sarah_sapphire's reviews
346 reviews

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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 really enjoyed this finale to the trilogy! Seeing all the plots come together and how all the creatures were connected was great. I loved following the new stage of Matthew and Diana's relationship and that of their families. While it was slower paced, there were some very tense moments that had my eyes glued of the page. A great conclusion!

Bespelled by Laura Thalassa

challenging 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

4.5

I really enjoyed this, getting to know more about Memnon and Selene's relationship and the history between them. It was a very mysterious and tense book, I was gripped! The murder mystery part was so interesting and there were some twists I wasn't expecting! Excited for the next installment!

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.75

Such an interesting mix between fantasy, dystopian and alternate timelines. I love the style of the writing and the way that Paige thinks. There is a lot of learn with the world building but I feel like it was built up in a very understandable way, the glossary was also a big help. The Rephs are such interesting creations and I loved the relationship with Warden. I'm so excited to read the next one!

Resisting Maxu by Victoria Aveline

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

As with the others, I love the dynamics and progression of the relationship, it was also cool to see the other cities in Clecania. Also so much mystery about the politics of the world. 

The Untold Story by Genevieve Cogman

adventurous informative mysterious 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

4.0

An enjoyable and exciting end to the invisible library series, I enjoyed finding out about both Irene and the libraries origins and the adventure she had with her little group of friends. The banter between them was fun and quirky. Such a cool premise for a fantasy series   interesting but not too tense and I really enjoyed it. 

Bewitched by Laura Thalassa

adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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

4.25

I love a witchy fantasy and this was great! I enjoyed the school setting and the different magic system. Although I was pretty sure I knew where things were going, I really enjoyed the journey as Selene discovered things. Memnon was mysterious and dreamy and I love a mates trope. There is so much more to happen and I em looking forward to the next book!

The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni

adventurous challenging 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

A brilliant end to the trilogy, this book was heart wrenching and so full of action and emotion. I really went on a journey alongside Kiva and cried many times. I love how complex and real the relationships felt and how invested I was in the characters. The book felt very well paced even though there was a bit of travelling. I enjoyed the different tasks they needed to complete and the introduction of new places in the world. I did not expect some of the twists and only had a slight inkling at others. But the whole book was a journey and I sped through it. I think this is my favourite trilogy that I've read in a long time.

The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

This was so good! Even better than the first one! So much happened, adventure, romance, mystery, betrayal, magic. I loved getting to know some of the characters better like Caldon and I absolutely loved the family dynamic! I didn't guess loads of the reveals and I am going straight onto book 3 with no gap, I cannot wait to find out what happens next. 

The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Although this wasn't what I was expecting ( dark humour murder mystery) I really enjoyed it! I found it to be such and engaging and tense story. I feel like the subject of grief and anxiety was very well written and very emotive. I cried loads reading this book. The events were very well woven together and I didn't expect the outcome that happened, I was kept guessing throughout the book. I loved the characterisation and I could really empathise with Molly and how she felt. Many important issues were involved and explored in an interesting yet sensitive way. This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. I also listened on audio and loved the narration style.

Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

This was so good! A perfect mix of action and angst, the best aspects of books 1 and 2. I loved the flashbacks to the history which explained the lore so well. I absolutely loved the new characters and all the relationships between them. Nadir and Lor of course are the best and finally!!! Gabriel is so moody it makes me laugh but the serious backstory was so well thought out. Those last few chapters had me on my toes and I do not know how I am going to last until the next book. One of the most gripping series I've read in a while.