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sashavolesky's reviews
103 reviews
All Daughters Rise by Alysa Auriemma
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Heart of Shattered Glass by J. Darlene Everly
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Torture and Child death
Marked by olivieblake
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Land of Horrors by Chelsii Klein
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
3.0
This book had the potential for great things, it however didn’t succeed
Fascinating and unique word building, a retelling of candyland? With Fae monsters? Great premise. The world was described well and seemed to be thought out. The candyland itself was very cool with each world having its own challenges with the addition of sweet treats! I have nothing to fault here.
The plot was original and well thought out however there seemed to be things thrown in that just didn’t belong. The plot was well paced and very well thought out, it was original and done very well. However some parts just didn’t fit in and felt extremely out of placed, such as the plot twist (you’ll have to read to find out). The ending felt extremely rushed and just didn’t fit in with the rest of the book.
The writing of it was badly planned and it was hard to read. It starts off with a couple chapters from the Jinns perspective, but then swaps to Fallen, going back in time and having the same conversation. All this would’ve been easier to have just switched perspectives along the way so it didn’t feel repetitive and jumpy. Another issue being how some chapters gave the name of who’s perspective it was and some didn’t, leading to further confusion as later on there were other characters perspectives added.
Now the part I hated, characters and relationships. Don’t get me wrong I like most of the characters however I don’t feel that pull to love them, I didn’t connect however that can change from person to person. I loved the relationship between Mollock and Alana, it was very sweet however that’s where my love ends. (Slight spoilers) There is a soulmate relationship between Fellen and Neek, and it just pissed me off, Neek wouldn’t stop talking about his claim on her and how she’s rightfully his. It felt yucky, This is the way the world just happens to work however relationship wise it’s atrocious. (Spoilers for the first few chapters) When they are together on the beach and he wants to have sex with her, she says no, and he laughs and continues just because he can sense her desire? Desire isn’t consent and given the importance of a later scene it seems the line is too blurry on what’s okay and what isn’t.
While I personally didn’t like this book and don’t plan to continue I can see why some people like it, if the blurb interests you don’t let me stop you from reading because it’s okay, it just has aspects I happen to dislike.
Trigger Warning Description (major spoilers)
Rape - Explicit and detailed scene between Fellen and another male character
Coerced Sex - Detailed above
Animal death - A pet dog
Torture - Explicit scene (to the rapist)
I received a copy to honestly review.
Fascinating and unique word building, a retelling of candyland? With Fae monsters? Great premise. The world was described well and seemed to be thought out. The candyland itself was very cool with each world having its own challenges with the addition of sweet treats! I have nothing to fault here.
The plot was original and well thought out however there seemed to be things thrown in that just didn’t belong. The plot was well paced and very well thought out, it was original and done very well. However some parts just didn’t fit in and felt extremely out of placed, such as the plot twist (you’ll have to read to find out). The ending felt extremely rushed and just didn’t fit in with the rest of the book.
The writing of it was badly planned and it was hard to read. It starts off with a couple chapters from the Jinns perspective, but then swaps to Fallen, going back in time and having the same conversation. All this would’ve been easier to have just switched perspectives along the way so it didn’t feel repetitive and jumpy. Another issue being how some chapters gave the name of who’s perspective it was and some didn’t, leading to further confusion as later on there were other characters perspectives added.
Now the part I hated, characters and relationships. Don’t get me wrong I like most of the characters however I don’t feel that pull to love them, I didn’t connect however that can change from person to person. I loved the relationship between Mollock and Alana, it was very sweet however that’s where my love ends. (Slight spoilers) There is a soulmate relationship between Fellen and Neek, and it just pissed me off, Neek wouldn’t stop talking about his claim on her and how she’s rightfully his. It felt yucky, This is the way the world just happens to work however relationship wise it’s atrocious. (Spoilers for the first few chapters) When they are together on the beach and he wants to have sex with her, she says no, and he laughs and continues just because he can sense her desire? Desire isn’t consent and given the importance of a later scene it seems the line is too blurry on what’s okay and what isn’t.
While I personally didn’t like this book and don’t plan to continue I can see why some people like it, if the blurb interests you don’t let me stop you from reading because it’s okay, it just has aspects I happen to dislike.
Trigger Warning Description (major spoilers)
Rape - Explicit and detailed scene between Fellen and another male character
Coerced Sex - Detailed above
Animal death - A pet dog
Torture - Explicit scene (to the rapist)
I received a copy to honestly review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Torture, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal death and Violence
Witches in Love by Isabel Hansen
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Bloodlaced by Courtney Maguire
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.25
A captivating, original, tragic story of Asagi and the life they live set in historic Japan.
Asagi is a kind soul protecting the ones around them, while constantly being pushed down by the people above. I feel very drawn towards them, they make the book interesting to read. Their stance on their gender especially in the time period.
The writing was well done and well paced, it was easy to read and the inclusion of Japanese terms made it all the more authentic and well written. There were some points where I felt like the timing slipped by, what I believed to be a month turned out to be a year however that’s okay as I found out lengths of time as the novel progressed.
