savljo's reviews
118 reviews

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

dark funny tense fast-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

4.5

Evergreen by Devin Greenlee

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Some books live up to the hype. Some books exceed them. Some books are so profoundly beyond things like recommendations and stars and reviews that it seems pointless to even attempt them. The Starling House is all of those.
The writing is gorgeous. A use of prose and conventions that I haven’t read in a long time. A gripping, complex, compelling story that doesn’t let go. Characters that leap off the page. 
 this book could be dissected in an English class for a hundred years and never quite run out of topics. 

it deserves every accolade and more. 

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A delightful continuation of the first book! I couldn't put it down. 

How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win a Wager by D.N. Bryn

funny 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? It's complicated

4.5

The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Well written, but it felt like nothing happened for over half of the book, and then even during the climax I kept thinking ‘this is it?’
Honestly I wish I had stopped after the Atlas Paradox which I found more satisfying and exciting. 

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

mysterious medium-paced

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

2.75

The story concept was compelat st enough to help me finish, but the writing didn't do it for me. So much of the story was told rather than shown, and details were repeated enough times, I began to be irritated. at one point, one of the character describes her situation, as “improbable or coincidental” and that’s how this entire story felt. Everything just kind of happened by luck or happenstance, and the characters didn’t feel very driven.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

While the beginning is a bit of a struggle to get used to, around page 50 the book picks up and does not stop. This is a book for those who used to hunt for fae in their backyards. It's cottage core academia, with an emphasis on academia. 
Emily and Wendell have the most chemistry I've read in a long time. I honestly can't wait to read their next adventure. 

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

Oathbringer Part Two by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0