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trinityb2021's reviews
240 reviews
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
4.5
4.5 ⭐️
This is such a crazy book but it is honestly so good. The Serpent and The Wings of Night doesn’t fall into the typical pitfalls of most other romantasy I’ve read. It keeps its worldbuilding simple and small. I don’t need 3 continents with wildly different politics that we only get to glimpse at. That makes everything feel shallow and unrealistic. This world is simple, there are Hiaj vampires and there are Rishan vampires and they hate each other. That is all the reader needs to know to get started. Sure there are other clans and humans play a small part in that as well but it keeps it basic. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. Because we spend a lot of time on character development and fun badass fights, we don’t have time to develop the religion and politics of multiple small competing nations. We focus on the broadstrokes and fill in the details later. 🤌 perfect worldbuilding for this kind of novel 🤌
I also like that Raihn is at least slightly different than Rhys/Xaden/Rowan. Even if his name bareleigh qualifies as a name (I don’t think anyone will get that reference). He is a lot more charismatic and sweet. He gives more romcom vibes than broody MMC. Although he technically does have shadow daddy powers and I hate that. There are other powers out there authors. Also by the end I have mixed feelings BUT that is by design so I still kind of love it.
I really thought this book could only end in one of two ways. But I was WILDLY INCORRECT. The ending completely threw me for a loop but in a good way. It was forshadowed really well (with hindsight) and I think it was way more interesting than what the obvious options were. I am extremely impressed that Carissa Broadbent had the balls to pull this off.
I love vampires. I make no apologies for that.
This was just so fun to read. It was suspenseful, hot, surprising, and well written. What more can you ask for in a romantasy?
also PS is there a reason the Rishan have so much fallen angel symbolism? That had to be intentional.. . but what does that mean? I have some theories brewing
This is such a crazy book but it is honestly so good. The Serpent and The Wings of Night doesn’t fall into the typical pitfalls of most other romantasy I’ve read. It keeps its worldbuilding simple and small. I don’t need 3 continents with wildly different politics that we only get to glimpse at. That makes everything feel shallow and unrealistic. This world is simple, there are Hiaj vampires and there are Rishan vampires and they hate each other. That is all the reader needs to know to get started. Sure there are other clans and humans play a small part in that as well but it keeps it basic. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. Because we spend a lot of time on character development and fun badass fights, we don’t have time to develop the religion and politics of multiple small competing nations. We focus on the broadstrokes and fill in the details later. 🤌 perfect worldbuilding for this kind of novel 🤌
I also like that Raihn is at least slightly different than Rhys/Xaden/Rowan. Even if his name bareleigh qualifies as a name (I don’t think anyone will get that reference). He is a lot more charismatic and sweet. He gives more romcom vibes than broody MMC. Although he technically does have shadow daddy powers and I hate that. There are other powers out there authors. Also by the end I have mixed feelings BUT that is by design so I still kind of love it.
I really thought this book could only end in one of two ways. But I was WILDLY INCORRECT. The ending completely threw me for a loop but in a good way. It was forshadowed really well (with hindsight) and I think it was way more interesting than what the obvious options were. I am extremely impressed that Carissa Broadbent had the balls to pull this off.
I love vampires. I make no apologies for that.
This was just so fun to read. It was suspenseful, hot, surprising, and well written. What more can you ask for in a romantasy?
also PS is there a reason the Rishan have so much fallen angel symbolism? That had to be intentional.. . but what does that mean? I have some theories brewing
Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
3.5
3.5 ⭐️
This is such a classic romance novel. Brother’s best friend “forbidden” romance, a good amount of pining, a really dumb break up and a happily ever after.
There is nothing wrong with this book but it didn’t take any risks and didn’t blow me away either.
Fun, short, but a little boring sometimes.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
2.5
2.5 ⭐️
This is very Up coded.
This is a very well written and heartwarming novel for the right person. Unfortunately, I am not that person.
This has never been my favorite genre and I didn’t connect with the characters in this. I’m not sure why because Fredrik Backman is famous for his amazing characters and Beartown has some of the best characters in contemporary fiction.
I really wish I loved this more but unfortunately I didn’t. I had a feeling I wouldn’t like Backman’s non-Beartown novels and so far that has been proven correct. I won’t write off his works just because of this tho.
I’ll be back(man) for more. Ha get it!
