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gattolino_nn's reviews
566 reviews
Gleam by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I must say I have been liking how each book has had a different setting so far. We are now in the fifth kingdom and get to see a bit more of what life is like in court.
Most of the book is Auren navigating her new environment and situations she finds herself in. It does feel slow for most of the book but once we get towards the end it starts to pick up as urgency is remembered. My biggest issue with this section of the book was plans were made to escape early on but felt like it fell to the wayside or straight up forgotten for most of the book before suddenly being important again.
Mainly through Auren's POV, do also we see how Midas is manipulating both the sixth and fifth kingdom's courts. Choosing aspects of both courts that he grants him the most control and uses it to his advantage. We constantly see him playing games and adjusting throughout the whole book as things change or don't go exactly his way.
Whilst Queen Malina I think had the most interesting story line of the book, she does sadly get the least amount of pages. We follow her as she works to take over and keep control of the Sixth Kingdom, her rightful birth right having been the Princess but born without magic. As the story progresses you can start to see where her character could start changing for the better which I don't doubt will be in book 4 continue throughout the series, with ups and downs in the development. She brings a much needed change from the main storyline as it dawdles along.
We don't really get much of Slade in this book compared to Glint. He is there for some moments but mainly in the sidelines until the end of the book where he comes more into the spotlight, which leads nicely into the ending. I think the ending has to be the best part of the book. It really pushes the pace of the book and you get to see some great character moments that where really well written, and how it really sets up for the fourth book and who the key players are going to be.
Most of the book is Auren navigating her new environment and situations she finds herself in. It does feel slow for most of the book but once we get towards the end it starts to pick up as urgency is remembered. My biggest issue with this section of the book was plans were made to escape early on but felt like it fell to the wayside or straight up forgotten for most of the book before suddenly being important again.
Mainly through Auren's POV, do also we see how Midas is manipulating both the sixth and fifth kingdom's courts. Choosing aspects of both courts that he grants him the most control and uses it to his advantage. We constantly see him playing games and adjusting throughout the whole book as things change or don't go exactly his way.
Whilst Queen Malina I think had the most interesting story line of the book, she does sadly get the least amount of pages. We follow her as she works to take over and keep control of the Sixth Kingdom, her rightful birth right having been the Princess but born without magic. As the story progresses you can start to see where her character could start changing for the better which I don't doubt will be in book 4 continue throughout the series, with ups and downs in the development. She brings a much needed change from the main storyline as it dawdles along.
We don't really get much of Slade in this book compared to Glint. He is there for some moments but mainly in the sidelines until the end of the book where he comes more into the spotlight, which leads nicely into the ending. I think the ending has to be the best part of the book. It really pushes the pace of the book and you get to see some great character moments that where really well written, and how it really sets up for the fourth book and who the key players are going to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Glint by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It is only when writing this review that I realise that the majority of the book took place within the Fourth army. I did enjoy the new characters that we got introduced to and that Auren seems to grow a bit in this book and by the end we can see who she may become through out the rest of the series.
I think I preferred the camp life compared to the previous setting of the palace and the travelling. It gives you a chance to settle in a bit more and get to know the characters that I have no doubt will keep coming up in the series.
I was also surprised that we got chapters from Queen Malina POV. I'm not sure how I feel about her. I am kind of invested to see what she can do but I also feel like her dislike for Auren is very superficial, but I'm here to see if there is character growth for her throughout the series or if she just becomes a one dimensional villain for the plot.
I think I preferred the camp life compared to the previous setting of the palace and the travelling. It gives you a chance to settle in a bit more and get to know the characters that I have no doubt will keep coming up in the series.
I was also surprised that we got chapters from Queen Malina POV. I'm not sure how I feel about her. I am kind of invested to see what she can do but I also feel like her dislike for Auren is very superficial, but I'm here to see if there is character growth for her throughout the series or if she just becomes a one dimensional villain for the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Death and Toxic relationship
The Hell Courtesan by N.S. Kane
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
First and foremost the art work is beautiful.
The story was interesting to see Jigoku's story and the changes she needs to make to her life if she wants to be free. I was also surprised that this was based off a Japanese painting with a similar story which served as the inspiration for this story.
It was a quick read that is self contained to the one volume and leaves and ending that has you thinking for a bit.
The story was interesting to see Jigoku's story and the changes she needs to make to her life if she wants to be free. I was also surprised that this was based off a Japanese painting with a similar story which served as the inspiration for this story.
It was a quick read that is self contained to the one volume and leaves and ending that has you thinking for a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Reflection by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
I thought this was such an interesting story that really played into the themes of the original Disney Mulan movie, but gave it a new way to explore everything.
I think this exploration around the themes of who one's self is, is really highlighted with the afterlife setting. They compliment each other well and bring some really strong scenes about looking into yourself and facing what may scare you to be the best you. This self reflection can give you the confidence and strength to believe in yourself even if it goes against the cultural norms.
I think this exploration around the themes of who one's self is, is really highlighted with the afterlife setting. They compliment each other well and bring some really strong scenes about looking into yourself and facing what may scare you to be the best you. This self reflection can give you the confidence and strength to believe in yourself even if it goes against the cultural norms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: War
Teach Yourself about Shares: A Self-Help Guide to Successful Share Investing by Roger Kinsky
informative
medium-paced
4.0
It taught me what I wanted to know and within the share market most relative to me.
Girls in Boys' Cars by Felicity Castagna
adventurous
emotional
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
3.0
I can see why it won the awards that it has as I feel like a lot of younger people would feel connected to the character and how sometimes they can feel trapped after making a decision.
I don't know if it is a story that gives any light at the end of the tunnel but it does make for a interesting and somewhat realistic story of consequences and how different decisions can lead someone down a path that many would not think them capable of.
For me I thought the story was ok but nothing something that overly interesting to me.
I don't know if it is a story that gives any light at the end of the tunnel but it does make for a interesting and somewhat realistic story of consequences and how different decisions can lead someone down a path that many would not think them capable of.
For me I thought the story was ok but nothing something that overly interesting to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness and Fire/Fire injury
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 1 by Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I love the art work and the story. The art is so expressive and has this both fun and go lucky feel but also serious when the time calls for it. It matches the story really well that can go from everyday activities to something serious and back to normalities like nothing.
It is one of the things I really like about the series and keeps me invested to keep going even after reading the light novel and watching the anime. It still brings a sense of fun and intrigue to keep going.
It is one of the things I really like about the series and keeps me invested to keep going even after reading the light novel and watching the anime. It still brings a sense of fun and intrigue to keep going.
Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge by Lisa Jensen
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
I thought this was a really interesting retelling of the story. It has a more historical feel like the original but also takes moments that are associated with the Disney movie to combine the story that we get to read.
The story makes changes to the curse and , without spoiling it I thought it was a very unique way to look at the story. It really shows how we can take a tale and still find something else to focus on and how we can tell a new perspective. With that I really liked how it ended.
The story makes changes to the curse and , without spoiling it I thought it was a very unique way to look at the story. It really shows how we can take a tale and still find something else to focus on and how we can tell a new perspective. With that I really liked how it ended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Rape
The Truth About China: Propaganda, patriotism and the search for answers by Bill Birtles
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I thought it was really interesting to see a perspective of China from someone who lived in it for several years but also have restrictions that come with being a foreign journalist.
Worth the read if you are interested in some of these insights.
Worth the read if you are interested in some of these insights.
Wicked Darlings Bonus Content: Bonus Chapters from the Series by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is a collection of snippets from the series and it was just fun to see all of the characters again and to have some great scenes from different perspectives.
As it is bonus content for the main series there isn't really anything to talk about without spoilers, but if you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this.
As it is bonus content for the main series there isn't really anything to talk about without spoilers, but if you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this.