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hotlizard's reviews
368 reviews
The Hooker and the Hermit by Penny Reid, L.H. Cosway
fast-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
2.0
This book was cringey at the many ways it absolutely stated in no uncertain ways, that consent isn't required or even needed. It's a shame because if I took a marker and crossed out the creepy parts, it wouldn't have been half bad. But they're there, telling women it's okay to take advantage of a woman being drunk to coerce her into sex or that you shouldn't respect someone if they say no or leave me alone. Just ew.
Demon's Bride by Leigh Miller
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I would consider this a plot over smut read. The insta-lust and primal stuff isn't my tea so I didn't enjoy it as much as people who are into it. Still a lovely, low stakes read.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the book with some caveats. The story was cool and neat without being super repetitive to other fantasy. The world of strange planetary weather and both the magic and science/tech tied to it was interesting too.
There was also a true enemies situation (someone went and expanded on the "enemies to.." piece which I felt ruined the magic for me a bit so I won't do that to anyone).
My caveat is that though things were happening, there were stretches were it felt like nothing happened. It's planned to be a series and I'm excited for book 2 coming in December, I hope it has more meat on it.
There was also a true enemies situation (someone went and expanded on the "enemies to.." piece which I felt ruined the magic for me a bit so I won't do that to anyone).
My caveat is that though things were happening, there were stretches were it felt like nothing happened. It's planned to be a series and I'm excited for book 2 coming in December, I hope it has more meat on it.
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
JFC
I'll have thoughts maybe on a re-read but JFC
I'll have thoughts maybe on a re-read but JFC
Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence through Shares and Stocks by Simran Kaur
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.75
If you're starting out in the realm of financial knowledge, I would highly recommend adding this book as a primer.
It might not be great if you already have good understanding and have some investing going on through 401ks and auto-investing where you've become familiar with the stocks/index funds and bonds etc.
I'm somewhere in the middle so, some parts were informative and others repetitive.
It might not be great if you already have good understanding and have some investing going on through 401ks and auto-investing where you've become familiar with the stocks/index funds and bonds etc.
I'm somewhere in the middle so, some parts were informative and others repetitive.
Monsters' Manor by Leigh Miller
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'm not big for why choose but I enjoyed the quick novella. I think I craved a little more out of this story in terms of plot because it was longer and did start getting into the backstories of characters. Otherwise, it was fun and once it got to the smut parts it was deliciously spicy.
The Orc From Accounting by Leigh Miller
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Awww this is all the bits I love about Leigh Miller in bite sized form. Lots of insta-lust but in a super cute way.
The Longevity Code: Secrets to Living Well for Longer from the Front Lines of Science by Kris Verburgh
medium-paced
2.0
It's..a diet book. It even has recipes.
I gave it 2 stars because it did describe some interesting ongoing research.
The TLDR; is that you should eat nutritional food but protein is "bad" and caffeine is good, but don't you dare eat carbs. 70% of this would likely be very triggering to anyone struggling with ED. Quite a bit of the book was spent going on to limit or "don't eat this bad food or you'll succumb to aging disease."
Some of the science described was a stretch to the connections they tried to make. In addition, I was disturbed by the sheer lack (or at least acknowledgement of) poverty and other determinants as major determinant of health and aging.
I gave it 2 stars because it did describe some interesting ongoing research.
The TLDR; is that you should eat nutritional food but protein is "bad" and caffeine is good, but don't you dare eat carbs. 70% of this would likely be very triggering to anyone struggling with ED. Quite a bit of the book was spent going on to limit or "don't eat this bad food or you'll succumb to aging disease."
Some of the science described was a stretch to the connections they tried to make. In addition, I was disturbed by the sheer lack (or at least acknowledgement of) poverty and other determinants as major determinant of health and aging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Eating disorder
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
DAMN. I'm not sure what to say.
Absolute The Mummy vibes but in a new and enticing. The Egyptian myth and fantasy was so rich and felt like getting a sweet treat and a nice reprieve from all the medieval fae fantasy. I fell into the story and as it gained momentum I was swallowing chapters whole.
This will very likely be a re-read for me. So many good bits and I'm sure I missed one of the many easter eggs.
***The ending was a giant cliff hanger and now I have to wait (checks imaginary watch) seven months for the sequel.
Absolute The Mummy vibes but in a new and enticing. The Egyptian myth and fantasy was so rich and felt like getting a sweet treat and a nice reprieve from all the medieval fae fantasy. I fell into the story and as it gained momentum I was swallowing chapters whole.
This will very likely be a re-read for me. So many good bits and I'm sure I missed one of the many easter eggs.
***The ending was a giant cliff hanger and now I have to wait (checks imaginary watch) seven months for the sequel.
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside by Nick Offerman
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
It's been really interesting to delve into the inner workings of Offerman's thought process. Listening has been an extra treat especially with the recording of Home on the Range by Megan Mullally (Offerman's "bride") at the end. I'm going to pick up his earlier books, as it seems I'm going backward in time and I think it'll be interesting to see his aging and growth in reverse.