the_bookliopile's reviews
140 reviews

System Collapse by Martha Wells

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

3.5

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? No

4.5

The Witch Who Courted Death by Maria Lewis

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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? No

3.0

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

First and foremost: the weird love/lust for a 7 year old girl. I thought it was just me that was like 'hold up a minute... did I just read what I thought I read...?' But then I perused reviews and found that I was not alone in that ickiness. And even though the male character, Daemon, said "I'll wait until your 17" didn't make the situation any better. Not when it was followed by other descriptors as well.
The next was the ability to follow the story and writing. I tried to let a lot of the writing style slide as it was a debut novel from this author but it did become harder to read. I think mostly because everyone was falling in love with this damned 7 year old girl. Yeah... I can't let that slide.
It got to the point I was actively avoiding the book. And I enjoy dark fantasy but not quite like that.
The magic system premise sounded interesting though and I'm a little sad that I'm not going to be seeing that through. I liked the idea of magic strengths and different gems being associated with different abilities.