thebalancedbookshelf's reviews
275 reviews

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

4.0

I enjoyed this coming of age story and especially set in this time period. Being only a few years younger than the main character at this time there was a lot I could relate too. But there was also so much I didn’t realize that was going on at that time and especially in Ireland. It was interesting seeing how the financial crisis impacted people of all different ages. Rachel knew about Ireland’s political and financial condition but wasn’t really paying attention to it until it directly affected her.

The relationship between Rachel and James is fascinating. Everything between them was so intense and moves so quickly. The codependency they had was unhealthy but also makes sense for a time in your life when you’re figuring yourself out. Both characters were at that age where they needed to find themselves and in order to do that they ultimately needed to be separated from each other. It’s so interesting to see such a short period of someone’s life affect them both so profoundly. 

What I really loved was how this was written in the reflective. Rachel is an adult at the time of telling the story and realizes how young and self centered she was. I loved that end scene where she compares herself to Deenie and how she’s close to the age she was when everything went down. You can see that while she has grown she still struggles with the view of herself and how she needs to be perceived. I also really enjoyed how the title was brought in. 

I liked how the author shed light on the different social and economic issues by using two characters who were from different backgrounds trying to figure out their lives. They each had their own problems but at the same time were just kids trying to grow up in an uncertain world. This book portrays the messiness of adulthood no mater what age you are. 

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

dark mysterious

4.0

While this book had a lot of different elements to it I found myself enjoying it. Initially, I struggled with all of the characters but in the end I could see why they were included. 

I didn’t expect the turn that this story took but I found it to be really interesting. I liked how the story highlighted different issues of the time period and a women’s concentration camp survivor being one of them. This book showcases how easily it is for women to be forgotten or ignored. It also shows that this still can happen and not just in 1950. The carelessness and corruption of the police department was done well and I liked that Jamie didn’t fall into it. 

Fiona was probably my favorite character in this and I enjoyed her chapters the most. I loved her journalistic nature and how dedicated she was. She not only wanted to get justice for Sonia but for her own sister whose story she still felt was unfinished. I also feel that she was still able to do her job while balancing the new information about her sister’s murder. 

My biggest issue is that I do think this book had a little too many angles. While reading I found myself enjoying the 2014 sections better than the 1950’s due to all the POV changes. I do wish we just stuck with one girl at the school instead of all of them and personally wish that Mary Hand wasn’t involved at all. For me she didn’t really add much to the story but just another complication. 

I think that this story did a good job of combining the two murders 64 years apart. I liked how the school played a role for every character and how it all came together full circle. Everyone got a resolution and for this story I was okay with it. 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

3.25

I went into this book with a very casual mindset. I liked the first two but didn’t do a reread before hand and while I was excited for this release I didn’t have crazy high expectations.  

This could be due to a lack of reread but my biggest issue with this book was all of the characters, government officials, and political aspects it had. The first 100-150 pages was hard to get through and felt like an information dump. I felt like a lot of this could have been spread out throughout the series but we got so much more geographical information in this one. I understand some things couldn’t have been added before this but it felt like way too much to just throw into this book. Then on top of that we got so much more historical information that just felt out of place. Because of all of this it felt like more of a middle book to me, which I guess it is if this series is going to be 5 books long. Although there was action, the focus on the structuring of a new government and all these new isles really brought the book down. 

There were definitely moments that did shine through. I liked when we finally got more of the dragons. I missed their banter and the sarcasm they have. I also really enjoyed Violets cleverness. As always she outsmarts everyone and I really enjoyed the poisoning scene. There were some good group moments but it felt like these moments were few and far between.

I just feel very indifferent about this book. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t do my rereads and I wasn’t immersed in the world or if this book just has a lackluster quality to it that the other books didn’t have. It just felt like it was missing the marks that made it stand out in the first place. A lot of the plot and even the reveal for Violets second signet was just underwhelming. I also felt like the storyline was repetitive. Bringing in Halden as an ex just like we brought in Cat…unnecessary. I feel like this book had so much going on and I find myself not really caring about what happens next. 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

I feel conflicted about this book. On one hand I liked the journey this series took us on and the characters we met along the way. On the other I feel like the pacing was very disjointed. As a reader, I like a good mix of plot and character based stories and this series became very character based.

With that being said I think that the depth and connection she was able to bring out of these characters was incredible. Jem and Will’s relationship was by far the best thing about this book. It took family to another level and their bond was so sweet. There were times at the end where I was close to tears the scenes were so well written. 

My biggest complaint about this book is the pacing. The first one mixed the action so well with the character development but these last two books have been strictly focused on the characters and especially the romantic relationships. While I excused it in the second book I really thought we’d get back into a little more of the plot in this one. While Mortmain is always lingering in the background it felt like the conflicts only arose when convenient for the romance or to add drama. I also feel like there were too many character point of views and switches. As much as I love the side characters I didn’t feel like we needed them to this extent.

There was just too many people and things go on in this book that detracted from the main storyline. Including the letters, which I felt were such an odd addition to this. I know it was to show the Consuls alliance but it felt very out of place for the story. I would have rather he just became a villain and side with Mortmain than whatever his motives actually were. Because of that I felt the big fight with Mortmain didn’t feel as climatic as it should have been. It wrapped up so quickly and we didn’t really get any insight to what went on at the council meeting anyways. 

While this book is incredibly well written I feel like at times it was too mature for a YA book. Throughout this series I had to keep reminding myself these characters are only 17. Their big declarations of love sometimes felt over the top for them. I’m also unsure of how I feel about the resolution of the love triangle. 

 

This being my first Shadowhunters book I will say I enjoyed the concept and the world a lot. I would be interested in reading other series and seeing how they all compare. I think the epilogue intentionally ended at 2008 to connect with the other books but I could be wrong. Either way, I did enjoy following Will, Jem and Tessa’s story. I feel like this book missed the action and adventure that the last two books had but I still loved seeing the growth between them all. 

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

emotional

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel. This book was more focused on the romance which I did not mind at all. I knew a love triangle was bound to happen so I liked all the back and forth between the three of them. The masquerade scene was a highlight for me. I will say towards the end Tessa was starting to grate on me a little but her choices make sense overall for her character and her age (I always forget they’re so young!) 

I love Will and I am so glad we finally got his backstory and more of his point of view. It was great seeing the depth of his emotions and how much he cares for people. The fact that he had and then quoted Tessa’s letters was heartbreaking. This whole book you see him slowly unraveling and he finally thinks everything will be okay and realizes he’s too late. I know Tessa will go back in her choice of Jem I’m just so curious as to how they will handle that in the next book. Also poor sweet baby Jem. 

The action and plot definitely take the back seat for this but as a second book to a series I normally expect that. I did enjoy the little scenes we did had with the animatronics and especially loved seeing Tessa use her powers more. I liked how we got insight to the inner workings of the Shadowhunters and was able to see the consequences of their actions with the council. The addition of the wolves was an interesting one and I like how we were introduced to other Downworlders. One of my favorite side characters was Mangus. His role is this was so fun and I grew to love his character so much. His relationship with Will was so sweet even though they were mutually benefitting off one another. 

I think the romance really pushed this book forward and that’s not a complaint at all. I loved all the tension and yearning we get from all characters. I am interested to see how the romantic aspects will play out along with the action that is bound to come in the finale of this series. 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

As popular as this series and this world is I wasn’t convinced I would like it as much as everyone else. For some reason I felt like these books wouldn’t be that well written and I was completely wrong. 

From the first chapter I fell in love with this story. This being set in Victorian London really did a good job of winning me over. This holds a lot of the signature marks of fantasy books I am familiar with but in a way that was still refreshing and yet nostalgic. I did not see a lot of the twists happening and didn’t anticipate what was going to come next. 

This book starts off right away immersing you in the world and the magic. I loved learning with Tessa about the Shadowhunters and other Downworlders. I loved The Institute and each of the characters who inhabited it. I loved Tessa’s determination to find her brother and her willingness to do what was needed of her. I also enjoyed seeing her relationships grow especially because of her apprehension to this new life. 

Aside from the world building I loved the hints at possible relationships. I am a sucker for a good love triangle and I do feel like this series is going to go in that direction. The clear attraction of Tessa between Jem and Will is great and I know where it will end up but I am happy to go along for the ride. 

This book just really took me by surprise and swept me away. The writing was phenomenal and you forget while reading that this is a YA book and the characters are 17. I love when a book can really transport you into the world, and this one does that. I am definitely going to be continuing on and I can’t wait to see more from each of the characters. 

All's Well by Mona Awad

slow-paced

3.0

This book wasn’t for me. It started off a little slow paced and while it did pick up, I don’t like how vague the story seemed to be. I normally love an unreliable narrator but after finishing I still have no idea what I just read or what really happened. 

North Child by Edith Pattou

4.0

I enjoyed how the author chose to portray this fairytale. I was familiar with the story so I liked seeing the changes she made. I feel like this rendition was a little slower paced but I still enjoyed the magical take on it. 

Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg

4.0

This was a great continuation in the series. I enjoyed the change of setting and new adventure that ensued. As always I’m interested to see where this series goes next! O

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

fast-paced

3.25

This book wasn’t bad but it wasn’t my favorite. I liked that it had a Clue, Knives Out, Agatha Christie influence to it. The mystery was my favorite part and why this got a 3.25 and not a 3. I also enjoyed the setting and how all the characters were authors. 

My main issue was the romance just didn’t work for me. I think it moved way too fast in both pacing and literal chapters in the book. I liked the idea of them together but I felt they jumped right into the over protective, “cinnamon roll” male lead. I don’t feel like this was enemies to lovers but it was trying to act like it was. I also think the author overused a lot of phrases and tropes, or put them in at weird times like buzz words. 

I don’t know, I think because I’ve seen nothing but 5 stars I was expecting something different and this one just didn’t work for me personally.