shelf_possesed's reviews
54 reviews

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown - Review Summary by J.T. Rothing

adventurous 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

Typical Sandra Brown novel. Lots of twists and turns. Just enough spice to enhance the plot rather than carry it. 

The Skull King by Penelope Sky

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This is a trilogy, so books 1 and 2 end with a cliff hanger. All 3 are a 5 on the spicy scale, but character and plot development is strong. I typically hate cheating, but I will make an exception for this one. The FMC gave up her freedom and married a verbally and physically abusive narcissistic psychopath to save the man she thought she loved. She starts an affair with the MMC because she needs an outlet to help her cope with the pathetic shitshow her life has become. Both characters are strong-willed, demanding, and temperamental. They each know what they want out of life and are unwilling to compromise, but as the story unfolds they begin to grow in a way that compliments each others strengths and weaknesses. 

I would have rated it higher, but sometimes the FMC's demanding, whiny moments were childish and the confusing and conflicting signals the MMC was sending was such a mixed bag of angst that I wanted to pull my hair out in frustration. There were more than a few moments when I wanted them to just cut the bullshit already and skip ahead to their happy ending.

The Wallflower by J.L. Beck

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Wow! I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster for the last couple of hours. That ending isn't a cliffhanger, it's a dangling climax. OMG! Book 2 isn't available yet. J.L. Beck, what are you trying to do to me?

Reign of Night by Sara C. Roethle

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

5.0

I was pleasantly surprised. This turned out to be a very enjoyable read. Lyssandra is a badass vampire hunter with a secret to protect. The story is told from her POV. Asher is bit of an enigma. I would have loved to have known what he was thinking. The supporting characters are loveable in different ways. The plot had some unexpected twists and turns. It ends with a loose thread that will most likely continue throughout the series. I can't wait to read the next one!

These Sorrows We See by Tamsen Schultz

emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

The second book in this series is on the slow side of the medium paced scale and more character than plot driven. It could have been an angsty, suspenseful, romantic thriller, but it isn't. Instead it focuses more on the characters, their flaws, and overcoming their commitment phobias. It wasn't bad enough to DNF, but it was a struggle. The psychological two-steps forward and one-step back loop the FMC and MMC were trapped inside as their relationship creeped in the right direction had a middle school saga quality to it that made me want to throw the book across the room. The only angst and suspense came from my frustration and whether I was going to finish it.

A Tainted Mind by Tamsen Schultz

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? No

4.5

This is a great "who-dun-it" mystery. I had suspicions in the first half and mostly figured out by about the 65% mark. However, the author threw enough twists and turns into the last quarter of the book to make me second guess my powers of deduction. The main characters are well developed, but static. In my opinion, third person POV limited the depth of the characters. There's some chemistry and spice, but it's definitely plot driven. Developing supporting characters into the main characters of future books in the series won't be hard to do. 

Bite the Woman That Feeds by Penelope Barsetti

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

Who doesn't like a good vampire fantasy romance? This one is a great escapist read. It isn't a Tolkien, but few are. I appreciate the thought that went into world building, character development, and plot. I'm hooked. Can't wait to read book 2.

Here Lies North by Ava Harrison

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

This book was different from anything else I have read by this author. Like her other books, it's balanced, but it's a little more dark and plot driven.

Ruthless Monarch by Ava Harrison

dark emotional 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

4.5

Tarnished Empire by Ava Harrison

dark emotional 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

4.5