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seabanshee's reviews
69 reviews
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
DNF’d at 68%
The premise is great, and the overall mystery aspect is really intriguing. However, the buildup was a little too slow burn for me, and the vague mysterious parts weren’t enough to keep my attention. I’m sure the ending picks up more, and that book 2 will have a lot more going on. But it’s a no for me, sadly.
The premise is great, and the overall mystery aspect is really intriguing. However, the buildup was a little too slow burn for me, and the vague mysterious parts weren’t enough to keep my attention. I’m sure the ending picks up more, and that book 2 will have a lot more going on. But it’s a no for me, sadly.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
challenging
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
4 ⭐️ Story/Plot
3 ⭐️ Characters
This is the first SJM book I've ever read from start to finish, and it was certainly a good time. I really enjoyed the start of the book as I had absolutely no idea where it was going. I thought the pacing was incredibly well done from the beginning up to quite a few chapters after the inciting incident, but after that it slowed down massively. It felt like it was dragging almost as the plot started to introduce more complexities as well as the romantic interest, Hunt Athalar. I would have thought the pacing would have spiked at his introduction, but I was sorely mistaken.
When you first meet Hunt Athalar in the alleyway followed by the interrogation unit, I loved him. I thought he would be a great character shrouded in mystery and suppressed memories, but when you actually get to know him, I really don't care for him at all. If I could rate him, I'd give him a 2.75/5. Bryce is a solid 5/5. I adore her, all of her amazing qualities and her flaws too. She's such an amazingly well-rounded character, and I love that she's our protagonist.
That being said, I didn't rate this story a 4 like I initially anticipated because the final story wasn't something I had really wanted. The story spent so long painting a picture of Danika being the most beloved and best friend of Bryce, but that she kept secrets and that she wasn't exactly whom Bryce had always known. Grieving a loved one is a difficult journey, and it's even harder to discover that maybe you never really even knew them at all. I really craved for this to have been the reality of the story, and for Bryce to have had these conversations with herself and the reader as she came to accept the flaws of a deceased loved one yet still cherish the good memories and life. But instead, Bryce refused to believe it, and in the end she was right to. Danika had just been framed, which has its merits. My criticism isn't the book or writer's fault, it's just a specific taste I had craved but was ultimately not the book's final purpose. The ending is still good, and I enjoyed it as a whole.
That being said, Ruhn and Tharion are my absolute favorites. You'll rip them from my cold, dead hands. I'd love some short stories of just them. Queen Hypaxia too.
3 ⭐️ Characters
This is the first SJM book I've ever read from start to finish, and it was certainly a good time. I really enjoyed the start of the book as I had absolutely no idea where it was going. I thought the pacing was incredibly well done from the beginning up to quite a few chapters after the inciting incident, but after that it slowed down massively. It felt like it was dragging almost as the plot started to introduce more complexities as well as the romantic interest, Hunt Athalar. I would have thought the pacing would have spiked at his introduction, but I was sorely mistaken.
That being said, I didn't rate this story a 4 like I initially anticipated because the final story wasn't something I had really wanted. The story spent so long painting a picture of Danika being the most beloved and best friend of Bryce, but that she kept secrets and that she wasn't exactly whom Bryce had always known. Grieving a loved one is a difficult journey, and it's even harder to discover that maybe you never really even knew them at all. I really craved for this to have been the reality of the story, and for Bryce to have had these conversations with herself and the reader as she came to accept the flaws of a deceased loved one yet still cherish the good memories and life. But instead, Bryce refused to believe it, and in the end she was right to. Danika had just been framed, which has its merits. My criticism isn't the book or writer's fault, it's just a specific taste I had craved but was ultimately not the book's final purpose. The ending is still good, and I enjoyed it as a whole.
That being said, Ruhn and Tharion are my absolute favorites. You'll rip them from my cold, dead hands. I'd love some short stories of just them. Queen Hypaxia too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Body horror, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts