solaris_zip's reviews
135 reviews

A Bone in His Teeth by Kellen Graves

slow-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

4.25

“You know how humans believe sailors lost at sea become birds to fly back home?”

“A bone in his teeth” is the story of Alba, whom after receiving a mysterious telegram (of which he believes to be from his mother) he escapes the debts impose on his shoulders to find her. Reaching the town of “Moon Harbor”, he will be the new lighthouse keeper. From hushed whispers, strange noises, melodies of songs that turns the most sane person insane, he will find himself swapped in a twisting tale of mystery, secrets, magic and sirens. 

A dark fantasy romance, with hints of horror seaside, will bring you right into a tale of rituals and unexpected moments. I find the story exactly like a sea wave. Strong, powerful, able to submerge you— to hook you right into the moment. The writing is very well constructed, and so are the characters, whom have a very nice development by the end. 

The relationship between Alba and Eridanys is probably one of the best relationships I have seen developed in fantasy so far. It goes from almost enemies in a sense, to have this constant banter. Between a hushed apology and a kiss, they stole my heart. Their story is a the reminder that home can be found in the most unexpected  places. To realise that home isn’t necessarily a place, in the literal sense of the word. But it can be a feeling, a person. The way you feel when you’re with them, that’s home. And the story of Alba and Eridanys is heartwarming for such. Two lost souls founding comfort in each other’s, learning that it’s ok to love and to be loved. The comfort of not being judged. The comfort of each others kisses and hugs, the comfort of being unapologetically themselves and still deserving to be loved 

Perhaps, underneath the depths of the mud and seaweed, between the shiny pearls and seashells, there is something truly good awaiting for you. Something worth exploring, worth living for. 

A Thread of Shadows: Shadow and Trickster: Book One by C. C. Addington

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

A thread of shadows is the first book of an ongoing trilogy about ancient gods, curses, lost magic, a love triangle and much more. We have our three protagonists which we meet under the multi POVs chapter, Aaira, Kerat and Jax. Prince Kerat and Aaira, a simple seamstress, find themselves trapped in a parallel universe from theirs, as they are caught in the middle of a vendetta of a powerful sorcerer. They will have to find a way to get back home, through lies, betrayals, twists and discoveries… 

I found the book very interesting and enjoyable to read, middle paced. Between the bad dad jokes and banter from Kerat to a more cynic approach from Jax, I found this book a cozy high fantasy, with a solid base of dialogue, setting and engaging characters. The love triangle caused some angst, especially towards the end, not going to lie… but I suppose it’s a good set up for the following book, which I cannot wait to read! (I am deeply rooting for Kerat, and if Aaira won’t take him, I will gladly take him— he is so precious please.) 😭

Definitely worth the read if you like magical settings, with plot twists, betrayals, love triangles, gods and a book that feels right out of a fairytale!! 

(Many thanks to the lovely author for the ARC, cannot wait for book 2!) 

Knight's Bride by Juliette Caruso

fast-paced

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

2.75

“I’m not speaking of flaws I’m speaking of joy. My happiest moments should not include wearing peasant clothes and bearing fake names… but they do… you are courtly, and wild, and odd all in one. You are dangerously easy to love”

Knight’s bride is a book set in the magical world of Enar. We are meet with a medieval setting, where Rachiele (FMC) is arranged to marry Telon (MMC) who’s a knight of the Yovren kingdom. 

The premise was very intriguing, a runaway bride who wants to avoid at all costs her destiny and a cinnamon roll MMC whom becomes overprotective of her, enough to make the “touch her and you die” trope come to life. 

I really wanted to like this book, from the stunning cover illustration, the premise of the story, to the way the writing flows easily.. it had all of the potential to be a great book. But unfortunately it lacked substance. The book felt flat for multiple reasons. One being the miscommunication trope. Too much, seriously. 99% of the plot dilemma could have been easily resolved if the two main characters actually *talked* to each other, rather than assuming, getting mad, being emotionally constipated and running away from their problems. Not to mention that the miscommunication ended 3 chapters before the end of the book, not only we had barely a glimpse of the two main characters romance (and the book is a standalone), the ending felt rather rushed and awkward in a way. 

