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heidirgorecki's reviews
908 reviews
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
I gave up. It annoyed me so much and there are just so many better things I want to read. Every female character in this book is whiney and petty. Especially the main character.
She’s supposed to be a notorious (the best) assassin but she complains that the floor is too cold, that her clothes are ugly, and that no one knows who she is or compliments her. She even states that she’d “rather be hated than invisible”, and Caoel had to explain to her why it’s good to be underestimated. Seriously?? How has she even survived? Maybe she needs to think of a career change if that’s the case since that is kind of whole basis of a good assassin…. DNF at 41%
She’s supposed to be a notorious (the best) assassin but she complains that the floor is too cold, that her clothes are ugly, and that no one knows who she is or compliments her. She even states that she’d “rather be hated than invisible”, and Caoel had to explain to her why it’s good to be underestimated. Seriously?? How has she even survived? Maybe she needs to think of a career change if that’s the case since that is kind of whole basis of a good assassin…. DNF at 41%
The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods
I gave up. It annoyed me so much and there are just so many better things I want to read. Every female character in this book is whiney and petty. Especially the main character.
She’s supposed to be a notorious (the best) assassin but she complains that the floor is too cold, that her clothes are ugly, and that no one knows who she is or compliments her. She even states that she’d “rather be hated than invisible”, and Caoel had to explain to her why it’s good to be underestimated. Seriously?? How has she even survived? Maybe she needs to think of a career change if that’s the case since that kind of whole basis of a good assassin…. DNF at 41%
She’s supposed to be a notorious (the best) assassin but she complains that the floor is too cold, that her clothes are ugly, and that no one knows who she is or compliments her. She even states that she’d “rather be hated than invisible”, and Caoel had to explain to her why it’s good to be underestimated. Seriously?? How has she even survived? Maybe she needs to think of a career change if that’s the case since that kind of whole basis of a good assassin…. DNF at 41%
Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A beautiful look at friendship, grit, and caring for others selflessly. The book had a thoughtful focus on loss and grief - whether thru death, lost dreams, lost expectations, or lost relationships - and what hope looks like despite that. I thought it was very well done and really thought-provoking and at times emotional.
The treasure hunting and mystery was also intriguing and even fun. It made me curious and invested and lended a little bit of a lighter feel to the heavier nature of what Mercy and Rusty were dealing with personally.
Loved the cameo from All the Lost Places too. Enjoyed the book throughly.
The treasure hunting and mystery was also intriguing and even fun. It made me curious and invested and lended a little bit of a lighter feel to the heavier nature of what Mercy and Rusty were dealing with personally.
Loved the cameo from All the Lost Places too. Enjoyed the book throughly.
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-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
2.5
I was actually pleasantly surprised with the first half of this book. The title and cover felt kind of tacky to my taste honestly and I sort of apprehensively accepted the ARC when it was offered. However, I thought it was well written and had some good depth to it. It dealt with grief and social difficulties, and had some funny scenarios. I was enjoying a lot of the awkward situations and much of the character development.
But the second half just tanked the book for me. The constant doormat situation with a subordinate was really frustrating for one. But mostly, the whole friends with benefits is so cringey and distasteful, not to mention completely selfish on Lark’s part, which yes, she realized and yet did nothing but constant yo-yo-ing and more selfishness. I really disliked her in the 2nd half. And the ending was a complete let down. I just don’t get it.
All in all so much potential cuz again, the writing flowed well and everyone started out really good. But the content and then lack of substance and actual character in a main character just ruined it for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
But the second half just tanked the book for me. The constant doormat situation with a subordinate was really frustrating for one. But mostly, the whole friends with benefits is so cringey and distasteful, not to mention completely selfish on Lark’s part, which yes, she realized and yet did nothing but constant yo-yo-ing and more selfishness. I really disliked her in the 2nd half. And the ending was a complete let down. I just don’t get it.
All in all so much potential cuz again, the writing flowed well and everyone started out really good. But the content and then lack of substance and actual character in a main character just ruined it for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Interesting parallels between both time periods that weren’t immediately predictable. A mix of history and fantasy like the author’s other book I’ve read and I enjoyed the mystery in it.
Casters and Crowns by Elizabeth Lowham
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a great book. It’s a great YA fantasy romance but it had depth and richness at the same time. The writing I thought was excellent and flowed well, and I loved the main characters of Aria and Baron. I so enjoyed the peripheral characters as well - I find quite often good supporting characters that are given adequate page time make the story so much richer, and this had it in spades.
