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the_library_of_mary's reviews
130 reviews
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
I got this book as "mystery book" gift set for my birthday. I have seen it trending online for a while now, but it never seemed to pique my interest enough to get it on my own. I was in between books and decided to pick this up and see what the hype was about.
I found the first half of this book annoying and the second half interesting. In the beginning I REALLY disliked Cardan. Now obviously I'm aware that this series has the "Enemies to Lovers" trope and honestly that's my bread and butter. But there was something so juvenile and annoying about Cardan that made me really hate reading his scenes. Jude is a nice narrator to have as not only a mortal in a Faerie world, but because she is emotionally motivated. It leads to many good scenes where her emotions (mostly anger) get the better of her and really showcase the world and the reality she is living in.
As the book unravels and the plot turns from schoolyard bullying to something more, I began to get more engaged. The cast of characters and the politic scheming intrigued me and I started to get excited about where the story was going. Because I started getting really into it in the later half, I felt like it ended to soon and I wanted more. But that's just me being biased, I think it left off at a good place for the series as a whole.
I really enjoy the complicated relationship between Jude and Madoc. This blend of captor/victim, Father/Daughter, General/Soilder. It's so messy and I LOVE how Jude expresses these complicated feelings in the book. She is conflicted and I think that it's honestly the only way she can feel.
I will continue the series, the plot hook at the end has made me curious. I'll be interested to see how Jude and Cardan's dynamic changes as the story progresses.
I had a bad feeling about Locke from the beginning and had a suspicion that he was Taryn's lover the whole time. He was just to conveniently perfect, and nobody that's actually nice lets people get bullied for that long. He was fake and a dick. I agree with Madoc that he doesn't deserve Jude or Taryn.
TARYN! Girl! Locke is an asshole, why do you keep choosing other people beside your literal twin sister, the only other people that fully gets it. Like I understand they don't always see eye to eye and are different people, but come on. You're gonna choose the dude that was making out with your sister in front of you as a "test" over Jude? The girl who has been trying to stand up for the both of you the whole time. I have been spoiled enough to know there is a lot of Taryn hate in the fandom, but I don't know exactly why. I hope she doesn't get worse than this....but I feel like she does.
I also had a bad feeling about Dain, the nice guys like that always have ulterior motives and hidden darkness. Like, I'd rather have someone be an asshole to my face, than hide it behind smiles. I had spoiled about him being Oak's real father, but the reveal was still good.
I found the first half of this book annoying and the second half interesting. In the beginning I REALLY disliked Cardan. Now obviously I'm aware that this series has the "Enemies to Lovers" trope and honestly that's my bread and butter. But there was something so juvenile and annoying about Cardan that made me really hate reading his scenes. Jude is a nice narrator to have as not only a mortal in a Faerie world, but because she is emotionally motivated. It leads to many good scenes where her emotions (mostly anger) get the better of her and really showcase the world and the reality she is living in.
As the book unravels and the plot turns from schoolyard bullying to something more, I began to get more engaged. The cast of characters and the politic scheming intrigued me and I started to get excited about where the story was going. Because I started getting really into it in the later half, I felt like it ended to soon and I wanted more. But that's just me being biased, I think it left off at a good place for the series as a whole.
I really enjoy the complicated relationship between Jude and Madoc. This blend of captor/victim, Father/Daughter, General/Soilder. It's so messy and I LOVE how Jude expresses these complicated feelings in the book. She is conflicted and I think that it's honestly the only way she can feel.
I will continue the series, the plot hook at the end has made me curious. I'll be interested to see how Jude and Cardan's dynamic changes as the story progresses.
TARYN! Girl! Locke is an asshole, why do you keep choosing other people beside your literal twin sister, the only other people that fully gets it. Like I understand they don't always see eye to eye and are different people, but come on. You're gonna choose the dude that was making out with your sister in front of you as a "test" over Jude? The girl who has been trying to stand up for the both of you the whole time. I have been spoiled enough to know there is a lot of Taryn hate in the fandom, but I don't know exactly why. I hope she doesn't get worse than this....but I feel like she does.
I also had a bad feeling about Dain, the nice guys like that always have ulterior motives and hidden darkness. Like, I'd rather have someone be an asshole to my face, than hide it behind smiles. I had spoiled about him being Oak's real father, but the reveal was still good.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
A fantasy girl raised in a library with living books unravels a super scary demon plot with dreamy mr.magic man.
This book was a fun fantasy with a female lead that I LOVED. Elisabeth is so endearing and charming. She a larger girl that becomes a badass with a sword, and they really point out that yes she is larger than some men so yes, she can wield this badass sword against monsters and stand a chance. She had enough sense to understand what was going on with the plot and discovering the secrets without seeming like a super robot genius or a complete idiot. She just was a well written and well rounded female characters, which can sometimes be hard to find in fantasy.
The premise of a girl raised in a magic library surrounded by these grimoires that are more like living creatures than just objects, caught my interest. The magic system as a whole was fun and I loved the amount of history and lore that was in the story, for it being a standalone text.
Some people might call this a "romantasy" but I would call this a fantasy with romance. Elisabeth and Nathaniel have a slow burn love story that I was eating up. It felt natural and it wasn't the entire premise of the book, which stayed focused on the main plot line. The romance was like a little fluff around the edges, but I really like them together. Again it felt natural. I feel like a lot of romantasy books get into the romance superrrrr quick, this was nice.
SILASSSSSS, YOU BETTER BE BACK. I got scared there at the end, but I will be believing that he was summoned again and he is free and everyone is happy and friends.
I know there is a novella out so I will definitely be reading to see where this story continues.
This book was a fun fantasy with a female lead that I LOVED. Elisabeth is so endearing and charming. She a larger girl that becomes a badass with a sword, and they really point out that yes she is larger than some men so yes, she can wield this badass sword against monsters and stand a chance. She had enough sense to understand what was going on with the plot and discovering the secrets without seeming like a super robot genius or a complete idiot. She just was a well written and well rounded female characters, which can sometimes be hard to find in fantasy.
The premise of a girl raised in a magic library surrounded by these grimoires that are more like living creatures than just objects, caught my interest. The magic system as a whole was fun and I loved the amount of history and lore that was in the story, for it being a standalone text.
Some people might call this a "romantasy" but I would call this a fantasy with romance. Elisabeth and Nathaniel have a slow burn love story that I was eating up. It felt natural and it wasn't the entire premise of the book, which stayed focused on the main plot line. The romance was like a little fluff around the edges, but I really like them together. Again it felt natural. I feel like a lot of romantasy books get into the romance superrrrr quick, this was nice.
I know there is a novella out so I will definitely be reading to see where this story continues.
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For the length of this book, the character development and world building packs a punch. As someone who loves lore and the details of a fantasy world, this book used every line to get across how this world functions without huge blocks of text.
Based on Polish folklore and set in current day Chicago, it was very successful in combining a modern setting and fantasy, which most of the time I feel like is done unsuccessfully. The characters had such distinct personalities and their motives, even when unknown, were clear. The story flowed and made sense.
Definitely a good read if you need a short fantasy book to get you out of a slump.
Dymitr' being a holy knight I saw coming, I did not see coming the fact that he was the one that killed Ala's family and that he had actually had a friendship with her cousin. I thought his motive of finding Baba Yaga was going to be revenge, but it being punishment was so much better. He was tragic and sweet and touching on his complicated relationship with his family, I felt my heart pull. I just wanted to give him a hug the whole book.
Ala was also a good character and seeing her from the beginning really solidified the perspective that these are not just creatures but they are living beings. Even in her most "monstrous" moments, you never doubt her humanity.
I saw people complain that Dymitr and Nico didn't have this crazy fleshed out romance, and I disagree completely. This whole story takes place over the course of a few days and the two of them meet halfway into this story. They don't have the literal time for the grand magical romance, and I don't think this is the book for it. There is a spark of interest and a pull of attraction, there clearly could be something there. I thought that was perfect for this story, leaving it open ended and a little honest.
Based on Polish folklore and set in current day Chicago, it was very successful in combining a modern setting and fantasy, which most of the time I feel like is done unsuccessfully. The characters had such distinct personalities and their motives, even when unknown, were clear. The story flowed and made sense.
Definitely a good read if you need a short fantasy book to get you out of a slump.
Ala was also a good character and seeing her from the beginning really solidified the perspective that these are not just creatures but they are living beings. Even in her most "monstrous" moments, you never doubt her humanity.
