thestorydragon's reviews
32 reviews

Single Player by Tara Tai

funny hopeful slow-paced

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

3.5

2 🌶️ 

Pros:
✨Fun Concept
✨Social Issues Tackled
✨ Queer Representation

Cons:
✨Slow Pacing
✨ Inauthentic Romance
✨ Lack of Character Growth
✨ Contrived Conflicts
✨ Plot Holes / Dropped Plot Lines
✨ Flat Secondary Characters 

 

When Cat Li gets her dream job writing romantic storylines for Compass Hollow, a superstar name in the gaming world, she never imagined she would find herself fighting to then do her job, thanks to pushback from the game’s narrative director, Andi Zhang. Andi loathes the idea that love needs to make its way into a storyline about survival and grit. In their experience, the two don’t go hand-in-hand, and the push in Compass Hollow brings forth traumatizing memories from a previous project with a corrupt mentor.

I was starry eyed during the first few chapters of this novel. Not only was this concept awesome--a romance between two game writers who can’t stand one another due to their opposing views on love--but the protagonists’ personalities leapt off the page. We had motivations for each of them individually, and these in turn fueled the main conflict. It was a story set up right!

25% in, though, things started to drag. The secondary characters were flat, we get very little character growth in our protagonists, and, despite spending so much time together, Cat and Andi really only talk about the game, opening up no more than they would to a friend. They don’t get to know one another on a deeper, more intimate level. And, yes, this is a slow burn, but that should mean amazing tension and a relationship built on understanding. Instead, it seems like Andi and Cat pivot around one another until, eventually, they pivot into one another. One personal conversation in Vegas that leads to a kiss and ... WABAM. They’re in love.

Though conflicts remained the same, little-to-no forward movement happened until the very end, and we don’t really learn more about the characters. The story gets stuck in a loop and becomes repetitive, or drops plots altogether. Cat’s main personal conflict was rooted in her inability to stand up for herself, emphasized by family tension and her parents coming to visit over the holidays (giving us a timeline for her to resolve this problem). This is why she fake dates Sally to begin with. But the family doesn’t come, so Cat never grows through her main character flaw via its catalyst. It made the whole setup seem pointless. Perhaps Tai wanted another obstacle between Andi and Cat, and a fake relationship was an easy way to get one? I'm not certain, but it felt contrived.

I saw the potential here. The commentary about isolation for women and nonbinary peoples in male-dominated fields, especially when part of a marginalized group, was well done. The social issues touched upon were appreciated. But the overall execution of the novel fell short of what I thought it would be, based on the first few chapters. 

SEE SPICE RATING BREAKDOWN: https://www.thestorydragon.org/rating-system 

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

✨Introspection and Inner Monologue
✨Neurodivergent Protagonist
✨Beautiful Prose
✨Commentary on Climate / Society / Historical Preservation

Cons:
✨Slow Pace 
✨ Lack of Urgency
✨ Flat Secondary Characters

 

Our narrator in this novel is Nonie, a thirteen-year-old girl who has grown up in what society calls The World As It Is, meaning after the melting of the glaciers, the flooding of the land, and the collapse of the planet’s known climate patterns. Told in both the past and the present, Nonie’s story flips back and forth between the day of the hypercane that sends the main plot of the book spiraling forward, and the time at the beginning of The World As It Is, when her family first fled to the American Museum of Natural History (shortened to Amen) in New York as a means of refuge from the drowning world.

Although it took me a good while to feel immersed in this novel, it’s one that has stuck with me well after reading. I continue to untangle new threads as a news headline or a conversation with a friend or a jaunt out to my car reminds me of a point within this story. I enjoyed Nonie as a protagonist; her voice lent such childlike wisdom to a world so unlike--but not far off from--our own. For all I that this book will stick with me, there a sense of imminence that never quite made it onto the page, and the pacing was slow due to the literary angle of the prose. Still, the concepts explored here, as well as the questions asked, made me pause and think. I cannot wait for Caffall’s next novel. Even if the plot doesn’t grab me by the throat, I know the introspection of the characters will follow me like a shroud, and I love that. 

