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smarmo21's reviews
36 reviews
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
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
4.75
Gorgeous, outstanding read. Absolutely gutted me. The only critique I have is that the writing style took a moment for me to get into. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone who wants to read something and FEEL.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Spice was good (when it was consensual…smh), plot was shit. If you like the stalker vibes but want a story that’s less fucked up and (marginally) more realistic, read Lights Out. Definitely not reading the sequel to this trash book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Stalking
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
4.0
I finished this book moments ago and will need time to fully process but my immediate reaction is - excited about the (albeit surface level) world building and expansion of the story, LOVED the dialogue (some genuinely laugh out loud moments) and as usual with Rebecca Yarros, we’re left with more questions than answers. My beef is all spoilers. As for spoilers - not pleased we ended on another massive cliffhanger AND left in the dark about what happened to Violet in the last ~12 hours. Upon a re-read it’ll likely be possible to piece things together but the ending was chaos. Having Andarna leave to almost immediately return felt kind of cheap and I think we deserved more of an explanation before the end of the book, and for the re-ignited bond to be more ceremonious? Idk. I’m not surprised or upset about Xaden apparently fully turning and leaving because that was hinted at the entire book. I am curious how the story is going to move forward, and who (if any) others also turned with him? Again still processing the ending. Last but CERTAINLY not least, why are we still using queer characters’ deaths as emotionally manipulative plot points? Infuriating. RIP Quinn you deserved better
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
This book really surprised me. I was drawn to it because I love Yarros’s Empyrian series, but I’m always cautious of romance novels. This turned out to be more plot heavy than I imagined and I really grew to love the characters and the story. The intermittent spice is good but the plot is better. This is exactly what I want out of a sweet, romantic novel. I’d recommend this one for sure. Only knocking some points for corny dialogue and some predictable plot points.
The Pale Dreamer by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
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? No
4.5
I adore this novella addition to the Bone Season series. It provides important context to Paige’s history with the gang, and information about the other members that may only briefly come across in the main books. I think reading this between The Mime Order and The Song Rising is perfect, but it also works to read it after The Bone Season.
Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Genuinely awful read. Even the decent spice couldn’t save this - 1.5 stars for that only. Cringe dialogue and predicable plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Incest
The Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An excellent 3rd book to this series. The plot flows well and I raced through this book. I’m taking off 0.5 stars because of truly shocking typos throughout the book, especially towards the end. Disappointed by the publishers for so many glaring errors.