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baexlee's reviews
72 reviews
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was delightful. Immediately I was drawn in by Juliette and Roma but the mystery and historic setting were also going to be right up my alley and of course I was thrilled with this read. I found my heart racing in some moments and aching in others and while I was initially tempted to rate this lower than five stars just because I was a bit disappointed with how quickly and loosely the end wrapped up, I realized I have been a bit to harsh with my own ratings lately and I truly enjoyed this book. I think that I was just disappointed that I will have to wait until the next book to see what happens and the cliffhanger in this is brutal. (especially if you're hoping for romance between Roma and Juliette to reignite )
Despite the fact that both characters have plenty of blood on their hands and find plenty more before the end of the story, it was not hard to root for either Juliette or Roma as they try to protect their people, even when their means were more... questionable. I didn't find that I was distracted by the moments where the story was making references more directly to the Romeo & Juliet inspiration, which was appreciated because I either find that it is distracting or nonexistent in other works, but I felt Gong found a nice balance here.
This was absolutely delightful, the only thing that could have made it better would be some more romance but I do love some slow burn trading betrayal back and forth enemies to lovers romance (ie Cardan and Jude from The Cruel Prince) so I guess I won't complain too much about it because I can have something to look forward to in the second book.
Despite the fact that both characters have plenty of blood on their hands and find plenty more before the end of the story, it was not hard to root for either Juliette or Roma as they try to protect their people, even when their means were more... questionable. I didn't find that I was distracted by the moments where the story was making references more directly to the Romeo & Juliet inspiration, which was appreciated because I either find that it is distracting or nonexistent in other works, but I felt Gong found a nice balance here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, and Gore
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, and Stalking
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This one took me a while longer than it probably should have because life got in the way but wow did that give me the chance to really savor this book. Samantha Shannon creates a vibrant world that is easy to slip away into for hours at a time. I read this book as a buddy read with a friend so I had a lot of comments and thoughts along the way and in turn decided to annotate. My annotation system included 5 colors for the following subjects - interesting/notable plot point, beautiful prose, good line, questions, romance.
There is so much packed into this novel that I almost cannot remember where I can begin now that I am at the end, it's a journey driven by the character through and through. Well paced and beautifully tied together in the end it was a pleasure to read and absolutely blew me away.
From the moment we meet the main characters they each tell us who they are through their actions, Ead by killing the mercenary that was outside Sabran's bedchambers, Tané by putting her ambition above the protocol and Susa's safety and allowing her to take Sulyard to Roos, ultimately kicking off the chain of events for everyone involved.
I loved Ead and Sabran's relationship, damn me for saying I wanted to see more of it explored on page. I had an entire annotation flag for it and it was one of the most used flags. (9 if you were wondering) But I would still love to see more of them exploring what it means for them and their places of power, especially at the end when Sabran is suggesting stepping away from the throne in a few years.
There is so much packed into this novel that I almost cannot remember where I can begin now that I am at the end, it's a journey driven by the character through and through. Well paced and beautifully tied together in the end it was a pleasure to read and absolutely blew me away.
I loved Ead and Sabran's relationship, damn me for saying I wanted to see more of it explored on page. I had an entire annotation flag for it and it was one of the most used flags. (9 if you were wondering) But I would still love to see more of them exploring what it means for them and their places of power, especially at the end when Sabran is suggesting stepping away from the throne in a few years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I really wanted to like this book, and there certainly are parts that I enjoyed. But overall I'm just disappointed. Despite the fact it is established early on that Emilia and her twin are supposedly the best of friends, the impact of the Vittoria's death was lackluster. Where the plot was trying to be mysterious and clever it was convoluted and confusing. I often found myself detached from what I was reading because the descriptions felt flat on the page. I had a hard time caring about Emilia's motivations, or even really understanding what they truly were in the first place, they seemed to change and get lost so often. The timeline is both frantically paced with a day of action packed plot where everything occurs and simultaneously dragging with long stretches of weeks where nothing happens, despite catastrophic threats hovering over the characters heads.
The most redeeming aspect of this book was the setting and Wrath. I found myself rooting for Wrath far more often than I was rooting for Emilia, even though I didn't really know what Wrath was doing throughout the novel. Ultimately though, even he ends up disappointing me. This book didn't feel like it had enough substance to be a series and even in the final few pages there are so many loose ends that I'm incredibly dissatisfied. I'm certainly not opposed to a book series, or a good cliffhanger, but I want the climax of the book to at least offer some satisfying payoff and a sliver of answers, something to hold onto while I wait for the next installment. I knew about as much on the last page as I did halfway through the novel, and that doesn't motivate me to pick up the next book. I liked Wrath enough that I might pick up the next installment to see if the author can save him from the absolute disservice that is done in the last 20 pages, but my expectations are low.
The ending of this book is so frustrating. We spent 300+ pages getting to know Wrath, our hearts warming up alongside Emilia's, all for him to sacrifice himself to save her life and really sell that he's not the demon we believe he is. Just to show up in the final chapter when Emilia believes he is truly dead to help her sign her soul away to Pride. Not to mention, what was the point of the whole marking if he won't actually come when she summons him? Why would he decide to mark her and then we can reasonably assume he ignored her summons after his 'death' since he appeared in the final chapter like he wasn't injured at all. Why give her the ring to help her summon him? Why the castle? Why move in with her? What was Wrath's motivation for ANYTHING in this book, why didn't we get even a glimmer of payoff on this to tempt us into the next novel? There were so many secrets dangled out in front of me and absolutely none of them were answered aside from Antonio, and even he was a red-herring of sorts because he was acting for the will of another house. This felt like a fever dream.
The most redeeming aspect of this book was the setting and Wrath. I found myself rooting for Wrath far more often than I was rooting for Emilia, even though I didn't really know what Wrath was doing throughout the novel. Ultimately though, even he ends up disappointing me. This book didn't feel like it had enough substance to be a series and even in the final few pages there are so many loose ends that I'm incredibly dissatisfied. I'm certainly not opposed to a book series, or a good cliffhanger, but I want the climax of the book to at least offer some satisfying payoff and a sliver of answers, something to hold onto while I wait for the next installment. I knew about as much on the last page as I did halfway through the novel, and that doesn't motivate me to pick up the next book. I liked Wrath enough that I might pick up the next installment to see if the author can save him from the absolute disservice that is done in the last 20 pages, but my expectations are low.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Confinement and Religious bigotry
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Explicit sexual content
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me begin by saying I have always been fascinated by Nesta's character. She is complex and three-dimensional, and I was excited for this book to finally get the opportunity to understand her better and we certainly come to understand her better by the end of ACoSF. Maas handles the shift in perspective well, reminding me that we are no longer in Feyre's perspective and the relationships that we have with these characters are no longer the ones we are familiar with. This is most obvious in the relationships between Nesta, Feyre and Rhysand.
Perhaps my opinion can be tied to this shift in perspective and the obvious biases that comes alongside that, but dare I suggest I preferred Nesta's story to that of Feyre's? Without delving too deeply into the details yet, Nesta's story is vibrant and rich, while also touching the dark places that can be found within a person, I have always been drawn to complicated characters and I found Nesta's character to be delightfully complicated.
My biggest gripe with this book is that the plot felt like it was so well paced until the last hundred pages or so, then I felt like I was running a marathons worth of miles in a sprints worth of time.
Okay, now onto my more detailed thoughts...
To be honest, I was not a fan of the pregnancy plot line at all. This is just personal taste, but I didn't feel attached to Feyre and Rhys as much in this story. Maybe it can be chalked up to the perspective shift and the fact the Nesta doesn't respect Rhys for much of the book, but I had a really hard time agreeing with their choices or really rooting for what they were doing, they just felt flat on the page in comparison to how they have felt in previous installments. New characters however, Emerie and Gwyn lit up the page.
I loved the Valkyrie story arch and Nesta coming into her own strength. I think that there was clearly and excitement to this part of the plot that feel flat in other parts, it almost felt like the other characters were just... tired. Like Tamlin had seen enough, and Rhysand needed a break. I had found myself wishing halfway through that the title was hinting at Nesta starting her own court with the Valkyrie and her Cauldron magic. I was slightly disappointed that wasn't the direction it went.
I knew that they would be mates, I think we all knew that they would be mates, but of course it still was nice to read about and I think it's nice to see a different and more complicated mating bond. My heart ached for both of them as they courted each other, both desperate to feel their love reciprocated, both convinced that they are undeserving. The romance did not disappoint, and I would certainly return to this courtship over the complicated mess that is the beginning of the Feyre/Rhys relationship, don't get me wrong I love Feyre and Rhys but Nesta and Cassian just blow them out of the water as far as my personal taste is concerned.
Perhaps my opinion can be tied to this shift in perspective and the obvious biases that comes alongside that, but dare I suggest I preferred Nesta's story to that of Feyre's? Without delving too deeply into the details yet, Nesta's story is vibrant and rich, while also touching the dark places that can be found within a person, I have always been drawn to complicated characters and I found Nesta's character to be delightfully complicated.
My biggest gripe with this book is that the plot felt like it was so well paced until the last hundred pages or so, then I felt like I was running a marathons worth of miles in a sprints worth of time.
Okay, now onto my more detailed thoughts...
I loved the Valkyrie story arch and Nesta coming into her own strength. I think that there was clearly and excitement to this part of the plot that feel flat in other parts, it almost felt like the other characters were just... tired. Like Tamlin had seen enough, and Rhysand needed a break. I had found myself wishing halfway through that the title was hinting at Nesta starting her own court with the Valkyrie and her Cauldron magic. I was slightly disappointed that wasn't the direction it went.
I knew that they would be mates, I think we all knew that they would be mates, but of course it still was nice to read about and I think it's nice to see a different and more complicated mating bond. My heart ached for both of them as they courted each other, both desperate to feel their love reciprocated, both convinced that they are undeserving. The romance did not disappoint, and I would certainly return to this courtship over the complicated mess that is the beginning of the Feyre/Rhys relationship, don't get me wrong I love Feyre and Rhys but Nesta and Cassian just blow them out of the water as far as my personal taste is concerned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The world of Caraval is fantastical and mysterious and the perfect challenge for Scarlett, the more cautious of the Dragna sisters and our main hero. The tone and the pacing of the novel make it a relatively easy read to get on board with and the rich descriptions of the world make it easy to dive into the fantasy of Caraval once you step into the game world.
Time in the world of Caraval feels a bit strange, and maybe this is why I was unable to fully get behind the timeline of some of the relationship developments but that was the area that I struggled the most. While I loved the romantic relationship and I enjoyed Scarlett and her own character growth, I felt like the relationships moved quickly, trust felt too easily gained or lost in some scenarios and overall the character development didn't feel like it had been earned, even after 200+ pages.
Overall a fun fantasy read, I will likely continue the series but after coming off of another series that was heavy with character development the characters just felt like they left something to be desired. The world felt more vibrant than Scarlett herself.
Time in the world of Caraval feels a bit strange, and maybe this is why I was unable to fully get behind the timeline of some of the relationship developments but that was the area that I struggled the most. While I loved the romantic relationship and I enjoyed Scarlett and her own character growth, I felt like the relationships moved quickly, trust felt too easily gained or lost in some scenarios and overall the character development didn't feel like it had been earned, even after 200+ pages.
Overall a fun fantasy read, I will likely continue the series but after coming off of another series that was heavy with character development the characters just felt like they left something to be desired. The world felt more vibrant than Scarlett herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Confinement
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my first five star read of 2021 and it was a whirlwind. I devoured The Queen of Nothing and thought of nothing else when I wasn't able to read it. There was weight and intensity packed neatly into a well paced and unexpected thrill ride. Maybe I was just charmed by the character development and romance (because whew) but Jude's journey from her mortal exile to the conclusion of the novel really swept me away.
Black continues to explore the complicated dynamics of the Duarte sisters byforcing Jude and Taryn's reunion in the mortal realm. As I read this novel I realized how limited Jude's perceptions of herself had been in previous installments, despite the fact the Faerie cannot lie. As Jude begins to unravel the mystery that has been tangled at her feet it becomes clear the Jude doesn't truly see herself the way that other's see her.
There is a great balance of mystery and riddle weaved throughout and the magic of Faerieland is vivid and details in the descriptions of the environment. Now, I'll keep Cardan content to the spoilers.
"Come here," he says, voice rough. I do, crossing the floor obediently. I might be inexperienced in love, but I know a lot about provocation. I slide to my knees in front of him. "Is this what you imagined I'd be like, back in your rooms at Hollow Hall, when you thought of me and hated it? Is this how you pictured my eventual surrender?"
Oh my god. This fucking part killed me, this is so Jude and sometimes these character moments during sex can feel so awkward or just repetitive and basic but this is so distinct and so Cardan and Jude and honestly their entire relationship is just delightfully flawed and real.