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
slow-paced
2.5
2.5 ⭐️
I honestly really liked the story being told. If you remove the religious propaganda and the fact that it is told in prose, this would be kind of a banger. A straight fiction adaptation of this would go hard. I think the 2nd and 3rd canticles were less interesting than the first but I was also more engaged with Inferno. I wanted to make sure I really understood that section since it’s the most famous and the most referenced.
I’m glad that I’ve read this but am already sick and tired of classics sorry. They’re really not for me. This took me almost 2 months.
I honestly really liked the story being told. If you remove the religious propaganda and the fact that it is told in prose, this would be kind of a banger. A straight fiction adaptation of this would go hard. I think the 2nd and 3rd canticles were less interesting than the first but I was also more engaged with Inferno. I wanted to make sure I really understood that section since it’s the most famous and the most referenced.
I’m glad that I’ve read this but am already sick and tired of classics sorry. They’re really not for me. This took me almost 2 months.
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
2.0
2 ⭐️
This book took itself WAY too seriously. I have Shrek whispering sweet nothings in my ear and they expect me not to burst out laughing.
The plot outside of the romance was sooo stupid. Felt like a bad episode of Scooby Doo or something. Even the romance sort of had Twilight vibes. That’s unfair because Twilight is very mormon and also much worse but something about Lachlan made me think of Edward. I think it was the “no we can’t be together because I’ll hurt you” trope. I guess that’s pretty standard in paranormal romances so I should forgive that. But I won’t 🙂.
Key was more boring than anything else. She had no interesting qualities except that she would do ANYTHING for that dick. I mean anything. Man was turning into a dinosaur and she said 😍🤤🥵.
I fear this book was too freaky for me. Sorry. As he transforms his tongue gets longer 🐍 (that's not the only part that gets longer 🍆). I refuse to elaborate anymore.
Also Key getting magic was majorly dumb. Herculean levels of dumb. She can firebend but also affect electricity? Like turn on appliances with her mind? Make it make sense.
This was like Shrek if Shrek was a shapeshifting ogre and Fiona was human mage. So nothing like Shrek.
This book took itself WAY too seriously. I have Shrek whispering sweet nothings in my ear and they expect me not to burst out laughing.
The plot outside of the romance was sooo stupid. Felt like a bad episode of Scooby Doo or something. Even the romance sort of had Twilight vibes. That’s unfair because Twilight is very mormon and also much worse but something about Lachlan made me think of Edward. I think it was the “no we can’t be together because I’ll hurt you” trope. I guess that’s pretty standard in paranormal romances so I should forgive that. But I won’t 🙂.
Key was more boring than anything else. She had no interesting qualities except that she would do ANYTHING for that dick. I mean anything. Man was turning into a dinosaur and she said 😍🤤🥵.
I fear this book was too freaky for me. Sorry. As he transforms his tongue gets longer 🐍 (that's not the only part that gets longer 🍆). I refuse to elaborate anymore.
Also Key getting magic was majorly dumb. Herculean levels of dumb. She can firebend but also affect electricity? Like turn on appliances with her mind? Make it make sense.
This was like Shrek if Shrek was a shapeshifting ogre and Fiona was human mage. So nothing like Shrek.
Wild Side by Elsie Silver
3.0
3 ⭐️
What is up with all these mid romance novels? 😡
This was fine. Not my favorite Elsie Silver book. I think the professional wrestling side of it was fun. I was really disappointed in the parenting aspect of it. Usually the kids are the best part of these single parent romances but Milo was just absent for most of this book. Conveniently whisked away so the adults could talk (or fuck).
The pining was good AND it was slow burn which saved the book.
I think this book was a little too ambitious. It tried to tackle some really dark topics like drug addiction and overdose, death of a loved one, death of a parent, foster system abuse, etc. But it never went deep enough on those topics to matter. I think the way the books starts is kind of weird and no ones feelings are resolved in a satisfying way. It’s too bad because romances with a dark, gritty, side to them are usually some of my favorites.
What is up with all these mid romance novels? 😡
This was fine. Not my favorite Elsie Silver book. I think the professional wrestling side of it was fun. I was really disappointed in the parenting aspect of it. Usually the kids are the best part of these single parent romances but Milo was just absent for most of this book. Conveniently whisked away so the adults could talk (or fuck).
The pining was good AND it was slow burn which saved the book.
I think this book was a little too ambitious. It tried to tackle some really dark topics like drug addiction and overdose, death of a loved one, death of a parent, foster system abuse, etc. But it never went deep enough on those topics to matter. I think the way the books starts is kind of weird and no ones feelings are resolved in a satisfying way. It’s too bad because romances with a dark, gritty, side to them are usually some of my favorites.
You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
3.0
3 ⭐️
This book seems like it should be so Trinity coded so I’m disappointed that I didn’t like it more.
Master’s Students ✅
Romantic Poetry ✅
MMC and FMC in their late 20s ✅
It’s all things that I tend to love. I’m forever chasing the high of Book Lovers and Love, Theoretically.
For some reason this book didn’t hit the way that I wanted it to. It was still cute but I think Leigh was a little TOO unlikeable or something. I love people pleaser FMCs. They’re super relatable and it’s so easy to sympathize with her. But her level of people pleasing was something not even I have come close to. It was a little too much for me.
The tension between the characters was good and the side characters were all really fleshed out. I know it wasn’t just the people pleasing thing that didn’t work for me but I can’t put my finger on what else didn’t work.
Ultimately, this is a forgettable read.
This book seems like it should be so Trinity coded so I’m disappointed that I didn’t like it more.
Master’s Students ✅
Romantic Poetry ✅
MMC and FMC in their late 20s ✅
It’s all things that I tend to love. I’m forever chasing the high of Book Lovers and Love, Theoretically.
For some reason this book didn’t hit the way that I wanted it to. It was still cute but I think Leigh was a little TOO unlikeable or something. I love people pleaser FMCs. They’re super relatable and it’s so easy to sympathize with her. But her level of people pleasing was something not even I have come close to. It was a little too much for me.
The tension between the characters was good and the side characters were all really fleshed out. I know it wasn’t just the people pleasing thing that didn’t work for me but I can’t put my finger on what else didn’t work.
Ultimately, this is a forgettable read.
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
3.0
3 ⭐️
This book was really not what i was expecting. It is different from most contemporary romances. It’s dual POV but the MMC is autistic so his POV is kind of weird. It’s written with a lot of pronouns missing. He starts sentences with a verb/adverb usually and it took a lot of getting used to. After a while I just started filling in the gaps of where the missing words should go but I can’t say Iiked that. It’s even implied that he talks like that sometimes which is extremely weird. He’s a little bit like a caveman? It’s just his social awkwardness and inability to read social situations but I don’t know if caveman speak was the way to go to convey this.
That being said, I did like Leon. He was extremely sweet and shy and had a special charm to him that’s hard to describe. I think the writing style for his chapters just threw me off because I liked him a lot more in Tiffy’s chapters.
There’s a fair amount of emotional depth to this. Abusive exes, false imprisonment, hospice care, etc. I think it worked to make the story more emotional but I think the time could’ve been better spent developing the relationship between Leon and Tiffy. They don’t even talk face to face until half way through the book. Like I said, unique romance novel. I liked the charm of the notes. But I think we needed more time of them being actually into each other.
Also this was extremely British. I didn’t understand an embarassing number of words and references because I’m American :(.
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn
5.0
6 ⭐️
Current Status: Dreaming about Nick
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT’S HOW IT ENDS?!
Reading a Legendborn Cycle book is a full body experience. I am screaming, yelling, crying, pacing around my living room, sweating, jolting up in bed, annotating like a madman, screeching, etc. I become possessed by a person who lives and breathes exclusively Legendborn. I'm not exaggerating btw my neighbors probably think I'm crazy.
There’s nothing else to say. The writing was beautiful. It did the same thing as the other books, using familiar YA tropes in creative ways. It includes some of my favorite :)))) I was dying. I never wanted this book to end. I wanted to read, but reading made the end come faster ya know?
The ability to take these foreign Arthurian concepts and apply them to modern analysis of systemic racism and misogyny is so impressive and inspiring. And in a way that doesn’t detract from the story and still is fitting for YA. Tracy Deon. . . THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE.
I wish this book was about 600 pages longer so that I didn’t have to wait for the next book.
I love this series. I need to reread this series. In fact. . . do I need to read other books? I could just read these books over and over again for the rest of time.
If I woke up with amnesia, I would be happy, I would get to experience this series for the first time again. Do you think if I asked Sel he'd mesmer me to forget these books but still remember that I want to read them?
BRB gonna go cry and throw up.
Current Status: Dreaming about Nick
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT’S HOW IT ENDS?!
Reading a Legendborn Cycle book is a full body experience. I am screaming, yelling, crying, pacing around my living room, sweating, jolting up in bed, annotating like a madman, screeching, etc. I become possessed by a person who lives and breathes exclusively Legendborn. I'm not exaggerating btw my neighbors probably think I'm crazy.
There’s nothing else to say. The writing was beautiful. It did the same thing as the other books, using familiar YA tropes in creative ways. It includes some of my favorite :)))) I was dying. I never wanted this book to end. I wanted to read, but reading made the end come faster ya know?
The ability to take these foreign Arthurian concepts and apply them to modern analysis of systemic racism and misogyny is so impressive and inspiring. And in a way that doesn’t detract from the story and still is fitting for YA. Tracy Deon. . . THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE.
I wish this book was about 600 pages longer so that I didn’t have to wait for the next book.
I love this series. I need to reread this series. In fact. . . do I need to read other books? I could just read these books over and over again for the rest of time.
If I woke up with amnesia, I would be happy, I would get to experience this series for the first time again. Do you think if I asked Sel he'd mesmer me to forget these books but still remember that I want to read them?
BRB gonna go cry and throw up.
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 ⭐️
This is a crazy book! I have so many conflicting feelings but I think this book is good. There’s a lot in this book to unpack. I will be ruminating on that ending for a while I think.
I’ll get into all the things I liked but first I need to get the elephant in the room out of the way. This isn’t a good sequel to Iron Widow. Iron Widow had a very strong YA feel. This book feels like the “Well of Ascension” of the series. It is significantly slower paced, it’s longer, and it's heavily political. It’s no longer YA and is now NA. Ahem throne of glass should’ve done this too for the later books. This book is mostly important people in rooms talking about political theory and how to be an effective ruler (at least in their opinion). There are some fun schemes and trickery but it's still all politics related. People that liked the fast paced, high action of Iron Widow will probably find this disappointing. I think this book is a lot of set up for a sequel that will hopefully be better than both Iron Widow and Heavenly Tyrant.
I think Zetian is a great unreliable protagonist. She reminds me of Katniss but I’m not sure why. They’re quite different and I don’t even really like Katniss but they have similar vibes. Zetian is feisty, slow to trust, and fierce. She does not hesitate to kill. I vibe with that and I think it’s always fun to read about ruthless characters. She’s probably more like Vin or book 3 Elend?
However, Qin Zheng is by far my favorite character. He has so many layers and so much depth. I don’t even know how I feel about him. I love him but also hate him? I guess Zetian and I are in the same boat (I probably wouldn’t peg him tho 😳). He has so many redeeming qualities and theoretically I agree with his politics but he is also the worst tyrant to ever do it sooo… I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FEEL. AND I LOVE THAT. Not just any author can write a character that I don’t immediately love or hate. Many authors TRY to write morally gray characters but that just means that they killed some people once to defend the person they love. Zheng is ACTUALLY morally gray.
Even Yizhi who was kind of boring in the first book had some really interesting moments that made me reconsider his character.
Top notch character writing from Xiran in this book. I think that above anything else makes me like this book more than Iron Widow. Those characters felt very “tropey” and not that unique even if the world was. The characters definitely stand out in this book.
The politics was a little ham fisted as I saw some other reviews say. Sure, it got a little preachy sometimes and that was probably my least favorite part. I think it was important tho to set up Qin Zheng the way he was. I get why it was done but I think there was probably a way to accomplish the same goal while not being as annoying lol.
The world is still really cool and I love the ancient Chinese inspirations. I will say as a white ass cracker I have a hard time remembering the names on audiobook. I’m constantly googling who characters are even after like 30 hours of listening to their names (Yes I am googling the sounds because I don’t know Chinese Pinyin that well). This is a me issue but I felt I needed to mention it.
The ending was absolutely wild. I think some of it worked and some of it didn’t but it totally shocked me and got the reaction it was looking for. Some of the more sci-fi stuff I didn’t like as much but I think that's just because I’m not a big sci-fi fan and like the more grounded stuff.
I am very eager to see how Xiran pulls off the sequel. I’m guessing this is a trilogy? If so, they have a lot of work to do to wrap up the story. I am hoping that there is no happy ending. Everyone, even Zetian, is horrible and I would be okay if they all just died.