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takarakeireads's reviews
531 reviews
Dark Night Golden Dawn by Allison Carr Waechter
emotional
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
3.25
For self-published fantasy romance this was, alright! A little cheesy, trope-y and cringe-y at parts but I feel like that's just how it goes when you're reading self-pub romantasy!
This is like Bridgerton dating politics but make it sci-fi-fantasy 'modern' and add in witches, vampires & immortal beings (plus more plot, there's other things going on).
The romance is second chance - they were kinda together in high school and then had a falling out for *Reasons*. I think you could technically say it's science fiction? cause it doesn't take place on earth and there's mention of the Illuminated (the ruling class for all intents and purposes) coming to this world as part of the lore. Was a little silly to read a world where the vampires are the villains from just having a background of reading lots of pro-vampire books lol.
I did appreciate the conversations around mental health, inclusive body sizes, and there are several queer characters (MC is Bi!) & one of her sisters is on the ace/aro spectrum. Our MC Harlow has def had some horrible past relationships, and has a lot of Trauma to work through so that is a big part of her story and journey.
Audio critique - unfortunately the narrator continually mispronounced several words including triptych (which is repeated quite often because of plot reasons) which was a bit grating to me.
I do think I will see how book two goes...
This is like Bridgerton dating politics but make it sci-fi-fantasy 'modern' and add in witches, vampires & immortal beings (plus more plot, there's other things going on).
The romance is second chance - they were kinda together in high school and then had a falling out for *Reasons*. I think you could technically say it's science fiction? cause it doesn't take place on earth and there's mention of the Illuminated (the ruling class for all intents and purposes) coming to this world as part of the lore. Was a little silly to read a world where the vampires are the villains from just having a background of reading lots of pro-vampire books lol.
I did appreciate the conversations around mental health, inclusive body sizes, and there are several queer characters (MC is Bi!) & one of her sisters is on the ace/aro spectrum. Our MC Harlow has def had some horrible past relationships, and has a lot of Trauma to work through so that is a big part of her story and journey.
Audio critique - unfortunately the narrator continually mispronounced several words including triptych (which is repeated quite often because of plot reasons) which was a bit grating to me.
I do think I will see how book two goes...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug abuse and Lesbophobia
animal cruelty: MC's ex kept her cat and neglects it
The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott
dark
medium-paced
3.0
This was a bit of a letdown because I found the initial premise of this book to be intriguing. Nicole is searching through a collection of mythological art that unbeknownst to the general population is based on real mythological beings - super cool! I even looked up some of the paintings referenced, and as someone who studied art history I liked that aspect.
However, the execution fell flat. I found the worldbuilding to be confusing (granted I did do it on audio) like I did not for a while understand if Nicole was a different kind of being than Kyan and why it really mattered? There's also this central mystery about her mother's murder, which she's searching through the art collection for clues on - but at a certain point I kinda lost interest in the whole thing. The pacing being weird also didn't help.
The romance was also kind of whatever to me. I've seen this labeled as YA (like I got this in the Fairyloot YA box??) but it's fairy spicy... so to me doesn't read as YA.
However, the execution fell flat. I found the worldbuilding to be confusing (granted I did do it on audio) like I did not for a while understand if Nicole was a different kind of being than Kyan and why it really mattered? There's also this central mystery about her mother's murder, which she's searching through the art collection for clues on - but at a certain point I kinda lost interest in the whole thing. The pacing being weird also didn't help.
The romance was also kind of whatever to me. I've seen this labeled as YA (like I got this in the Fairyloot YA box??) but it's fairy spicy... so to me doesn't read as YA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Death, Gore, and Torture
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was not into the amount of hunting in this book :/
spice was good and otherwise I did like the couple together. I also felt like we didn't get much more worldbuilding or larger plot development for the humans on this planet since the couple spent most of the book hiding in a cave.
the whole getting pregnant and just kinda shrugging your shoulders when she was like 'idk if i even want kids' thing is pretty wild tho.....
spice was good and otherwise I did like the couple together. I also felt like we didn't get much more worldbuilding or larger plot development for the humans on this planet since the couple spent most of the book hiding in a cave.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexism, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Opal's start in this book is a little cringe and anxiety driven, and the whole lottery plotline is a little silly - but if you just take those things at face value and get into the relationship side of this book I enjoyed it! Sapphic romances have really been a struggle for me recently - I haven't found that I understand why the MCs are truly into each other beyond just a sexual attraction. But I thought the development of Opal and Pepper's relationship more realistic. Both MC's go on a journey of learning to trust each other because of past partner/family dynamics - and to me that felt very authentic. I've I think only read one other (non queer) book by this author but I find that Mazey is really good at writing complex well-rounded characters that have real, relatable struggles to overcome on their journeys to love.
