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joyreads2024's reviews
106 reviews
Liar by Tate James
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a step down and a half from HATE, which to be honest, is normal for Reverse Harem books. LIAR was predominantly a character-led book with little to no actual plot development besides Bree and Dallas, and we got to see a bit more of Zane, . The revelation at the end was MID, sorry, it was MID for me; idk why but just like, the way it coulda been done, I don’t like it.
What was quite nice tho was that we got a bit more background about Archer’s family and Constance and her partner (nice sapphic representation). I however did not like the gay representation for the men in this series however, as the one gay guy mentioned is an asshole to Madison Kate because he wants Archer for himself - and is a dick.
The stalker needs to be announced tho, and we need to find out who Hades is, so I have high hopes for Book 3.
What was quite nice tho was that we got a bit more background about Archer’s family and Constance and her partner (nice sapphic representation). I however did not like the gay representation for the men in this series however, as the one gay guy mentioned is an asshole to Madison Kate because he wants Archer for himself - and is a dick.
The stalker needs to be announced tho, and we need to find out who Hades is, so I have high hopes for Book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Violence
Reverse Harem
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.5
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the funny commentary, the friendship between the four girls, and Alex's assholey demeanour. The book was interested because at first when you read it it seems like its just gonna be light or superficial; but it actually goes into some deep themes about finding strength in others and yourself; healing from betrayal and giving yourself the space to do so; and how you can still find light in the world no matter what.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It hurts to rate this book so low as it was one of my favourite books for so long. But when you grow up and read one of your old favourites with an adult gaze, you kinda see the characters differently. Specifically Cat. She has such badass moments in the series, but especially in this book she irritated me so much I had to put the book down for like a month and only read it while walking so I didn't throw it out of the window. Don, Tate, Annette, Justina (gag), they sucked before, and suck now. Bones, bestie, you deserve better. Ian, you made the book; no matter if you were a dickhead. Mencheres, an icon. Spade, a legend. Rodney, iconic. Kinda missed Ted. Denise, you're so sweet and so naive.
It is in this book that so many critical characters are introduced and it's this book that sets the rest of the series up. However, the way this series is being written at this stage is so goddamn irritating (e.g. the characters choices (cough, looking at you Cat, how much of an idiot can you be - but we did hopefully see some character development at the end)).
The two great scenes in this are however:
"Hallo Kitten"
and the cat fight between Annette and Cat
oh and there are some iconic funny quotes - Jeaniene does do some funny internal dialogue
It is in this book that so many critical characters are introduced and it's this book that sets the rest of the series up. However, the way this series is being written at this stage is so goddamn irritating (e.g. the characters choices (cough, looking at you Cat, how much of an idiot can you be - but we did hopefully see some character development at the end)).
The two great scenes in this are however:
"Hallo Kitten"
and the cat fight between Annette and Cat
oh and there are some iconic funny quotes - Jeaniene does do some funny internal dialogue
Ledge: The Glacian Trilogy, Book I by Stacey McEwan
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
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? No
4.0
Up until those last two pages I was thinking on whether this book was a 3 or a 3.5 star, but man has that ending SHOCKED me. I am GASPING. I am SHOCKED. I need to go and buy the second book NOW!
The whole plot idea behind the book is good and interesting; I haven’t seen it done before. The Ledge is a village settlement placed there for winged bastards to come and harvest the people who live there. In between the Ledge and Glacia (where the winged assholes live), is the Chasm where people fall in and die. Down below is Mecca where two bitchy, evil, should die Queens live.
I do really like the diversity in this book; we have two lesbian Queens, a slay drag queen(?), and people of different skin tones.
In terms of the sun themes which I really liked: the found family in this book was amazing, and so was the banter. I really liked this book.
However it was a bit slow and did take me a while to read it.
The whole plot idea behind the book is good and interesting; I haven’t seen it done before. The Ledge is a village settlement placed there for winged bastards to come and harvest the people who live there. In between the Ledge and Glacia (where the winged assholes live), is the Chasm where people fall in and die. Down below is Mecca where two bitchy, evil, should die Queens live.
I do really like the diversity in this book; we have two lesbian Queens, a slay drag queen(?), and people of different skin tones.
In terms of the sun themes which I really liked: the found family in this book was amazing, and so was the banter. I really liked this book.
However it was a bit slow and did take me a while to read it.
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 2 by Sorata Akiduki
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
We go to a fort, Obi gets a bit more airtime and we meet the crown Prince. It was a good quick read but I wasn’t screaming over it.
Hate by Tate James
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When you start reading a reverse harem, you know you're not looking for anything intellectually stimulating or groundbreaking, but instead the genre falls into what is known as "junk food." There are bad junk food books that are like extra greasy McDonalds or there's top of the line, someone knows what they're doing, Mad Mex Nachos. This one was Nachos. DUDE IT WAS SO GOOD. It kinda fell out of the normal set up of the reverse harem tropes (e.g. one guy is an asshole, one guy is mysterious, and one guy is a golden retriever), but I think in the next few books, this will be fleshed out a bit more. The ending was not what I expected and neither was the stalker subplot. I'm super interested to see what happens, who was stalking her, and then why Archer's blade was where it was. Also I want to know more about Bree, Zane and Dallas. Her dad can drown off the coast of Italy in his fancy yacht for all I care tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Untainted by Lilian T. James
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The book was good but slow until the last like 5 pages. The epilogue had be gasping, but not enough to immediately read the second book.
I enjoyed the Fated Mates trope and Jaren’s overall character, as well as Vera standing up for herself. Trey and Elric were great side characters and I appreciated their parts in the storyline
Book summary:Vera is actually the Princess, was kidnapped, Jaren and her knew each other since they were kids, Prince Eithan is a psycho and ends up torturing Gibson and imprisoning Elric, the crystals are dying and the ”Fae” are losing their power, oh and Queens die quicker
I enjoyed the Fated Mates trope and Jaren’s overall character, as well as Vera standing up for herself. Trey and Elric were great side characters and I appreciated their parts in the storyline
Book summary:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Abandonment
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 1 by Anashin
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Good manga! The main couple is adorable
Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
OMFG. When I bought this book two years ago, it sat on my shelf completely forgotten. I mean, how good could a book be when the cover is a shirtless guy holding a gun with ice mountains behind him? The answer is: GOOD. LIKE REALLY GOOD.
I am actually gobsmacked. I’m gonna be processing this one for a while, and I am like O.o
I wish we got a bit more background on Cal, and a bit more depth to him and his need for everything to be in place, but that’s being picky. Sooo excited to read the next one
I am actually gobsmacked. I’m gonna be processing this one for a while, and I am like O.o
I wish we got a bit more background on Cal, and a bit more depth to him and his need for everything to be in place, but that’s being picky. Sooo excited to read the next one
Dragon Fall by Katie MacAlister
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It’s good, I just wish things were delved a bit more deep into, because there was so much to delve into. And the conclusion was meh. Kostya was hilarious, Jim was sometimes funny sometimes cringy, the magic system was a bit confusing and I feel like you definitely had to read the pre-series books to understand things. At some points I loved it, at other points it was just.. meh.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness and Forced institutionalization