I saw people complain that Dymitr and Nico didn't have this crazy fleshed out romance, and I disagree completely. This whole story takes place over the course of a few days and the two of them meet halfway into this story. They don't have the literal time for the grand magical romance, and I don't think this is the book for it. There is a spark of interest and a pull of attraction, there clearly could be something there. I thought that was perfect for this story, leaving it open ended and a little honest.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
I saw this book recommended for anyone that loves "Six of Crows" and as a sucker for the found family trope, I immediately bought it.
There are six main characters and each chapter has a different one of them narrate. Being able to read chapters in the perspective of the characters really gave them depth and let the reader in on some of their more personal thoughts and motives that they weren't sharing with the rest of the group. And secrets are a HUGE thing in this book, and how thinking someone is keeping a secret from you can convince you of things that may not be true.
The characters all were lovable and fully realized, all having goo and bad things about them. I enjoyed reading every single character, I didn't really have a favorite. I found them all engaging. The book starts with them being in pairs and then leads up to the group getting all together. You can see the ground work for some relationships, but I'll be interested to see if any of them actually pan out because all of them have a "thorn" in them that could cause issues.
There was a little romance in this book, but I wouldn't say it has full "spice" scenes. I thought it was just enough to get across the vibe. The book does not shy away from talking about sex, but it didn't contain fully detailed sex scenes.
OMG Aeri, I did NOT see the plot twist coming that she was the daughter of King Joon. I just assumed that she was the disappointing daughter of some other noble, but I guess that was probably the point haha.
I'll be curious to see if Euyn is actually a bastard or not, it seems like his relationship with his mother was a tense one so I don't know if I fully believe it. I also am curious to see if the relics really do have a bloodline tie to them. Because the point that it could just be a story to keep others from trying to steal the crown also makes sense.
Royo and Aeri have my heart and I felt so bad for Royo during the last scene. His feelings of betrayal after just opening up to her, ugh my hearth. Don't worry, she loves you! Get it through your skull.
TIyung and Sora. I like them, but I'm not like super super crazy about them. I really love Sora and think her motivations are so strong. Her character is so tragically beautiful to me and I really love reading her chapters. She has such a strength that is easily overlooked because it is not a physical strength. I want her to be happy, and would be okay with Tiyung, but I think a future living free with her sister is what would really accomplish that.
The book leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am very excited to read the next one.
There are six main characters and each chapter has a different one of them narrate. Being able to read chapters in the perspective of the characters really gave them depth and let the reader in on some of their more personal thoughts and motives that they weren't sharing with the rest of the group. And secrets are a HUGE thing in this book, and how thinking someone is keeping a secret from you can convince you of things that may not be true.
The characters all were lovable and fully realized, all having goo and bad things about them. I enjoyed reading every single character, I didn't really have a favorite. I found them all engaging. The book starts with them being in pairs and then leads up to the group getting all together. You can see the ground work for some relationships, but I'll be interested to see if any of them actually pan out because all of them have a "thorn" in them that could cause issues.
There was a little romance in this book, but I wouldn't say it has full "spice" scenes. I thought it was just enough to get across the vibe. The book does not shy away from talking about sex, but it didn't contain fully detailed sex scenes.
I'll be curious to see if Euyn is actually a bastard or not, it seems like his relationship with his mother was a tense one so I don't know if I fully believe it. I also am curious to see if the relics really do have a bloodline tie to them. Because the point that it could just be a story to keep others from trying to steal the crown also makes sense.
Royo and Aeri have my heart and I felt so bad for Royo during the last scene. His feelings of betrayal after just opening up to her, ugh my hearth. Don't worry, she loves you! Get it through your skull.
TIyung and Sora. I like them, but I'm not like super super crazy about them. I really love Sora and think her motivations are so strong. Her character is so tragically beautiful to me and I really love reading her chapters. She has such a strength that is easily overlooked because it is not a physical strength. I want her to be happy, and would be okay with Tiyung, but I think a future living free with her sister is what would really accomplish that.
The book leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am very excited to read the next one.
The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.5
This is a Mulan retelling where the main characters greed and desire for more is the main focus. The author says that she wrote this in contradiction to Disney's Mulan, where she gets everything in the end. The fame, the glory, the love, and the return to a home of happiness.
Mei Lin as a narrator was amazing to read about, she had an honest and real vibe to her and owned up to when she was doing things purely for herself. To escape a forced marriage and her opium addicted father, she goes undercover and joins the imperial army disguised as a man. She meets Prince Sky who helps her train to keep up with the other men and rise within the ranks.