The story line took on a great focus of friendship, seeing that differences make us better, and learning to accept that our mistakes make us human and help us learn and have compassion. It did well at contrasting
shame and failure, prejudice and revenge and pride, and what all that does to your soul and to those around you when not held in check, versus the effect of mercy, courage, perseverance and love.
Just so many good nuggets along with great characters and writing. Well done.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
The story line took on a great focus of friendship, seeing that differences make us better, and learning to accept that our mistakes make us human and help us learn and have compassion. It did well at contrasting
shame and failure, prejudice and revenge and pride, and what all that does to your soul and to those around you when not held in check, versus the effect of mercy, courage, perseverance and love.
Just so many good nuggets along with great characters and writing. Well done.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
So so good. Love the process of facing unexpected suffering and finding how to both cope and grow in it, and learn how to live in your new normal. It was such a brilliant look at the emotional side of that - the ups and downs, as well as learning how to find hope and joy and purpose in it eventually.
Love all the characters in it as well. Not just Margaret and Ian, but her family, Kit especially, was fantastic. Also fun crossover with Cassie from Things You Save in the Fire.
Love all the characters in it as well. Not just Margaret and Ian, but her family, Kit especially, was fantastic. Also fun crossover with Cassie from Things You Save in the Fire.
Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken
dark
reflective
slow-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? Yes
2.5
I guess I had expected more related to the witch trials for this book based on the blurb and marketing. Instead it was more about Alice living in medieval Ireland with all the corruption, violence and brutality of the time, dealing with people who wanted to take advantage of her or were jealous of her and how she navigated her ambition against that. The witch hunt focus wasn’t until the very end, and sort of glossed over quickly.
The story itself wasn’t bad at all, just again, not what I expected or anticipated. It also had a sort of poetic quality more than a character-development focus, so it was a little atypical in the way the story flowed. The book worked thru how cunning Alice was, what circumstances she was dealt, as well as how utterly and shockingly foolish her character judgement and poor choice was in men.
Ultimately I just didn’t like any of the characters. I think I would have been ok with the rest of it if not for that. They were all just awful people, either violent and cruel, self serving and vengeful, outside of the brief bits of husband #3, Richard De Valle.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
The story itself wasn’t bad at all, just again, not what I expected or anticipated. It also had a sort of poetic quality more than a character-development focus, so it was a little atypical in the way the story flowed. The book worked thru how cunning Alice was, what circumstances she was dealt, as well as how utterly and shockingly foolish her character judgement and poor choice was in men.
Ultimately I just didn’t like any of the characters. I think I would have been ok with the rest of it if not for that. They were all just awful people, either violent and cruel, self serving and vengeful, outside of the brief bits of husband #3, Richard De Valle.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Murder
A Lady of Conscience by Mimi Matthews
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Endearing and heartwarming. I loved both James and Hannah as characters, as well as the family members who showed up in the story.
It did feel like the book was more of a novella than a full novel. The first half of the book especially felt a little abrupt with James, switching his character rather quickly. Based on the acknowledgments at the end though and what Ms Matthews was going thru, it makes perfect sense. As always, enjoyed it a lot regardless.
It did feel like the book was more of a novella than a full novel. The first half of the book especially felt a little abrupt with James, switching his character rather quickly. Based on the acknowledgments at the end though and what Ms Matthews was going thru, it makes perfect sense. As always, enjoyed it a lot regardless.
Burn by Peter Heller
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This was so confusing - both in the writing style that was either like a run-on sentence or just total rabbit trailing, and in the setup where you didn’t know what in the world was going on until halfway thru. I get that it was trying to be intriguing and create mystery, but I didn’t even have any context to what sort dystopian world I was in - what was going on that the MCs DID have knowledge about. You just got dropped into this ambiguous setting with nothing for the longest time.
Also, the memories or flashbacks was a strange setup because I didn’t feel like it lended itself to much of the current story or character development. The predatory sexual abuse situation in the past lended to some of the shame processing and response but even that wasn’t really explored in the men’s friendship like it could have been for it to have felt purposeful enough to be in the story.
All in all it could have been really interesting if it fleshed out the dystopian setting and scenario, but I just lost interest or lost the plot during most of it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Also, the memories or flashbacks was a strange setup because I didn’t feel like it lended itself to much of the current story or character development. The predatory sexual abuse situation in the past lended to some of the shame processing and response but even that wasn’t really explored in the men’s friendship like it could have been for it to have felt purposeful enough to be in the story.
All in all it could have been really interesting if it fleshed out the dystopian setting and scenario, but I just lost interest or lost the plot during most of it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship