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sydneysavior's reviews
44 reviews
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
1.75
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I am not usually one to write out an actual review, but this book was insultingly bad. It is portrayed as a more mature, dark, and brutal take on the classic trope of "fantasy magic school", but the only way the author seems to be able to sell it as "mature" is by killing characters off whenever she feels like it. The main character is allegedly a fully-grown twenty year old, but she speaks and acts as though she's thirteen and just learned what sex is.
Any time one of the male leads is present in a scene, you have to suffer through no less than three paragraphs about how badly the main character wants to have sex with them. The male leads themselves become caricatures of human beings, reduced to having exactly three character traits: the first is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-loving good boy. The second is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-hating bad boy.
These issues are made worse by the fact that there are genuinely some interesting ideas here! The dynamics of humans and dragons are cool to read about, and (light spoilers)The rebellion relics and forced conscription of the traitors' children is a really interesting concept, but it is wasted by the fact that it is mostly played through the character of Xaden, who, as previously mentioned, is an extremely dull character if you're interested in anything other than Violet.
Overall, I'm truly not convinced I read the same book as everyone else, and I am utterly confused as to how this managed to get 4.75 stars on this site.
Any time one of the male leads is present in a scene, you have to suffer through no less than three paragraphs about how badly the main character wants to have sex with them. The male leads themselves become caricatures of human beings, reduced to having exactly three character traits: the first is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-loving good boy. The second is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-hating bad boy.
These issues are made worse by the fact that there are genuinely some interesting ideas here! The dynamics of humans and dragons are cool to read about, and (light spoilers)
Overall, I'm truly not convinced I read the same book as everyone else, and I am utterly confused as to how this managed to get 4.75 stars on this site.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.75
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.25