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tired_cicada's reviews
51 reviews
The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Such a fun novella to add on to the story! I've really been enjoying these low stakes add-ons! It's an opportunity to explore more of the magic for this world, and to see how things are going for characters that we've grown to love!
This man (demon) really put everyone under house arrest cause he he was impatient for his ship to sail and that is such a mood!
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Very cute quick read. I knew I should have read it last October, but oh well. I popped in the audio while while working on spread sheets for some background noise. Music just wasn't scratching the itch apparently. I needed to use 5% more of my brain to be productive apparently 😂
It reads exactly like an early 2000's romcom, you know back in the golden age of romcom? And I LOVE a bad (bad being a very loose term) romcom with all my heart! But you HAVE to go into it wanting it to be like that. It's fun, it's kinda campy, it's silly.
Now the age old question, am I to Ace to take the 🌶️ scenes seriously or were they just bad because I LISTENED to them? cause I can enjoy a well written 🌶️scene but there is something about listening to them that makes me unable to talked them seriously. I laugh through most of them!!
Anyway, it was cute. Glad I picked it up!
It reads exactly like an early 2000's romcom, you know back in the golden age of romcom? And I LOVE a bad (bad being a very loose term) romcom with all my heart! But you HAVE to go into it wanting it to be like that. It's fun, it's kinda campy, it's silly.
Now the age old question, am I to Ace to take the 🌶️ scenes seriously or were they just bad because I LISTENED to them? cause I can enjoy a well written 🌶️scene but there is something about listening to them that makes me unable to talked them seriously. I laugh through most of them!!
Anyway, it was cute. Glad I picked it up!
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There is something to say about a world and a magic system that feel lived in. And if there's one thing that I can appreciate it's an author who trusts her readers to be smart enough to figure things out. Reid doesn't waste unnecessary time on flowery exhibition about how her world works, you just get thrown into it and you sink or swim. Personally, I like that a lot. I don't need an author to hold my hand the entire time and so would an author just says "here you go, figure it out" I just know I'm going to have a great time. Particularly if it's a standalone that needs to be good on its own merit.
I think that this is magical realism at its finest. The world in "A Study in Drowning" is very similar to our own from the 50s and 60s. Many of us have a working knowledge of that time period so it's easy to fill in the blanks for what's going on. Furthermore, the magic system is so well entrenched into the culture that it feels like a natural part of the world. So often magic systems are slapped onto a world but don't seem to affect it down to a day-to-day.
Reid's writing is very poetic, almost to the point of being lyrical in some cases. In previous experience my main criticism with this writing style is that it seems the authors will get so attached to certain phrases that they're dialogue suffers. As in out of nowhere a character who was previously flamboyant and ridiculous is all the sudden preaching at a pulpit over tea. I do not have this criticism here. Each of Reid's characters have a distinct voice that they keep throughout the story. It's easy to know who's speaking as none of them sound the same.
anyway I'm glad that Mr Benett(I listen to the audio books I don't know how it's spelled) got fired or whatever but he deserved to go to jail at least and I'm so mad that he didn't
I think that this is magical realism at its finest. The world in "A Study in Drowning" is very similar to our own from the 50s and 60s. Many of us have a working knowledge of that time period so it's easy to fill in the blanks for what's going on. Furthermore, the magic system is so well entrenched into the culture that it feels like a natural part of the world. So often magic systems are slapped onto a world but don't seem to affect it down to a day-to-day.
Reid's writing is very poetic, almost to the point of being lyrical in some cases. In previous experience my main criticism with this writing style is that it seems the authors will get so attached to certain phrases that they're dialogue suffers. As in out of nowhere a character who was previously flamboyant and ridiculous is all the sudden preaching at a pulpit over tea. I do not have this criticism here. Each of Reid's characters have a distinct voice that they keep throughout the story. It's easy to know who's speaking as none of them sound the same.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Car accident, Death, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: War, Death of parent, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Grief
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was objectively bad. Poorly written, dialogue that was cringy, character decisions that were inconsistent, so many pop culture refenences that I developed a crick in my neck from how often I cringed. Minor plot point popped up and then vanished without effecting the plot AT ALL WHY were we 75% into the book before it randomly gets dropped on us that Nate's mom is dead? And what purpose did the whole "falling through the ice" scene have? It had zero narative weight Every. Single. Character was a cliche. That ending not satisfying at all and is in direct contr st of what the characters said they wanted out of life.
That said it was cute. My favorite part was the found family aspect. I would have liked more of that over a repetitive 🌶️ scene. It really got old fast.
This is NOT an enemies to lovers. They are briefly at odds and then immediately start flirting after two seconds.
If you are looking for a fun, brainless read for the winter season I would recommend it, but save yourself and DONT do the audiobook! I would normally NEVER say this, but the whiny voice the male voice actor does in the 🌶️ scenes was PHYSICALLY painful!! Y'all it was so bad!
That said it was cute. My favorite part was the found family aspect. I would have liked more of that over a repetitive 🌶️ scene. It really got old fast.
This is NOT an enemies to lovers. They are briefly at odds and then immediately start flirting after two seconds.
If you are looking for a fun, brainless read for the winter season I would recommend it, but save yourself and DONT do the audiobook! I would normally NEVER say this, but the whiny voice the male voice actor does in the 🌶️ scenes was PHYSICALLY painful!! Y'all it was so bad!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Eating disorder
The Liar's Crown by Abigail Owen
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was fine. A little repetitive, and the romance definitely progressed way too fast would have preferred if they would have just taken longer to get together rather than having a 3rd act break up will read the sequel.
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
I enjoyed this book aplenty. It had good and bad to it.
For the good, Ifueko's writing style is so pretty and poetic. She writes characters who feel like real people. She handles sensitivite subjects with such grace and honor. Her takes in justice and personal accountability leave a flushed out story while also making a clear social comentary. Her use of mythology to enhance the story without turning it into a crutch is so masterful! All of her story lines get wrapped up, I don't like anything plot important was left with loose threads. Some relationships were left open ended, and not everything is "fixed" but it was a natural conclusion to the duology.
The Ace rep specifically was so dear to me! To have an emotional, loving, HUMAN character who is conically ace is so rare! Love my boy Dyao!!
As for the not so good--
There were definitely some pacing issues with this book. The magic system, particularly the bargain aspect of it, could have used a bit more time to flush it out.
The love triangle was entirely unnecessary, particularly when it amounted to nothing.
It was a little predictableWHAT?! you mean the vigilante (that has apparently been active for ages but only mentioned now) and the secondary love interest who acts a fool in public but is smart and articulate with the MC are the SAME PERSON?! WHAT? the Lady who spent the entire last book being sneaky and deceitful is STILL sneaky and deceitful in death? Shocker!! and I wish it would have surprised me a little more.
All in all, the good outweighed the bad, and I liked it.
For the good, Ifueko's writing style is so pretty and poetic. She writes characters who feel like real people. She handles sensitivite subjects with such grace and honor. Her takes in justice and personal accountability leave a flushed out story while also making a clear social comentary. Her use of mythology to enhance the story without turning it into a crutch is so masterful! All of her story lines get wrapped up, I don't like anything plot important was left with loose threads. Some relationships were left open ended, and not everything is "fixed" but it was a natural conclusion to the duology.
The Ace rep specifically was so dear to me! To have an emotional, loving, HUMAN character who is conically ace is so rare! Love my boy Dyao!!
As for the not so good--
There were definitely some pacing issues with this book. The magic system, particularly the bargain aspect of it, could have used a bit more time to flush it out.
The love triangle was entirely unnecessary, particularly when it amounted to nothing.
It was a little predictable
All in all, the good outweighed the bad, and I liked it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Child death, Violence, Gaslighting, War, Body horror, Bullying, Colonisation, Death, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Air Awakens: The Complete Series by Elise Kova
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
So since this is a compilation I read the first three books, and I got sick is the "will they, won't they". The longer things went on the less I cared about the main couple and the less I even wanted them to stay together.
Also the magic system was a mess. Randomly they would uncover super secret magic power ups no one has seen for generations.... but that would only get explained only AFTER it served as an out of nowhere dos ex machina.
I might give the author's other series a try, but for now at least I'm done with Air Awakens
Also the magic system was a mess. Randomly they would uncover super secret magic power ups no one has seen for generations.... but that would only get explained only AFTER it served as an out of nowhere dos ex machina.
I might give the author's other series a try, but for now at least I'm done with Air Awakens
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
Re-read
Loved it.
Low key, not a lot happens, but at the same time SO MUCH HAPPENS!!
For being titled "The Well of Ascension" we don't actually spend a lot of time worrying about that.
I miss Kelsier. His certain brand of insanity is just unreplaceable. I need my murderhobo jesus figure who refuses to sit in chairs correctly.
Loved it.
Low key, not a lot happens, but at the same time SO MUCH HAPPENS!!
For being titled "The Well of Ascension" we don't actually spend a lot of time worrying about that.
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
It is a hard thing indeed to make a second book better than the first but I absolutely enjoyed this book so much more than I enjoyed the first one!!
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The love triangle went on WAY TOO LONG when the choice was so obvious.
Also, the timeline of this series doesn't make a bit of sense and it confusing and inconsistent.
Continuing... This book kinda wrapped up nicely. Like, it's open ended but in a resolved kinda way so WHAT is the third book going to be about? This was planned as a duology as far as I knew, so I worry this third book is going to fall very flat.
Luckily, I have the FairyLoot editions so even if it is at least it will look STUNNING on my shelves.
Also, the timeline of this series doesn't make a bit of sense and it confusing and inconsistent.
Continuing... This book kinda wrapped up nicely. Like, it's open ended but in a resolved kinda way so WHAT is the third book going to be about? This was planned as a duology as far as I knew, so I worry this third book is going to fall very flat.
Luckily, I have the FairyLoot editions so even if it is at least it will look STUNNING on my shelves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child death, and Death of parent