sai_g's reviews
220 reviews

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

dark funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Last 25% was good. 

I think this is my sign to never touch a "beautifully" written book ever again. It took me more than 3 months to complete this. Not because I am a slow reader. 

While I liked the dialogues, i wish there were more. Books with more dialogues than descriptive paragraphs are comparatively interesting to read than the opposite. 

I guess this book suits readers with a more "refined" reading taste. Not my cup of tea. 

I also think the friendship between Locke and Jean while being good, was overrated by other readers who liked this book. The last few chapters were the reason for me to like their friendship atleast a little bit. 

The parallels between a few scenes in the past and present were well done. 

The humor, while not as abundant as i thought, was good too. 
 
Overall, this book is for readers who love descriptive passages and slow pacing. 

Thanking god and the author for giving a complete arc in the first book. Because, I am stopping here.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

I did like the strong character writing of Jude. 

The whole book made me feel like I was in a faerie land, nothing makes sense and everything is irrelevant. 

"Snippets of scenes that are irrelevant to the plot but unfortunately that's the whole book" vibe. 

The flow of events was so badly executed that I could practically see the puppet strings attached to the characters, used by the author to make them do things to further the plot. 

The "political" struggles jude faced were all told about and not particularly shown. 

Overall, neither a good enemies to lovers nor a good political fantasy. Might read the next book just to know what happened.

The Wicked King by Holly Black
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.

Every scene seemed irrelevant and I couldn't bring myself to care for the characters. 

Eidolon by Grace Draven

adventurous emotional hopeful tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A good sequel. Less romance and more "world-saving fantasy" compared to the previous book. It seemed to drag a bit. But overall a good story.

Radiance by Grace Draven

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Yes! Friends to lovers supremacy. 

A couple who start from the foundation of a genuine friendship and are reasonable characters with good communication between them and have mutual respect for each other? The recipe for a perfect romance (in my humble opinion). 

The other plotlines are also considerably interesting. I will read the next book for sure. 

Overall, a must needed read to renew faith in "proper" romance. 

Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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

4.0

I have no idea what to do with my life anymore. There is a wide chasm of emptyness in my life where this series used to be. Now that I've completed it, I feel empty. 

I loved:

~As usual, the characters. Hilo is a wonderfully written character, definitely my favorite from this series. He is such a contradiction of traits, it's beautiful to read about. 

~The character interactions. Loyalty, friendship, brotherhood, family and love are themes I have always and will always enjoy (an understatement). 

~The emotions. Now, I am empty, empty is me. 

~The "vastness" of the story. The sheer timespan it covered had my head spinning. 


I personally didn't like(some of these I have mentioned in my review of the previous book):

~The pacing. It was driving me crazy. This book took me too many days to complete because the pacing slowed down so much sometimes that I got bored(a bit). 

~Major(imo) incidents happening offscreen. I am unable to get over how many scenes I could've read about that just happened off page. 

Overall, one the greatest stories of I have read. Has major pacing issues, but that cannot be helped with the nature of the story. I loved it. 

Jade War by Fonda Lee

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad 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

I love how the stakes have gotten "broader" now, spanning on an international level. 

The characters are moving towards morally black from morally grey but I am only loving them more. Hilo you sly bastard. I have no idea why I love this character so much when I should absolutely not. Ughh. Rooting for a character of his kind is making me question myself. (Cannot forget Shae and Wen when talking about good characters, who are among the best written female characters) 

I cannot believe I have only one more book with them. This is getting over too soon. But I can't wait to read the next book. 

The time skips and most incidents happening off the screen were a bit jarring. But I eventually got used to it and have come to the conclusion that this writing style suits this story. 

Though the plot kinda almost slowed in between. The whole book was a setup for the last 25% of it. Have to admit that last 25% was worth it. 

Overall, exceptional character work with little bit of pacing issues(to me) where everything pays off in the end to a worthy read. 

Jade City by Fonda Lee

adventurous dark emotional 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? No

4.0

Awesome. 

It had been a long time since I cared this much for characters. Excellent character work by the author. 

Family, friendship, brotherhood and loyalty. I am a sucker for these themes and I loved every aspect of this book. 

Cannot wait to read the next book. 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional funny reflective sad slow-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

Take the five stars and go away! 
I have some bloody crying to do. 

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Took me more than almost half the book to start caring for it. Even then, I couldn't care much. 

The only part I liked was the dog. And there were some fun dialogues that I enjoyed amidst this evolution paced book. 

Overall, I think people who want a cozy story with the slowest pace possible in extravagant wording(I sometimes liked it. But it was overdone)would like this.