This book is captured in the blurb, literally. The blurb is a quick recap of the first 60% of the book, which left not much surprise to await in the story. The story itself I wouldn’t change however the blurb just over-spoiled too much like a Netflix movie trailer.
The way their ‘monsters’ work is very fascinating and I love how it’s a change of a classically known monster.
I liked the book and hope to continue the story!
Asagi is a kind soul protecting the ones around them, while constantly being pushed down by the people above. I feel very drawn towards them, they make the book interesting to read. Their stance on their gender especially in the time period.
The writing was well done and well paced, it was easy to read and the inclusion of Japanese terms made it all the more authentic and well written. There were some points where I felt like the timing slipped by, what I believed to be a month turned out to be a year however that’s okay as I found out lengths of time as the novel progressed.
This book is captured in the blurb, literally. The blurb is a quick recap of the first 60% of the book, which left not much surprise to await in the story. The story itself I wouldn’t change however the blurb just over-spoiled too much like a Netflix movie trailer.
The way their ‘monsters’ work is very fascinating and I love how it’s a change of a classically known monster.
I liked the book and hope to continue the story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault
Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
A Brilliant Captivating New Novel.
This book brought me back to middle school reading, but the good stuff, right along with the greats such as Percy Jackson. The writing was easy to read but compelling, very enjoyable, flowed wonderfully. The only thing I would change is an addition of a world map (I love maps)
The characters were really fun to read about and the use of multiple perspectives made it that much better! I loved learning about how they all felt and what they were thinking. Gen was very loveable, I just want her to be happy with her dad again. These characters and the animals just slither their way into your heart.
Plot wise it was nicely paced, a good amount for each challenge and time to get around. The twist were fun, a bit predictable but that didn’t make it not enjoyable.
(Slight Spoilers) if I am being honest I picked this up half for the cover because I thought Gen and Cas would get together, I held onto that hope for maybe 50% before I knew it wouldn’t happen (plus Gen deserves someone more compatable) but I’m really really happy that Cas is queer, and it isn’t even made isn’t a big deal, it just is.
It was a nice easy read and I’m so glad it was on the longer side. I give much love to Rachel for this book.
This book brought me back to middle school reading, but the good stuff, right along with the greats such as Percy Jackson. The writing was easy to read but compelling, very enjoyable, flowed wonderfully. The only thing I would change is an addition of a world map (I love maps)
The characters were really fun to read about and the use of multiple perspectives made it that much better! I loved learning about how they all felt and what they were thinking. Gen was very loveable, I just want her to be happy with her dad again. These characters and the animals just slither their way into your heart.
Plot wise it was nicely paced, a good amount for each challenge and time to get around. The twist were fun, a bit predictable but that didn’t make it not enjoyable.
(Slight Spoilers) if I am being honest I picked this up half for the cover because I thought Gen and Cas would get together, I held onto that hope for maybe 50% before I knew it wouldn’t happen (plus Gen deserves someone more compatable) but I’m really really happy that Cas is queer, and it isn’t even made isn’t a big deal, it just is.
It was a nice easy read and I’m so glad it was on the longer side. I give much love to Rachel for this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
A Legacy of Storms and Starlight by Victoria J. Price
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
A main character with blood on her hands and a world with sexy, charming fae? Sign me right up!
I expected just another plain story with the court system, but Victoria pulled through with cool and original world-building, characters and just writing style in general.
The world is well described and developed, with a tyrannical, asshat monarch and different villages all ruled by him. The only thing that could aid would be a map!
The characters are very likeable and I felt very connected to them, I cared for them so much in just a few pages. They’re happy, I’m happy. They’re sad, I’m sad. The relationships between them worked well, they were realistic, not rushed or forced. Chemistry between certain characters was *chefs kiss* and inside jokes and lines made me smile from ear to ear.
The writing style itself was also beautiful. Easy to read, flowed wonderfully, descriptive in all the right places.
The plot was also unpredictable and the twist and turns had me sitting at the edge of my seat, sobbing. All the surprises and changes made it that much more enjoyable to read.
I love every aspect of this book (especially baker Holt) and definitely one of the best High Fantasy books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read!
(I received a copy from Victoria J. Price in exchange for a honest review)
I expected just another plain story with the court system, but Victoria pulled through with cool and original world-building, characters and just writing style in general.
The world is well described and developed, with a tyrannical, asshat monarch and different villages all ruled by him. The only thing that could aid would be a map!
The characters are very likeable and I felt very connected to them, I cared for them so much in just a few pages. They’re happy, I’m happy. They’re sad, I’m sad. The relationships between them worked well, they were realistic, not rushed or forced. Chemistry between certain characters was *chefs kiss* and inside jokes and lines made me smile from ear to ear.
The writing style itself was also beautiful. Easy to read, flowed wonderfully, descriptive in all the right places.
The plot was also unpredictable and the twist and turns had me sitting at the edge of my seat, sobbing. All the surprises and changes made it that much more enjoyable to read.
I love every aspect of this book (especially baker Holt) and definitely one of the best High Fantasy books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read!
(I received a copy from Victoria J. Price in exchange for a honest review)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Torture and Body horror
A Twist of Night and Day by Aubrey Winters
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5