sugaplumfairy28's reviews
151 reviews

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

dark sad slow-paced

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

2.0

I really struggled with this book. Not sure if my frame of my mind or if the book itself as I really enjoy Greek Mythology. Found it slow paced and went into too much detail in some places and not enough in others. I got confused easily. 

The Younglings: Fire & Magic by Helena M Craggs

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

This book carries on a year after the first one. I like that it goes into detail about things that happened in the first book but just to recap and also goes into details about the characters. About 18% the way through I thought what are you doing Quinn you are an idiot! I was yelling at the book. But things resolved themselves so I was happy again. There is a lot more action going on. Not only are the Spook Crew trying to do their jobs as Keepers, they are having to fight against evils that are coming for them. The reason for the 4 star is I am a little confused with what happens with Eloise. I don’t want to go into detail because of spoilers but it leaves me with the question: how is that possible, how will it work?I also have a lot of questions about couples in the books which I hope changes and becomes clearer in the next book. I was not expecting the ending though and I am itching to read the next in the series to find out what happens. It all kicked off in this one well it's going to heat up even more in the next one. 

Taken To The Hills by S J Richards

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? No

4.0

You're thrown straight into the action on the first page. Fast paced. Gripping and intense at times. Luke Sackville is a man trying to move on from the death of his wife but keeps being dragged back to it and then into a situation he was not expecting. Josh is such a character “Gucci”. He does make me chuckle. This was a cozy read as the phrases that were used were ones I regularly use which made me smile. I felt towards the end that it was rushed, it is a short book. Also a little unclear why Caroline did what she did. I was left with a question at the end: Dale had to be involved somehow right? The team under Luke are all unique and quirky. Would love to see what happens with the team in the next book. 

The Younglings: Shadows and Magic by Helena M Craggs

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

 I really enjoyed this book. You are thrown straight in by being informed that Quinn is a half-demon. The whole book is mainly from Quinn’s POV. It is about his journey on finding out he is a half-demon and what is expected of him. Also navigating his new powers as well as normal teenage life which he does struggle with from time to time. He has a team by his side that you find out about throughout the book and have a great name ‘Spook Crew’. There is a lot of character development and relationships formed. They are all unique and bring something to the table. Fast paced and gripping, I wanted to know what was going to happen. There is quite a lot going on with characters popping in and out throughout the story. Gave me Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight vibes with all the supernatural beings and elements of it all. Also nods to Charmed with the Book of Shadows. It doesn’t end on a huge cliffhanger but on questions and mysteries that need to be delved into further. Amazing start to the series. 

Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz

adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

4.0

 I really enjoyed the world building and especially the storyline of this. It is split into 4 people's POV mainly Cyran. The others are Sirra, Jaslin and Pravon. We don't have much from Pravon which I would of liked as he is an interesting character however I would like we will be seeing him alot more in the next book with how it ends on his part. Cyran comes across as an unlikely hero and rises to all the challenges he is given and more. I really did root for him! I was shocked about Garmeen but I have a feeling there might be more to the story there or it is twisted by the Traitor/Contact. It wraps up nicely but lives wanting to find out what happens. Jaslin is very independent strong ended woman and you don't want to mess with her. Mystery, high fantasy and suspense. Also can I DRAGONS! There are so many types of dragons that it feels like on brushed the surface with them. The magic is interesting and intriguing. Really good read. If want fantasy, mystery and love dragons it is one for you. 

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

I was recommended this and was a little apprehensive because of all the hyped. At first I wasn't sure about it. But once it got going it was a nice cozy read. My most enjoyable part was the confrontation with Fennus and the action/adventure side of it. Different to what is my usual read. Quick read. 

The Runners Revelation by Matthew Normand

challenging mysterious tense 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

The book as a really good descriptive storyline. Also the world building is so descriptive you feel like you could be there. I did struggle with the book at times but i was glad I pushed through.  Each Runner has their own unique personality and a backstory is given for them all. My favourite stories would have to be Onvi's and Ambia's. There is some violence and sometimes gory parts throughout the book. Chry is quite a unique character and leaving you rooting for the little guy and he does surprise you at the end. Also there is a question that I kept asking throughout the book (spoiler) is the necklace Chry have one of the gems they are looking for or is this coincidence. The book really amped up towards the end and is left on a cliffhanger. 

The Brittle Riders: Book Three by Bill McCormick

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? No

4.0

This follows 4 years after the battle with Yontar. All the brands are banding together now in peace. I do not want to give too much away with the review but it leads to interesting times on Arreti. There are issues with the Warters again but these are resolved. There are some spicy scenes throughout the book mainly at the end which is to be expected after the fighting that has been going. There are losses and casualties. There was more of a comedic tone through this novel I felt which was refreshing to read. It did become confusing at times and the ending I was a little puzzled as to why they were doing, which is set 30 years after the war. It is rounded up nicely. I really enjoyed reading the series and being immersed into the world of Arreti and wondering what the characters look like. Still nothing like I have read before. Gripping and enjoyable series to read. 

The Brittle Riders: Book Two by Bill McCormick

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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? No

4.0

This follows on 5 years after the first book. It has all the characters from the first book and more. I did have to refer to the appendix from the first as more brands get involved. It did get a little confusing at times as it flitted between a lot of the characters. It went more into depth about the characters and what they have done in the five years which is a lot. Also it was nice to see how they dealt with the Naradhama. Was gripped as before as this world is amazing. I am wondering what the brands actually look like when I am reading as they are all different and would be interesting to see what other people think. Ends on another cliffhanger and a ‘oh my god’ moment.

The Brittle Riders: Book One by Bill McCormick

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? No

4.0

First of all I would say this book is nothing like I have ever read before. This series intrigued me because I like Dystopian novels. This gave me Lord of the Ring vibes with how the ‘brands’ banded together against one enemy. There is a lot going on and it can get a little confusing at times but nothing is left unexplained. Great shout out to Bill McCormick to suggest reading the appendix first because it really does help understand the brands, places and terminology in the book, trust me you want to read it before you start and have it handy to refer back to as I did quite a few times. The characters you get invested into with the amount of detail that has been put into the book. Even the bad guys are intriguing and want to know about them.  There is some mention of SA so be mindful of this. The Brittle Riders are just a crazy bunch of unlikely brands brought together but the story is about all the Brands coming together I felt. The brands are all different and very intriguing to read about. I was not sure how this would carry on let alone a Trilogy but it is perfectfully clear how and you will want to read to find out what happens. I am not going to spoil it for you. Gripping and captivating. Amazing story line and world building. It is crazy that the world that is described used to be the world that we live in now.