"We have lived in our armor for so long, you and I. And now I am not sure if either of us knows how to remove it."
Cardan is really making my heart drop. We get to see a lot more of him in this novel, and we also get to see a lot less of him, and more of him, and we lose him, and get him back. It's complicated. But overall, I'm glad that the fates came to pass and Jude and Cardan made it out on the other side.
Black continues to explore the complicated dynamics of the Duarte sisters by
There is a great balance of mystery and riddle weaved throughout and the magic of Faerieland is vivid and details in the descriptions of the environment. Now, I'll keep Cardan content to the spoilers.
Oh my god. This fucking part killed me, this is so Jude and sometimes these character moments during sex can feel so awkward or just repetitive and basic but this is so distinct and so Cardan and Jude and honestly their entire relationship is just delightfully flawed and real.
"We have lived in our armor for so long, you and I. And now I am not sure if either of us knows how to remove it."
Cardan is really making my heart drop. We get to see a lot more of him in this novel, and we also get to see a lot less of him, and more of him, and we lose him, and get him back. It's complicated. But overall, I'm glad that the fates came to pass and Jude and Cardan made it out on the other side.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Abortion and Death of parent
The Wicked King by Holly Black
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Wicked King did not entice me the same way the initial installment did, without the initial world building and character development I felt myself left wanting more. I would read ferociously for a few hours at a time and then put the book down for days on end, by the time I finally finished, I was happy with the ultimate ending, I think it pulled me through the twists and turns, betrayals and reveals well.
Jude has undergone a lot since we first encountered her in The Cruel Prince, and she is a far cry from that character now, but I did find that it was a bit easier to root for her choices and motivations this time around. Her morally gray motivations had been something that initially enthralled me with the series so I wasn't sure how I felt about them, but by the end of the book I was starting to see how Black was going to subvert my expectations once again. I have a complicated relationship with Cardan, I was frustrated with how little he appeared in the beginning, so if you are looking for heavy handed Cardan content you will have to wait, but once you get to Book Two things pick up quickly.
I think one of my favorite parts of this series is the complex relationships between Jude and her sisters. Vivi and Taryn can feel like side characters at times, but the relationship they have with Jude, they dynamics of how that relationship plays out, and the perception of their relationship to the outside world is incredibly rich and developed and honestly one of the most impressive aspects.
There are so many betrayals, back stabbings and double backs that I'm not sure who is on who's side, and I don't really know who to root for, but honestly I think that's one of the strengths of the series. It highlights the chaos of power and politics and the uncertainty of it all. Jude is young and hungry, but she isn't the only one, and we learn that alongside her as she is betrayed throughout the story. Black doesn't go into the intimate details or logistics of each betrayal which lends to their believability and plausibility, and it helps that we are learning about them as Jude would, her perspective is limited to what information she is trusted with. I do think that there was some disappointment in scenarios where it felt like Black worked over hundreds of pages to set something up just to have something ruin it right at the last second, an example would be the poison and Jude's relative immunity to poison. Right when her relative immunity would be helpful, she no longer has it because she had been captive. And then ultimately she just swaps the poison for water anyway and it doesn't matter. So why did you have Jude build the immunity for two entire books in the first place? It left me feeling a bit unfulfilled in some places. Overall I'm excited to see Queen Jude in the third installment.
Jude has undergone a lot since we first encountered her in The Cruel Prince, and she is a far cry from that character now, but I did find that it was a bit easier to root for her choices and motivations this time around. Her morally gray motivations had been something that initially enthralled me with the series so I wasn't sure how I felt about them, but by the end of the book I was starting to see how Black was going to subvert my expectations once again. I have a complicated relationship with Cardan, I was frustrated with how little he appeared in the beginning, so if you are looking for heavy handed Cardan content you will have to wait, but once you get to Book Two things pick up quickly.
I think one of my favorite parts of this series is the complex relationships between Jude and her sisters. Vivi and Taryn can feel like side characters at times, but the relationship they have with Jude, they dynamics of how that relationship plays out, and the perception of their relationship to the outside world is incredibly rich and developed and honestly one of the most impressive aspects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book was a pleasant surprise. I went into it expecting one thing and finding something entirely different than I could have imagined. Holly Black builds a vivid world that feels distinctly other and terrifying and it's refreshing to experience a fantasy world through the eyes of a character who both does not belong, but also maintains enough knowledge to live and operate in the dangerous landscape. There is something that feels rotten about the world of Faerie but Jude's fierce desire to stake a claim keeps your attention locked in.
