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claragweny's reviews
188 reviews
The Twisted Mark by Sophie Williamson
adventurous
dark
medium-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
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sweet, relaxing, and captivating. A good pallet cleanser and holiday book. I would definitely reccomend is easy-going romance is your thing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
sad
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? No
3.5
I love an epistolary novel so Divine Rivals was of immediate interest to me. Beyond the magical letter writing component of the book I really had no idea what it was about before reading. I also didn't realize it was YA which was a little bit of a bummer, if I'm honest. As someone who's nearly 30, I don't particularly reach for novels about 18/19 year olds and I pretend they're older most of the time (example: Feyre in ACOTAR) but Iris and Roman read like their age so I couldn't do that in this case.
Rebecca Ross' writing style is very poetic and almost musical. I found myself re-reading lines because they were beautiful and powerful. However, I did find a lot lacking in this book.
Firstly, the world building. While reading it felt like Ross was saving much of the world-building for book 2 and focused more on character development in book 1. The story between Dacre and Enva seems very inspired by Persephone and Hades which could lead me to several different conclusions but the book gave me nothing to work with.
Second, I found the development of Iris and Roman's relationship really rushed. They both barely acknowledged their feelings but then suddenly they were in love. I think if there had been more of the story devoted to Roman and Iris actually talking about their feelings it wouldn't have felt so rushed.I don't think the marriage feels rushed though. This would be a believable development for any couple in love on the brink of war and death. You just have to pretend that you really believe Roman and Iris are in love.
All things considered, I still enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and I enjoyed lots of things about it. I hope that Ruthless Vows delves more into the world of the gods.
Note: I know people think the title refers to Iris and Roman being rivals-to-lovers but I think the title is actually referring to Enva and Dacre. But I also didn't go into the book thinking this would be an enemies-to-lovers or even really rivals-to-lovers so 🤷🏻♀️
Rebecca Ross' writing style is very poetic and almost musical. I found myself re-reading lines because they were beautiful and powerful. However, I did find a lot lacking in this book.
Firstly, the world building. While reading it felt like Ross was saving much of the world-building for book 2 and focused more on character development in book 1. The story between Dacre and Enva seems very inspired by Persephone and Hades which could lead me to several different conclusions but the book gave me nothing to work with.
Second, I found the development of Iris and Roman's relationship really rushed. They both barely acknowledged their feelings but then suddenly they were in love. I think if there had been more of the story devoted to Roman and Iris actually talking about their feelings it wouldn't have felt so rushed.
All things considered, I still enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and I enjoyed lots of things about it. I hope that Ruthless Vows delves more into the world of the gods.
Note: I know people think the title refers to Iris and Roman being rivals-to-lovers but I think the title is actually referring to Enva and Dacre. But I also didn't go into the book thinking this would be an enemies-to-lovers or even really rivals-to-lovers so 🤷🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
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
4.5
This series fully enthralls me. I knew some spoilers before starting Throne of Glass, so some things didn't come as a surprise, but it still got me totally hooked. I went into this being fully team Chaol and came out of it absolutely team Dorian. But knowing SJM, I predict Celaena will end up with neither. 🤷🏻♀️ We'll see I guess.
Now to go binge-read the rest of the series.
Now to go binge-read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ashley Poston does it again. While I thought the Dead Romantics was such a unique and emotional story the Seven Year Slip might be my favorite work of Poston’s. I relate so much to Clementine both in terms of age and career choice. I, too, have been working in the same job for seven years. And while I haven’t recently lost a family member I have grief still buried within me.
It just feels like magic for me to read this book at a time where I am struggling with so many of the same things Clementine does. Maybe that skews my perception of the book but it left me with so much hope for future.
It just feels like magic for me to read this book at a time where I am struggling with so many of the same things Clementine does. Maybe that skews my perception of the book but it left me with so much hope for future.
A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Of the Flesh and Fire series so far, this was my least favorite because of the first 60%-ish of the book. I think the amount spent on Sera's captivity could have been reduced by quite a bit. I do think the long, agonizing struggle, of what essentially boils down to sexual assault and abuse, really lets us be able to experience Sera's true power and relief when she and Ash are reunited. I just wish that part of the story had been condensed. Oh, but the last 10% of the book? Totally worth it.
Ash is truly the #1 shadow daddy in my rank.
From Blood and Ash spoilers below:
Is it just me or does this book allude to Poppy being Sotoria reborn??
Ash is truly the #1 shadow daddy in my rank.
From Blood and Ash spoilers below:
Is it just me or does this book allude to Poppy being Sotoria reborn??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Kidnapping
A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I loved how to really got to see Sera naturally shape herself into someone so powerful. How she shed the veil and put it back on to suit her needs. How she embraced her primal power despite believing it wasn't really her power. How she struggled and grew throughout this book was so compelling. Ash is also very... compelling. A shadow daddy of the first class.
All of the scenes with Jadis, Reaver, and Nektas are my favorite. I'm so glad JLA wrote so much of them into the story. Though, it also makes me sad to think of what we'll learn about Jadis in the next FBAA book.
I still can't believe what happened toEctor at the end. I had gasped then held my breath while reading that part and I swear I felt Sera's pain.
All of the scenes with Jadis, Reaver, and Nektas are my favorite. I'm so glad JLA wrote so much of them into the story. Though, it also makes me sad to think of what we'll learn about Jadis in the next FBAA book.
I still can't believe what happened to
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, and Grief
A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this more than I liked Blood and Ash! I think Sera is more interesting and compelling than Poppy. I also really like how much more context this brings to the Blood and Ash universe. I rarely read prequels but I'm glad I read this one.
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
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
As much as I loved Daughter of the Monon Goddess I am devastated by Heart of the Sun Warrior. The story is so immersive and I found myself laughing, crying, gasping, and swooning while listening to the audiobook. I love everything I've heard from Natalie Naudis and this was no exception.
I am such a Wenzhi fan so when he died I had to stop the audiobook and send a little prayer that he would be resurrected a la Houyi. While I would have loved to have seen Xingyin and Wenzhi fall in love again I was so happy with how their story ended. It truly filled me with such hope and joy for them.
Overall, this was an amazing conclusion to my favorite series/duology I've read this year if not of all time. I would recommend this book (and duology) to anyone who loves epic fantasy, romance, or stories inspired by mythology.
Overall, this was an amazing conclusion to my favorite series/duology I've read this year if not of all time. I would recommend this book (and duology) to anyone who loves epic fantasy, romance, or stories inspired by mythology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and War
Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0