, and it would still be worth its weight in gold.
This story is essentially what would happen if John (from the “John Dies at the End” series) managed to switch dimensions and travel forward in time (not that far outside the realm of possibility for these books by this author), change his name, become a multi-billionaire, knock-up a stripper, then die in the most spectacular fashion, leaving everything, including his massive criminal empire and ALL the violent problems that came with it, to his only daughter and offspring of said stripper (whom he’s only spoken to once in his life) as a huge joke/redemption arc that only he is in on. It’s the most “John” thing I’ve ever heard and was absurdly hilarious to read. In fact, I read more or less the entire thing in a single 8-hour sitting.
Don’t judge me.
This story is essentially what would happen if John (from the “John Dies at the End” series) managed to switch dimensions and travel forward in time (not that far outside the realm of possibility for these books by this author), change his name, become a multi-billionaire, knock-up a stripper, then die in the most spectacular fashion, leaving everything, including his massive criminal empire and ALL the violent problems that came with it, to his only daughter and offspring of said stripper (whom he’s only spoken to once in his life) as a huge joke/redemption arc that only he is in on. It’s the most “John” thing I’ve ever heard and was absurdly hilarious to read. In fact, I read more or less the entire thing in a single 8-hour sitting.
Don’t judge me.
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
If anyone needs me, I will be mourning the loss of this series. It physically HURT to finish the book. Nothing else seems appealing right now; I just want more of this. When Nightmare and Elsepth recited their lore together for the last time, it absolutely fkn GUTTED me.
It’s perfect.
“The girl, the king, and the monster they became.”
Then BAM—tears
It’s perfect.
“The girl, the king, and the monster they became.”
Then BAM—tears
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Atmospherically, it’s AMAZING. It effortlessly thrusts you into the misty, gothic kingdom of Blunder. The specific secrets, lore, and dangers that accompany it are really what make it special. The fantasy aspects are very original, Some characters are fairly trope-y, but they’re tropes for a reason, and I love them regardless. Pacing felt at times very fast; not once did it make you trudge through unnecessary descriptions or world-building. This had the consequence of making the world feel smaller, but was perfect in this particular setting.
Also, I LOVED the “Nightmare” half of Elspeth’s mind, constantly speaking in riddles, brimming with power right below the surface and threatening to take over entirely with every use. This is exactly why the last 20% of this book was SO FREAKING GOOD.
THIS is a gothic fantasy that is definitely worth your time
Also, I LOVED the “Nightmare” half of Elspeth’s mind, constantly speaking in riddles, brimming with power right below the surface and threatening to take over entirely with every use. This is exactly why the last 20% of this book was SO FREAKING GOOD.
THIS is a gothic fantasy that is definitely worth your time
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
7/10 ♡
Pretty fast-paced space romp that was a whole lot of fun, heavy character development with solid world-building, enough to take you there but not enough to really become fully immersed. Found myself re-reading several passages and improvising with context clues to really build out the mental images and general context of the future they live in. LOVED the horror/mystery angle, had a few legitimate laugh-out-loud moments as well. One highlight: Miller lays out his plan to “borrow” the unfinished Mormon generation ship to smash Eros into the sun. Fred, debating with himself for a long moment, responds in agreement: “The Mormons are going to be pissed.” The very next sentence is Tycho security gassing the Mormon riot. (They were indeed very pissed.) Honestly, my favorite part.
Miller was a great, flawed character who, in the end, got exactly what he set out for.
Holden mildly irritated me at times with his decisions but justified them well enough.
Overall, I had fun and will be progressing through this series, likely with a break here and there between books (they’re huge).
Pretty fast-paced space romp that was a whole lot of fun, heavy character development with solid world-building, enough to take you there but not enough to really become fully immersed. Found myself re-reading several passages and improvising with context clues to really build out the mental images and general context of the future they live in. LOVED the horror/mystery angle, had a few legitimate laugh-out-loud moments as well. One highlight: Miller lays out his plan to “borrow” the unfinished Mormon generation ship to smash Eros into the sun. Fred, debating with himself for a long moment, responds in agreement: “The Mormons are going to be pissed.” The very next sentence is Tycho security gassing the Mormon riot. (They were indeed very pissed.) Honestly, my favorite part.
Miller was a great, flawed character who, in the end, got exactly what he set out for.
Holden mildly irritated me at times with his decisions but justified them well enough.
Overall, I had fun and will be progressing through this series, likely with a break here and there between books (they’re huge).
If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe by Jason Pargin
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
5.0
10/10 ♡
Not even the unyielding smutt or the 100,000 foot drop of a cliffhanger it left me on could take even a single decimal point off my rating. It's truly addictive in all the right ways.
(although I mostly just skimmed the spicy parts)
Not even the unyielding smutt or the 100,000 foot drop of a cliffhanger it left me on could take even a single decimal point off my rating. It's truly addictive in all the right ways.
(although I mostly just skimmed the spicy parts)
The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso
5.0
9/10 ♡
The book ties my emotions into knots for 450 pages straight, then showers me in a wave of mildly bitter mercy.
The book ties my emotions into knots for 450 pages straight, then showers me in a wave of mildly bitter mercy.
The Quicksilver Court by Melissa Caruso
5.0
9/10 ♡
This book gave me hypertension, tycardia, and a general anxiety disorder. It shattered my heart, then put it back together again. not quite the same, but not wrong, either.
One of the best.
This book gave me hypertension, tycardia, and a general anxiety disorder. It shattered my heart, then put it back together again. not quite the same, but not wrong, either.
One of the best.