talyasoytas's reviews
212 reviews

Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

adventurous medium-paced

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

2.0

I do NOT know where things went wrong but the whole series’ character development and tension building went up in flames here. I was happy to be getting more of Harristan’s POV, but the balance of that with Tessa and Corrick was so off that I’d get madly bored of one before we switched to the other. 

It felt like nothing happened at all for the majority of the book and then at the end, like the last 30%, we had to go and wrap everything up. Some love stories needed more time, some conflicts needed better resolutions. The only saving grace was the friendships that we got that were bolstered here and there but the overall story was a let down :(

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The first one was a lot more unique and memorable in my opinion, but this was a good time too

Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer

funny lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Super fun, super sweet, no extra dramatics needed. I did feel like it might not be the most memorable romance I have ever read though? Time will tell.

Timbuktu by Paul Auster

funny hopeful sad 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 am so glad that I finally got to this book. Timbuktu follows Mr. Bones, a dog, through a portion of his life, and tells his story and relationships with people, the human world and nature. Sometimes full of humor, other times incredibly tragic, this account from a dog’s point of view was moving and entertaining. It made me remember that our little friends may understand more than we can know, and to cherish our moments with them.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

2.5

I sadly found all the twists wildly predictable and even the small details that I didn’t foresee did not do a lot to make things interesting.

I thought there could be a better story if any of the other characters was the main POV, but overall I cared little for Lynette. 

It might be alright for an entry level thriller enthusiast but I think I need a little more.

Did like the language and narrative though, so will give other books by this author a try.

Dune by Frank Herbert

adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

I am SO glad I started reading this after I saw the movies, not because it would’ve been hard to picture by just reading, but because the narrative was paced a little oddly for me to read very fluidly. 

The world of Arrakis was built out amazingly, and I really enjoyed the very detailed dialogue scenes where we got to see into the thoughts of everyone present. Yes, that slowed down the story a little, but it gave me so much perspective into character motives and backstories that the movies naturally couldn’t.

I felt that the last bit of the book was a bit rushed, thus my issue with pacing. Other than that though, I really enjoyed deep diving into this world and am looking forward to the next book.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

In this book, we follow our protagonist in a dual POV and timeline tale where one feels like a utopic, slightly unhinged world, and the other his mundane world albeit including some quizzical professions and that gets more and more fantastical as the book continues. 

The world building was interesting and captivating in its strangeness. I found many details that kept my attention and intrigued me. Murakami also manages to create a sense of place very vividly without being wordy.

The book brought with it some contemplation of life tragectory, meaning of life, consciousness and mortality, which I highly enjoyed.

I will say that I was taken out of the narrative multiple times due to fat-phobic and misogynistic remarks by the character. I first thought it was a trait of this already weird protagonist, but later learned that Murakami tends to have such characters and narratives in his books so I am conflicted as to if I want to read another one of his works.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

This was a really fun Beauty and the Beast retelling! I devoured it in one night. It was amazing to read about a heroine that had a disability and was strong with it, not despite it. Action scenes and character building was great. I enjoyed the romance as well, however I’ll be curious to see how a specific character’s story will continue as I am very curious about him.

Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I am so glad for this story on Lift and her discovery of her powers. It was refreshing as the point of view was a younger person, not very articulate of her powers or the world, so it felt like we put the puzzle pieces back together alongside her. 
I was very intrigued by some of the characters introduced here that I am sure will make an appearance in Oathbringer. If you have a second to spare between Stormlight Archive books, I highly recommend not skipping this novella.

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

Solid romance! Fizzy as a character was so lively, multi-dimentional and strong. I really liked the chemistry built between her and the hero. Honestly, it was a unique and very entertaining little romance!