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vrncareads's reviews
135 reviews
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
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
4.0
I can’t pick between a 3.75-4 rating.
I loved the storytelling of the novel, it definitely had a lot of world building and training sequences but I became really interested in the story after she arrived and met with Max. The second half of the story was also the trials and tribulations for the protagonist, but what I didn’t really like (at first) was the switching in pov’s, of course I became accustomed to it but i think it was a little 🤷🏻♀️
I loved the storytelling of the novel, it definitely had a lot of world building and training sequences but I became really interested in the story after she arrived and met with Max. The second half of the story was also the trials and tribulations for the protagonist, but what I didn’t really like (at first) was the switching in pov’s, of course I became accustomed to it but i think it was a little 🤷🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, War, Physical abuse, and Violence
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
final thoughts
- the story is so well written I felt like i was in a movie. You don't often come across books written in third person but i really loved everything about it. Even the instances of having kitt's thoughts in there too was not obstructing or anything.
- so many times my mouth was AGAPE. i wasn't shocked but i turned the page and it would happened so fast! i loved it, it kept my attention constantly.
- I CANNOT BELIEVE HE ASKED HER TO MARRY HIM BUT I LITERALLY SCREAMED, but also when her mom died even though it wasn't very many pages in but i had tears prickle in my eyes, and i could feel her sorrows. so many things she said could relate to many situations that i knew and i think ross wrote it so beautifully.
- i cannot wait till the next book comes out, that cliff hanger was insane!
- the story is so well written I felt like i was in a movie. You don't often come across books written in third person but i really loved everything about it. Even the instances of having kitt's thoughts in there too was not obstructing or anything.
- so many times my mouth was AGAPE. i wasn't shocked but i turned the page and it would happened so fast! i loved it, it kept my attention constantly.
- i cannot wait till the next book comes out, that cliff hanger was insane!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Grief, and Death of parent
Slaying the Shadow Prince by Helen Scheuerer
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Honestly, this series should have been written in hawke’s perspective. His character has gone through so much trials and tribulations, that seeing the entire story of their love in his perspective was so interesting, it honestly made poppy look really dull and a little bit dumb, but that ENDING left on a cliff hanger definitely caught me off guard.
Overall, it was really fun and I really missed that Hawke 🥹
Overall, it was really fun and I really missed that Hawke 🥹
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really recommend reading this before the ashes and the star cursed king. It explores the relationship of vale and lilith in such a short and sweet way— you could definitely read this in one setting.
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
the last 100 pages made me so nervous and emotional 😭 it was everything
this book has a special place in my heart, and I loved how it wrapped everything nicely it’s everything 🥺 I have an emotional scar forever and raihn is now in the top 3 book boyfriends with Xaden and Rhysand
this book has a special place in my heart, and I loved how it wrapped everything nicely it’s everything 🥺 I have an emotional scar forever and raihn is now in the top 3 book boyfriends with Xaden and Rhysand
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and War
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-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
4.75
Around the 60% point I was thinking that this would be a 4 star book. But then that ending made me feel like Mr. Krabs spinning. I don’t even know what to think. 🫣
I think Oraya is a bad bitch, and it was so interesting to read someone who barely spoke but only to herself, which really emphasized her loneliness. Ilana’s death I couldn’t find that it affected me much, and I kinda wish there were maybe 2 more scenes with her to get to know her, but I could feel how Oraya grieved.
Mr. Rhain was the softest man, and treated her like a QUEEN. BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO FEEL ANYMORE. I KNOW HE IS DOING THIS TO HELP ORAYA BUT LOWKEY RED FLAGS ARE BEING WAVED IN MY BRAIN.
There were definitely a couple lines in there that I didn’t like personally, it felt uncomfortable reading them - but nevertheless I need to start the second book ASAP.
I think Oraya is a bad bitch, and it was so interesting to read someone who barely spoke but only to herself, which really emphasized her loneliness. Ilana’s death I couldn’t find that it affected me much, and I kinda wish there were maybe 2 more scenes with her to get to know her, but I could feel how Oraya grieved.
Mr. Rhain was the softest man, and treated her like a QUEEN. BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO FEEL ANYMORE. I KNOW HE IS DOING THIS TO HELP ORAYA BUT LOWKEY RED FLAGS ARE BEING WAVED IN MY BRAIN.
There were definitely a couple lines in there that I didn’t like personally, it felt uncomfortable reading them - but nevertheless I need to start the second book ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, War, Death, and Rape
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had the constant thought of how this book would end, and what would happen to June after the news broke out — and it’s not to say I wasn’t satisfied with the ending, but it left me contemplating for a long time of what to think which is what I think Kuang implied to happen
What I really found amazing was the constant back and forth of June’s thoughts and trying to convince herself that she’s doing just fine. Her paranoia itches at her words, and the racist tones that she is unaware of. I love the topic of hearing the big debated question — should white authors be writing about other cultures/people of colour. In this case, June did the research but it wasn’t intended. It’s not like she came up with the idea, and she went to the extent of changing her name to fit an Asian stereotype — which big yikes.
I wonder what perspective individuals without the background of publish or going through an English degree think about this book. Nevertheless, Junie’s end is relaying who she has become — a power hungry racist.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-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
5.0
Xaden is on top of fictional boyfriend list