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cloudbooks's reviews
162 reviews
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 stars because it's just okay.
This book was the first in the series where I didn't have this constant vague sense of annoyance while reading it. The writing gets better and better for each book - I genuinely hadn't seen the twist coming this time. Though it's not much different from the others. Four books in and each book follows the same pattern. I hope that changes, it's getting a little boring.
Once again, I have to conclude that I'm simply too old to fully enjoy these books. There was so much teenage drama in this one to the point that I sometimes wondered why I was even reading it. It wasn't enough that one couple had issues, no. It had to be all of them simultaneously - even if one of the couples was away for half the book!
Not a book I'd read again, but at least now I can have an opinion about these books based on actually reading them and not just rumors.
This book was the first in the series where I didn't have this constant vague sense of annoyance while reading it. The writing gets better and better for each book - I genuinely hadn't seen the twist coming this time. Though it's not much different from the others. Four books in and each book follows the same pattern. I hope that changes, it's getting a little boring.
Once again, I have to conclude that I'm simply too old to fully enjoy these books. There was so much teenage drama in this one to the point that I sometimes wondered why I was even reading it. It wasn't enough that one couple had issues, no. It had to be all of them simultaneously - even if one of the couples was away for half the book!
Not a book I'd read again, but at least now I can have an opinion about these books based on actually reading them and not just rumors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Religious bigotry
IVALU by Morten Dürr
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This story makes you think about the relationship between Greenland and Denmark. It makes you wonder how many kids are left behind because of that relationship. It breaks your heart and gives you to think, with only so few words written on a page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Zenobia by Morten Dürr
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such a heartbreaking story that sadly happens to far too many children in war. The last few pages will never leave me. That really truly hit home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
I love this world and these characters so much that I don't think I can be very critical of the story. I loved everything about it! And even after an extra book, I desperately need more.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
This is a story about found family, magic, and about a witch. It's heartwarming, it's sweet, and it's full of comfort. And a little sad too.
It's definitely a book I'd read again.
It's definitely a book I'd read again.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
The plot is okay. I definitely feel this book was written for teenagers, not adults, and naturally that made it a lot harder to connect to the characters as an adult.
But this book also has serious inconsistencies with its writing. This would have been a 2 star but there was barely a character with a consistent personality in this book, let alone a consistent narration style.
I'm hoping the next books in the series are better.
But this book also has serious inconsistencies with its writing. This would have been a 2 star but there was barely a character with a consistent personality in this book, let alone a consistent narration style.
I'm hoping the next books in the series are better.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I've read nothing like this book before. It's full of queer representation weaved into a tapestry of strange friendships and a collective goal of returning to a life that never made any of them happy.
My only complaint is that the story was somewhat short and it was rather predictable. But that definitely doesn't make it unreadable!
My only complaint is that the story was somewhat short and it was rather predictable. But that definitely doesn't make it unreadable!
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Like the first, it's a short story. It's written like a horrible fairy tale and again, full of queer representation. Only 3.5 stars because while the story was nice, it was short, a little predictable, and I wasn't too fond of any of the characters. Still worth a read though.
In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The ending was heartbreaking even when I knew it would end that way.
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This book is pretty confusing. Some spoilers below but nothing major.
First off, it feels a lot like the author decided the incest thing got her too much backlash. So she decided to quick fix it with some convoluted explanation and barely any foreshadowing of it. It didn't work for me and it didn't really feel authentic either.
Second, while I appreciate the gay couple, it just didn't serve any purpose. It was nice but... That's really it. Neither of the characters grew or changed. They just decided their fling was now more and poof, they work it out. Why the build up if it's nothing major?
And last, it ends in such a tell-tale way with very few twists that it doesn't really leave you desiring anything else. But I know there's 3 more books in this series and I wonder why. This was a decent ending to a below average story. I even enjoyed it, and there really wasn't much to enjoy about this series.
First off, it feels a lot like the author decided the incest thing got her too much backlash.
Second,
And last, it ends in such a tell-tale way with very few twists that it doesn't really leave you desiring anything else. But I know there's 3 more books in this series and I wonder why. This was a decent ending to a below average story. I even enjoyed it, and there really wasn't much to enjoy about this series.