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stormlightreader's reviews
834 reviews
Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey
3.0
I loved Leviathan Wakes but Caliban's War took a bit of a dip for me. It introduced a character that I couldn't gel with (Bobbie) and another character that I dislike returned in the epilogue . Bobbie is a lot more bearable in the book, but the actor in the show is a bit over the top with the character (that doesn't affect my review). I still wasn't invested in Avasarala - she's really awful in this book and her team up with Bobbie meant I had two POVs that I didn't particularly enjoy , so that made the book feel slower π Avasarala's later chapters were really funny, so maybe I might like her POVs in the following books.
This is the first Expanse book (of 2 novels and 4 short stories) that I haven't enjoyed as much. I'm going to see how book 3 goes and decide from there whether or not to continue with the series.
This is the first Expanse book (of 2 novels and 4 short stories) that I haven't enjoyed as much. I'm going to see how book 3 goes and decide from there whether or not to continue with the series.
Gods of Risk by James S.A. Corey
I did not care for this short story. It focuses the father of a character (in book 2) that I don't care for and I also don't care for the father.
The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson
4.0
This was a perfunctory read, purely to find out how Mistborn Era 2 wraps up but I am looking forward to rereading all of Mistborn (when I feel the pull (no pun intended) to do so).
I like how 'normal' this series is (motorcades and politics - very normal things). I wasn't completely won over by the plot but it did play out fairly well except for Sanderson rudely killingWayne off and the addition of the kids. I was also surprised by how blatant the Cosmere references were, because they usually feel a little more subtle to me. Based on other reviews, I was very hesitant about the epilogues but I actually liked these.
I like how 'normal' this series is (motorcades and politics - very normal things). I wasn't completely won over by the plot but it did play out fairly well except for Sanderson rudely killing
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
I am genuinely so surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I was gripped the whole way through and I found most of the POVs enjoyable but when I finished, I was a bit unsure whether I'd enjoyed it (until I tried four other witchy books and DNFed them all).
It had a lot going for it. It was atmospheric and set in the UK, which I loved! The book had a very similar feel to Charmed (the original TV show) and Dawson even mentioned Charmed, which made younger me very happy. I loved the witches leading normal lives aspect and the natural explanation for the powers was excellent.
The first 40% felt like build up and that was a huge positive for me, especially since it's laying the groundwork for a trilogy. The only thing that stopped this being an immediate favourite was Leonie's POV, which always took me a few pages to get into, because those chapters brought up discussions that felt shoehorned into every situation Leonie was currently in. On the other hand, my favourite POV was Niamh. Hands down. There were some great side characters like Valentina and there was some awesome scenes showcasing the witchcraft!
The ending left me wondering whether I felt compelled to continue on to book 2, mainly due to the cliff-hanger ending with Ciara.
4.0
"The oldest covens had always been in the north and Scotland because - simply put - the north is more magical"
I am genuinely so surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I was gripped the whole way through and I found most of the POVs enjoyable but when I finished, I was a bit unsure whether I'd enjoyed it (until I tried four other witchy books and DNFed them all).
It had a lot going for it. It was atmospheric and set in the UK, which I loved! The book had a very similar feel to Charmed (the original TV show) and Dawson even mentioned Charmed, which made younger me very happy. I loved the witches leading normal lives aspect and the natural explanation for the powers was excellent.
The first 40% felt like build up and that was a huge positive for me, especially since it's laying the groundwork for a trilogy. The only thing that stopped this being an immediate favourite was Leonie's POV, which always took me a few pages to get into, because those chapters brought up discussions that felt shoehorned into every situation Leonie was currently in. On the other hand, my favourite POV was Niamh. Hands down. There were some great side characters like Valentina and there was some awesome scenes showcasing the witchcraft!
"Simply being in the company of other witches was restorative of itself. There was a reason they came together in covens"
The ending left me wondering whether I felt compelled to continue on to book 2, mainly due to the cliff-hanger ending with Ciara.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
In Ninth House and Hell Bent, I really liked Alex's story and her relationship with Darlington was interesting to read. I finished Ninth House really expecting a big Darlington storyline and I think for the most part I got that. Although I could have done without the commentary on Darlington's shining π (and later his 'lighthouse' π).
I really enjoyed the supporting characters. I liked the interactions between Alex and Detective Turner, which felt very reminiscent of Charmed (the friendly cop who assists with supernatural occurrences). Tripp is funny, Dawes was such an interesting character and of course Cosmo π± is incredible.
The mystery vibe of the book mingles well with the supernatural elements of the story. I think Bardugo has set up the ending of both books well, both nicely concluded but also with enough of a cliff-hanger for the next instalment.
4.5
"Hell's price must be paid."
In Ninth House and Hell Bent, I really liked Alex's story and her relationship with Darlington was interesting to read. I finished Ninth House really expecting a big Darlington storyline and I think for the most part I got that. Although I could have done without the commentary on Darlington's shining π (and later his 'lighthouse' π).
I really enjoyed the supporting characters. I liked the interactions between Alex and Detective Turner, which felt very reminiscent of Charmed (the friendly cop who assists with supernatural occurrences). Tripp is funny, Dawes was such an interesting character and of course Cosmo π± is incredible.
The mystery vibe of the book mingles well with the supernatural elements of the story. I think Bardugo has set up the ending of both books well, both nicely concluded but also with enough of a cliff-hanger for the next instalment.
Witches by Brenda Lozano
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Reflective writing and/or lit fic just isn't for me.
No Plan B by Lee Child
3.5
Not quite what I expected but still a decent instalment. The longer the series gets the less intrigue there is because Reacher usually prevails and lives to tell the tale, but I'm invested in Reacher as a character and I will continue to pick these books up.
The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
I don't even know where to start with this review...
Firstly, god bless John Gwynne for including a recap of the previous books at the start of this book π
I really enjoy the humour in this series and my favourite source of thisis Svik and his love of cheese . It makes me chuckle so much. There are so many great characters and side characters (Spert, Vesli and Hrung). Getting some backstory on Hrung was great. This may have been mentioned in one of the previous books but I read those two years ago and could have forgotten. There are great character pairings e.g. Varg and RΓΈkia, (which...developed in this book ) and I loved the scenes with Glornir and Orka, they have such sweet dialogue and with Breca, too π₯Ή. I also loved Svik and Orka's heart to heart. I went on a bit of journey with my feelings about Elvar. At a point, I was thinking that she held a little too much power, just thralling gods and tainted, but then she redeemed herself around the 68% mark (freeing Ulfrir ) and then Gwynne does the thing and kills her off π₯Ή
There are lots of scores settled in this book and that was so satisfying. The rune magic is amazing, I loved this so much, it just enhanced the battle scenes, which already felt like a scene from the Vikings (TV show)! The characters and the atmosphere are just incredible. The fact that this book got me so invested that I felt sad at the loss of characters was a shock to me! In summary, I would love to see this adapted!
Thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, god bless John Gwynne for including a recap of the previous books at the start of this book π
I really enjoy the humour in this series and my favourite source of this
There are lots of scores settled in this book and that was so satisfying. The rune magic is amazing, I loved this so much, it just enhanced the battle scenes, which already felt like a scene from the Vikings (TV show)! The characters and the atmosphere are just incredible. The fact that this book got me so invested that I felt sad at the loss of characters was a shock to me! In summary, I would love to see this adapted!
Thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honeybee by Dawn O'Porter
4.0
A funny little popcorn read that explores women of different generations and at different points in their life and reproductive journey (perimenopausal, child-bearing age, mothers). Honey Bee adds humour to the mundane workplace drama (I don't think I've ever had an 'accidentally hit reply all' incident. Yet!) and gives us quite a relatable story.
My biggest complaint is how nicely themale adulterer was portrayed in the conclusion of the book (his actions were justified and he was even shown to make a considerate gesture in the epilogue, for what? To make him seem like a lovely cheater? )
My biggest complaint is how nicely the