There was no action point, as the fight scene between the little creatures of this magical world and the main characters was just flat and lacking of character. I enjoyed their banter, which is a strong point of the book, I enjoyed telon and his softness despite being a knight, something I really do not see much in fantasy books and male protagonists. He was truly a sweet. 

The chemistry was there, the yearning was there I just wished the author would have chose a minor approach to the miscommunication trope. And MORE character development. We saw *nothing* since 99% of the book was spend assuming and assuming, rather than acting. We do not see the grow of this characters shine through at all. Without it, or reducing it, the book would have been truly a solid 4 stars. 

The Wingless King by K.C Wassem

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-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? No

5.0

“Tell me, handsome boy.” … “why do you smell like a human but also reek of immortality?”

The wingless king is a fast paced, YA dark fantasy, mixing science-fiction and religion. Questioning and challenging the views of the gods and brining to question demons and the occult, you will immerse yourself in a multi POVs story that will make you yearn for more. 

We have three main characters, Seren, Jude and Mila. Seren, whom we don’t know if he is human or something more, has lost his memories due to some excruciating circumstances. As the book progresses it’s up to us, alongside Seren, to understand who he really is, what happened to him and what has he done. 

The book is not a standalone, and the end is left open to be followed up by in the second book of the series and I am DYING to receive answers. 

To understand more about Seren’s parents, especially his father. To understand more about Seren’s powers and who he is. He had wings, his mother is a reborn and his father is most likely a god… so what does that make him? And what about the deal with the demon Emeryn took? The book is slightly complex in the sense there are a lot of names and characters, so you find yourself a bit discombobulated at times from the amount of information you receive, but as you progress with the reading I found myself lost in this new world that I cannot stop thinking about. I grow to love Jude (I mean, is there someone who doesn’t?) and his bubbly personality which definitely hides a more complex and dark past. I grew to love and look up to Mila, such a complete character with layers upon layers. But most of all, such a badass. Headstrong, proud, brave but also keeping her caring side, her gentle nature hidden sure, but still present and I think that’s a beautiful way of portraying such a strong woman. 

I also loved the romance bit, not too strong or overwhelming, very subtle. Will Seren end up with Jude or Mila? I personally believe they ALL have chemistry. Especially towards the end I found myself picking up on small cues on how Seren would blush or feel embarrassed when Jude would flirt with him or just do anything remotely “romantic”. But, his little fake romance with Mila is also very cute, though as of now I do believe Mila has a strong relationship/connection with Jude which is more than just a friendship, emotionally wise at least. Interest to see how it develops and honestly, I am rooting for all of them three to end up together. We need more polyamory representation.

Little note I would like to add, I read six of crows in 2021, over three years ago now and since then I have looked and researched for a book that could recreated the same feelings I had while I read Leigh Bardugo’s book. Unsuccessfully, until I read the wingless king. The way the characters are build, from the writing style that’s extremely well crafted, to the religious theme and just the found family vibes (despite the shortness of the book) made me feel those same feelings I felt 3 long years ago. A mix of middle age feel, heist, banter, angst, religious theme, magic and the occult and so much more. 

“We're both lonely people, simply trying to find our place in this world..." Jude paused. "But isn't it better to be lonely than to truly be alone?" ….

"I'm not sure," he murmured. "I think l've always been lonely.'

"Not anymore" Jude said. "We'll have each other."

The words struck a chord, and a strange sensation washed over Seren.” 

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

medium-paced

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

4.0

“Shall we pity him? Shall we curse him? He asked only to be some one like everybody else”

What’s intriguing about “the phantom of the opera” is that the book depicts and shows that the truest monsters most of the times are not the ones we cannot see, cannot touch, the supernatural. Sometimes, the real monsters are the very people that surround us. Us humans. 

Gaston Leroux brings some interesting insights, exploring themes such as passion, unrequited love, obsession, addiction and so on. By the end of the book you question whether to feel sorry for Erik or to despise him for his actions. But here is the thing. You can feel sorry for Erik’s background, for the prejudice attached to him from a young age, prejudice that lasted until his last breath. But you cannot excuse his actions. Erik is a sheltered individual, whom grew up hidden in the shadows, becoming the shadows itself. Failing to understand basic principles, such as boundaries and rules, when he sees Christine for the first time he grows obsessed. Blinded by a desire of wanting her, of needing her. Taking advantage not only of Christine naive persona, but her *vulnerability*. Coming to her as the “angel of music”, pretending to be so to keep her under her control. Manipulating and controlling her. 

Erik is a degenerate individual that would go as far as to kill people for Christine, or anyone who obstructs his path. We can depict him as “naive” but that’s far from the truth. For years he demanded a monthly payment from the directors of the opera house, resulting in catastrophic events if failed to meet ends. He is more than just aware of what he is doing. 

And that’s what’s scary. He is shown multiple times to feel enraged, if not resentful for the way people have treated him in the past. He wants people to *suffer* for the treatment they have unleashed upon him. And slowly but surely, his actions develop into something more sinister, more psychotic, unable to stop, unable to accept that his obsession is not required. 

On the other hand we have Raoul. Who’s portrayed as the hero in the book. Christine’s real love interest and eventual husband. Here’s the thing, Raoul is not by any means a saint either. Not only he as well takes advantage of Christine vulnerability and constantly prays on it, he never actually takes the time to fully listens to her. Dismissing her concerns about the phantom as some silly imagination thing. And when he does believe her, he uses her as bait. He's might not be as bad as the actual murderer, Erik, but he mirrors the Phantom in the sense that for both individuals Christine is nothing more than an idealised prop in their game, rather than a person. Is the idea of Christine that’s exciting, rather than Christine as a person herself. Her words, her actions, her needs and wants get easily dismissed by both individuals. 

To Cutting Me Open, and Spilling Me Out by n.s. burton

2.0

It cannot be defined poetry. It’s more like diary entry, that doesn’t mean it’s bad, just is not structured like a poetry book. The topics are heavy, mental health and more. I all heartily wish the best to the author, you can truly feel the emotions going from rage to anger to sadness and acceptance multiple times throughout the book. However, what I did not like was the end. Nice message, but written in a general cliche way. I like how the author manage to show that you can heal at the end. I just wished it was structured and written better, not to fall under the category “I have found a new man -that respects me- so I’m starting to get better”. 

Wonder Woman #4 by Tom King, Tomeu Morey, Daniel Sampere

4.5

Diana I love you

Batman: #428: Robin Lives: One-Shot by Jim Starlin

3.0

Robin lives and yet

he is in a coma?

like jeeze Jason cannot catch a break. I understand after the injuries he had it was the only way, but at least show us him getting better, waking up from it. But no. We have 10 pages about the damn joker 

The Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert

2.0

I didn’t know what to expect, kinda disappointed. The book is rather slow paced and although it’s marked as an erotica read, surprisingly there is not a lot of such content . The book could have been better developed in the sense that there needs to be a better communication, connection between the main characters. Besides the little to non existent character development, where we go from grumpy and cold to suddenly in love?

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

4.0

It was such a sweet, despite the topic of the book, read. I liked a lot reading little moments from Cardan's perspective. 

Not only it gives that extra boost to the main story, but it also makes you understand his character much better. At the end of "Queen of nothing" you're left with a "changed" Cardan, yet, we do not know much of this story. Why he is liked this, why he acted in a certain way. Surely, reading this book, gives you a small insight on why Cardan is Cardan. Not a justification of his actions and words, but an understanding. 

Although I enjoyed it, I wished that all of these infos were present in the main books. Not only they would give justice to Cardan's characterisation but also bring something extra to the story.