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thisnursereads's reviews
53 reviews
Earthflown by Frances Wren
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️ 4.0
Working in medicine myself, I was immediately drawn to the plot (the main character works in a Level I Trauma Hospital & has healing powers) and was so excited when I received an advance review copy for free! I am leaving this review voluntarily-
"Where there's love, there will be vice; Where there's greed, there is a price.
Sow them desperate and afraid, You'll find there's profit to be made."
TLDR: Frances Wren does an amazing job at weaving together storylines of multiple complex characters to create an engaging sci-fi mystery romance novel (can I use all those genres in one sentence...yes I can).
Earthflown started slow and then dragged me under. As the plot thickened, I found myself chasing the words as my eyes flew across the page-I needed to find out where these characters were going and what would happen next! As much as this is a book about two men swept up in their own love story, I found myself leaning into the other relationships more heavily: a strained relationship btw. a single father and his son, the power dynamic between family members and siblings, best friends whose jobs are entangled and messy. The romance in Earthflown is multi-layered as well and done prudently, but the relationships that orbit around the romance are so well written. If there is a continuation of this story, which I hope there is, I am so excited to see if/how they learn to evolve with each other!
This didn't get a 5-star rating from me because I wanted the main romantic relationship to be intoxicating and it didn't have that pull. Also, the world building was so compelling but hard for me to truly envision and personally could've been more engaging by spending much longer exploring this sci-fi world.
Trigger Warning: Medical professional viewpoint
There are moments I can pull out so vividly in my career that made me wish I had the power to heal patient's the way that Ethan's healing powers allow him to. But to then see his character portrayed in such a raw way, mirrored with how I have felt at times. To understand that medicine in any form still has its limitations, even if briefly touched upon in this novel, was heavy. I deeply felt that undercurrent within Ethan's character and the pressure he put upon himself for what he could do and who he was.
Working in medicine myself, I was immediately drawn to the plot (the main character works in a Level I Trauma Hospital & has healing powers) and was so excited when I received an advance review copy for free! I am leaving this review voluntarily-
"Where there's love, there will be vice; Where there's greed, there is a price.
Sow them desperate and afraid, You'll find there's profit to be made."
TLDR: Frances Wren does an amazing job at weaving together storylines of multiple complex characters to create an engaging sci-fi mystery romance novel (can I use all those genres in one sentence...yes I can).
Earthflown started slow and then dragged me under. As the plot thickened, I found myself chasing the words as my eyes flew across the page-I needed to find out where these characters were going and what would happen next! As much as this is a book about two men swept up in their own love story, I found myself leaning into the other relationships more heavily: a strained relationship btw. a single father and his son, the power dynamic between family members and siblings, best friends whose jobs are entangled and messy. The romance in Earthflown is multi-layered as well and done prudently, but the relationships that orbit around the romance are so well written. If there is a continuation of this story, which I hope there is, I am so excited to see if/how they learn to evolve with each other!
This didn't get a 5-star rating from me because I wanted the main romantic relationship to be intoxicating and it didn't have that pull. Also, the world building was so compelling but hard for me to truly envision and personally could've been more engaging by spending much longer exploring this sci-fi world.
Trigger Warning: Medical professional viewpoint
There are moments I can pull out so vividly in my career that made me wish I had the power to heal patient's the way that Ethan's healing powers allow him to. But to then see his character portrayed in such a raw way, mirrored with how I have felt at times. To understand that medicine in any form still has its limitations, even if briefly touched upon in this novel, was heavy. I deeply felt that undercurrent within Ethan's character and the pressure he put upon himself for what he could do and who he was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
-Audiobook version-
Wittingly plotted and intriguing character dynamics made this a fun fast read. The audiobook was very well done-the dialogue was addicting and the rhythm of the prose felt like I was in the audience listening to a play! Would have rated higher but it did not have that page-turner quality.
Wittingly plotted and intriguing character dynamics made this a fun fast read. The audiobook was very well done-the dialogue was addicting and the rhythm of the prose felt like I was in the audience listening to a play! Would have rated higher but it did not have that page-turner quality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Absolution by Alice McDermott
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
⭐️3.5
A great change of pace from other books I have read this year which was rather refreshing.
Absolution is the story of ordinary American women and the ways in which they find purpose in themselves, their relationships, and their identity in Saigon, Vietnam during the early Vietnam war period. There is a stillness to this book that builds beautiful depth to the writing and characters. It creates a reflective and quiet novel that allows the reader to make assumptions and form connections about that time in history and how these women were seen rather than the author forcing it down ones throat.
I wish though that while the first book focused on the American wives of military men/engineers, the second half had instead focused on the Vietnamese women and told their story just as beautifully. I suppose that the limited voice of the Vietnamese women in this speaks volumes to the value that the American wives put on them and those of that time period...
A great change of pace from other books I have read this year which was rather refreshing.
Absolution is the story of ordinary American women and the ways in which they find purpose in themselves, their relationships, and their identity in Saigon, Vietnam during the early Vietnam war period. There is a stillness to this book that builds beautiful depth to the writing and characters. It creates a reflective and quiet novel that allows the reader to make assumptions and form connections about that time in history and how these women were seen rather than the author forcing it down ones throat.
