theliterarysewist's reviews
431 reviews

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.5

I loved this so much! It was fun and whimsical with a touch of that naughty teen in all of us. 

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

As much as I love this world and these characters, Zélie, Amari & Inan have to be the most exhausting and frustrating main characters ever! None of them can get out of their own heads! So stubborn and self deprecating! 🤣 I want to smack them all! … mom problems! But I really really want to see good things for them!! Fingers crossed for book 3!

With a Little Luck by Marissa Meyer

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

Gosh golly I loved this so much! Slamming in all the nerdy things a person could in a book? Fantastic!! It truly made me smile the whole way through and feels so authentic to the characters and their passions. I really appreciated that. Just so dang wonderful!

Darker by Four by June CL Tan

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.5

People are not talking about this book enough! It’s so exciting and smart! I think it’s a duology but the world is so immersive that I hope she writes more in this world! Definitely pick this one up!

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

I’m. It sure I can say enough wonderful things about this book! The way the relationships develop feels so organic and authentic! It always makes my heart swell when a book can give the main character personal growth outside of the romantic plot line and this does it so well with the family and friends! So great!

Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent

dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

This was such a wonderful love story!! Just the right length with just enough drama! Well done!

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The action plot was way more interesting to me in this one than the first. The romance was ok. Predictable but sweet. Which feels weird in a book about vampires but it is what it is. I enjoyed this book a lot. 

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

It may have taken me 65 days (yes! Sixty-Five!) to finish this beast, but I loved every minute of it. I find myself looking forward to specific characters arcs and annoyed having to read the less interesting ones which made some parts harder to get through. I know it’s important so I don’t skip or anything though. I’m constantly blown away by the little details and subthreads that appear throughout these novels. Such brilliant storytelling!

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.0

I kept waiting for this book’s twists and turns. But that never happened. Not in a satisfying way for me. The reveals felt more like a “whomp whomp”. The premise was ok but this felt more like a classic mystery than a contemporary thriller. I will say that the building of the setting and premise was well done and the dialogue true to teenagers. So I would read more by this author. I just didn’t love this particular book.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

This was such a lovely adventure story! And had a very well written young female lead that will just make your heart smile! The little nuggets of Cosmere are so much fun but not so obvious that you have to read other Sanderson stories to be able to enjoy this one.