thevalkyriereader's reviews
1581 reviews

Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous funny 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? No

3.5

Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole

adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

That cliffhanger! There were pieces in the middle of the book that could have been removed to keep the plot moving quicker but overall, I'm excited for book 4! And finally, our FMC and MMC acknowledge their love! Talk about a slow burn!

Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5 Stars

I can't wait to read book 2! This book didn't provide as much world building as I would have liked, but what I did get was well done. This is a book that is underrated. It is a VERY slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. I almost thought it was a friends-to-lovers romance up until the very end. I actually liked the childhood friend. Overall, Diem was a solid FMC, one of my favorites so far this year. I want to know about Diem's mother's past. THAT is going to be a good story. I can't wait to read the excuse she gives for disappearing so suddenly. And thank you to the author for not making the FMC a teenager.

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.0

Treasure Ship: The Legend And Legacy of the S.S. Brother Jonathan by Dennis M. Powers, Dennis M. Powers

adventurous challenging informative tense medium-paced

5.0

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

Another Ali Hazelwood read finished! Her style of incorporating romance and STEM makes for a cute, nerdy and awkward story. The character development was excellent, they were actually communicating at the end. Loved the Twilight references! 

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

 Kelly Bishop lived the opposite of her iconic character on Gilmore Girls. A product of the free love generation of the 1960s, she enjoyed a stage actress' lifestyle, never settling down. Her sharp jokes and unapologetic style made this read go quick with its laugh out loud moments. 

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

 This gave me echoes of The Night Circus but with spice. The games were an intriguing concept. Blackwell/Salem was suspicious from the beginning. So, his reveal at the end wasn't a surprise. I did not enjoy the end though. Ophelia just accepts her potential death and gives him the key? No. I wanted to more.
I recommend it for lovers of NOLA and voodoo! 

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.75

3.75 stars

Let me start with saying that I enjoyed this book. This book had more plot and world building than actual character-building development. The dialogue between the two MCs felt forced at times. Given their ages (FMC is 20//MMC is 27) I expected more maturity. The scenery and descriptions is what drew me in. Most fantasy novel I have read draw heavily from European, Russian or Middle Eastern mythology. This story, in my mind, drew inspiration from southern Asia and the south pacific. At times throughout the book, I also got Grishaverse vibes from our two MCs. 
Overall, I will continue the series to see how it continues.