stale_reviews's reviews
303 reviews

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

The world was corny and contained a hodgepodge of SFF tropes. I didn't love the first one so this just did not interest me at all. Also the prose is not great.

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-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

3.5

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

3.5

Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

3.0

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

Watch the Skies by Ned Rust, James Patterson

adventurous fast-paced

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

1.0

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

1.5

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

Pros

• Engaging and likeable protagonist
• Lovable side characters that needed more page time
• The cozy scenes are very well done and capture a coffee shop vibe incredibly well

Cons

• The romance and key scenes are sometimes hindered by poor dialogue
• Baldree sorry of tells the reader how bad antagonists are rather than really showing them
• The story didn't really need an antagonist in the first place.
  I would have preferred the conflict to come more from the day to day struggle of owning a business. At the very least, Fennus could have been a rival business owner
• Not enough Cal
• I HATED Tandri's introduction. Viv's question about whether Succubi have "needs" was nuts for an employer to ask. Such a departure from Viv's character up to that point.

Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5