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roseleebooks's reviews
227 reviews
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Writing just seemed to get worse and worse as the story went on. Setup was interesting but characters were annoying.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
4.5
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when I started this book, but was impressed by the merging of regency with fantasy and a little bit of horror.
There are two POVs in this book, Cordelia and Hester. Their age differences and personalities allowed for the story to feel like the reader has a broader view of the world they are in. However I think the side characters are what really made the story work. I won't give too much away, but the book is at its best when we have the cast of characters interacting and working with (or against) each other.
The pacing starts a little slowly, but builds up quickly without feeling rushed. The content is dark and the villain somewhat one-dimensional, but Kingfisher is able to infuse a lot more comedy than I was expecting and found myself appreciating.
This is not a cozy fantasy in content (I recommend reviewing the content warnings), but at times it can feel like one. Things wrapped up almost too neatly at the end, but I was invested enough in the characters that I didn't mind getting some closure for each of them.
As a standalone this worked for me, and I enjoyed the writing.
There are two POVs in this book, Cordelia and Hester. Their age differences and personalities allowed for the story to feel like the reader has a broader view of the world they are in. However I think the side characters are what really made the story work. I won't give too much away, but the book is at its best when we have the cast of characters interacting and working with (or against) each other.
The pacing starts a little slowly, but builds up quickly without feeling rushed. The content is dark and the villain somewhat one-dimensional, but Kingfisher is able to infuse a lot more comedy than I was expecting and found myself appreciating.
This is not a cozy fantasy in content (I recommend reviewing the content warnings), but at times it can feel like one. Things wrapped up almost too neatly at the end, but I was invested enough in the characters that I didn't mind getting some closure for each of them.
As a standalone this worked for me, and I enjoyed the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
The West Passage by Jared Pechaček
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This book was unique and challenging in a way I was not expecting but that I enjoyed. It follows two apprentices who take up the mantles of their forebears in a time of crisis for their home.
The setting is not clear at first, and the reader is given only necessary details. However by the end you realize that much of this reflects the gaps in the protagonists knowledge. We get small reveals of information at times which feel like puzzle pieces being set into place.
It is a book where you have to embrace and accept the ridiculous and not go in with any expectations about what it is going to be. There are some body horror elements in it which I recommend being prepared for.
I wouldn't say that I felt emotionally invested in the characters, but the story itself was interesting and the ending satisfying.
Overall a read that I found interesting and enjoyed overall, but that was a bit difficult to get into at the beginning and had some elements that took me out of the story.
The setting is not clear at first, and the reader is given only necessary details. However by the end you realize that much of this reflects the gaps in the protagonists knowledge. We get small reveals of information at times which feel like puzzle pieces being set into place.
It is a book where you have to embrace and accept the ridiculous and not go in with any expectations about what it is going to be. There are some body horror elements in it which I recommend being prepared for.
I wouldn't say that I felt emotionally invested in the characters, but the story itself was interesting and the ending satisfying.
Overall a read that I found interesting and enjoyed overall, but that was a bit difficult to get into at the beginning and had some elements that took me out of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This book is outside my usual genre choice, but I'm so glad that I read it.
It is a contemporary YA novel about a high schooler, Noor, whose life is upended in her last few months senior year.
I listened to this on audiobook and really loved the narration. It immerses you in the story. Noor is unflinching in her willingness to stand up for herself and others, but the consequences are not hidden from the reader. We feel her rage, her sorrow, her hope. It is a story filled with hope, but as Noor states, "hope is a verb" and should lead to action.
The book speaks directly to book banning and censorship, as well as the politics that push for those things. Ahmed's writing does not hold back from showing what the impacts of trying to control what people read are, as well as how standing up against those types of policies can be met with anger and violence.
I could not stop listening to this. I loved the references and quotes from commonly banned books, and the statement it makes is so effective. Highly recommend if you are at all inclined to read YA stories.
It is a contemporary YA novel about a high schooler, Noor, whose life is upended in her last few months senior year.
I listened to this on audiobook and really loved the narration. It immerses you in the story. Noor is unflinching in her willingness to stand up for herself and others, but the consequences are not hidden from the reader. We feel her rage, her sorrow, her hope. It is a story filled with hope, but as Noor states, "hope is a verb" and should lead to action.
The book speaks directly to book banning and censorship, as well as the politics that push for those things. Ahmed's writing does not hold back from showing what the impacts of trying to control what people read are, as well as how standing up against those types of policies can be met with anger and violence.
I could not stop listening to this. I loved the references and quotes from commonly banned books, and the statement it makes is so effective. Highly recommend if you are at all inclined to read YA stories.
So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This book follows two sisters who survive a war against an occupying power only to find themselves navigating politics and magic during the years when they expected peace and freedom.
Overall I liked it. Faron and Elara have a strong bond that is clear even while apart. The relationships they have with other characters are well developed and the plot kept me reading.
It starts a bit slow but the second half of the book more than makes up for that. I appreciated that the magic system is somewhat explained but the reader's understanding of it is filtered through the understanding of the characters.
Looking forward to reading the next book!
Overall I liked it. Faron and Elara have a strong bond that is clear even while apart. The relationships they have with other characters are well developed and the plot kept me reading.
It starts a bit slow but the second half of the book more than makes up for that. I appreciated that the magic system is somewhat explained but the reader's understanding of it is filtered through the understanding of the characters.
Looking forward to reading the next book!
One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Not my favorite retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The insta love wasn't believable at all.
Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
4.5
This book was an adventurous and fun read. Ross, a thief, is entered into a competition run by a mysterious Organization that pits her against other young thieves trying to make their mark and win a wish.
There are plenty of heists and reveals throughout the book, but the question of trust and what is really valuable is central.
I won't reveal anything more but this story kept me reading to find out what happened next.
The only criticism I have is that there were a couple of times when plot points were not as well explained as I would have liked.
Overall a great read and I can't wait for the sequel.
There are plenty of heists and reveals throughout the book, but the question of trust and what is really valuable is central.
I won't reveal anything more but this story kept me reading to find out what happened next.
The only criticism I have is that there were a couple of times when plot points were not as well explained as I would have liked.
Overall a great read and I can't wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
When I found out there was another book set after The Marrow Thieves, it was an immediate pickup. And this did not disappoint.
It expands the world by introducing new characters, new locations, and new POVs. The story moves quickly but still allows for the incredible character development and tension that was so well done in the first book.
The choices the characters face become more critical, the horrific actioms of the non-dreamers are made more visible to the reader, and again it is not difficult to see the reflection of the past and current reality in this future.
Overall a stunning sequel.
It expands the world by introducing new characters, new locations, and new POVs. The story moves quickly but still allows for the incredible character development and tension that was so well done in the first book.
The choices the characters face become more critical, the horrific actioms of the non-dreamers are made more visible to the reader, and again it is not difficult to see the reflection of the past and current reality in this future.
Overall a stunning sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse