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toastyghosty13's reviews
136 reviews
The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
This was an oddly unsettling book that I have read of this series thus far. Most of the mysteries that Flavia solves are somewhat detached from Flavia and the De Luce family, but this time they find her mother's body. Flavia then starts the arduous and emotional process of proving her mother's murder and solving it, which would be traumatic for anyone.
The ending of this book was a slight cliffhanger that was a great setup for the next book. I am heavily invested in Flavia, and I feel like this fits very well with the fact that I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series lately too. I love Flavia's adventures and I think the next books will be a great change of pace for her.
The ending of this book was a slight cliffhanger that was a great setup for the next book. I am heavily invested in Flavia, and I feel like this fits very well with the fact that I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series lately too. I love Flavia's adventures and I think the next books will be a great change of pace for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was great to listen to because I love Neil Gaiman's writing and voice. The audiobook was narrated by him. I do not know much about norse mythology other than what I have seen in the Thor movies, but I think I liked this book more. It shows how Thor also kind of sucks as a major character in the myths, and it also explains how the gods came to be from Odin. The stories were many that I have not heard before, and are all somewhat cohesive in that they each provide context that helps with the last story of Ragnarok. This was cool to listen to, and I think more captivating to listen to rather than read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
dark
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book dearly, and was surprised at how much so. Although I probably should not be surprised, given the rating I gave to the other prequel Witcher book, I still did not expect to have such a love for the characters. Geralt is such a wonderful character to follow along in his adventures, especially how he is an absolute simp for mommy Yennefer. I love the strange dynamic between them that has been formed from the last short story of the previous book. They have a love denial relationship, although the denial is def only coming from Yen. I am excited to read the other books in this series, this series is so much better than the TV show it is a crime that I don't see the books mentioned on bookish social media as often. 11/10 recommend and insanely glad I bought the special illustrated editions!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual content
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This book has some great tips on how to better form goals that you want to achieve. The content is there while also not overwhelmingly dry. I did not ever feel bored while reading this. If you do not take any of the tips from this book, you will at least leave it feeling inspired to better form the goals in your life.
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
This was exactly what it was advertising to be: a lighthearted romance story between people with trauma and some smut. the writing wasn't great, but I do enjoy how the books in this series are very similar in themes to the movie Chef: they start off with the characters going through tough times, and their lives keep getting better even though you expect something bad to happen. This is a great light hearted read for in between serious books that are very deep. It is pretty surface level and it feels like a palette cleanser, but it almost feels like an insult to call it a palette cleanser since the characters are pretty loveable. This was not as smutty as the book before this, called Icebreaker, although that was some overkill on the smut given how innocent the covers look.
Overall, cute read, I enjoyed the characters a lot.
Overall, cute read, I enjoyed the characters a lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
there is gambling addiction too
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
I decided to listen to this as an audiobook this time around. This is already one of my favorite stories and it was actually more enjoyable listening to Neil Gaiman read it himself. Since he wrote the book, he read different lines and characters in tones and accents than how I normally read them. It made the story a bit more lighthearted, and also made me tear up more at the end than I normally do. I love this book and I am so glad I was able to hear it read to me in the way the author intends because it really does transform how you perceive it. If you like old fairy tales, I implore you to read this!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
AAAAA this book was adorable!!! I am really happy that it focused on the relationship between Nathaniel and Elizabeth more, since I did feel like it was a bit lacking in the main book. Nathaniel and Elizabeth are so cute <33333 It was such a sweet slice of life type episode, where the residents of Thorn manor are trapped within the manor and they must figure out why and how to escape in time for the Winter Ball. Silas is everything in this book and I love Mercy. I wish I got to see more of Mercy, Katrien, and Perceval so I am hoping there will be a 2nd book.
I sincerely hope for more with this series since the ending could easily be a tie off or a place to pick up. Silas still has a lot of backstory I desperately need to hear more about!! Please read this if you read Sorcery of Thorns, you will not regret it!!!
I sincerely hope for more with this series since the ending could easily be a tie off or a place to pick up. Silas still has a lot of backstory I desperately need to hear more about!! Please read this if you read Sorcery of Thorns, you will not regret it!!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
This was such a fun read that was so nostalgic for me!! It reminded me of the books I loved to read as a kid (i.e. The Septimus Heap series) and I really enjoyed it. I listened to this as an audiobook, which was narrated by Emily Ellet whom I have heard narrate before. I love her voice which just added to the enjoyment.
Elizabeth Scrivener is an interesting and capable character that has a mysterious backstory where she was left on the doorstep of a great library and subsequently raised in the library. She is falsely accused of a crime and then transported to the main city by a magister Nathaniel Thorn and his butler Silas. This sets off a chain of events where they have to work together to unravel the mystery behind the chaos around the city. I loved watching them grow closer and also learning more about the characters and why their similarities brought them closer. There were also some great villains in this story, and it felt like a lot happened without it feeling too rushed or forced.
My understanding is that this is a standalone book for the most part, but that there is a follow up novella that continues the story but with a different and more lighthearted plot. I sincerely hope there is more in the works for this "series?" in the future, since it seems that the novella was published in 2023, roughly 4 years after the publishing of Sorcery of Thorns in 2019. Sorcery of Thorns has the closure to finish as a standalone novel, but my hopes for more books are still high since it has been revisited with the novella Mysteries of Thorn Manor.
I highly highly recommend this book if you want a fun story with loveable characters, a great villain, a unique magic system, and some nostalgic vibes. It was an absolute joy to listen to the audiobook and I plan on buying a physical copy!
