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highleyginger's reviews
62 reviews
Daindreth's Empress by Elisabeth Wheatley
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Amira had spend hours going over the requests and these were all from just one minister, how has Vesha not gone insane?
OMG GIRL SHE DID, DO YOU NOT REMEMBER SHE MADE DEALS WITH THE CYTHRAUL FOR PEACE AND STABILITY? She literally made a deal with the devil 🤣
Again, I'm finishing our this series for Thadred, Sair, and Rhis. I love Thadred's relationship with Rhis, his patience with him is adorable. He's such a great father figure for him.
Gets a bit graphic around 27% of the way through the book which is to be expected with the trend of darkness of the book but maybe shocking in comparison to what readers of the earlier books may have encountered.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I tried to enjoy the book. Maybe it wasn't fitting my tastes after such intense stories I've read lately. The fan base of these books have me WANTING to like the book but the truth is, Jude is a bit of a prick. Yes, bad things happen to her and other than her big sister and Oak, she doesn't have much she wants to be good for.
As much as Cardan is supposed to be an enemy, he comes off far more calm than she is. She's so incredibly irrational with her dislike of him even after finding out he's not as bad as he seems. She wants an enemy so badly and I just can't comprehend the action.
This is definitely a YA book that feels very middle school in many places. I think perhaps that I've aged out of this particular book's designed group.
I will likely give the next book a try to see if Jude can grow up a bit. I'm fine with complex characters but she's got more important people to hate than Cardan. She's been betrayed by so many WORSE people than someone as indifferent as him and it's clear he probably wouldn't be battling with his feelings for her if she could just stop being a prick for a week.
Side note: I loved how diverse the fae folk are. The world building was what kept me from making this book a DNF
As much as Cardan is supposed to be an enemy, he comes off far more calm than she is. She's so incredibly irrational with her dislike of him even after finding out he's not as bad as he seems. She wants an enemy so badly and I just can't comprehend the action.
This is definitely a YA book that feels very middle school in many places. I think perhaps that I've aged out of this particular book's designed group.
I will likely give the next book a try to see if Jude can grow up a bit. I'm fine with complex characters but she's got more important people to hate than Cardan. She's been betrayed by so many WORSE people than someone as indifferent as him and it's clear he probably wouldn't be battling with his feelings for her if she could just stop being a prick for a week.
Side note: I loved how diverse the fae folk are. The world building was what kept me from making this book a DNF
Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There are things I love between the two books, but this one doesn't have the frequency of the riddles and rhymes of the first.
Still loved the tale. The lore of this world is dark, rich, and enjoyable in many ways even if it lacks some of the charm that the first had over this.
Still loved the tale. The lore of this world is dark, rich, and enjoyable in many ways even if it lacks some of the charm that the first had over this.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A gothic Fairytale to say the least. There is some romance but that is not the focus. The focus is magic, gathering of cards to break the illness haunting in the fog, a curse by the spirit of the woods.
Sometimes, the darkness, the nightmares, the monsters are not what you think, though they can be frightening.
Sometimes, the darkness, the nightmares, the monsters are not what you think, though they can be frightening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Sexual content
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Don't read this book before reading Fourth Wing, you'll miss some major plot points.
Not sure how I feel about the cliffhanger of this book. It feels strange and hopeless. There was less conspiracy intrigue and more fighting amongst the groups, including Xaden & Violet. The lovers quarrels were taxing for me after a while even if it was understandable arguments.
I do like the lore building in this book and I'd like to see more of it now that the scribes are fully involved and the secret is out about the wyverns and venin.
Not sure how I feel about the cliffhanger of this book. It feels strange and hopeless. There was less conspiracy intrigue and more fighting amongst the groups, including Xaden & Violet. The lovers quarrels were taxing for me after a while even if it was understandable arguments.
I do like the lore building in this book and I'd like to see more of it now that the scribes are fully involved and the secret is out about the wyverns and venin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-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
5.0
I appreciate that the autor provides trigger warnings for the book content.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
So emotional in so many ways. Literally a saga of giving everything you have and then some for an ideal and hope.
I know I'm a bit of a crybaby but I had to stop so many times because I was tearing up from all the emotions.
The strength in the bonds we have in others tethers us to the world we want to see is really a beautiful message. It's hopeful even if more than 75 % of this book is heavy as hell.
I know I'm a bit of a crybaby but I had to stop so many times because I was tearing up from all the emotions.
The strength in the bonds we have in others tethers us to the world we want to see is really a beautiful message. It's hopeful even if more than 75 % of this book is heavy as hell.
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 stars
I do like that the southern content culture is essentially based off the Ottoman empire, even down to killing the siblings of the "Sultan"
An underappreciated bit of history she looped in that most don't research.
Anyway! Nesryn's story I'm here for. Chaol is still a thorn in my side... I still don't care for him but I'm glad that Irene could put him in his place but it was a pretty obvious enemies to lovers set up.
Nesryn, her story was beautiful. Reconnecting to her culture is a thread that was wonderful. Her finding her home in the culture of the people, her finding her extended family. Loved it. Chef's kiss.
Honestly, I wish the book would have been entirely her perspective. While the desert oasis find was interesting, it wasn't her level of bravery and epiphany. That was exciting and opened up a background that was slowly building but definitely more interlaced with the storyline in general.
If it was only her story, may have given in a 5 star round.
I do like that the southern content culture is essentially based off the Ottoman empire, even down to killing the siblings of the "Sultan"
An underappreciated bit of history she looped in that most don't research.
Anyway! Nesryn's story I'm here for. Chaol is still a thorn in my side... I still don't care for him but I'm glad that Irene could put him in his place but it was a pretty obvious enemies to lovers set up.
Nesryn, her story was beautiful. Reconnecting to her culture is a thread that was wonderful. Her finding her home in the culture of the people, her finding her extended family. Loved it. Chef's kiss.
Honestly, I wish the book would have been entirely her perspective. While the desert oasis find was interesting, it wasn't her level of bravery and epiphany. That was exciting and opened up a background that was slowly building but definitely more interlaced with the storyline in general.
If it was only her story, may have given in a 5 star round.