strawhat_kd's reviews
62 reviews

The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter

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adventurous dark tense 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

5.0

The book picks up almost immediately after the ending of The Rage of Dragons and from the point forward it refuses to let it's foot off of your neck. It reminds me a good television or movie that has a stronger second season/film. You see relationships form and grow. The stakes are even higher than book 1 and reaches an eventual fever pitch at the close of this book. Evan Winters does a great job of writing detailed action sequences. Sometimes I could see Tau was clearly in control of a battle. Other times, I was wondering how bad the damage was going to be to Tau or those in his company. There are so many jaw dropping events that I was scrambling to find a free moment to read so I could see what was going to happen next. I'm looking forward to book 3, whenever that may drop. Hopefully, it's sooner than later. 
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The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

The Rage of Dragons is incredible. From the first page to the last I found myself wanting to come back to this world and find out what's going to happen next. The world building is incredible. You understand the stakes of what's going on in this world and regardless of what's going on in the story, the looming threat is always a factor. The battles...the way Evan puts words together to describe the battles is surreal. There's one passage where he describes the sound of a weapon hitting a helmet and I could imagine it allas if I was right there. The main character, Tau, a beast. Every battle he gets in is as engaging as the next. Around Chapter 6 and 7, the book hits another gear and I was unable to stop reading. I finished the second half of the book in a few short hours. The chapters are broken down into smaller digestible chunks which made it easier to get through the longer chapters, especially in the beginning. There 's twists, betrayals, demons, dragons and so much more all set in a South African inspired fantasy world.
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Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

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

5.0

This is the first book of M.L. Wang's that I have read and now I'm excited to read The Sword of Kaigen, which I've heard is phenomenal as well.  I had heard good things about this book, but nothing more than a few details here and there. The way everything is laid in the story is well thought out and you find yourself drawn into the world instantly. Sciona is our main character and we experience her journey to become the first female mage in a society that uses magic to basically provide power to the city. Her and her peers have been charged with expanding a barricade that protects the city from The Blight, a mysterious anomaly that utterly destroys anything it touches. M.L. Wang's writing style pulls you in from the beginning. The magic system was easy to understand and plays in a major part in the plot. The FMC is amazing, even with her flaws and shortcomings and she finds a colleague from an unexpected source. I could write more in detail, but I'd be venturing into spoiler territory, and this is the type of book that you should experience yourself with minimal insight to the experience. I highly recommend reading for yourself. It's a great read, with no slow parts at all, even in the exposition and explanation of the world and it's structure. 
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Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

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funny inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

Anxious people drew me in from the first few pages with Fredrik Bachman's writing choice. The book jumps you around through different perspectives of each character, peeling back layer after layer until you uncover a really endearing story. Every one has their own motivations for being at an apartment showing when a bank robber storms in and holds everyone hostage. Over the course of the book, you learn about each character. I enjoyed the fact, that in the early stages of the book, a large portion of the characters are unlikable. But, by the end, you end up loving most, if not all the characters. This was the perfect read for me after finishing books with heavier topics. A palate cleanser if you will.  It was funny, it was moving and was a feel good read for me. Some of the events are little unbelievable, but they don't take away from the heart of the story.
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You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism by Lacey Lamar, Amber Ruffin

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funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

The title of the book tells you everything you need to know. This is a book about racism. There's all sorts of flavors of racism too. The thing that makes this book an easy read, for me at least, is the book is presented in a way that you're dealing with some heavy topics, but it's still funny at times to see how ridiculous some people can be at times. I recommend reading this if you are sure that you can handle the topics at hand with an open mind and a sense of humor.
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Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.75

What a great read. I picked it up and could not put it down. I learned so much more about the apartheid and what it was like living during those times. How he and is mother survived is nothing short of a blessing. He tells his story in such an entertaining way that I literally was having fits of laughter reading. There's two stories in particular, that I thought were absolutely hilarious, but I won't ruin it for you. Be warned, it does get heavy in spots, but the way he brings you out of those moments with a funny anecdote or quip that makes you forget you were reading heavy material a few miutes before.  
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The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

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

5.0

Rin. Rin. Rin. Rin. I followed Rin through 3 books and this one brings everything full circle. If you've followed Rin's adventure since the Poppy Wars then you've followed her journey from young girl refusing to be an arranged bride to the general of her own army. A fitting end to the trilogy. You get to see how war affects everything and everyone and how the people involved make their decisons based on what war presents. I was shocked to learn that R. F. Kuang was super young when she started thid series, but she did a masterful job with it. I'll definitely revisit this series again.
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The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

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

4.75

Rin. Rin. Rin. Rin. She is both a joy to follow and madly infuriating. I found myself questioning her choices and the possible ramifications repeatedly. But, boy does this book take you on a ride and the ending is a chef's kiss. There is so much that happens, but when I reflect back on the ride, it's a dark, tense, fun, exhilarating ride filled with laughs, lows, twists and turns and heartbreaking moments. I can't wait to see how this series concludes!
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The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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

4.75

What a read! I didn't know what to expect coming in to the book besides a few descriptions I had found about the book. Was I pleasantly surprised. R.F. Kaung takes us on the incredible journey of Rin (Runin), a young orphan from the township of Tikany. Throughout the book you see her grow and eventually grapple with the world around her and what must be done as war arrives. When you finally reach the conclusion of the book, Rin's growth is incredible. The ending feels well earned and will leave you wrestling with the choices that have been made and your personal feelings about them. An absolute page turner. I can't wait to see what happens in book #2, The Dragon Republic. 
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The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport

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adventurous tense medium-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

4.75

An incredible book. From start to finish Ms. Davenport does a wonderful job with everything. Every time I thought I had things fingured out, a new twist comes and shakes things up. War, prejudice, world building, powers and hellish training trials await, and I was never prepared for things turned out after each main event happens. The main character, Ikenna, is just incredible. She will take you through a full range of emotions as you cheer her on,  question her decisions, and at some points downright dislike her. The book is told from the main character's point of view, so we are privy to her thoughts about herself in those moments as well.


 This is the first part in a duology and I will be reading The Blood Gift, cause I need to see how this ends. 
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