I wish though that while the first book focused on the American wives of military men/engineers, the second half had instead focused on the Vietnamese women and told their story just as beautifully. I suppose that the limited voice of the Vietnamese women in this speaks volumes to the value that the American wives put on them and those of that time period...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows by Leslie O'Sullivan
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley for granting me an advance reader copy for free! I am writing an honest voluntary review:
⭐️2.0
His stare burns like an accidental glance at the sun. I swear tiny bursts of light swarm behind him in the trees.
Ella O'Dwyer is a young college professor of Celtic studies that lives in NYC close to the adoptive Irish grandmother that raised her. Her world is upended when her grandmother passes and she is left with unanswered questions and clues leading her on a spring break trip to Ireland in hopes of discovering her true identity aka Eala Duir.
Accompanied by her BFF Colleen, a handsome professor named Jeremy Olk, and an attractive Irishman named Sion with bright eyes swimming with secrets, Eala discovers not is all as it seems. She finds herself partnered with Sion on a century old quest immersed in the faerie stories she grew up listening to. Eala must decide if she can trust the man she just met and if her faith can overcome what she cannot see.
-----------------
O'Sullivan does a great job throughout the book of writing beautiful poetic imagery/descriptions and although the narrative was so interesting, the execution fell flat. I found the book slow and choppy. There is a bit of a love triangle and slow burn that had me rooting for neither party due to the back/forth between the characters being so off putting. Sion had extremely erratic behavior/dialogue that made him feel disingenuous and way too intense and Eala had zero grit.
There are other areas of the book I found problematic but will not share as it has not been published.
⭐️2.0
His stare burns like an accidental glance at the sun. I swear tiny bursts of light swarm behind him in the trees.
Ella O'Dwyer is a young college professor of Celtic studies that lives in NYC close to the adoptive Irish grandmother that raised her. Her world is upended when her grandmother passes and she is left with unanswered questions and clues leading her on a spring break trip to Ireland in hopes of discovering her true identity aka Eala Duir.
Accompanied by her BFF Colleen, a handsome professor named Jeremy Olk, and an attractive Irishman named Sion with bright eyes swimming with secrets, Eala discovers not is all as it seems. She finds herself partnered with Sion on a century old quest immersed in the faerie stories she grew up listening to. Eala must decide if she can trust the man she just met and if her faith can overcome what she cannot see.
-----------------
O'Sullivan does a great job throughout the book of writing beautiful poetic imagery/descriptions and although the narrative was so interesting, the execution fell flat. I found the book slow and choppy. There is a bit of a love triangle and slow burn that had me rooting for neither party due to the back/forth between the characters being so off putting. Sion had extremely erratic behavior/dialogue that made him feel disingenuous and way too intense and Eala had zero grit.
There are other areas of the book I found problematic but will not share as it has not been published.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.25-3.5
Oof rating this was difficult. I read all three Crescent City books in about a month and a half, on/off and now that I finished #3, I deeply miss these characters I have grown to know in these past 2,400 pages but that isn't enough for me to love CC3.
I will say it again and again, SJM writes characters that could live in my head rent free. CC3 brings with it the same loveable group of characters, with stronger individual storylines that intertwine throughout the book. With so many characters, the plot moves a lot quicker than book 1 & 2 which I enjoyed overall. It was so fun to bounce around their heads! But the movement of the storyline often comes at the detriment of action and/or explanation.
CC3 wears the crown for "Tell me" not "Show me." Large chunks of information were explained verbatim, when I wish flashbacks were utilized instead. This made certain chapters feel heavy and boring, when in reality, the material was quite interesting. (view spoiler) The travel throughout the land and timeline of events doesn't seem realistic and neglecting that was a huge issue I have with the book. I could go on and on, which is clearly a sign that I just didn't love it.
P.S
There should have been more messenger otters in this book. That may have made up for the inconsistent timeline and plot holes.
TLDR: I have a lot of issues overall with the plot and storyline, which is clearly a sign that I just didn't love it.
Oof rating this was difficult. I read all three Crescent City books in about a month and a half, on/off and now that I finished #3, I deeply miss these characters I have grown to know in these past 2,400 pages but that isn't enough for me to love CC3.
I will say it again and again, SJM writes characters that could live in my head rent free. CC3 brings with it the same loveable group of characters, with stronger individual storylines that intertwine throughout the book. With so many characters, the plot moves a lot quicker than book 1 & 2 which I enjoyed overall. It was so fun to bounce around their heads! But the movement of the storyline often comes at the detriment of action and/or explanation.
CC3 wears the crown for "Tell me" not "Show me." Large chunks of information were explained verbatim, when I wish flashbacks were utilized instead. This made certain chapters feel heavy and boring, when in reality, the material was quite interesting. (view spoiler) The travel throughout the land and timeline of events doesn't seem realistic and neglecting that was a huge issue I have with the book. I could go on and on, which is clearly a sign that I just didn't love it.
