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stuff_steph_reads's reviews
7 reviews
May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
3.5
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book highly exceeded my expectations and I really enjoyed it. It was a very fun, adventurous YA fantasy book.
I will admit I picked up this book because of BookTok, seeing everyone buy it so I just did too. I didn’t really know much about it or the author’s previous work so really pictured something different in my head.
But overall it was very enjoyable and a lot more lighthearted and adventurous than I expected. I really think this is a perfect YA fantasy for younger readers especially! (Although still an easy and enjoyable read for adults if they want something that’s a bit more sweeter in tone).
The character growth of the main character is really palpable and transfers to the writing incredibly well. At the start, she’s a little bit childish and immature, and this really comes through in the writing. But as the action starts to unfold, we really see how her character changes due to they events that happen and the struggles she goes through, and I really loved that.
The magic and world are also very well rounded, and I’ve never read a book that involves such a unique concept. But what I like most is that the world and magic isn’t too complex and is easy to grasp without over explanation or too many complex descriptors, but yet it’s still very authentic and engaging. I think again this is perfect for younger audiences or those that are beginners to the fantasy genre.
Overall I highly recommend this book, and I’m eagerly waiting for the 2nd book!
I will admit I picked up this book because of BookTok, seeing everyone buy it so I just did too. I didn’t really know much about it or the author’s previous work so really pictured something different in my head.
But overall it was very enjoyable and a lot more lighthearted and adventurous than I expected. I really think this is a perfect YA fantasy for younger readers especially! (Although still an easy and enjoyable read for adults if they want something that’s a bit more sweeter in tone).
The character growth of the main character is really palpable and transfers to the writing incredibly well. At the start, she’s a little bit childish and immature, and this really comes through in the writing. But as the action starts to unfold, we really see how her character changes due to they events that happen and the struggles she goes through, and I really loved that.
The magic and world are also very well rounded, and I’ve never read a book that involves such a unique concept. But what I like most is that the world and magic isn’t too complex and is easy to grasp without over explanation or too many complex descriptors, but yet it’s still very authentic and engaging. I think again this is perfect for younger audiences or those that are beginners to the fantasy genre.
Overall I highly recommend this book, and I’m eagerly waiting for the 2nd book!
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Easy-going friends to romance book, and a very quick read.
Some quite funny moments - loved that the football players all came together to write a game plan for the romance!
Some quite funny moments - loved that the football players all came together to write a game plan for the romance!
City of Thorns by C.N. Crawford
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An okay read, with many similarities to other popular books like ACOTAR, Kingdom of the Wicked, and A Touch of Darkness. A fantasy romance with a touch of spice.
You have a brooding demon who’s not what he seems, a feisty main female lead with a mystery to solve. And lots of sexual tension. The spice is minimal in the book though, but I feel the next one may have more.
Interesting world and concept, but both the characters and world felt a bit underdeveloped. I would have liked more depth, but I think the book kept things simpler to keep it fast paced and moving. Maybe we’ll get more in book 2, as this felt very much like an intro to more to come.
Overall this book did exceed my expectations, and the mystery left me very intrigued and questioning what was going on. Usually, a lot of books I can guess plot points or reveals but this one still has me wondering! I would have liked to see more character depth and development as I felt the characters did lack authenticity. I also didn’t like the females in the demon world, their portrayal as crazy and obsessed, and their putting against each other.
Overall a decent read though and I’ll likely be reading the 2nd book.
You have a brooding demon who’s not what he seems, a feisty main female lead with a mystery to solve. And lots of sexual tension. The spice is minimal in the book though, but I feel the next one may have more.
Interesting world and concept, but both the characters and world felt a bit underdeveloped. I would have liked more depth, but I think the book kept things simpler to keep it fast paced and moving. Maybe we’ll get more in book 2, as this felt very much like an intro to more to come.
Overall this book did exceed my expectations, and the mystery left me very intrigued and questioning what was going on. Usually, a lot of books I can guess plot points or reveals but this one still has me wondering! I would have liked to see more character depth and development as I felt the characters did lack authenticity. I also didn’t like the females in the demon world, their portrayal as crazy and obsessed, and their putting against each other.
Overall a decent read though and I’ll likely be reading the 2nd book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Gore, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
This is the 2nd time I’m reading this book. The first time, I loved it. The 2nd, I’m blown away by just how good it really is. I think the 2nd read through really allowed me to soak in all the details.
This is definitely an upper YA book, and covers many mature topics that both young and old can enjoy and dive into.
The 1st time I read this book, I did find the first half quite slow. It’s a large world, with a lot of different aspects, characters, magic systems and history. So be patient, and read carefully. The second half picks up and there’s so much action!! The 2nd time I read through, things moved faster and because I was familiar with the world, I picked up on a lot more.
The characters of this book are also phenomenal, the pain, character development, and tough situations they go through are intense but so poignant. Be careful to check trigger warnings. But also know this is a book I would encourage anyone to read. It’s diverse, covers the not so pretty history, and explore trauma and grief so beautifully.
And of course there’s also romance! And a small spoiler -we see the return of the love triangle trope, and it’s done sooooo well!!! I’m so excited for its development in book 2!
This is definitely an upper YA book, and covers many mature topics that both young and old can enjoy and dive into.
The 1st time I read this book, I did find the first half quite slow. It’s a large world, with a lot of different aspects, characters, magic systems and history. So be patient, and read carefully. The second half picks up and there’s so much action!! The 2nd time I read through, things moved faster and because I was familiar with the world, I picked up on a lot more.
The characters of this book are also phenomenal, the pain, character development, and tough situations they go through are intense but so poignant. Be careful to check trigger warnings. But also know this is a book I would encourage anyone to read. It’s diverse, covers the not so pretty history, and explore trauma and grief so beautifully.
And of course there’s also romance! And a small spoiler -
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, and Gore
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Rape
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
main character is spiked and assaulted at a club.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fun easy read with some spice and scandal. But nothing show stopping. I did enjoy it, and might continue with the series one day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Highly recommend for fans of: beach read (obvs), the love hypothesis, the road trip, or the friend zone.
A beautiful friends-to-lovers romance novel with amazing characters that have a great deal of palpable chemistry. I loved the development of their relationship and how it really started as a vibrant friendship and slowly evolved into something more with a steady increase of romantic tension. This is different from the stereotypical friends-to-lovers books which generally just have the characters pining over each other.
It’s a single POV book - usually I love a duel POV for romance books but this worked very well, and there was still enough character development with just the single POV. I also loved the clever use of a flashback timeline.
I also highly rate the “page-turn ability” of this book: it had me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down!
Overall rating: 95% / 5 stars 🙌🏻
A beautiful friends-to-lovers romance novel with amazing characters that have a great deal of palpable chemistry. I loved the development of their relationship and how it really started as a vibrant friendship and slowly evolved into something more with a steady increase of romantic tension. This is different from the stereotypical friends-to-lovers books which generally just have the characters pining over each other.
It’s a single POV book - usually I love a duel POV for romance books but this worked very well, and there was still enough character development with just the single POV. I also loved the clever use of a flashback timeline.
I also highly rate the “page-turn ability” of this book: it had me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down!
Overall rating: 95% / 5 stars 🙌🏻
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