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stardust_heidi's reviews
462 reviews
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
Okay I would like at least 200 more pages of this
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
It’s a novella, a short one at that. Hard to rate. But it was cute. Marc was a bit too pushy and demanding, but meh. The past/present jumps worked surprisingly well for such a short story, but I think I’d rather just have everything in the present.
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
5.0
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Holiday romance perfection, honestly. Funny. Low drama. Good communication. Holiday antics. Good banter. Friends to lovers. I just loved it.
The Fall That Saved Us by Tamara Jerée
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
This was a case of I definitely chose to read a book based on its cover, and I’m not sorry about it.
I’m admittedly not quite 100% sure in my star rating. (I am most unreliable in this.) But outside of that, I really liked this one. I didn’t really know what it was about other than what the cover indicated. It’s a tale of angels vs demons and what happens if a demon (succubus) and an angel (nephilim) fall in love?
I think the character study and growth was definitely the strongest part of this book. There were a few plot points/conflicts that were occasionally a little too easily resolved. Some bits felt somewhat disjointed. I think the way Avitue helped Cassian understand and accept her value and worth was really beautiful. The relationship was a bit insta-love, but…I like the way they are both able to be vulnerable and develop trust and intimacy (true intimacy, not just the lusty lust). I liked how Cassian was able to face the rigidity of her upbringing and find her true self on her own accord.
I’m admittedly not quite 100% sure in my star rating. (I am most unreliable in this.) But outside of that, I really liked this one. I didn’t really know what it was about other than what the cover indicated. It’s a tale of angels vs demons and what happens if a demon (succubus) and an angel (nephilim) fall in love?
I think the character study and growth was definitely the strongest part of this book. There were a few plot points/conflicts that were occasionally a little too easily resolved. Some bits felt somewhat disjointed. I think the way Avitue helped Cassian understand and accept her value and worth was really beautiful. The relationship was a bit insta-love, but…I like the way they are both able to be vulnerable and develop trust and intimacy (true intimacy, not just the lusty lust). I liked how Cassian was able to face the rigidity of her upbringing and find her true self on her own accord.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Self harm and Death of parent
The Girl in The Tower by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Between by L.L. Starling
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A solid 4+ stars for me. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. I’m really attached to all the characters, and I enjoyed the POV flip midway through the book. I enjoyed the perspective of Lore and is life in Between. I also liked that his POV wasn’t a straight copy of Sasha’s perspective — it was almost a separate story that connected to hers. (At this point, Sasha’s story feels distant enough like a whole other book.)
It is very long, and occasionally that’s a detriment to the story. I felt like it was one of those situations where if the author wanted a scene, it stayed, whether or not it was really relevant to the progression of the story. Which…fair. But it makes it very long winded at times.
The voice/style of the story is very unique. It’s not bad, but at times it’s quite heavy handed. Everything is delivered in a cheeky/sassy/snarky/etc way, which is occasionally a bit much. However, the author is pretty consistent in her voice, so that helps.
“Many thanks.”
I’m definitely ready for the next book and look forward to whatever cleverly crafted chaos the author delivers.
It is very long, and occasionally that’s a detriment to the story. I felt like it was one of those situations where if the author wanted a scene, it stayed, whether or not it was really relevant to the progression of the story. Which…fair. But it makes it very long winded at times.
The voice/style of the story is very unique. It’s not bad, but at times it’s quite heavy handed. Everything is delivered in a cheeky/sassy/snarky/etc way, which is occasionally a bit much. However, the author is pretty consistent in her voice, so that helps.
“Many thanks.”
I’m definitely ready for the next book and look forward to whatever cleverly crafted chaos the author delivers.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was SO fun! I only downgraded it, because I couldn’t stand the male narrator — the narration quality was awful and unpolished compared to Saskia Maarleveld's.
As far as the actual story goes, what a delight. The “I hate you” energy was excellent, as were the slow twinges of feelings. I actually liked the way the miscommunication trope was utilized in this story — it made sense within the context of their history. I like how trust and acceptance was gradually built. Even though the whole story took place over the course of a few days, it didn’t feel like insta-love.
The mystery was also intriguing. Super fun. I’ll read again for sure!
As far as the actual story goes, what a delight. The “I hate you” energy was excellent, as were the slow twinges of feelings. I actually liked the way the miscommunication trope was utilized in this story — it made sense within the context of their history. I like how trust and acceptance was gradually built. Even though the whole story took place over the course of a few days, it didn’t feel like insta-love.
The mystery was also intriguing. Super fun. I’ll read again for sure!