Scan barcode
zombiegomoan's reviews
197 reviews
The Lesser Devil by Christopher Ruocchio
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
Quite enjoyable, fast, and action packed! I read this fairly soon after reading Empire of Silence. I would have preferred to read this series in the publication order rather than in the chronological order, but my library had this hold ready so much more quickly than the next in the publication order soooo here we are. I'd be curious to see if my opinion on this book once I read the rest of the series, and also to see if we see Crispin or go back to Delos in the main series.
I always like to see depictions of religion in fiction, especially science fiction. We know the Terran Chantry is effectively the state religion of the Empire, this book explores what other beliefs they allow.
I always like to see depictions of religion in fiction, especially science fiction. We know the Terran Chantry is effectively the state religion of the Empire, this book explores what other beliefs they allow.
Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
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
3.0
Mostly just kinda disappointed with this book tbh.
Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio
adventurous
dark
slow-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 found this book in a thread for recommendations on books like Red Rising. Unfortunately, it feels less like Red Rising and more like Dune in it's general slowness and how it kinda throws the reader into the deep end of the world of the book. I think because of that it really took me a while to get into the book. It wasn't until a little less than halfway through that I started to feel positively about the book.
One thing to note is the book's interesting writing style, it's written as if it's a memoir from the perspective of our main character, Hadrian. Right from the beginning we find out there's been some sort of war, and that Hadrian has done something horrible in the course of that war but that this story isn't about the war and Hadrian's role in it, at least not yet. For now, he's just retelling his life story. Throughout this retelling, however, we get periodic nuggets of commentary from future Hadrian on his past, and these little asides where he reflects on how he used to act or think is how we're slowly introduced to the character he becomes.
One thing to note is the book's interesting writing style, it's written as if it's a memoir from the perspective of our main character, Hadrian. Right from the beginning we find out there's been some sort of war, and that Hadrian has done something horrible in the course of that war but that this story isn't about the war and Hadrian's role in it, at least not yet. For now, he's just retelling his life story. Throughout this retelling, however, we get periodic nuggets of commentary from future Hadrian on his past, and these little asides where he reflects on how he used to act or think is how we're slowly introduced to the character he becomes.
Elegy for the Undead by Matthew Vesely
dark
emotional
sad
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? N/A
4.0
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I'd known about this book for a while but hadn't really given it a shot until I was laid up in bed after breaking my shoulder. Just needed something basic I could listen to while extremely high on pain meds and marijuana. It served it's purpose, but this book is nothing special and does NOT deserve all the praise it's getting here and elsewhere online (namely Tiktok).
It's basically a perfectly average YA book (which I'm totally fine with reading!) about a girl in a dragon riding school, but then completely removes the possibility of it being YA with how sexually explicit it is. As a gay man, I sometimes forget the realities of heterosexual activities and BOY did this remind me! *shudder* Also, the whole enemies to lovers thing seriously doesn't work with me, it's a big book ick for me, so maybe take my review with a grain of salt knowing that.
It's basically a perfectly average YA book (which I'm totally fine with reading!) about a girl in a dragon riding school, but then completely removes the possibility of it being YA with how sexually explicit it is. As a gay man, I sometimes forget the realities of heterosexual activities and BOY did this remind me! *shudder* Also, the whole enemies to lovers thing seriously doesn't work with me, it's a big book ick for me, so maybe take my review with a grain of salt knowing that.
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Overall just a cute queer teen romance story about love at the end of the world, which I feel like I don't see all that often.