 SEE FULL REVIEW: https://www.thestorydragon.org/adult-reviews/all-the-water-in-the-world

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-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

4.25

2 🌶️

Pros:
✨Character Development
✨Genuine and Organic Relationship
✨Development of Complex Family Relationships
✨ Friendships

Cons:
✨Breakup felt a bit contrived

 

Oh, Emily Henry, how I adore your characters.

When Daphne’s fiancé, Peter, leaves her after sleeping with his best friend, Petra, during his Bachelor Party, she finds herself short a relationship and a place to live. Which is where Miles, Petra’s newly-minted-ex, comes into play. He has a spare bedroom. Therefore, the two become happenstance roommates with nothing to connect them aside from broken hearts.

What could have easily been a rebound-centered, trauma-bond relationship instead transformed into a lovely journey between two people who expect the worst from others, despite always hoping for the best. This thought-process leads Daphne to be guarded, an island to herself, whereas Miles is open and kind, helping others despite the knowledge he won’t be good enough and they’ll leave eventually. I love how these two folded into one another, took a step back to build a stronger foundation via friendship, folded into one another yet again, only to realize that being independent for a while and learning to love themselves as individuals was needed to be able to have a strong union. And it worked. We do get a HEA (as expected) and a lovey-dovey couple.

I swear, Henry just gets me. Or, I guess I get her? The way she creates her love stories comes across as realistic and organic and wholly real because they tackle mental walls that so many romances simply skip over. Though I personally enjoyed Book Lovers and Happy Place more than this latest release, I still loved it.

A huge round of applause to my girl for pumping out another yearly reread! 

 SEE SPICE RATING BREAKDOWN: https://www.thestorydragon.org/rating-system 

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Pros:

✨Prose / Writing Style
✨Immersive Atmosphere

 Cons: 
✨Twists Felt Like a Cheat
✨Slow Pace
✨Underwhelming/Lackluster Conclusion
✨Plot Holes
 

 

I’ll always snag a Feeney because I can’t get enough of her prose. Even in Daisey Darker, which was decent at best, I tagged nearly the entire novel because the lines were that good. Her turns of phrase blow me away. But this plot has me irritated. If I hadn’t read Rock Paper Scissors, I don’t think I would be as abashed. But so much here feels like a rip-off of (in my opinion) Feeney’s best novel. And it confused me throughout because I drew so many comparisons that I genuinely thought she was referencing her previous publication throughout.
 

She wasn’t.

There was some good here. The feminist take in this novel was welcome, and there is commentary within these pages that truly spoke to me. But the execution as a whole wasn’t there, and I’ve read that other, fabulous novel from this author. I know she’s capable of a phenomenal story. This just … wasn’t it.

I have a longer review where I speak more in depth about this novel (and its similarities to Rock Paper Scissors) linked below. Be warned, it contains major spoilers for both books! 

SEE FULL REVIEW: https://www.thestorydragon.org/adult-reviews/beautiful-ugly

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

🌶️🌶️

Pros:
✨Queer Representation
✨Character Development
✨Genuine and Organic Relationship
✨Historical Authenticity
✨Depiction of Grief
✨Heavy Topics Handled with Care

Cons:
✨Audio (No distinction between character voices)

In this 1960's historical romance set in New York, we follow a surly and grieving art columnist that, to his chagrin, has been assigned a sports diary on disdained Robins newcomer, Eddie O’Leary. Eddie, uprooted from his family and friends, gets thrust into a new city with a team that won’t even speak to him (rightfully so, after the harsh commentary he gave reporters) while he fails at the one thing he’s always excelled at--baseball. It takes Eddie by surprise when columnist Mark Bailey wants to do a series on him, and what shocks him even more is that Bailey might be the closest thing he has to a companion. 

I adored this novel. There was so much good happening here, and these characters wrapped themselves around my heart. At the core of this story are two men grieving the loss of a life they once knew. For Eddie, it was his home, his family, and his identity. For Mark, it was a partner who loved him for eight beautiful years before passing away from a heart attack, and the subsequent agony of navigating a future he never expected to face alone. 

I can’t express enough how the topic and conversation around grief in this novel moved me. It wasn’t an open cavern of despair, so much as an ache that, at times, surged forth with a crippling vengeance, and at others, pulsed with reminders of the joys shared and the memories kept. Eddie and Mark complimented one another well, and their relationship bloomed from a place of trust and kinship and loneliness. I loved how they communicated thoroughly and understood the hurt in one another. The side characters had lovely stories of their own, and sensitive topics, such as alcoholism, were approached from a realistic, yet healing, view. This will absolutely be a book I come back to and reread. 