If you are not a fan of morally gray characters, then this book likely will not be one you want to pick up. Jude isn't what one might consider good, but there is a hunger and motivation to her actions that can be recognized as distinctly human. I do not agree with the choices she makes, and honestly I am not even sure I can confidently say that I am rooting for her to come out on top, but she is certainly the most interesting character to follow and her story and desires have captivated me.
The areas that I struggled with this book - some events and betrayals didn't feel as fleshed out as they should have been, given the development and attention that was given to them in the beginning. There were some moments in retrospect where I wonder how a character seemed to make a complete 180 in their characterization.
The triumphs - this books has such a unique voice and Jude feels so entirely her own that it makes it easy to overlook other flaws that exist in her character. I know that this is not going to be a happy story with a happy ending, but the world of Faerie is as intoxicating as the fruit that grows there.
If you are not a fan of morally gray characters, then this book likely will not be one you want to pick up. Jude isn't what one might consider good, but there is a hunger and motivation to her actions that can be recognized as distinctly human. I do not agree with the choices she makes, and honestly I am not even sure I can confidently say that I am rooting for her to come out on top, but she is certainly the most interesting character to follow and her story and desires have captivated me.
The areas that I struggled with this book - some events and betrayals didn't feel as fleshed out as they should have been, given the development and attention that was given to them in the beginning. There were some moments in retrospect where I wonder how a character seemed to make a complete 180 in their characterization.
The triumphs - this books has such a unique voice and Jude feels so entirely her own that it makes it easy to overlook other flaws that exist in her character. I know that this is not going to be a happy story with a happy ending, but the world of Faerie is as intoxicating as the fruit that grows there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall this was an enjoyable read that felt like I could pick it up and put it down easily, the story flowed nicely and I had no problem wanting to come back for more. There were moments where I yelled out loud and moments where I was pissed, but part of the reason I can't give this a 4 or higher is that I had a hard time investing in Bea's story. If you asked me at 50% if I thought Bea would have a relationship at the end I would say no because she'd self-sabotage. The second half of the book was where all her growth really shined, however the beginning was difficult to get through, it's hard to root for a main character that doesn't even want to root for herself. I wanted to get to know so much more about Bea - what made her the kind of person she was, her hobbies outside of fashion, her childhood and background - but the plot centers so heavily around her romantic insecurities and her body-image that I had a hard time wanting to spend time in Bea's perspective in the early pages.
Strangely there was a moment where I felt very exposed by the author, I go into more details in the spoilers but let's just say I am more familiar with some of the date locations and got to vicariously live some of my own fantasies. The second half of this book felt like I was reading something else, the pace picked up dramatically and I began to invest in the romantic interests and their relationships with Bea. My thoughts on the ending are in the spoilers.
So I'm disappointed that I fell for Luc and he broke my heart. I'm surprised how it feels like he was still redeemed in the end because Bea accepted and forgave him? I had been rooting for Luc from the beginning. The date in Amboise was so unexpectedly pleasant for me, I had the opportunity to travel to both Chateau d'Amboise and Chateau de Chenonceau my senior year of high school and I dreamed of a magically ball where I met and handsome french man that swept me off my feet. Seeing that date realized in a novel was not something I ever expected, especially not almost 6 years after my trip to France. Then to have Luc betray Bea by doing exactly what he thought Bea was doing - which was confusing for me emotionally - I was heartbroken when I started to see the end come together. Anyway that aside, I was happy that Bea found her chosen family with Asher, it felt like a satisfying ending, and I certainly didn't expect that would be the means that we arrived to the end.
Strangely there was a moment where I felt very exposed by the author, I go into more details in the spoilers but let's just say I am more familiar with some of the date locations and got to vicariously live some of my own fantasies. The second half of this book felt like I was reading something else, the pace picked up dramatically and I began to invest in the romantic interests and their relationships with Bea. My thoughts on the ending are in the spoilers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
Minor: Toxic relationship and Abortion
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I was really into this while I relived my twilight phase, but by the end of the story there were some plot points that made me too uncomfortable to ignore. I just couldn't get back into Edward's perspective at the very end.