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gattolinos_nerdy_nook's reviews
533 reviews
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
challenging
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
I thought this was a solid read for a start of a series. It was good at introducing the word and magic. It has characters that had some nuance in emotions and actions which changed depending on the environment and who was around and involved.
I did think the ending was weak. There was drama and betrayal that really could have been sorted if people talked, or at least made the ending less annoying. Especially when those people who didn't explain anything then turn around and act indignant when people act on information that they know and hasn't been stated otherwise to be false.
I will be interested to see if this series changes characters every couple of books like her Bridge Kingdom series or if we will stay following Freya for a while.
I did think the ending was weak. There was drama and betrayal that really could have been sorted if people talked, or at least made the ending less annoying. Especially when those people who didn't explain anything then turn around and act indignant when people act on information that they know and hasn't been stated otherwise to be false.
I will be interested to see if this series changes characters every couple of books like her Bridge Kingdom series or if we will stay following Freya for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and War
Moderate: Transphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Original Rating 3.5 ★
I found that the second time reading I was not mixing with the characters as much. As it was this was only a 3.5 star read the first time. Rereading the first book had the same issue and now reading this right afterwards had put me into a reading slump.
I found the chemistry between Bryce and Hunt non existent and ended up skipping parts of them together, but the rest the story was lack luster. There was some solid moments like with Ruhn and Daybright that really kept me invested but it just felt really all over the place for the most part.
I'll be interested to see how I feel about the third book when I get around to it.
I found that the second time reading I was not mixing with the characters as much. As it was this was only a 3.5 star read the first time. Rereading the first book had the same issue and now reading this right afterwards had put me into a reading slump.
I found the chemistry between Bryce and Hunt non existent and ended up skipping parts of them together, but the rest the story was lack luster. There was some solid moments like with Ruhn and Daybright that really kept me invested but it just felt really all over the place for the most part.
I'll be interested to see how I feel about the third book when I get around to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery and Torture
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
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? No
4.5
This was such an easy read to get into. As a previous YA author I think Victoria Aveyard wrote this book that felt like the easy pick up and read of a YA but had the plot and character struggles you more often see in NA or adult works.
The characters were captivating from the start and kept my attention throughout the whole book. There wasn't one person's chapter that I was interested in reading as they were all compelling in their own way. I think this book's strongest area as each character felt unique from one another and even if they are feeling the same emotions and turmoil they express them in different ways.
I thought the plot of the book was good but it wasn't a driving force for me when it came to reading. It is a simple set up but in a way that allows the characters to shine without having a convoluted plot hanging over them. It was an interesting and I am intrigued to see where it goes in the next two books.
All in all if you have previously liked Victoria Aveyard's works this is a must read.
The characters were captivating from the start and kept my attention throughout the whole book. There wasn't one person's chapter that I was interested in reading as they were all compelling in their own way. I think this book's strongest area as each character felt unique from one another and even if they are feeling the same emotions and turmoil they express them in different ways.
I thought the plot of the book was good but it wasn't a driving force for me when it came to reading. It is a simple set up but in a way that allows the characters to shine without having a convoluted plot hanging over them. It was an interesting and I am intrigued to see where it goes in the next two books.
All in all if you have previously liked Victoria Aveyard's works this is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I thought the plot was interesting enough, and the different POVs did help keep my attentions but the pacing all felt slow most of the time and the plot jumpy. I also struggled a lot with the writing. The characters have Scottish accents which were written into their dialogue which just made it hard to read.
The characters were sort of interesting but not nearly enough to keep my attention throughout the whole book. There were some personalities that clashed with me, but it doesn't mean others will have the same issues. Overall the plot kept me invested but I don't think I'll be continuing the series any time soon.
The characters were sort of interesting but not nearly enough to keep my attention throughout the whole book. There were some personalities that clashed with me, but it doesn't mean others will have the same issues. Overall the plot kept me invested but I don't think I'll be continuing the series any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book and it was a break that I need from my other reads an normal genres. It was fun and something I think that did a really good job of displaying a polyamorous relationship between Hades, Meghan and Hercules. It really highlighted how each of them helps the other and no one is the main focus or feel like that are just added on as an after thought.
I also appreciated that the issue of communication was addressed in the book and how it was highlighted as being an issue and how it can take some time for people to adjust and start talking again after so long of holding everything in.
A very solid read to end the month with.
I also appreciated that the issue of communication was addressed in the book and how it was highlighted as being an issue and how it can take some time for people to adjust and start talking again after so long of holding everything in.
A very solid read to end the month with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Car accident
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
adventurous
challenging
fast-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? No
4.25
This is a reread of this book and I still love it.
It is just filled with fun, fae based of mythology and fairytales as well as being an easy read that helped me in a reading slump.
This was a cozy read for me. I loved how this book sets up an issue and it doesn't feel like it gets dragged out. I feel like a lot books have plots that don't resolve without their books and get spread out too much over a series instead of expanding the world for the rest of the series. I also love the cast of characters was fun with Grimalkin being my favourite character. They all feel like fun and bring their own takes to each situation and a different dynamic to the story.
I am very excited to continue my reread of the series.
It is just filled with fun, fae based of mythology and fairytales as well as being an easy read that helped me in a reading slump.
This was a cozy read for me. I loved how this book sets up an issue and it doesn't feel like it gets dragged out. I feel like a lot books have plots that don't resolve without their books and get spread out too much over a series instead of expanding the world for the rest of the series. I also love the cast of characters was fun with Grimalkin being my favourite character. They all feel like fun and bring their own takes to each situation and a different dynamic to the story.
I am very excited to continue my reread of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Sexual harassment
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
Original Read 4 ★
This was a reread for me and honestly it didn't hold up as I imagine.
I found that I started disliking Hunt and Bryce's relationship in this book. For the most part I felt like it didn't work or was forced, which was a surprised to me as I liked it when I originally read this book.
With the exception of the relationship and Hunt annoying me for parts of the book, I really liked the story that was written. Whilst this is meant to be a romance book as well i found that I much preferred the moments without. The mystery didn't hit as hard this time around as I knew what was happening but it still held up and was what kept me going. The side characters are also strong in this series and I'm happy that we get more POVs in Sky and Breath.
I do find it interesting how much an opinion can change between rereads. I remember very much enjoying this book but it was just a different experience the next time around.
This was a reread for me and honestly it didn't hold up as I imagine.
I found that I started disliking Hunt and Bryce's relationship in this book. For the most part I felt like it didn't work or was forced, which was a surprised to me as I liked it when I originally read this book.
With the exception of the relationship and Hunt annoying me for parts of the book, I really liked the story that was written. Whilst this is meant to be a romance book as well i found that I much preferred the moments without. The mystery didn't hit as hard this time around as I knew what was happening but it still held up and was what kept me going. The side characters are also strong in this series and I'm happy that we get more POVs in Sky and Breath.
I do find it interesting how much an opinion can change between rereads. I remember very much enjoying this book but it was just a different experience the next time around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Cuddles & Coffee by Ellis Leigh
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? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked the series but felt like each of the three books almost felt like a copy and paste of each other. They were fun reads but very vey similar and having them in a bind up really highlights this. I would have like different conflicts or at least not so similar to one another when it comes to this series.
In saying that I thought the stories were still mainly cute and I will always have a soft spot for the age gap romances. The people MCs are all different from one another but the FMC were similar, not sure if it is because they are all from the same family or not.
I will still continue with the series but I hope we can get different kinds of conflicts for the next trilogy and have more diversity in the FMC personalities.
In saying that I thought the stories were still mainly cute and I will always have a soft spot for the age gap romances. The people MCs are all different from one another but the FMC were similar, not sure if it is because they are all from the same family or not.
I will still continue with the series but I hope we can get different kinds of conflicts for the next trilogy and have more diversity in the FMC personalities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
The Orc from the Office by Kate Prior
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was just a fun read. Everything about it made me giggle and just enjoy the experience. I was happy to seem a smart Orc since so much pop culture has them as dumb, epically coming from the D&D space.
It was a fun quick read that makes me want to look into the others in the series and if you are interested I recommend giving it a go yourself.
It was a fun quick read that makes me want to look into the others in the series and if you are interested I recommend giving it a go yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was a wonderful book to read. I loved the characters, the journey and how it ended; although I was concerned it was going to go another way so I'm happy it ended how it did.
I thought it was really well paced and hit on a lot of topics that people can feel and go through no matter their age, I believe the author after finishing the book wondered if he just wrote about his situation, because of that I think a lot of people can take something away from this.
A small thing but, I am so happy with how the father was written in this story. A lot of books like to make parents unapproachable or useless when I was a teen but in recent years parents in books have been written so much better.
I thought it was really well paced and hit on a lot of topics that people can feel and go through no matter their age, I believe the author after finishing the book wondered if he just wrote about his situation, because of that I think a lot of people can take something away from this.
A small thing but, I am so happy with how the father was written in this story. A lot of books like to make parents unapproachable or useless when I was a teen but in recent years parents in books have been written so much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
Minor: Xenophobia