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tbrthatneverends's reviews
16 reviews
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
I'm convinced this is the best book of the series. And I don't even need to read the others to know that.
There is a bit of a slowburn in this book! Rhys x Feyre >>> Tamlin x Feyre
The found family aspect and the reveal that Rhys is really just a big sweetie in disguise (this happens fairly early on) were some of the best bits of the book. and the slowburn was fun too! the best scene of this entire book was definitely the court of nightmares bit. also probably the best thing I'll read in this entire series lol
However:
-writing was just as bad as before (new repetition of "vulgar gesture" and if I see it again in another book I might cry)
- thefated mates part imo took away from the story. It was fun when I thought it was a conscious decision, not "fate". Also if the repetion of the word mate is worse in the next one I might just DNF
-somehow the complicated bits got more complicated. and we added more even more complicated bits. everything is just so complicated.
-while it wasn't exactly a 180 it was definitely a 90 degree turn in the wrong direction for Tamlin's character. By the end of this book I truly felt as though 80% of the first book was entirely pointless and the whole thing could've (should've) just been one book of the same length as this one. I hate how he just got shit on to make Rhys look better.
TL;DR:
this book better than the last, but not by much! still very much the ultimate teenage fantasy (just not done well imo!!) also the first book was basically useless!!
There is a bit of a slowburn in this book! Rhys x Feyre >>> Tamlin x Feyre
The found family aspect and the reveal that Rhys is really just a big sweetie in disguise (this happens fairly early on) were some of the best bits of the book. and the slowburn was fun too! the best scene of this entire book was definitely the court of nightmares bit. also probably the best thing I'll read in this entire series lol
However:
-writing was just as bad as before (new repetition of "vulgar gesture" and if I see it again in another book I might cry)
- the
-somehow the complicated bits got more complicated. and we added more even more complicated bits. everything is just so complicated.
-while it wasn't exactly a 180 it was definitely a 90 degree turn in the wrong direction for Tamlin's character. By the end of this book I truly felt as though 80% of the first book was entirely pointless and the whole thing could've (should've) just been one book of the same length as this one. I hate how he just got shit on to make Rhys look better.
TL;DR:
this book better than the last, but not by much! still very much the ultimate teenage fantasy (just not done well imo!!) also the first book was basically useless!!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
People who read this book (and the rest of the series) seem to either absolutely love it, or absolutely hate it. However, I am firmly in the middle of the road.
I liked some of the characters (Lucien and Alis), but found a few of them (*cough* Feyre *cough*) to be boring tbh. I thought the big twist was interesting, although not original at all and I guessed it before it was revealed. I liked how it kept me captivated enough to finish in one sitting.
The writing style was... interesting. A bit too much repetition for me (her mouth went dry like 1000 times) and also the use of some... creative phrases (my bowels turned watery 🤢). But otherwise it was okay.
The worldbuilding was probably the best part of the book. although honestly it sort of felt like a child came up with it (like when you were little and pretending to have magic and you wanna be the most powerful of your friends so you go "I can control water!! but also fire, wind, animals... everything!!" it was kinda like that, but more new adult.) just because there are SO many elements and powers and courts and aspects to everything.
But I hated Feyre's horrendously obvious plot armor. I hated how easy it is for her to do things that (according to other faerie characters) should be impossible. I hated the sheer absurdity of some thingslike the ending? I really hate the resurrection trope ngl The character development is also just plain bad.
TL;DR:
This is not a well written book. In fact, there are probably more bad elements than good. However, it tapped into my inner child; that piece of me that wanted to be the most powerful, badass, beautiful being. And that was enough to keep me reading!
I liked some of the characters (Lucien and Alis), but found a few of them (*cough* Feyre *cough*) to be boring tbh. I thought the big twist was interesting, although not original at all and I guessed it before it was revealed. I liked how it kept me captivated enough to finish in one sitting.
The writing style was... interesting. A bit too much repetition for me (her mouth went dry like 1000 times) and also the use of some... creative phrases (my bowels turned watery 🤢). But otherwise it was okay.
The worldbuilding was probably the best part of the book. although honestly it sort of felt like a child came up with it (like when you were little and pretending to have magic and you wanna be the most powerful of your friends so you go "I can control water!! but also fire, wind, animals... everything!!" it was kinda like that, but more new adult.) just because there are SO many elements and powers and courts and aspects to everything.
But I hated Feyre's horrendously obvious plot armor. I hated how easy it is for her to do things that (according to other faerie characters) should be impossible. I hated the sheer absurdity of some things
TL;DR:
This is not a well written book. In fact, there are probably more bad elements than good. However, it tapped into my inner child; that piece of me that wanted to be the most powerful, badass, beautiful being. And that was enough to keep me reading!
Off the Clock by Roni Loren
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
this book was fun!! other than the one scene which made me a bit uncomfortable the wine bottle scene, not because its absurd but because I was worried the bottle would break the whole time lol
I love that our MCs are upfront about their expectations, open and honest with each other, and that all the trauma doesn't magically disappear when they get together!! i also appreciate how at the end someone actually gets professional help. we love a healthy relationship!!
I love that our MCs are upfront about their expectations, open and honest with each other, and that all the trauma doesn't magically disappear when they get together!! i also appreciate how at the end someone actually gets professional help. we love a healthy relationship!!
A Ruin of Roses by K.F. Breene
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
I hated this. so uncomfortable. I don't consider myself a prude but the amount of swearing + cringy insults + even cringier lines (speaking to a non-existent audience, really? also, the horrendous amount of shame-sex talk? really??) I just couldn't do it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
I liked this book WAY more than the first one. despite both books having the same general formula (man with daddy issues finds woman he thinks is attractive but won't marry her because said issues make him think he's unworthy of her love, then he's forced to marry her after he loses control and ruins her. queue 1000 instances of miscommunication ), these characters have personality!!! it makes it way more enjoyable that way, despite how annoyed I was with the constant use of the miscommunication trope. I actually enjoyed some scenes equally to the show, which i LOVE, like kate's fear of storms (SPECIFICALLY the library scene), her relationship with Mary, and all the Newton scenes!!
however, -2 stars for overuse of miscommunication (can you tell I hate when this trope is overused yet?) and having a super generic formula
however, -2 stars for overuse of miscommunication (can you tell I hate when this trope is overused yet?) and having a super generic formula
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexism
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
lighthearted
medium-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
1.5
The book was just alright until *that scene*. I personally found Daphne's monologue to be really gross in the way she justifies it to herself. it also felt much more premeditated here than in the show. the show could've genuinely been an accident compared to this.
Otherwise, for me it was just pretty boring. I find these books lack a lot of personality compared to the show. the show is better imo, and there are better romance novels out there.
Otherwise, for me it was just pretty boring. I find these books lack a lot of personality compared to the show. the show is better imo, and there are better romance novels out there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexism
Minor: Violence and Alcohol