SEE SPICE RATING BREAKDOWN: https://www.thestorydragon.org/rating-system

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

 Pros:
✨Queer Representation
✨Character Development
✨Genuine and Organic Relationship
✨Historical Authenticity

Cons:
✨Audio (No distinction between character voices)

Set in 1958 New York, this novel follows two queer reporters who find solace in one another’s friendship and, eventually, love, in a time when simply being together could lead to arrest. It’s impossible to not love both Nick and Andy, each with their own complex family history that has led them to seek out comfort in the other. What really set this novel apart for me was the build of the relationship. These two went from strangers to colleagues to best friends, and the layering of such a solid foundation of trust and commitment led to a beautiful romance. I can see Nick and Andy cherishing each other for the rest of their lives, and the thought melts my heart. 

It was fascinating to read the author’s note at the end. Despite this being a historical novel, I hadn’t realized that so much of the plot was based off of factual events and articles, like the clipping Andy read on the subway and dog-eared, or the nuclear test Nick covered. That added an extra layer of authenticity to the text that went beyond the romance and into the period itself. There were one or two plot lines that sort of tapered off into nothing when I had expected them to be a larger source on conflict, like the arsonist, but they weren’t missed by any means.

I listened to the audiobook version of this, which was okay, but the narrator gave no distinction between character voices. This made it difficult at times to know whether it was Andy or Nick talking. I almost DNF’d because of this, but restarted the audio instead and paid particular attention to the distinct character personalities, which smoothed things out in the long run. Still, it was a bit frustrating. If you have a physical copy, I would recommend that format instead. 

Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot by Preeti Chhibber

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? It's complicated

3.75

Pros:
✨Identity Exploration
✨Depiction of 1st Love
✨Cultures and Diversity

Cons:
✨Contrived Sub-Plot
 

A striking YA romance, this novel follows Payal Mehta as she sets out to teach her crush about his “baby racisms” (microaggressions), and in turn must analyze her own identity as having Indian heritage, but being 1st generation American. This is definitely a young adult novel, meaning anyone not in high school who picks this up will probably be exasperated by the drama in the sub plots. However, they way this novel approaches themes of prejudice, identity, friendship, culture clash, and first loves, is handled beautifully. Payal is a protagonist any 1st generation American can identify with, and the plot provides an opportunity for multi-generation Americans to learn from.

The way Jon (the white-boy crush) comes across as naive more than outright cruel in his “baby racisms” makes this novel approachable in a teen setting and provides a multitude of teaching moments. My one big beef with the book is the conflict between Neil and Payal. It’s SO contrived, and felt wholly unnecessary. I honest to goodness did not like Neil and, even by the end, didn’t understand his perspective. Maybe if Payal had made no attempt to reach out to him or contact him? But she did everything she could to see her friend, short of showing up at his house and banging on his door. I have no idea what this conflict was meant to add. It was pointless and wasn’t believable, and because it took up such a large chunk of the plot, it did have an impact on my rating. 

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

2.0

 Pros:
✨Carefully handles intense topic of S/A and kidnapping

Cons:
✨Insta-Lust Relationship
✨Pacing (Romance and Mystery not properly balanced)
✨Mystery (Investigation takes a back seat, so villain comes out of nowhere)
✨Toxic MMC (Angry alpha-male)

Despite having all the trappings of things I should love, this book was not for me. A suspense romance, we follow both true-crime podcaster Ridley and town sheriff Colt as they work to solve a case that, unbeknownst to each, connects them. The more Ridley uncovers, the more danger threatens.