While this is happening, there is a fantasy aspect of the story with powerful spirits and an enemy kingdom that is planning an attack.
Lei was a fun character and I'm always a sucker for the second male lead, but we didn't get to much love triangle vibes, maybe its coming more in the next book? The water dragon spirit was fun, but I found myself getting confused with the fantasy aspect, but that may very well be because i was listening to this while doing other things.
The ending was amazing! Sad and awful, but amazing. How she was caged up and names a traitor after saving everyone, when all she wanted was to be free? The history text saying she was a spy and reducing her to a traitorous whore, ugh so painful but was a great way to end the book.
Mei Lin as a narrator was amazing to read about, she had an honest and real vibe to her and owned up to when she was doing things purely for herself. To escape a forced marriage and her opium addicted father, she goes undercover and joins the imperial army disguised as a man. She meets Prince Sky who helps her train to keep up with the other men and rise within the ranks.
While this is happening, there is a fantasy aspect of the story with powerful spirits and an enemy kingdom that is planning an attack.
The ending was amazing! Sad and awful, but amazing. How she was caged up and names a traitor after saving everyone, when all she wanted was to be free? The history text saying she was a spy and reducing her to a traitorous whore, ugh so painful but was a great way to end the book.
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Another ICB re-read. Liz and Raahosh are definitely an upgrade from Georgie and Vektal, but maybe I'm just biased. The banter between the two is great. Liz's brashness mixed with Rashosh's stubbornness is fun to read.
Their plot line has a bit more drama ( which sounds funny cause in the first book they are literally stranded) but we meet the rest of the tribe and set the time of the setting for the rest of the books.
These two truly are some of my faves. And again, I read these books for fun. Some of the spicy scenes are good, but overall its fun characters in a fun world.
Their plot line has a bit more drama ( which sounds funny cause in the first book they are literally stranded) but we meet the rest of the tribe and set the time of the setting for the rest of the books.
These two truly are some of my faves. And again, I read these books for fun. Some of the spicy scenes are good, but overall its fun characters in a fun world.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to the graphic audio version of this book and it is how I plan on listening to all these books going forward.
I enjoyed the first book, even though I had heard some people say it was overhyped. This book was also enjoyable, but I saw people online saying it wasn't anything special. I thought that this book had a lot of set up and was laying ground work to some plot points that will be coming later down the road. I have seen that this is planned to be a 5 book series, so this is exactly how I would assume the second of five books to read.
Violet is a fun narrator. At times she gets a little "typical female lead-y" but overall I enjoy seeing this story through her eyes. Because she is an intelligent character, it allows a lot of lore and world building to show up and be explored which is my favorite part of these type of stories.
Xaden is one of my fave ML at the moment. Perfect amount of simp while still keeping the enemies to lovers vibe that I enjoyed so much in the first book. Obviously Violet and Xaden have realized their feelings for each other.I got a little tired of their fights because it was literally the same fight over and over and over. I know that they kept getting interrupted, but still. It was incredibly frustrating Because both these characters are very stubborn, it leads to interesting bickering, but it almost got to be to much by the end of it. Adding in Cat's character and the whole arranged marriage story to bring in jealousy wasn't really my jam, but as bad as it sounds I liked that her character didnt give a shit about Xaden it was about getting the crown.
Fourth Wing team friendships are so fun to read and I love this team of characters that care so much for each other.
Overall this book at darker scenes and steamier scenes than I was expecting, but I enjoyed the setup and cliffhangers in the story (Xaden as a venin noooooooooooooo . I'm excited to see where the next book leads.
I enjoyed the first book, even though I had heard some people say it was overhyped. This book was also enjoyable, but I saw people online saying it wasn't anything special. I thought that this book had a lot of set up and was laying ground work to some plot points that will be coming later down the road. I have seen that this is planned to be a 5 book series, so this is exactly how I would assume the second of five books to read.
Violet is a fun narrator. At times she gets a little "typical female lead-y" but overall I enjoy seeing this story through her eyes. Because she is an intelligent character, it allows a lot of lore and world building to show up and be explored which is my favorite part of these type of stories.
Xaden is one of my fave ML at the moment. Perfect amount of simp while still keeping the enemies to lovers vibe that I enjoyed so much in the first book. Obviously Violet and Xaden have realized their feelings for each other.
Fourth Wing team friendships are so fun to read and I love this team of characters that care so much for each other.
Overall this book at darker scenes and steamier scenes than I was expecting, but I enjoyed the setup and cliffhangers in the story (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, War
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
So I was one of the people that picked up this series during covid after seeing it go viral on TikTok. I then proceeded to read the ENTIRE series on the subway to work. When the new special editions came out I bought them all and decided it was time for a re-read.
These books are good fun, nothing to series. It's an easy book to read and enjoy for what it is at face value.
Georgie and Vektal have never been my favorite couple, but they are the classic main couple of this series. They get the whole thing going, taking charge of the women being stranded on the ice planet and the choices that happen. They have the classic tropes of not speaking the same language, trying to communicate, trying to help their people. It sets up for the whole series. You meet all the other women and bachelors and get to experience some of the common tropes between these books.
I really enjoyed how they included the epilogue and the honeymoon novella in the book, so it has all of Georgie's and Vektal's stories in one place.
Also this goes without saying, this is a romance book with smut.
These books are good fun, nothing to series. It's an easy book to read and enjoy for what it is at face value.
Georgie and Vektal have never been my favorite couple, but they are the classic main couple of this series. They get the whole thing going, taking charge of the women being stranded on the ice planet and the choices that happen. They have the classic tropes of not speaking the same language, trying to communicate, trying to help their people. It sets up for the whole series. You meet all the other women and bachelors and get to experience some of the common tropes between these books.
I really enjoyed how they included the epilogue and the honeymoon novella in the book, so it has all of Georgie's and Vektal's stories in one place.
Also this goes without saying, this is a romance book with smut.
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
I wanted to like this because Kate and Anthony are my faves from the TV show, but the books are just to different and the characterization of all the men are so brutish that it just takes me out of the story. I wanted to read the whole series, but I just can't power through it.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I am reading the books after watching the show, so I already knew some of the plot points coming in. That being said, I did not enjoy the progression of Daphne and Simons relationship and found myself disliking Daphne for most of the book.
I found it annoying how in the beginning of the book, it is constantly said that Daphne has older brothers so she's not like other girls, that she is stronger and more accepting of their cruder remarks and actions. I knew the books were different than the show, but the 3 older boys were so brutish for no reason, and the same goes for Simon.
Now, let's just say it as it is. Daphne raped Simon, which I knew was coming from the show but HATED so much more in the book. I don't see how in any world her actions can be taken as just ignorant or even romantic. She knew that she was taking advantage of Simon while he was drunk and doing something with him sexually that he would have never agreed to sober. I think the author was trying to make a point on how sheltered and ignorant Daphne was when it came to sex, but nothing in that scene made me think she didn't realize what she was doing.
If the roles had been reversed and Daphne was the one who didn't want children and Simon took advantage of her while she was drunk, there would be no romantic scenes or interpretations. Anyone that tries to justifies her actions is a liar. The only reason my rating is not a one is because their repour at the beginning of the book was so fun and the fake dating trope is a weakness of mine. But Daphne completely ruined this for me.
The storyline of Simon having a trauma surrounding having children and Daphne craving a family could have still happened. Their disagreements and arguments we good at moving the story forward and keeping things interesting, there was no need for that to happen to Simon.
I only gave it a 2 because the fake dating and the humor at the beginning of their relationship was fun and nice. Overall, it was fine. I knew I wasn't going to enjoy it but I wanted to read the other books,
I found it annoying how in the beginning of the book, it is constantly said that Daphne has older brothers so she's not like other girls, that she is stronger and more accepting of their cruder remarks and actions. I knew the books were different than the show, but the 3 older boys were so brutish for no reason, and the same goes for Simon.
If the roles had been reversed and Daphne was the one who didn't want children and Simon took advantage of her while she was drunk, there would be no romantic scenes or interpretations. Anyone that tries to justifies her actions is a liar. The only reason my rating is not a one is because their repour at the beginning of the book was so fun and the fake dating trope is a weakness of mine. But Daphne completely ruined this for me.
The storyline of Simon having a trauma surrounding having children and Daphne craving a family could have still happened. Their disagreements and arguments we good at moving the story forward and keeping things interesting, there was no need for that to happen to Simon.
I only gave it a 2 because the fake dating and the humor at the beginning of their relationship was fun and nice. Overall, it was fine. I knew I wasn't going to enjoy it but I wanted to read the other books,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape