whatiskatelynreading's reviews
326 reviews

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

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

3.0

Ultimately, this was just not for me. The depictions of grief were sincere and well done. There was just too much millennial cringe in this one for my taste, and the near-constant references to real life books and authors took me out of the story every time they popped up. I loved the concept but the book dragged for me, was too predictable and repetitive, and felt too much like reading fanfic for my taste. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Forged By Blood by Ehigbor Okosun

3.0

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War

The Lord of Stariel by A.J. Lancaster

slow-paced

3.0

Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.5

While I thoroughly enjoyed the Norse mythology aspect of this book and the general plot, I feel like there were a lot of pieces that needed better development. The main character, Freya, starts the book as a daring and jaded fishwife who has discovered that the magic she has kept secret for most of her life has wound her fate into a complex power struggle between power-hungry jarls who think that as Shield Maiden, Freya can help them become King of a united Skaland. Freya encounters many dangers as she navigates this new prophesied role - but the most dangerous part of all might be her forbidden feelings towards Bjorn - the son of the jarl that aims to control Freya's powers. 

I found Freya's character development to be confusing and frustrating and the romance to be unsatisfying in its development. When Freya meets Bjorn she's snarky and fearless, but as soon as they're in close quarters it's insta-love. I feel like there's a "Fated mates" type of bond that's supposed to be happening between these two, but I wish it had been a bit more of a slow burn because Freya's pining started almost immediately. Book two is set up for more of that tension though - and I did really enjoy Bjorn's character, so I will be interested to see where this goes. 

I also found the motivations and relationships in this book to be a bit confusing. At no point does Freya have an ally that she can completely trust - and any chance at female companionship is quickly sputtered out by death of betrayal. In a story where the main character feels consistently used by men I had hoped to find more complex female characters for her to engage with and befriend.

Bodil was an attempt at that kind of mentor/mother figure - but she was gone as quickly as she was introduced. I do not feel we had enough time with her to feel the full impact of loss that Freya felt. I wish that the relationship had been more developed. Freya's family were also confusing. They start out seeming like a normal family with perhaps a spoiled mother, and as the book goes on her family go from hot to cold with their behavior towards Freya, all while Bjorn basically tells her "So what if they die" right after fearing that Freya is going down a path of needless violence.

Overall, I did enjoy the book enough to continue the series - especially because of the events that ended the book - but I do think there could have been a lot better development of characters in this. It just wasn't the five star read I had hoped it would be.