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phoenix2's reviews
1177 reviews
The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
'The Emperor's Soul' is a novella taking place in The Cosmere universe.
Not having read many books in The Cosmere series, I did find it easy to read and without needing to have any previous experience with the universe. The author does a great job building the whole world in such a short length, as the story progresses. And it is a fairly satisfying story, with a smooth start, and a nice ending.
Not having read many books in The Cosmere series, I did find it easy to read and without needing to have any previous experience with the universe. The author does a great job building the whole world in such a short length, as the story progresses. And it is a fairly satisfying story, with a smooth start, and a nice ending.
Reckless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
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? No
1.75
'Reckless' is the second book of the trilogy and it continues right after where things were left in the first book.
The first part of the book was actually enjoyable and it was action-packed, with some twists.
However, the second part was quite boring. There were too many eye-rolling moments since the author tried too hard to have the two main leads share romantic moments that they labeled as 'pretending' as they are supposed to be enemies. But most of those situations were too obvious.
Also, our main male lead kept putting duty over the girl and it was hard to root for them as he was clearly leading her to her death when he could have, I don't know, let her go and pretended that he had lost her, since he loved her so much...
Let's see where things will lead us in the final one...
The first part of the book was actually enjoyable and it was action-packed, with some twists.
However, the second part was quite boring. There were too many eye-rolling moments since the author tried too hard to have the two main leads share romantic moments that they labeled as 'pretending' as they are supposed to be enemies. But most of those situations were too obvious.
Also, our main male lead kept putting duty over the girl and it was hard to root for them as he was clearly leading her to her death when he could have, I don't know, let her go and pretended that he had lost her, since he loved her so much...
Let's see where things will lead us in the final one...
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
'Immortal Longings' is a fantasy adventure with a complicated magic system and political intrigues.
The story has some twists and mostly tries to add as many action scenes as possible, starting from the big survival game that occurred that year.
And truly, the whole political system, survival game, and magic were interesting. However, where the book lost me was in the narrative. It did a poor job explaining the magic system and the whole world build was also poorly done and failed to immerse me into the whole urban fantasy. In addition, the romance was boring.
The story has some twists and mostly tries to add as many action scenes as possible, starting from the big survival game that occurred that year.
And truly, the whole political system, survival game, and magic were interesting. However, where the book lost me was in the narrative. It did a poor job explaining the magic system and the whole world build was also poorly done and failed to immerse me into the whole urban fantasy. In addition, the romance was boring.
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
'Ignite Me' is the third book of the Shatter Me series and it is an improvement. The writing style has improved a lot, with less repetitions and overwrites, and with a better narration from our main hero.
Also, the story gives more details when it comes to the whole universe and what was actually happening.
However, there were some things that were still eye rolling.
The romance was nice, but the switch from Adam to Aaron, especially with having whole chapters explaining how he is indeed a great guy but everyone has misunderstood him...or Julliet trying to explain how she wasn't in love with Adam after all with every opportunity she got.
But, worst of all, was the whole deal with Julliet becoming the leader not only of the revolution, but also the future leader of the country. I mean, not only she is a teenager, but she is also dealing with huge trauma and for the whole two previous books she didn't even have a straight stream of thoughts. Take her big speech for instance, which, apparently got everyone on her side like that, the whole army, it was more or less laughable.
Hopefully, things will get better... (?)
Also, the story gives more details when it comes to the whole universe and what was actually happening.
However, there were some things that were still eye rolling.
The romance was nice, but the switch from Adam to Aaron, especially with having whole chapters explaining how he is indeed a great guy but everyone has misunderstood him...
But, worst of all, was the whole deal with Julliet becoming the leader not only of the revolution, but also the future leader of the country. I mean, not only she is a teenager, but she is also dealing with huge trauma and for the whole two previous books she didn't even have a straight stream of thoughts. Take her big speech for instance, which, apparently got everyone on her side like that, the whole army, it was more or less laughable.
Hopefully, things will get better... (?)
At Dusk by Hwang Sok-yong
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
'At Dusk' is a reflective book about a man who starts reminiscing his life growing up at the slumps.
The book is surprising, with many plot twists, especially in the ending.
Also, and even though the start was slow and there were some boring parts, everything blended up together in the end, and there was a nostalgic and sad feeling about it.
The book is surprising, with many plot twists, especially in the ending.
Also, and even though the start was slow and there were some boring parts, everything blended up together in the end, and there was a nostalgic and sad feeling about it.
Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
'Tangled Up in You' is a retelling of the Disney movie Rapunzel, and gives it a modern twist.
The book is cute with an adorable romance and an intense mystery to boot. Especially the ending was quite intense, while the road trip was a fun ride.
The book is cute with an adorable romance and an intense mystery to boot. Especially the ending was quite intense, while the road trip was a fun ride.
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
1.0
'Unravel Me' is the second book of the Shatter Me series and it did not improve much compared to the first book.
There were many things that continued from the first one, like the constant repetition of words and phrases, the scratching off of lines, the vague explanation of the world. Also, the main character keeps being confused and, as we are in her head, everything feels confusing and messy.
As for the story, the first part was boring, but things got better towards the end.
Finally, the romance was cringey.
There were many things that continued from the first one, like the constant repetition of words and phrases, the scratching off of lines, the vague explanation of the world. Also, the main character keeps being confused and, as we are in her head, everything feels confusing and messy.
As for the story, the first part was boring, but things got better towards the end.
Finally, the romance was cringey.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
'The Maidens' is a mystery book about an academic murder case.
The premises of the story are pretty solid, and I have to say that I didn't see that ending coming.
However, there were some plot holes that didn't add up.
Still, there was a lot of action and twists.
The premises of the story are pretty solid, and I have to say that I didn't see that ending coming.
However, there were some plot holes that didn't add up.
Still, there was a lot of action and twists.
When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head
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
3.0
'When Rain Clouds Gather' is a drama with multiple players.
The plot was character driven, as it explores the politics of a small village in Botswana. Thus, the narration feels like a camera that follows a character and then, finds a new subject to follow.
However, there were some parts that weren't that interesting, but the ending was pretty intense, with a last chapter full of emotion.
The plot was character driven, as it explores the politics of a small village in Botswana. Thus, the narration feels like a camera that follows a character and then, finds a new subject to follow.
However, there were some parts that weren't that interesting, but the ending was pretty intense, with a last chapter full of emotion.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
'What the river knows' is a YA historical fantasy, with little emphasis on the fantasy. Actually, the magic system was more or less an afterthought, was not explained at all how the magic worked and how it was connected to the past, and it was used sporadically as a plot device.
The main story, on the other hand, and though there were some predictable twists, was enjoyable and a nice mystery with lots of suspects.
The romance, however, was too instant and with no pace.
Nevertheless, the characters were interesting.
The main story, on the other hand, and though there were some predictable twists, was enjoyable and a nice mystery with lots of suspects.
The romance, however, was too instant and with no pace.
Nevertheless, the characters were interesting.