P.S
There should have been more messenger otters in this book. That may have made up for the inconsistent timeline and plot holes.
TLDR: I have a lot of issues overall with the plot and storyline, which is clearly a sign that I just didn't love it.
Ocean's Blood by Thelma Mantey
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So excited I received an advance review copy for free and I am writing an honest voluntary review:
⭐️3.5-A strong series opener to an epic dark fantasy!
With my blood, I bind you. I blind your body and your soul. My blood will fulfill your destiny. You will be my shield and my sword. You will be my voice...
Pros:
-Intricate character dynamics; veryyyy slow and lots of tension throughout
-Character driven>Plot driven
-"Singers" with magical powers bonded to humans in order to survive
-Witty dialogue that felt rhythmically realistic
Pro/Con:
-Beautiful use of imagery when describing the Ocean BUT the Title did not entirely make sense to me and did not click with the overall story.
-LGBTQ relationship, questioning sexuality with underlying internalized homophobia
Cons:
-Found my mind wandering at times due to the slow movement of the story but T. Mantey wove enough action in that my attention was easily drawn back
-World building: I wanted more. Although I believe this took a backseat to the in depth creation of the characters and their backgrounds, I think this could use work. Brighter and bigger details are something I hope will be focused on in future books!
I am not usually one to grab a dark fantasy novel off the shelf and while other reviewers are calling this enemies to lovers, it is the slowest and most unclear slowburn E-To-L I have read so far. Instead, I would lean heavily on calling this a forced proximity trope with E-To-L still to be seen.
There are clear trigger warnings brought up in the beginning of the novel that are true to the content and if you have any issues around strong sexual power dynamics and/or dubious consent, this is not the book for you.
⭐️3.5-A strong series opener to an epic dark fantasy!
With my blood, I bind you. I blind your body and your soul. My blood will fulfill your destiny. You will be my shield and my sword. You will be my voice...
Pros:
-Intricate character dynamics; veryyyy slow and lots of tension throughout
-Character driven>Plot driven
-"Singers" with magical powers bonded to humans in order to survive
-Witty dialogue that felt rhythmically realistic
Pro/Con:
-Beautiful use of imagery when describing the Ocean BUT the Title did not entirely make sense to me and did not click with the overall story.
-LGBTQ relationship, questioning sexuality with underlying internalized homophobia
Cons:
-Found my mind wandering at times due to the slow movement of the story but T. Mantey wove enough action in that my attention was easily drawn back
-World building: I wanted more. Although I believe this took a backseat to the in depth creation of the characters and their backgrounds, I think this could use work. Brighter and bigger details are something I hope will be focused on in future books!
I am not usually one to grab a dark fantasy novel off the shelf and while other reviewers are calling this enemies to lovers, it is the slowest and most unclear slowburn E-To-L I have read so far. Instead, I would lean heavily on calling this a forced proximity trope with E-To-L still to be seen.
There are clear trigger warnings brought up in the beginning of the novel that are true to the content and if you have any issues around strong sexual power dynamics and/or dubious consent, this is not the book for you.
Time Travel For Fun And Prophet by Terry Willey, Carol Baker
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
Was very excited to receive the e-book in exchange for an honest review! This was a fun, quick read; it was not something that I would usually pickup but the plot was interesting enough that it kept my attention while also being simple enough that I didn't have to focus too hard on what I was reading. Kind of like your favorite sitcom that you throw on in the background while completing everyday tasks.
Dan is your average, run of the mill 30ish year old. Living an average life as a plumber until one day, he is thrown through time, ending up in the past. Eventually, after a couple of jumps through time, he ends up in Shakespearean England, without a clue of what he is doing or how time travel works. There, he meets Freddie, a fellow time traveler that has been stuck in the past for 27 years. With Dan's help, Freddie follows Dan through time, teaching him the ropes and forming a connection along the way.
There is a rhythm accustom to live theater, in this case improv, that I could sense within this book immediately! Which, after looking up the authors, made SO MUCH sense. It is also written in third person, with the narrator frequently addressing the reader with quick comedic jabs or remarks. I would recommend this to a slightly middle-aged crowd, based on the references, to someone that enjoys a fast paced sci-fi with a heavy sketch comedy feel.
Dan is your average, run of the mill 30ish year old. Living an average life as a plumber until one day, he is thrown through time, ending up in the past. Eventually, after a couple of jumps through time, he ends up in Shakespearean England, without a clue of what he is doing or how time travel works. There, he meets Freddie, a fellow time traveler that has been stuck in the past for 27 years. With Dan's help, Freddie follows Dan through time, teaching him the ropes and forming a connection along the way.
There is a rhythm accustom to live theater, in this case improv, that I could sense within this book immediately! Which, after looking up the authors, made SO MUCH sense. It is also written in third person, with the narrator frequently addressing the reader with quick comedic jabs or remarks. I would recommend this to a slightly middle-aged crowd, based on the references, to someone that enjoys a fast paced sci-fi with a heavy sketch comedy feel.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts