elsecallerreads's reviews
592 reviews

The Darkening by Sunya Mara

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

3.0

This book had so much potential but it just fell flat for me. I loved the world building and the magic system was so interesting. I wish the author had really taken the time to develop the relationships and spent more time with the magic system. 
So much of this book just felt rushed. I loved the twists and turns but they would have been so much more impactful if we hadn't rushed to them. I'm still planning on reading the sequel because I do want to know what happens and I really like the main character. 
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

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

3.0

I have very mixed feelings. So let's break them down. 
The good:
1. The world building. I thought this was a really neat concept and I liked a lot of the ideas behind it. 
2. The main character. I lived having a female firefighter as the main character. I thought she felt well developed and complex
3. The general writing style. Stylistically I liked this a lot. It flowed well and I enjoyed the lightly sarcastic undertone. 
4. The pining. The general chemistry between the two really worked for me.
The bad:
1. The spice. That was terrible. No foreplay just dry boring sex. 
2. Running behind a galloping horse. I feel like the author doesn't know much about horses or what a human body is capable of. She ran 15 miles behind a galloping horse? There were many instances where i was like this just isn't realistic enough.
3. Pestilence's growth is largely off screen. Because his growth is so internal I think this book would have really benefited from having his POV. In the end he talks about how he served his purpose but I don't even feel like I know what that was. 

Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous lighthearted 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

These books continue to be adorable 
Defiant by Michael R. Miller

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adventurous dark emotional tense 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

Im so invested in this story. That being said this book wasn't as tight as the other two. Several POVs were added and they really slowed the story down. This book just didn't have as clear a direction as the others. 
Either way i still enjoyed it a lot, I was a lot more invested in Osiric's story than I expected. Im really looking forward to seeing where this story goes. 
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous lighthearted 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

Once again I loved it. T. Kingfishers sense of humor is the exact same as mine. I didn't like this one quite as much as the first one because it felt just tad slow in parts but overall very fun. 
Sweet Surrender by Viano Oniomoh

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adventurous emotional fast-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

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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adventurous dark 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

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was so enchanting. I've seen many people compare it to a studio ghibli movie and I have to agree. I loved every moment. 
Married to the Devil by Lillian Lark

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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

5.0

Thanks to the author for the ARC! This is my honest review! 
Another fantastic installment to the monstrous matches series. I was worried about not liking this one because I dont tend to like when love interest is an asshole but Lillian Lark makes it work! 
I honestly can't think of anything about this book i didn't love. 
Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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 enjoyed following Imriel's story further and it went it directions i didn't expect. I did think the last third of the book dragged a bit.