jessdone's reviews
1113 reviews

dark emotional funny fast-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? No

2.5

Finally, the long-awaited conclusion to the Plated Prisoner series. I've been hooked since book one Gild and we've had our ups and downs as depending on the book and the reread. There's no part of me that ever wants to reread this conclusion though. It was disappointing, not delivering on some anticipated setups from the last book, adding flourishes in that made moments in last books felt like cute and unique characterization into proof these people are powerful and destined.

It took that quirky irreverence and inserted it into situation and characters that hadn't acted that way originally. Which made those characters feel out of character and made out main characters feel less like unique voices and more like an echo in a crowd.

The series as a whole had done so well dealing with trauma and healing but this book does NOT stick the landing.

More detailed spoiler-y commentary can be found on my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfErgOOl9BE&t=811s

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

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slow-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This book starts off fine-ish and rolls into a trainwreck as soon as we leave the structure of the dragon rider's school. Don't get me wrong, there's a million little issues in the school setting too, but there's enough structure in Violet's life and the overall story presentation, I can let it go and keep reading.

The other two thirds of the book highlight how poorly the author planned the entire sequence and how little she seems to grasp her own characters or their larger context. I'm trying to remain spoiler free here, but this is a long way to tell people the series is not good and I'm more disappointed because I see how amazing it could have been if there'd been time in the developmental edits.

A full breakdown of book one and two is on my youtube channel if y'all want more details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSsT87EduaQ

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A vibes forward, head empty rush of a story. If it could maintain the pacing and drive I found in this first story throughout the series it would have been a decent brainless romantasy read. Unfortunately the second book highlights all that's lacking in this first story AND drops that sense of purpose we at least could have held onto in this first book.

If you want to look at an in-depth breakdown of all the ways this book doesn't deliver when it would have been quite simple to make something engaging from this premise check out my video review of book one and book two here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSsT87EduaQ

Wicca Book of Spells Witches' Planner 2022: A Wheel of the Year Grimoire with Moon Phases, Astrology, Magical Crafts, and Magic Spells for Wiccans and Witches by Lisa Chamberlain

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I read this in 2024 for the articles, little spells, tidbits, and to see what a "witch planner" might look like. I like the little bits of information one can gather here and there along with some of the simple spells or ideas.

I was a bit disappointed. In the limited range of holidays. It has the traditional Neopagan wheel of the Year. While it borrows lore from older cultures, it doesn't seem to want to mark. those holidays or traditions, which feels a bit like a missed opportunity. Though, perhaps it was out of the scope of a "Wicca" witch planner. I just figure if they bothered with horoscopes, they could have done more with other not Wiccan elements too.

Still it's a pleasant read and fine to look at for even after 2022 assuming you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription like I do, so picking it up and flipping through it was included in my subscription.

Goldfinch: The dark fantasy romance TikTok sensation from the Sunday Times bestselling author (Plated Prisoner, 6) by Raven Kennedy

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4.5

The Alone Time by Elle Marr

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced