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sweets's reviews
55 reviews
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Welkome to the most interesting shell game ever!
This is not just a who's, who? But also a who is aligned with who? Who knew what whn and who will grab the big win in the end.
So this book will be a hit or miss for people. You eighter love the politica intrige, backstabing and ploting. Or you wil be bothered by the bodyjumping and the phisical shell game. I'm telling you, let it go. Just follow the story and the people not the body's they posses at any given time. I personally thought listening to it by audio helpen move this along.
It is odly liberating to just go by the personality and quircks they have instead of phisical apperance.
This plot is complicated and there are still questions that need to be answerd in the end. However if you love to guess who will come out on top, just keep reading.
This is not just a who's, who? But also a who is aligned with who? Who knew what whn and who will grab the big win in the end.
So this book will be a hit or miss for people. You eighter love the politica intrige, backstabing and ploting. Or you wil be bothered by the bodyjumping and the phisical shell game. I'm telling you, let it go. Just follow the story and the people not the body's they posses at any given time. I personally thought listening to it by audio helpen move this along.
It is odly liberating to just go by the personality and quircks they have instead of phisical apperance.
This plot is complicated and there are still questions that need to be answerd in the end. However if you love to guess who will come out on top, just keep reading.
Court of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
I liked the second installment of this duologie. Although i missed the exploration of the relationship between the main caracters. Thre is still a lot of banter and exploration of there limits and what he is comfortable with. Mosty the relationship is pretty much settled and not as much the focus of the story. This leaves a lot of room for stuf to happen and it sure does. Also a number of side caracters get a bigger role to play wich is nice.
However also does his father, who i didnt like in the first book and am still not found of. I guess he had some issues to resolve with his father so i can understand the effort of the writer to make him understand him better and go back to were it all began.
We get a lot more of the worldbuilding and the lore, the live and choices of lilith. Its interestingly woven into a story that spans decades and nds up at there doorstep.
I liked this and would discribe it a romantacy why choose MMF vampire fantacy novel.
However also does his father, who i didnt like in the first book and am still not found of. I guess he had some issues to resolve with his father so i can understand the effort of the writer to make him understand him better and go back to were it all began.
We get a lot more of the worldbuilding and the lore, the live and choices of lilith. Its interestingly woven into a story that spans decades and nds up at there doorstep.
I liked this and would discribe it a romantacy why choose MMF vampire fantacy novel.
Toward Eternity by Anton Hur
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wow, interresting. I thought this would be a straight up Sify fantasy story and it is that, but it is also so much more. It's a philosophical discussion on what it means to be human.
This is done in an interresting way that poses the question can AI be human and how much of a role does language, poetry and music appreciation play in our humanity Can AI understand poetry or just understand meaning but does it take more to uderstand poetry and music because you can feel a certain way about it.
The story goes through the timespan of a complete evolutionairy cycle within 300 pages while basicaly grappeling with the mening of live.
Well done Anton Hur, well done. I enjoyed this debut novel a lot and will be watching out for more of his work.
This is done in an interresting way that poses the question can AI be human and how much of a role does language, poetry and music appreciation play in our humanity Can AI understand poetry or just understand meaning but does it take more to uderstand poetry and music because you can feel a certain way about it.
The story goes through the timespan of a complete evolutionairy cycle within 300 pages while basicaly grappeling with the mening of live.
Well done Anton Hur, well done. I enjoyed this debut novel a lot and will be watching out for more of his work.
Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
I am a fan of Rin Chupeco's writing sinds i read the bonewitch trilogie. I find her storytelling fasinating she can lace humor through dark subject that lighten the mood without maken it redicoulous.
She gives her insecure caracters room to grow. They are given space to become who they are wich is mostly not like everyone else. She doesnt forget to write great supporting caractars that acompony her mostly longer main caracters upon there journey of selfdiscovery.
This can create some unconfentional relationships that flurish and grow together with our main caracters.
I enjoyed the plot and the relationship deveopment a lot in this book. I liked the fact this want a shocking cliffhanger like a lot of duologies. We see the road ahead but the caracters are given a little time to repossition themselfs before heading into the continuering of there journey.
This book has awsome fights, training montages, smut, romance, politics and vampiers. What more could you wish for?
She gives her insecure caracters room to grow. They are given space to become who they are wich is mostly not like everyone else. She doesnt forget to write great supporting caractars that acompony her mostly longer main caracters upon there journey of selfdiscovery.
This can create some unconfentional relationships that flurish and grow together with our main caracters.
I enjoyed the plot and the relationship deveopment a lot in this book. I liked the fact this want a shocking cliffhanger like a lot of duologies. We see the road ahead but the caracters are given a little time to repossition themselfs before heading into the continuering of there journey.
This book has awsome fights, training montages, smut, romance, politics and vampiers. What more could you wish for?
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is an epic fantasy that emagines great wars of kings and robbers. It has amasing caracters and the story is toled from a distantie by a narater.
This is also wy the wars are kinda dry. They are told as strategic warfare instead of a blow by blow experiance of the caracter on the battlefield himself.
This was for me the one thing that i would have liked a little more 1st person recall. Otherwise i realy enjoyed the tale wich manages to cycle a liftime of an empire in the span of 600 pages. It cyclus through an age of experimentation and progress, changing female status from the household to a resorce. We see invetion by the warmachine to an extend of a single minded force that takes more time to explore and evelope when in peace.
I enjoyed this first installment and am very interested in seeing where the series goes.
This is also wy the wars are kinda dry. They are told as strategic warfare instead of a blow by blow experiance of the caracter on the battlefield himself.
This was for me the one thing that i would have liked a little more 1st person recall. Otherwise i realy enjoyed the tale wich manages to cycle a liftime of an empire in the span of 600 pages. It cyclus through an age of experimentation and progress, changing female status from the household to a resorce. We see invetion by the warmachine to an extend of a single minded force that takes more time to explore and evelope when in peace.
I enjoyed this first installment and am very interested in seeing where the series goes.
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The world created is beatiful but it feels like this hole first book is a setup for a story instead of a story. A lot happens but for some reason im not that invested. All the caracters stay kinda superficial. Which is 2 bad because i liked the start and the relationship between the sisters. I liked the setup of the passionate relationship that she left behind and is trying to return 2 for the first part of the book. However it is all lacking depth for me. Which is probably why this clifhanger to hold me over and make me exited for the next book does nothing for me either. I think the book did just not have enough time to build this complicated world and fill it with this manny caracters and give them depth as well. The author gave it a good effort but in my view just treed to do to much at ones.
The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Its interresting i thought i would be reading about dolls that are used in a war against monsters. Which is wat the book is about. However it is first about discovering who you are and accepting that that is enough.
The main caracter is somewat unlikable but she does grow troughout the book. There is no love story to speak of unless you think of the love they have for themself and there dolly.
This makes the focus more on the plot even though they go through so much self development. It was an interresting read and i would reccommend it for it does make you think.
The main caracter is somewat unlikable but she does grow troughout the book. There is no love story to speak of unless you think of the love they have for themself and there dolly.
This makes the focus more on the plot even though they go through so much self development. It was an interresting read and i would reccommend it for it does make you think.
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.75
I liked this book but t had some flaws for me.
Good things:
- Lovable neurotic main caracter and stoic love interrest.
- Nice diverse group of caracters but not 2 many to keep track of.
- insecuritys about the love intrests do not last to long and are resolved.
- caracters grow and mature.
Did not work for me:
- i did not get the family relationship about body father stuff. This should have been explained beter because it motivates the main caracters abd vilan yet it stayed realy unclear to me.
-I enjoyed the relationship but for me there is no real final sollution to there problem yet. Maybee in the future but it is a little unsatisfiying we do not get to see it.
- the third hanger on shuld know when it is time to move on. He is annoying in the end and i hate the way he is used to help this elationship along its childish.
Overall i enjoyed the adventure of uncoveringvthe fraud plot but found the lets go to my moms house sollution a little weak.
Good things:
- Lovable neurotic main caracter and stoic love interrest.
- Nice diverse group of caracters but not 2 many to keep track of.
- insecuritys about the love intrests do not last to long and are resolved.
- caracters grow and mature.
Did not work for me:
- i did not get the family relationship about body father stuff. This should have been explained beter because it motivates the main caracters abd vilan yet it stayed realy unclear to me.
-I enjoyed the relationship but for me there is no real final sollution to there problem yet. Maybee in the future but it is a little unsatisfiying we do not get to see it.
- the third hanger on shuld know when it is time to move on. He is annoying in the end and i hate the way he is used to help this elationship along its childish.
Overall i enjoyed the adventure of uncoveringvthe fraud plot but found the lets go to my moms house sollution a little weak.
The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you for NetGally and Daphne Press for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
I loved this book! I have already read the first two installments and am expecting the wonderful special edition from Illumicrate on my doorstep any day now. When i got the chance to read it early though i could not resist.
This book continues the storyline of the previous two books and although i still think this entire series could benefit from a little more spice. As in any at all, for there is hardly more than kissing. This is a plot driven book and not romance so in the end it is not needed but would have been nice and for me would have made a lot of sense for the Luminaries live a live that is dangerous and they could die young so they should totally live for the moment.
I love how Winnie finds her feet and het friends and doesn't feel like an outcast anymore however, typical case of be careful what you wish for. With all the luminaries coming in from different country's she is paraded across town to do the rounds as the midnight crown.
Because of the visiting Luminary, i had hoped to hear a little more about there towns and forests because that is a missed opportunity. For there was told that this forest is relatively young and Winny is defiantly nerdy enough to want to know about possible other monsters she could draw ;).
There are some twists and turns in the book but a lot of the questions Winnie and het WTF crew are looking for will be answered. I also love how the book ends with rounding of any open questions in the last chapters. Or does it...............................
This is a perfect book to read in the fall season around Halloween. If you like monsters young adult romance and nerdy bad ass, smart ass, kick ass main characters Winnie (Winona) Wednesday is your gal!
I loved this book! I have already read the first two installments and am expecting the wonderful special edition from Illumicrate on my doorstep any day now. When i got the chance to read it early though i could not resist.
This book continues the storyline of the previous two books and although i still think this entire series could benefit from a little more spice. As in any at all, for there is hardly more than kissing. This is a plot driven book and not romance so in the end it is not needed but would have been nice and for me would have made a lot of sense for the Luminaries live a live that is dangerous and they could die young so they should totally live for the moment.
I love how Winnie finds her feet and het friends and doesn't feel like an outcast anymore however, typical case of be careful what you wish for. With all the luminaries coming in from different country's she is paraded across town to do the rounds as the midnight crown.
Because of the visiting Luminary, i had hoped to hear a little more about there towns and forests because that is a missed opportunity. For there was told that this forest is relatively young and Winny is defiantly nerdy enough to want to know about possible other monsters she could draw ;).
There are some twists and turns in the book but a lot of the questions Winnie and het WTF crew are looking for will be answered. I also love how the book ends with rounding of any open questions in the last chapters. Or does it...............................
This is a perfect book to read in the fall season around Halloween. If you like monsters young adult romance and nerdy bad ass, smart ass, kick ass main characters Winnie (Winona) Wednesday is your gal!
The Dryburgh Chronicles by L. P. Halliday
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Thank you Book sirens for giving me access to this eBook for an honest review.
I never do this I never write reviews this long and negative for I respect anyone that writes a book it takes effort and dedication, so I absolutely mean no disrespect. However, almost all of this book made me exceedingly mad! I was invested in the idea of the MCs from the set up and felt extremely betrayed when they turned into whimpering teenage drama queens and did all kinds of stupid stuff with no or senseless motivation. I think there might be a story here, but it needs to be reworked drastically. Good luck with your future endevors you need it.
This is a difficult one for me I enjoyed the story set up the MC’s Lilian and Edgar and I liked his point of view on her oddities and quirks because he described them so loving and teasingly. However there was nothing new, this going back in time gave me outlander flashback vibes. Why is this woman that Lilian has apparently known all her live now suddenly a witch capable of casting spells? This is nonsense.
Also, the writing was inconsistent in the beginning our female MC Lilian has rituals and trouble dealing with people and having people touch her or get close to her. Sounds like some characteristics someone on the autism scale might show, though this is never described as such. This is a basis for the relationship and friendship she and Edgar our male MC have. Then throughout the story these random people she hardly knows are overly friendly and intimate in their mannerisms toward her and this hardly fazes her. I found this very annoying because it was part of the basis of the friendship our main MC’s have together, so it is inconsistence.
The point of view in this book for the fist 60% is from his POV and then they get separated and suddenly it switches to her POV. When it switches to her POV these people all patronize her and touch her in and speak to her in very patronizing ways. For instance, lifting her chin by an arthritic finger and lecturing her about love. I’m sorry yucky I found this seen very icky. In the commenting description it is described as parental and reassuring but it isn’t its just icky.
Then the main MC’s meet back up and the POV switches again. So, they have just liberated this person accused of witchcraft thanks to Lilian. No one is coming after them (WHAT) they met up with Edgar again for no good reason at this junction in the story its like an insert drama here action. Instead of talking to Ilona and hearing what she has been through and seeing if she is alright or might need assistance walking or care after all her brutal beatings, this is the moment the author chouses to insert nonsensical drama. YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME.
Lilian starts ranting this self-deprecating bullshit that makes her some kind of 15-year-old insecure drama queen. This is so sad and undermines the hole character I loved so much. Lilian is a celebrated and admired professor at Oxford, she is an example for students that aspire to be like her, yes, she is quirky but that makes her interesting. And now you turn her into a whining teenage drama queen. PASS!! This almost made me want to stop reading the book at 84 % because you killed the character, so I did not care about the story anymore. But yes, I stuck it out for the next 24 pages. Why, why WHY? change POV again when they meet up. I know you changed to Lilian’s because her part of the section of the story was more interesting, but it is sooo annoying pick a POV to wright from and stick with it or do a dual POV consistently, you cannot switch only when it suits you it’s annoying.
Then Edger starts; Lilian, while I understand you take things at face value WTH; now he is talking down to her as well, this sounds soooo condescending. Just let him say Lilian this girl was ill I was taking her temp. Lilian did not even describe that she saw him touching her so why is he explaining why he was touching her this is the most stupid unmotivated situation to create a non existing drama I have ever read. Then Lilian is being self-deprecating again and calling herself stupid. This is teenage drama queen speak not a celebrated Oxford professor UGGH so frustrating. And then on top of the drama we have this old geezer coming into a supposedly romantic love declaration with an “I tolled you so”. Please shoot me now!!!!!.
Also Edgar explains he was with Augus but Lilian never explains who this old geezer is she is with to Edgar. Because he is not young and beautifull so who cares? I hate everything about this!
And people check on Ilona already all you self-centered bitches! And get the hell out of there before someone does follow you. All off this is frustrating. They arrive at the save house and the old geazer blows the dust of the cubs …… but the drinking water is fresh NO it’s the Middle Ages you need to cook that shit. Lilian is more complementary and heaping loving declaration after the other on the old gazer, this is soo stupid. Bla bla dead wife again we already know this. And then everyone they ever met in this story except the old geezer turns out to be a witch this is sooo stupid so of course these are evil witches, and they turn into the stereotypical hocus spokes witches ughh. We get 10 pages witchyexplany about the story of the almost immortal witches hopping back and forth through time for no good reason. Why come back to a time your hunted, why! You stupid stupid cows. Of course, the old geezer is the sacrificial lamb but he cannot die without another lecture to Lilian on how to live. THIS WOMAN IS NOT A CHILD PEOPLE BUT A Celebrated OXFORD PROFFESOR! Then they want to stop the witches and know instantly where they have gone, poppy cock this is stupid! Of course, then when they are about to fight the witches, Edgar needs to declare his feelings because this sounds like a convenient time. Stupid Lilian only has to say 3 small words back, they are not I don’t know what to say. 2 pages of internal love angsty dialogue and we are in the cemetery again. Does Edgar do anything to stop them…. Nope Lilian does throw herself at them at the spell book wrestling them and what Edgar you are just wat ching the bitchfight do something you nitwit and why are we in her POV again!
And then in the middle of this fight she kisses him like in the middle out of nowhere that is not what we are doing right now WHAT THE HELL. I quit believing in this mess of a story a while ago, but the ending was soo stupid. I cannot even describe how much I hated it. Anymore.
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