Wow, this was not good. And what tears me up is it had so much potential. The concept is cool, the foundation works, but the details made me wince and cringe. I have no idea why Ridley would think she’s safe rolling up into town in her converted van, making waves, and not being concerned that the murderer would find her camping spot. For someone who prides herself on her safety measures, that was insane to me. Things went on a roller-coaster ride from there. Ridley had odd, lust-filled reactions to Colt that felt contrived and out-of-place. Every time these two interacted, I cringed. I so wish they had simply worked together without the attraction, grown to trust one another and be friends over the course of the case, then left off at the end with an implication their relationship would grow further. Instead, we have Ridley’s nipples constantly peaking as she obsesses over Colt’s raspy voice and broad shoulders. Colt’s chapters were completely pointless. They were basically only there to show him pining over Ridley and sexualizing her, then explaining her trauma to readers as he processed it himself, calling her “brave”, “strong”, “independent” and more to excess. Just in case readers weren’t already aware of just how strong, brave, and independent she was. No plot movement whatsoever. There’s even a part where he says he can’t focus on the case because he’s too busy looking at her tank-tops and her legs. I gagged. His emotional range swung from anger-fueled alpha-male protectiveness, and shame/regret for overstepping boundaries due to the alpha-male rage. It was irritating. And toxic.

The mystery had me semi-invested up until the reveal, which came out of left field. And this was a symptom of a larger problem, which was that the genre mash-up didn’t work. The romance wasn’t believable, but it overtook the mystery so far as page time is concerned. However, the mystery was the only thing propelling the plot forward, which made everything feel disjointed and which threw the pacing off. This wasn’t helped by the writing, which could have used another round of polishing. It also utilizes so many cliché phrases that the character voices never sound distinct or original.

I was genuinely excited for this one. And the narrators, Andi Arndt and Sebastian York, did a good job. However, this was beyond disappointing. 

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-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

4.5

✨Introspection and Inner Monologue
✨Queer/Deaf Representation
✨Character Development
✨Interwoven Plot-Points
✨Heavy Topics Handled with Care

Cons:
✨Abrupt Ending

This novel follows our hella neuro-spicy protagonist, Enid, as she navigates her social anxiety, her paranoia of bald men, her inability to invest in a stable relationship, and the blank spots in her memory from when she was a teen. I connected with Enid and her internal processing of the world almost immediately, which honestly probably says a lot about my own mind. This is true literary fiction, meaning there are plot points that happen and seem completely pointless (like the date with the polyamorous couple) because their function is to give readers more insight into the character’s world-view. That being said, the disjointed moments of the story all tied in together to form

Enid’s prevalent PTSD,

and the memory reveal was as heartbreaking as it was healing. I adored her relationship with her mother, complicated and shattering as it was, and I fell in love with bug-obsessed Polly. The entirety of the cast have quirks that make them stand apart, and I’m certain each individual would have their own ponderous story if we were allowed inside their heads. I bet all of them have parasites, just like Enid. I think I have a parasite as well.

Austen touches on topics of homophobia, misogyny, disability prejudice, and more in a way that never felt like readers were being talked at. They all fell into Enid’s way of interpreting social constructs so she could better understand her place within them. Though the ending was abrupt--like, to the point where the audiobook conclusion music started playing and I thought I had accidentally skipped forward—I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will definitely pick up more works from Austen. If possible, listen to the audiobook. It’s narrated by Natalie Naudus, one of my favorite voice actors. She’s phenomenal! 

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

emotional funny hopeful 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

3.75

Pros:
✨Authentic Romance
✨Queer Representation
✨Character Development and Relationships
✨Easy Read

Cons:
✨Spotty Pacing
✨Abrupt Reunion
 

This Bachelor inspired novel follows both behind-the-scenes handler and hopeless romantic, Dev, as well as the show's upcoming gorgeous, awkward, OCD Prince Charming, Charlie. This read was fast, fun, and cute, with two MMCs that were as loveable to readers as they were towards one another. Though the Bachelor setting of the Ever After television show was fun, and the sub-commentary regarding mental illness, systemic oppression in media via suppressed representations, and more were fond additions to the novel, it’s the way Charlie and Dev complimented one another that upped the star rating for me. They were completely accepting of each other and went out of their way to be inclusive of the character flaws of their respective partner. Dev gave Charlie a calm environment to ride out his compulsions and panic attacks, while Charlie gave Dev gentle nudges and full support through his depressive episodes. They found solace within one another, and despite this novel being quite average and subpar overall, I found myself absolutely beaming during parts of the story. The third-act break-up here felt organic to the story, not like a plot device for framework, though the reunion of the characters was rushed and came together a little too easy. Still, I enjoyed my time spent with this one!