Elizabeth Scrivener is an interesting and capable character that has a mysterious backstory where she was left on the doorstep of a great library and subsequently raised in the library. She is falsely accused of a crime and then transported to the main city by a magister Nathaniel Thorn and his butler Silas. This sets off a chain of events where they have to work together to unravel the mystery behind the chaos around the city. I loved watching them grow closer and also learning more about the characters and why their similarities brought them closer. There were also some great villains in this story, and it felt like a lot happened without it feeling too rushed or forced.
My understanding is that this is a standalone book for the most part, but that there is a follow up novella that continues the story but with a different and more lighthearted plot. I sincerely hope there is more in the works for this "series?" in the future, since it seems that the novella was published in 2023, roughly 4 years after the publishing of Sorcery of Thorns in 2019. Sorcery of Thorns has the closure to finish as a standalone novel, but my hopes for more books are still high since it has been revisited with the novella Mysteries of Thorn Manor.
I highly highly recommend this book if you want a fun story with loveable characters, a great villain, a unique magic system, and some nostalgic vibes. It was an absolute joy to listen to the audiobook and I plan on buying a physical copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Blood
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
I have not read any of the books from The Witcher series until now. I have seen the first few episodes of the Netflix tv show and decided I wanted to read the books before continuing after I learned the show and games were based on books. I was pleasantly surprised at how different Geralt is in the books than in the show. Geralt is more talkative and witty in his dialogue with other characters in the books than I remember him being in the show. I really enjoyed hearing more of him than the "hulking lethal man that's tall dark quiet handsome and mysterious" they make him off to be in the show.
I also like reading about Yennefer since she was one of the characters I liked most from what I saw in the show. Her background story in the show was so interesting to me, and the way that she and Geralt's fates intertwine in the book was really interesting to see as well as to get an idea of the dynamic of their relationship in the future.
I ended up buying a physical box set with illustrated editions after listening to this audiobook because I liked the characters, stories, and world building so much. I loved the way the narrator did all of the voices in the audiobook, but it was also hard to keep track of who all of the characters were when there were so many as well as so many places. I chalk this up mainly to the fact that this book and the next (Sword of Destiny) are labeled as prequels and short stories, so I assume that Blood of Elves will be the first full length story rather than somewhat cohesive mini tails. Even though I don't normally like short stories, I feel that this fit perfectly with the fairy tale retelling aspect since a lot of the stories seemed somewhat familiar but also so unique.
I am excited to see more of Geralt and the other characters that were introduced in this installment, as well as see when Ciri eventually comes into the picture!!
I also like reading about Yennefer since she was one of the characters I liked most from what I saw in the show. Her background story in the show was so interesting to me, and the way that she and Geralt's fates intertwine in the book was really interesting to see as well as to get an idea of the dynamic of their relationship in the future.
I ended up buying a physical box set with illustrated editions after listening to this audiobook because I liked the characters, stories, and world building so much. I loved the way the narrator did all of the voices in the audiobook, but it was also hard to keep track of who all of the characters were when there were so many as well as so many places. I chalk this up mainly to the fact that this book and the next (Sword of Destiny) are labeled as prequels and short stories, so I assume that Blood of Elves will be the first full length story rather than somewhat cohesive mini tails. Even though I don't normally like short stories, I feel that this fit perfectly with the fairy tale retelling aspect since a lot of the stories seemed somewhat familiar but also so unique.
I am excited to see more of Geralt and the other characters that were introduced in this installment, as well as see when
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Incest, Infertility, Sexism, Blood, and Vomit
Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book felt a bit darker than the rest of the series has felt so far. Cammie does not remember multiple months of her life sine she ran away from school to keep her friends safe, and she is still on the run from the mysteries Circle of Cavan. This book was much more mysterious than the others, and felt like a good lead off into the series finale, since it helps uncover some more secrets about Cavan as Cammie retraces her steps with friends and family to figure out what happened and where she went after she left. This book was also quite sad because of this, as well as the way that the spy industry in this universe is so family oriented; it could mean that anyone you know, love and trust could be the enemy and be lying to you.
This book was much more tense, which is part of why I did not rank it as high as the others. I started this series because it was meant to be a fun read about how teenage girls are gonna teenage girl and do stupid things when it comes to boys, like using expensive spy equipment to run surveillance on him to see if he's planning on asking you to the school dance. This series has taken a large pivot from that, and has turned into a focus on espionage and betrayals. While I enjoy the latter, I still wish I had more of the former. I liked that this series did not take itself too seriously, but now it is taking itself a bit too seriously for how it started off. Even with my thoughts on that, I find this series and this book enjoyable since it was about time there were more spy novels about girls!!!!
This is still a fun series that I would recommend to anyone that is craving a little bit of childhood nostalgia in their reading lives.
This book was much more tense, which is part of why I did not rank it as high as the others. I started this series because it was meant to be a fun read about how teenage girls are gonna teenage girl and do stupid things when it comes to boys, like using expensive spy equipment to run surveillance on him to see if he's planning on asking you to the school dance. This series has taken a large pivot from that, and has turned into a focus on espionage and betrayals. While I enjoy the latter, I still wish I had more of the former. I liked that this series did not take itself too seriously, but now it is taking itself a bit too seriously for how it started off. Even with my thoughts on that, I find this series and this book enjoyable since it was about time there were more spy novels about girls!!!!
This is still a fun series that I would recommend to anyone that is craving a little bit of childhood nostalgia in their reading lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting