kari_marie's reviews
482 reviews

Cookmancer Online: A LitRPG / GameLit Novel by Nera Vivaldi

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adventurous medium-paced

2.25

 Cookmancer Online is the story of a girl, Kayla, who is part of world where virtual reality is part of everyday life. Kayla has been working on becoming a fearsome airmancer to help her mother, but somebody changed the plans and now her skill is a cookmancer. Can Kayla and her friends win the game while Kayla figures out her new powers?

The first thing to draw me in was the cover. I then read the description and thought well this sounds intriguing. I will admit to not being a gamer/ and not reading LitRPG so I knew going in this book was going to be different. The problem is there were some wording choices that led to me not being immersed in the story. This is not a forgettable book, but there could be improvements with a good editor. The flow of the story was not there, many times I went back to see if I missed something. The characters could really use a little more dimension. I did not actually like, or hate, any of the main characters because they were bland and one track. The world building was great, but if you care about the characters or the plot it makes wanting to read this book hard. I appreciate the creativity and someday I believe Nera Vivaldi will be a great author as she grows in her writing.

Two stars. The premise and world building were really cool and there was a nice wrap up, but If I was not reading this for BookSirens I never would have finished this book because the character and plot need some improvements.

Thank you to BookSirens and Nera Vivaldi for the free copy. This was an honest review. 
The Bounty, Volume 7 by Janet Evanovich, Steve Hamilton

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 The Bounty by Janet Evanovich and Steve Hamilton is the 7th book in the Fox and O’Hare series. Nazi’s, treasure, and fathers oh my. This book has Kate and Nick teaming up with their fathers in a high pace action story to find Nazi treasure before the Nazi descendant Brotherhood does. 

This story was a fast pace, read. If you like Indiana Jones do not be surprised by the similarities. I mean both Kate and Nick’s fathers show up, there is a coveted treasure that has been sought after by many, and Nazis. I did not hate this book but once I felt like this was following Indiana Jones, the more I disconnected from the book. Overall I did actually enjoy this book. I have read a couple of the books in the series and this was easy to follow without a huge background of the series. 

3 Stars for a solid fun read. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. This is an honest review. 
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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

3.5

This was a solid to start to the series. I found the whole book just to be missing something. It was well written, a good pace, an interesting world, and the folklore was solid. I just think there is a little missing potential that I cannot put my finger on. I still want to continue the series because I have feeling this world is going to grow and that missing piece is going to be filled in. 

And I want to shout out that this written by a Native American. It makes the mythology, for lack of a better word, more impactful as well as authentic as the story continues. The Mercy Thompson series made me fall in love with Coyote and I am intrigued by how Roanhorse is portraying him. 
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas is the fourth book in A Court of Thorn and Roses series and the first that does not follow Feyre. Nesta has always been prickly and ill tempered but ever since she came out the cauldron she has entered self-destruct mode. Feyre decides she can let this go on no longer and sends Nesta to train with Cassian. Will Nesta be able to connect to people in time? 
 
I think this was a solid addition to the series. Well written and Maas was able to turn a horrible character into underdog that you keep rooting for. Nesta had incredible growth and I loved Gwyn and Emerie. And my heart has been sold to the House of Wind. I want this house. One of the questions asked by storygraph that needs to be addressed. I do not find Nesta loveable, I find her strong and interesting but not loveable. I love a lot of the other characters in this story but Nesta is more enjoyable and intriguing versus loveable.
 
4 stars for an enjoyable read with character who really grew. I personally found it predictable so I cannot give five stars but I really did enjoy this book. 
Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux

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lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux is a novel that follows three generations of women as they fall in love. The story starts with Vera and Kelly and grows from there. Vera and Kelly have been set on a path since they were young but now, they can change it. The question is will they have the courage to find love. 

Easy straightforward love story for three generations of woman. This was an enjoyable predictable read. All the women were perfect even with imperfections. Like seriously everybody was in love with these women. This was not my favorite book by Jude Devereaux. I never really felt any depth in the characters. I already mentioned the predictable love interest. And to wrap up the pacing was a little slow. 

Three stars for being a simple generational love story. Nothing special, nothing horrible. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and Deveraux for the ARC. This is an honest review. 

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs is the next book in the Alpha & Omega series which revolves around Charles and Anna. Charles, Anna and Tag are on the mystery to discover what happened to an encampment that had been set up on some land they owned. The reason may be tied to the history of some pack members. Will these three be able to solve the mystery and maybe help heal some members. 
 
I devoured this in one day. I had a hard time putting the book down even though I had a migraine, and it was an electronic copy. To be fair I love this world and Briggs would have to do a lot to get me to hate a book from this world. If you have not read any of the books from Alpha & Omega or from Mercy Thompson, I would NOT recommend this book. For those that have read previous books and enjoyed it I think this is a solid addition to the world. I think overall it was an easy read but to get the true impact of what Anna goes through you would need that backstory from the other books. And it dark and scary. Also, the ending of this book is going make an impact on the next Mercy Thompson book. I am rambling because Briggs left me wanting more. Back to review mode. For those who are avid reads of this world you should enjoy this fast pace book that is delving into some different characters. I really am glad we are starting to dig into Leah. 
 
4 Stars for a solid addition the series and world. It was fast pace. I am knocking it down a star because that ending has left me waiting for both series to continue. ARGH. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Patricia Briggs for this ARC. This was an honest review. 
The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst

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adventurous dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst is a stand-alone novel diving into what happens after the young heroes save the day. We meet our heroes twenty-five years later. Kreya is a hermit except when she resurrects her husband, Jentt who died in the original battle. To fully resurrect her husband, she needs to go back to the field for some bones. Too bad going back leads to a terrible discovery, that her husband is not the only one resurrected. 

Pick this book up. Seriously Durst creates intriguing and new worlds. The world was pretty fleshed out for being one book. Yes, the beginning is confusing, but that comes with building a new world. The heroes all had flaws and were still endearing. The plot was slightly predictable but when you’re reading this it is not about the plot, it’s about the characters and their relationships to each other. I had a hard time putting this book down because it was mostly fast pace and a still fun. 

4.5 stars for an intriguing new world, I would have like a little bit of a twist, but I just enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyage, and Sarah Beth Durst for an ARC. This was an honest review. 

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

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adventurous dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I listened to this as an audiobook and I have regrets. I think I would have loved this book if I actually would have read it. The world seemed interesting but as audiobook it dragged. I may have to actually read this one and the next in the series. 
The Devil's Thief by Lisa Maxwell

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Book 2 did not improve on Book 1. In fact it got worse somehow. Esta is the worse thief and really dumb.
Lightning Game by Christine Feehan

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adventurous funny fast-paced

3.5

Lightning Game by Christine Feehan brings us into the GhostWalker world. Rubin grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. Even though his upbringing was tough, it helped him become the soldier he is. Imagine his surprise when he goes back to his cabin and finds somebody there. Jonquille can not be around people without harming them. She goes to the cabin to ask for Rubin’s help and to figure out who is following him. 

This was a hit from Christine Feehan. A fun, fast read, Lightning Game is a great addition the GhostWalker world. I enjoyed the banter between Rubin, Diego and Jonquille. No this is not groundbreaking but sometimes all you want is enjoyable. I do not think you need to read every book in the series to enjoy this one. I will say there are spoilers for other books. 

3.5 stars for being exactly what I thought it was going to be, a romance novel about characters with special abilities. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Christine Feehan for the ARC. This is an honest review.