- neurodivergent rep
- forced proximity
- sexual awakening
- grumpy/sunshine
- complex parental dynamics
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Ableism and Infidelity
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
funny
reflective
medium-paced
I don't read a ton of memoirs but I really enjoyed especially listening to Kelly's narration of her story. As a long time Gilmore Girls fan I obviously loved hearing more about her experience working on that show, but Kelly's whole career is fascinating! She is also super funny, and that really comes across in her narration! I have even more respect for Kelly after listening to her story, she is an ICON!
I'd also recommend this to anyone interested in a dancer's memoir because that's how she started before making her transition to acting.
I'd also recommend this to anyone interested in a dancer's memoir because that's how she started before making her transition to acting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, and Drug use
Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee, Fonda Lee
adventurous
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
4.0
Honestly a breath of fresh air in YA fantasy! This is a must read if you're at all interested in martial arts, and obviously Bruce Lee.
Jun goes on a little quest to get to a major martial arts tournament to determine who will become the next Guardian of the scroll (an ancient text of wisdom) and advisor to the emperor. Along the way he learns to expand his mind and fighting skills in different styles. You really root for Jun on his journey.
I was most intrigued by the politics of the west vs east and I'm looking forward to having more of that in the sequel & seeing how that plays out. I was honestly wanting to get more into the politics side of the plot, so I hope it's done well in the sequel. But that's also me as someone who is not a *big* fight scene person - there are a lot of them in this book, but that's the point! I do think they're well written for sure.
The part at the end where Jun is forced to flee really was giving Elphaba in Wicked :(
Jun goes on a little quest to get to a major martial arts tournament to determine who will become the next Guardian of the scroll (an ancient text of wisdom) and advisor to the emperor. Along the way he learns to expand his mind and fighting skills in different styles. You really root for Jun on his journey.
I was most intrigued by the politics of the west vs east and I'm looking forward to having more of that in the sequel & seeing how that plays out. I was honestly wanting to get more into the politics side of the plot, so I hope it's done well in the sequel. But that's also me as someone who is not a *big* fight scene person - there are a lot of them in this book, but that's the point! I do think they're well written for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Xenophobia
Minor: Vomit and War
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
WHERE ARE THE GOOD SAPPHIC CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES????
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
another person who prefers the movie :')
For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga
adventurous
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
3.5
I liked this, but it didn't blow me away. I felt the character development was a tad rushed and so the shift in the main character was a bit unbelievable to me. I also think I have mixed feelings about using flashbacks as plot devices, especially when it comes to romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Excrement
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
4.0
Ok here's the thing... I was under the impression that this book would be more of a closing chapter on the first arc of Stormlight Archive and when that's NOT what this book was I was left feeling a bit... underwhelmed? or I supposed unmoored in the right word.
Obviously this series is insanely good, and Brandon's a genius for being able to write it. But WAT was the slowest pacing of the 5 books so far imo. Especially since it's slightly longer than the others, I felt a lot of the time that we were just treading water? Like, do I appreciate the depth of detail and history for this world? yes! But do I also feel like it slowed down the book? yes.
SPOILERS FR:I love Szeth as a character so I was very happy to get his backstory and more in general from his character. I was also happy Adolin got a bigger role in this book cause I've felt in past books he wasn't as big of a character so it was nice to spend time with him. Rlain and Renarin *heart eye emoji* 4 eva! (though I hope we continue to see more queer relationships as the series continues!). I was delulu about Dalinar making it out alive, but this whole Blackthorn thing is interesting.
Idk maybe if I had gone into the book knowing it was just the 5th book in a 10 book series I'd have approached it differently, but to me it definitely has middle-series-book-syndrome. I do feel that inevitably when I reread books 1-5 in preparation for the next books, I might enjoy this better on a re-read.
Obviously this series is insanely good, and Brandon's a genius for being able to write it. But WAT was the slowest pacing of the 5 books so far imo. Especially since it's slightly longer than the others, I felt a lot of the time that we were just treading water? Like, do I appreciate the depth of detail and history for this world? yes! But do I also feel like it slowed down the book? yes.
SPOILERS FR:
Idk maybe if I had gone into the book knowing it was just the 5th book in a 10 book series I'd have approached it differently, but to me it definitely has middle-series-book-syndrome. I do feel that inevitably when I reread books 1-5 in preparation for the next books, I might enjoy this better on a re-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Sexual content