story_goblin's reviews
379 reviews

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

4.5

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.0

Egwene originally was one of my least favorite characters but she has grown into one of my favorites, so I liked that this book followed her perspective a lot. Her mission and methods were particularly interesting. Rand's development in this book was frustrating but I'm intrigued to see what changes in the next book based on the very end. (Also,

will Nynaeve and Cadsaune FINALLY learn to build actual trust with people?? Maybe there was some slight movement in that direction??? Relatedly, one of my personal pet peeves is unnecessary ignorance so I loved how Min described Cadsaune as "doling out" her extensive knowledge like "rewards for good behavior" but also that Cadsaune does that absolutely infuriates me.

) Less Perrin in this book, but I hope the next one traces his journey after his realization about leadership.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

It was very funny and overall a fun story, but there is a reason I don’t read a lot of romance.

Shift by Hugh Howey

challenging dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

I don’t know how Howey makes such horrible things so engaging but I haven’t been able to put these down. They’re not even making my anxiety about the current state of America worse! However, I still can’t comprehend why some people think they know best/they get to make decisions for everyone. In this book I’m particularly thinking of

Anna. I simply can’t understand why she would be so selfish as to intentionally split Donald from his wife?? Why does she think she gets to control his life like that?

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

4.25

The House Witch by Delemhach

adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

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

4.75

This was very heartwarming and funny even though several of the characters are dealing with and/or recovering from various forms of abuse. I laughed out loud more than once. It was very enjoyable and I will most likely continue reading the series.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

This book is very vivid and I liked it. It’s not usually what I would read and I found it a little predictable (but not necessarily in a bad way).

The Last Remnant by Pam Brondos

adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

The first book was ok to me, the second book was really good, and this last one was… mixed. At first I liked it even less than the first one. I was particularly annoyed by the main character for like the entire first half of the book.

I totally understand her impatience to find a cure/get back to Fourline and even understand her falling for the temptation, but I could not stand how her entire thought processes was that of a 14 year old instead of a college senior.

But, at about the halfway mark, it shifted back into what I enjoyed so much about the second book. Unfortunately, by the time I finished this trilogy, I had simply experienced better stories that made the same points about the need for community and trust. However, I did really like

that the final showdown with the Nalaide was not some big Hero Moment.

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

4.0