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katerzjoy's reviews
155 reviews
Academy of Villains by Ever King
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I liked the idea of the story more than how it was carried out. It had a similar feel to Harry Potter and Throne of Glass, but it didn't quite measure up to them. It has a solid start, but the future books in the series will need more development.
The characters didn’t feel very real or interesting. The male characters were all shades of grumpy without distinction. If there were fewer characters, the author could have focused more on developing each one.
The plot was okay, but it needed more detail to make it engaging. There wasn't enough background information to help us connect with the characters or the story. Some parts of the story took up too much time and didn't relate to the main plot, which distracted from the novel itself.
Finally, we all enjoy tropes, as they can be fun. However, using them right from the first chapter felt too obvious and set a predictable tone for the rest of the book. Also, there was no enemies to lovers or slow burn. He was obsessed immediately. Even though the idea was interesting, the writing felt too formulaic.
Thank you Ever King via NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide my authentic opinions.
The characters didn’t feel very real or interesting. The male characters were all shades of grumpy without distinction. If there were fewer characters, the author could have focused more on developing each one.
The plot was okay, but it needed more detail to make it engaging. There wasn't enough background information to help us connect with the characters or the story. Some parts of the story took up too much time and didn't relate to the main plot, which distracted from the novel itself.
Finally, we all enjoy tropes, as they can be fun. However, using them right from the first chapter felt too obvious and set a predictable tone for the rest of the book. Also, there was no enemies to lovers or slow burn. He was obsessed immediately. Even though the idea was interesting, the writing felt too formulaic.
Thank you Ever King via NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide my authentic opinions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, and Murder
Contract Bound by Elle Mae
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
This novel renewed my interest in vampire stories. Brutal and graphic with court intrigue and good spice. Could have used more editing for the jarring grammatical errors
Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet by Geo Rutherford
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
That was good soup
This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This delightful retelling of classic fairy tale was a great read! Drawing in from several stories while blending them into a cohesive narrative and with a twist was something new and old. Set in a queernormative world our badass FMC is sent away from her difficult blended family in a magical kingdom to a limited magical kingdom with a patriarchal society.
The characters had depth and instantly adored everyone. Even the annoying characters and the villains. The plot was fast paced and a great adventure with twists. I experienced all of the emotions reading it and had relevant moments
Thank you Penguin Random House via NetGalley for providing me this advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide my free and unbiased opinion
The characters had depth and instantly adored everyone. Even the annoying characters and the villains. The plot was fast paced and a great adventure with twists. I experienced all of the emotions reading it and had relevant moments
Thank you Penguin Random House via NetGalley for providing me this advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide my free and unbiased opinion
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Very enjoyable read with beautiful imagery and fast plot. Characters and magic interesting. The story had me an avid participant enjoying the show until the end
City of Darkness by Karina Halle
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For the love of the side characters I liked this book as the mains were giving me the ick whenever it was their POV
The POVs were disjointed and chaotic and could’ve used less to make the plot run better
The pop culture and slang was jarring.
It felt like a different author, or one who stopped being interested in the series. And the book finished on a cliffhanger when the flow finally came together and was interesting
The POVs were disjointed and chaotic and could’ve used less to make the plot run better
The pop culture and slang was jarring.
It felt like a different author, or one who stopped being interested in the series. And the book finished on a cliffhanger when the flow finally came together and was interesting
Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Always the best reread
Wicked in the Pines by L.R. Friedman
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the world, ages and magic. Domestic and mom life was sometimes interesting and sometimes annoying. Spice was few but intense
The Consulate by Allison Carr Waechter
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
As a fan of Allison I felt like this was a refreshing read. This was an easy to appreciate world and species. Characters were new and complex. The plot was fast and easy. The rep for neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ is always perfect. The ending allowed for more stories without leaving things unfinished. Really enjoyed this book and definitely helped bring me out of my slump. Shouldn’t have waited as long as I did!
A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
A Harvest of Hearts is a wonderfully imaginative and fun adventure. The story feels like a friend is sharing an amazing tale with you. It creates a rich new world full of interesting characters, both main ones and supporting ones. The setting is easy to understand and feels well-developed. The characters are complex and relatable. Even though the plot meanders a bit, it allows the story and characters to grow.
I really enjoyed reading it, but I didn’t give it a five-star rating. I’ve been going through a reading slump, and I think that if I weren’t in that slump, I would have read this quickly and given it a solid five stars. Unfortunately, it didn't pull me out of my slump, which is why I'm holding back on that perfect score.
Thank you Kensington Publishing via NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide my honest and authentic review
I really enjoyed reading it, but I didn’t give it a five-star rating. I’ve been going through a reading slump, and I think that if I weren’t in that slump, I would have read this quickly and given it a solid five stars. Unfortunately, it didn't pull me out of my slump, which is why I'm holding back on that perfect score.
Thank you Kensington Publishing via NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide my honest and authentic review