authorkristenelizabeth's reviews
28 reviews

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad 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

I was definitely not expecting the plot of this to play out the way it had. Godkiller sucked me in from the first sentence and kept me wanting more. It is filled with witty banter, flawed characters that may or may not be redeemable, and an interesting magic system full of twists and turns. I loved Kissen, Inara, and Elo's developed camaraderie throughout their journey. A must read if you want a fresh take in the fantasy genre!
An Extravagant Death by Charles Finch

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mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • 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? No

3.25

This is definitely not my usual genre to read. While the premise was interesting, the story itself was very slow moving. I did like the investigation of the murder, but it took me days to actually get into reading this book. If you like a solid whodunit, this will be right up your alley. I had a couple theories towards the end of the book and was pleasantly surprised by the ending. It is a good book, just a bit too slow and a bit drawn out for my tastes. I believe it is part of a larger series as well - but it doesn't seem to be directly related to earlier books if that is the case.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a semi-rollercoaster of emotions within a vampire competition. I was a bit hesitant to read this at first, but it completely went beyond my expectations. I really enjoyed the banter between Raihn and Oraya - watching them become true allies in a competition designed for death was heartwarming. I would like to have seen more behind the lore of the world - I really enjoyed the interludes as they provided perspective into Vincent's decisions and Oraya's life in the Night Palace. This is gory and bloody at all the right times - just hold on to your hat for some unexpected twists! I'll definitely be picking up book 2 and any others within the universe.
Circe by Madeline Miller

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This took me a long time to get into - it has a very slow start. Once there was drama and action, I really got into it. I loved the twist that Madeline Miller put into Circe's life and her struggles. Seeing her become someone other than broken was really refreshing. It was a nice take on an old Greek mythology tale. I do wish the start had been more interesting, but I think the rest of the novel makes up for that. Definitely a read for you if you like Greek mythology!
The Faerie Path by Allan Frewin Jones

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a favorite of mine back in middle school so I definitely needed the reread. It was so great for what I consider to be a middle-grade book. Anita is a typical teenage girl in the 21st century suddenly thrust into a world of magic and faeries. It's a great introductory read for beginner fantasy readers. The plot is a good pace but does move along quicker towards the last 100 or so pages of the book. There was a feeling that I got about a certain character- and when things were revealed I felt very validated in my off opinion. I now have the urge to get the rest of the series so I can really see how everything played out!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

If I could rate this beyond 5 stars - I would in a heartbeat. If you're a fan of Greek mythology, this is definitely a must read. This had me enraptured from the first chapter. I loved how we got to see Achilles through Patroclus's eyes - get you a man like him for sure. I loved their story and this is a sad tale but in the best way. Prepare yourself to feel emotions all over - this is a journey worth taking!
Neon Gods by Katee Robert

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really did enjoy the spice that this book had to offer but I wanted a bit more out of the plot. But we're here for a good time and not a long time! Overall, the ending was satisfactory but I would have preferred more drama and fight when going to "war" in Olympus. It's not plot heavy to me - it's spice with a little plot sprinkled in. I do love the dynamic between Persephone and Hades - I was entertained with their banter and the jokes they had. 
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad 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

I really enjoyed this book! I typically don't read first person POV but Axie Oh has definitely changed my opinion on that aspect. The way that she told this story made me think of a watercolor painting - the language and prose is so pretty and paints such an amazing picture. I could envision how everything looked with ease.

Mina's journey in the Spirit Realm was filled with twists and turns. I never would have guessed what happened - though I did call one part that I had a hunch on (no spoilers here!) The characters were so likeable and the dialogue hilarious at some points - I loved their interactions with one another. Definitely a must read if you like what I would say is a more wholesome fantasy novel.