Scan barcode
oksanana31's reviews
34 reviews
Reckless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
5.0
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Night and Its Moon by Piper C.J.
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.75
Like many others, I had seen all the content warnings about this book from booktok and was nervous about dedicating time to this large novel. And while I think some of the criticisms are well worth it, a lot just plain aren't.
The bad: the editors at Bloom Books deserve ALL the hate. There are so many typos, repeated phrases/sentences, contradicting sentences and inconsistencies that should have EASILY been picked up by a skilled editor, especially as i have the Barnes &Noble exclusive edition. Writers can only be blamed for so much. This was a failed team effort. Story wise: I thought it took a while to really get moving, I didn't love the characters as children which made it harder to like them as adult, but indid eventually root for them. I wish we would've spent more time with them right after their separation rather than prior, would've made me root more for their development. Instead I found myself finding it hard to believe a love like theirs persisted for as long as it did or that they found so much success in their new positions.
The good: the descriptions in this book were absolutely beautiful. CJ does an incredible job of painting a picture of every landscape, every feeling, that I felt transported. There were very few phrasing that I felt were cliche or common and many many more were poetic and beautiful. I loved the interactions between Amaris and Ash as friends, especially the inn scene. They felt very natural and organic. The last 25% of this novel really gripped me, the pace quickened, the stakes raised and the reveals were well timed.
Overall, I feel like this is a good book and I'll probably read the sequel BUT if typos and editing mistakes bother you, maybe not the book for you.
The bad: the editors at Bloom Books deserve ALL the hate. There are so many typos, repeated phrases/sentences, contradicting sentences and inconsistencies that should have EASILY been picked up by a skilled editor, especially as i have the Barnes &Noble exclusive edition. Writers can only be blamed for so much. This was a failed team effort. Story wise: I thought it took a while to really get moving, I didn't love the characters as children which made it harder to like them as adult, but indid eventually root for them. I wish we would've spent more time with them right after their separation rather than prior, would've made me root more for their development. Instead I found myself finding it hard to believe a love like theirs persisted for as long as it did or that they found so much success in their new positions.
The good: the descriptions in this book were absolutely beautiful. CJ does an incredible job of painting a picture of every landscape, every feeling, that I felt transported. There were very few phrasing that I felt were cliche or common and many many more were poetic and beautiful. I loved the interactions between Amaris and Ash as friends, especially the inn scene. They felt very natural and organic. The last 25% of this novel really gripped me, the pace quickened, the stakes raised and the reveals were well timed.
Overall, I feel like this is a good book and I'll probably read the sequel BUT if typos and editing mistakes bother you, maybe not the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Rape
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Iron Heart by Nina Varela
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
hopeful
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
4.0