spines's reviews
161 reviews

Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

dark mysterious

moral of the story:

psychologists who believe nature>nurture are evil and wrong

Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones

3.0

Every plot arc in this book ended in a really unsatisfying way; I understand why, but it was a real letdown for me.

Seventh Grave and No Body by Darynda Jones

3.25

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really appreciated how straightforward this thriller is! The premise is classic but still interesting, and the plot just continues to escalate instead of relying on random twists and foggy details. Each chapter got more intense as things fell apart around Evie but it all happened in a logical progression where the sequence of events made sense. This might sound kind of basic and not super complimentary, but it's refreshing after so many thrillers with unreliable narrators and red herrings on every other page.

I liked how her backstory played a crucial part in the plot and how she used all the resources and skills from her past in order to succeed. I was absolutely enthralled!

The one twist/red herring I absolutely hated was

when it seemed like Ryan was Mr. Smith. It made absolutely no sense, and even though they acknowledged that they didn't have much proof, she just ran off because of that assumption.  I was annoyed at the idea that Ryan migjt actually be Mr. Smith, because that's exactly the kind of dumb twist I hate, but then I was annoyed by the stupid red herring once Mr. Smith was revealed. 

I also found the resolution with foiling Mr. Smith a bit anticlimactic, but the confrontation with the FBI agents and creating all the evidence to prove herself innocent was very fun so I think that made up for it.

 

Other than that, it was definitely a fun read and I loved the ending!

Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Blameless by Gail Carriger

fast-paced

3.25

Changeless by Gail Carriger

3.25

Some of the characters were more broad/flanderized than they had been in the previous book (especially Ivy) and the mystery wasn't very interesting or mysterious but I still enjoyed reading it and getting more world-building and lore.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was so much fun! I don't think I've ever highlighted a book this much but there were so many funny lines that I loved. I was worried that "Buffy meets Jane Austen" would be a disappointing misnomer but it was really quippy and quirky in a fun way! I'm sure some would find it a bit obnoxious (more MCU Whedon than Buffy Whedon) but I liked the level of balance.

The side characters were also very fun, I loved Floote and Ivy and I appreciated how the stepsisters were just silly socialites, not stereotypical evil stepsisters. I really liked their dynamic where they see their older sister as an unfashionable bluestocking but they still do care about her.

Also loved the descriptions of

the wax-faced man, especially his creepy smile of perfect teeth!

Super unsettling!!

Grey Magic by Jeffe Kennedy

adventurous fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This series is so fucking bewildering to read. The first book felt like mostly setup and world-building (though I still enjoyed reading it), and it made me excited to read the second book. The second book also felt like setup and I think it would've been better if some plot threads were removed and the two books were combined into one, but I was excited to see the conclusion of the story.

The third book... also felt like setup??? Or at the very least it wasn't a satisfying resolution at all. The main antagonists were dispatched so quickly, Gabriel is so overpowered and clever and doesn't think like anyone else in the Convocation so he defears everyone pretty much effortlessly. Every setback is overcome with little to no resistance and it feels like there were no stakes because literally nothing bad happened to any of the good guys that wasn't resolved like two chapters later. The ending is so abrupt and anticlimactic, I just feel really annoyed that it's over (and not in a good book hangover way)

Nic spent the first 2.5 books worried that Gabriel's radical plans would get them embroiled in a war, was that the war?? Sure, they defeated Sergio and Lord Elal with the power of love and equality but there are still other antagonists at large that we were seemingly meant to be concerned about. Have they given up on restructuring the Convocation?? That was literally all they argued about and it's not even going to happen?

Even beyond the long term plot points and events that (I felt) were implied and didn't get resolved, there were so many smaller things that just never got an actual conclusion.

The wedding?? Why would you not devote at least half a chapter to the wedding that was being planned in the first chapters of the first book, Nic talked about planning it and it never happened! Is Maman just permanently cat-brained now? Where the fuck are Jadren and Selly??????

I found out that one of my burning questions is answered in a sequel/spinoff trilogy, but this wasn't in the book itself or mentioned on the Bonds of Magic page on the author's site, so I had to actively look through the descriptions of her other books to figure out that those characters would be revisited. Usually I continue reading books within a shared universe because I enjoyed the story, and I'm finding it very frustrating that I'm compelled to read this other trilogy because I feel so unsatisfied by the abrupt ending of this one.

It's not bad though, maybe I'll like Bonds of Magic more in hindsight once I read the next trilogy. 

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs

emotional mysterious

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Loved that we finally got a book about

Leah and her past!! As a Leah stan this book was fantastic! As usual the side characters are super well-written and the plot is gripping