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thecanadianbookworm's reviews
643 reviews
Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review early.
So, first off: this book was enjoyable... But it was *not* like the hype I had seen online at all.
I kept getting the ick while reading, the marketing on this was really off imo. No one in their right mind would market The Handmaid's Tale as a romance... we all know it's dystopian and horrifying. This is like a fantasy based Handmaid's Tale, yet we are here for the romance? Ehhh.
For a book who's romance storyline is entirely build up, longing and arguing.. I did not *feel* that from them very often.
I honestly found the romance to be the weakest bit in this book. I was far more interested in Briony and the budding rebellion, and I look forward to seeing where that goes.
Also, this book felt like nothing but set up for the next book. I was really interested for the first 40% or so, and after that I was just waiting for the big reveal and fairly bored.
I am sure there will be loads of people who really enjoy this book. I would recommend ignoring most of the hype around it and going in with an open mind for the best experience.
So, first off: this book was enjoyable... But it was *not* like the hype I had seen online at all.
I kept getting the ick while reading, the marketing on this was really off imo. No one in their right mind would market The Handmaid's Tale as a romance... we all know it's dystopian and horrifying. This is like a fantasy based Handmaid's Tale, yet we are here for the romance? Ehhh.
For a book who's romance storyline is entirely build up, longing and arguing.. I did not *feel* that from them very often.
I honestly found the romance to be the weakest bit in this book. I was far more interested in Briony and the budding rebellion, and I look forward to seeing where that goes.
Also, this book felt like nothing but set up for the next book. I was really interested for the first 40% or so, and after that I was just waiting for the big reveal and fairly bored.
I am sure there will be loads of people who really enjoy this book. I would recommend ignoring most of the hype around it and going in with an open mind for the best experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Abortion, Death of parent
Elantris (1 of 3) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
My Hygge Home: How to Make Your Home Your Happy Place by Meik Wiking
informative
medium-paced
3.5
More basic and broad than I was expecting. Other than lighting tips, it was all things we already do (but people tend to remark that our house is relaxing and fun, the layout is very different than most Canadian homes.. so you may get more from this than me!)
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
I loved the characters in this, and that all of them are very flawed people.
There are no heroes here, just people trying to keep the people they love safe.
Conor and Kel have such a beautiful and complicated relationship. Yes, they love each other deeply. But Kel was raised to die for Conor, and the power dynamics between them are so slanted to Conor... They definitely drift into codependency often, and are struggling to sort out what their adult lives will look like as they slowly separate from their heavily inter connected life.
Lin's story was also very compelling, as an orphan raised in a "women's home" she grew very close with another girl named Miriam. Miriam is gravely ill, and Lin is pushed well past her moral boundaries while racing to find a cure of Miriam. I'm sure many people will disagree with the lengths she goes to, but that is what makes her so interesting to watch.
Overall, this is a richly developed world (I have seen reviews saying the opposite and I'm left wondering if these people just skim for dialogue?) with so many directions it could go next. The characters are great, and I love seeing all of them on page.
I have absolutely no criticism to give this book. 🤷
(It is a slower paced adult high fantasy. So if you're coming here from her Shadowhunters books, be prepared that it is very different. A lot of this book is world building, character development etc. The whole book feels like a launch pad for the rest of the series, but I liked that.)
There are no heroes here, just people trying to keep the people they love safe.
Conor and Kel have such a beautiful and complicated relationship. Yes, they love each other deeply. But Kel was raised to die for Conor, and the power dynamics between them are so slanted to Conor... They definitely drift into codependency often, and are struggling to sort out what their adult lives will look like as they slowly separate from their heavily inter connected life.
Lin's story was also very compelling, as an orphan raised in a "women's home" she grew very close with another girl named Miriam. Miriam is gravely ill, and Lin is pushed well past her moral boundaries while racing to find a cure of Miriam. I'm sure many people will disagree with the lengths she goes to, but that is what makes her so interesting to watch.
Overall, this is a richly developed world (I have seen reviews saying the opposite and I'm left wondering if these people just skim for dialogue?) with so many directions it could go next. The characters are great, and I love seeing all of them on page.
I have absolutely no criticism to give this book. 🤷
(It is a slower paced adult high fantasy. So if you're coming here from her Shadowhunters books, be prepared that it is very different. A lot of this book is world building, character development etc. The whole book feels like a launch pad for the rest of the series, but I liked that.)
The Joy of Leaving Your Sh*t All Over the Place: The Art of Being Messy by Jennifer McCartney
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
This book was absolutely hilarious, I kept stopping to read bits out to my husband. I also found it helpful honestly. So often we focus on "fixing" ourselves and our homes etc. to the point it drives us mad. This was a great way to reset my perspective.
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
I absolutely love Reid's writing style, but I never enjoy her endings. 🤣 I like a firm ending, not a loosy goosy "maybeeeee".
That said, I still eat up everything she writes asap.
I demolished this book (or I guess it demolished me) in one day. I could not put it down! It was perfectly tense and fast paced.
I really do hope this book signals a Dystopian Revival, because this is the *best* one I've read in ages!!!!!
I loved every character, the world was interesting, the premise was wild.
This is a true enemies to lovers, and I loved it!
That said, I still eat up everything she writes asap.
I demolished this book (or I guess it demolished me) in one day. I could not put it down! It was perfectly tense and fast paced.
I really do hope this book signals a Dystopian Revival, because this is the *best* one I've read in ages!!!!!
I loved every character, the world was interesting, the premise was wild.
This is a true enemies to lovers, and I loved it!
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely wow. VE wasn't kidding when she called this book Toxic Lesbian Vampires!
If you loved Addie LaRue, you NEED to preorder this book. They are not twins, but I feel they were grown in the same plot in her mind.
It's such a sprawling story, following a few different characters. We moved from 1500's Spain, to 1800's London, and then 2000's Boston, following each thread as they work themselves into a giant knot. The way they unravelled from each other at the end had my jaw dropping.
As this is most definitely a book about toxic relationships, toxic people and a toxic society.. I have no favourite characters. 🤣 But, I do hurt for them all.
The end was so satisfying, yet also left me longing for more somehow.. which is perfection considering that "hunger" is a theme throughout the story.
If you're looking for a happily ever after, or a story to bring a smile to your face, I'm sorry to report that you've come to the wrong place. VE only serves harsh truths, tense escapes, bloody death, and more lesbian vampires than you know what to do with.
If you loved Addie LaRue, you NEED to preorder this book. They are not twins, but I feel they were grown in the same plot in her mind.
It's such a sprawling story, following a few different characters. We moved from 1500's Spain, to 1800's London, and then 2000's Boston, following each thread as they work themselves into a giant knot. The way they unravelled from each other at the end had my jaw dropping.
As this is most definitely a book about toxic relationships, toxic people and a toxic society.. I have no favourite characters. 🤣 But, I do hurt for them all.
The end was so satisfying, yet also left me longing for more somehow.. which is perfection considering that "hunger" is a theme throughout the story.
If you're looking for a happily ever after, or a story to bring a smile to your face, I'm sorry to report that you've come to the wrong place. VE only serves harsh truths, tense escapes, bloody death, and more lesbian vampires than you know what to do with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
This book was so good, exactly what I was looking for. The "evil" queen hires a dark wizard to be her librarian.. unknowingly hiring her political rival by accident after the crosses into her territory to seek asylum on the same day she expecting her new hire to arrive. (Did I mention he actually has no magic?)
He hides his true identity, but the longer he is in her castle the more he falls in love with the magical creatures that live there (and her).
I loved seeing how this enemies (unknowingly) to lovers played out. It was heartwarming, and the narrator did a wonderful job.
If you like cinnamon roll men who caretake and fall first, and powerful women with a dom streak: you'll swoon for these two.
He hides his true identity, but the longer he is in her castle the more he falls in love with the magical creatures that live there (and her).
I loved seeing how this enemies (unknowingly) to lovers played out. It was heartwarming, and the narrator did a wonderful job.
If you like cinnamon roll men who caretake and fall first, and powerful women with a dom streak: you'll swoon for these two.
The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
informative
slow-paced
4.0
The Twisted Throne by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
I really enjoyed getting to listen to a book centered around Ana, and I'm glad she is getting such an interesting plot!
What a cliffhanger (as usual in these duos lol), I can't wait for the next one.
What a cliffhanger (as usual in these duos lol), I can't wait for the next one.