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shrayirene's reviews
524 reviews
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this even more than the first book! The culture of Sitia was very interesting, and I liked how different it was from Ixia. We meet a lot of new characters in this book, and I'm looking forward to how they will expand and develop in the next book. It would be nice to see more of Yelena's two worlds interact.
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
I enjoyed the world that Snyder created in this world. It was interesting to read a fantasy book with magic, where the monarchy had been done away with and left in it's place a military state. It was different and fresh. I wish that some of the relationships had been expanded on - sometimes it felt like Snyder was telling me that they were friends instead of showing me.
I'm interested in seeing what happens, because we didn't quite end up where I thought we would.
I'm interested in seeing what happens, because we didn't quite end up where I thought we would.
The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
I'm so glad that I waited for the right time to read this book! There's definitely something to be said for being in the right headspace for specific books. I had originally planned to read this one immediately when it came out. However, I was in the midst of a very stressful time at work, and when I found my brain wandering in the middle of Isobel discovering that her son was MISSING(!)... I knew that now was not the time.
This month, however, I had the space for more than light and fluffy. I was ready for witchy, gothic vibes, and damn, did Fixsen deliver! I enjoyed the wide array of characters (both likeable and loathsome), and the story took more than one turn that I wasn't expecting. The ending was satisfying, but I had an intense desire to continue hanging out with the characters so that I could confirm what I hoped came next for them.
Finally, one of my favourite things about Fixsen's writing style is her commitment to research and then to weaving elements of reality into the fabric of the world she's creating. I think it brings an authenticity to her writing and definitely enhances the horror when you realize that these events really did happen in their own way.
This month, however, I had the space for more than light and fluffy. I was ready for witchy, gothic vibes, and damn, did Fixsen deliver! I enjoyed the wide array of characters (both likeable and loathsome), and the story took more than one turn that I wasn't expecting. The ending was satisfying, but I had an intense desire to continue hanging out with the characters so that I could confirm what I hoped came next for them.
Finally, one of my favourite things about Fixsen's writing style is her commitment to research and then to weaving elements of reality into the fabric of the world she's creating. I think it brings an authenticity to her writing and definitely enhances the horror when you realize that these events really did happen in their own way.
Fourth Wing (Parts 1 & 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
sad
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
The dramatized audiobook is a fun way to reread Fourth Wing in preparation for Onyx Storm. I'm finding that I'm as sucked into the story as I was the first time, and I'm already looking forward to physically reading the book on my next time through.
Sometimes the music and effects are a little over the top dramatic - angsty teen vibes - but it's still a fun medium.
Sometimes the music and effects are a little over the top dramatic - angsty teen vibes - but it's still a fun medium.
Autopsy of a Fairytale by Nicole Scarano
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I was totally onboard for a Criminal Minds vibe fairy tale, but I couldn't get past the first few chapters. The language was overly descriptive, dramatic and all-encompassing. You don't need to mention the same physical feature multiple times in the same scene. Everything was full of juxtaposition - the feeling was death, the feeling was lust. He was hot, and yet he was dangerous. The coffee was life, but also a ball and chain. The darkness was comforting, but with a hint of menace.... Sometimes it's ok to just pick one adjective. Honestly, it felt like the over-descriptions and repetitiveness were a way to make this story long enough for a novel.
Not worth it.
Not worth it.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This was a great book to read over the holiday break! It's not intense, and while you will probably see where the story is going, it was still enjoyable to watch the pieces to fall together as the story slowly entwines the characters lives. I loved the Marcellus' chapters! I wish that we had been able to go on more of his nightly escapades with him, but the relationship that develops between him and Tova was so sweet. Cameron flirted with the line of annoying and flawed, but he never strayed too far into to the annoying side of things. He was well written, and incredibly human - I have met people like him. I really liked Tova and enjoyed seeing her world open up after she had erected so many walls.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
I can't believe that I've never read or listened to the original story before! Of course, I've seen many different movie and play versions, but it was a treat to go back to the source material. Hugh Grant has a great voice, so that helped as well.
I was pleasantly surprised that so much of the dialogue in The Muppet's Christmas Carol was verbatim and even the description of the Spirits was pretty accurate. I didn't expect it to be.
I was pleasantly surprised that so much of the dialogue in The Muppet's Christmas Carol was verbatim and even the description of the Spirits was pretty accurate. I didn't expect it to be.
That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not quite as good as the first one, but still a fun mix of banter, ridiculousness, and spice. Perfect for when you need some distraction, but not something that will consume and rip your heart out.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
I had a lot of fun reading this book. The bantering and humour were on point and the characters were, well, real characters. It reminded me of fantasy adventures in the realm of Monty Python, Princess Bride, or Stardust - that is if you sprinkled a bunch of spice in there - which is funny if you know that the main character who farms cinnamon trees is named Cinnamon "Cin" Hotpepper. So this book has spice of all kinds *wink wink*, and you also get to enjoy orcs who bake, sassy horses, and a pet hyena.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had previously read this book many years ago, so I was curious if it was indeed as strange and offbeat as I remembered it. In fact, it is.
While there are elements that are very interesting and you can see the threads that they used when writing the Broadway show, there are also so many crude and unnecessary bits that could have easily been excluded.
I am interested in reading the rest of the series to see what Maguire does with the other characters. However, my biggest lingering question is how someone read this book and then created Wicked, my all time favourite Broadway. I can only assume that drugs were involved.
While there are elements that are very interesting and you can see the threads that they used when writing the Broadway show, there are also so many crude and unnecessary bits that could have easily been excluded.
I am interested in reading the rest of the series to see what Maguire does with the other characters. However, my biggest lingering question is how someone read this book and then created Wicked, my all time favourite Broadway. I can only assume that drugs were involved.