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claragweny's reviews
184 reviews
The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks
The first time I read this I rated it 4 stars but since then I have changed my rating system so it's down to 3 stars now. I only read The Witch Collector originally because it was available on Libby and knew nothing about it. I decided to re-read the series because I rated the series pretty highly but didn't remember a lot about it.
On reread, I have to say it's definitely one of the better popular fantasy/romantasy series. For people who loved ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash this is a step up. It's not by any means high fantasy and is definitely still more of that YA vibe.
Trope wise, this book does a pretty good job not following them to a T. This book is steeped in violence, gore, and bloody magic just like you'd expect it to be but the magic system is entirely unique. That morally grey MMC you're expecting isn't so morally grey which makes this book, and series, so much better IMO. That kickass powerful girl FMC who doesn't need any man to help her.... actually does kinda need a lot of help. She's still powerful but totally ignorant and naive. Not to mention that she's disabled which is one of my favorite things about this series - just totally casually has a disabled main character. LOVE.
My real gripe with this book is why doesn't Raina grieve more? Okay, yeah, a lot is going on but she just witnessed mass death and survived torturous magic and it's hardly mentioned? I mean, if I had witnessed that I don't think I'd be so quick to move from heart shattering grief to impassivity. Grief to blinding rage maybe but our girl doesn't even really have that either. She cares about individual characters but not really anything else. Just kinda giving nothing emotionally there.
dark
emotional
sad
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
It’s hard to despise someone who lights up the world when they smile.
The first time I read this I rated it 4 stars but since then I have changed my rating system so it's down to 3 stars now. I only read The Witch Collector originally because it was available on Libby and knew nothing about it. I decided to re-read the series because I rated the series pretty highly but didn't remember a lot about it.
On reread, I have to say it's definitely one of the better popular fantasy/romantasy series. For people who loved ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash this is a step up. It's not by any means high fantasy and is definitely still more of that YA vibe.
Trope wise, this book does a pretty good job not following them to a T. This book is steeped in violence, gore, and bloody magic just like you'd expect it to be but the magic system is entirely unique. That morally grey MMC you're expecting isn't so morally grey which makes this book, and series, so much better IMO. That kickass powerful girl FMC who doesn't need any man to help her.... actually does kinda need a lot of help. She's still powerful but totally ignorant and naive. Not to mention that she's disabled which is one of my favorite things about this series - just totally casually has a disabled main character. LOVE.
My real gripe with this book is why doesn't Raina grieve more? Okay, yeah, a lot is going on but she just witnessed mass death and survived torturous magic and it's hardly mentioned? I mean, if I had witnessed that I don't think I'd be so quick to move from heart shattering grief to impassivity. Grief to blinding rage maybe but our girl doesn't even really have that either. She cares about individual characters but not really anything else. Just kinda giving nothing emotionally there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Kidnapping
City of Ruin by Charissa Weaks
Originally, I gave this book a 4.5 star rating but my rating system has changed. On reread, this is a 3.5 for me. City of Ruin is much better than The Witch Collector. The lore and world building is unique and fun. Some parts of the book are pretty slow which is needed for when the book is very intense. No one wants to read a really long and really intense book.
There are dramatically more open door sex scenes in this book which isn't good or bad but should be taken into context when deciding if this a book that's right for you. There are some plot-relevant reasons for more sex scenes however so I wouldn't skip over them. (Also just to note, the FMC is 24 and this is not YA. So no one should be complaining about there being open door sex scenes.)
I found this book to be really compelling and driving the story forward. I couldn't believe I had gotten so close to the ending and then when that ending came.... I said to myself "what the actual fuck?" Absolutely brilliant. Truly. A cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers.
dark
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
3.5
"Control and desire are often disguised as love. One just has to be able to tell the difference between the fraud and the truth."
"We are not only products of our parents, but the ancestors who came before us as well. Their souls sing a mighty echo in our veins."
Originally, I gave this book a 4.5 star rating but my rating system has changed. On reread, this is a 3.5 for me. City of Ruin is much better than The Witch Collector. The lore and world building is unique and fun. Some parts of the book are pretty slow which is needed for when the book is very intense. No one wants to read a really long and really intense book.
There are dramatically more open door sex scenes in this book which isn't good or bad but should be taken into context when deciding if this a book that's right for you. There are some plot-relevant reasons for more sex scenes however so I wouldn't skip over them. (Also just to note, the FMC is 24 and this is not YA. So no one should be complaining about there being open door sex scenes.)
I found this book to be really compelling and driving the story forward. I couldn't believe I had gotten so close to the ending and then when that ending came.... I said to myself "what the actual fuck?" Absolutely brilliant. Truly. A cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
The Wolf and the Witch by Charissa Weaks
Okay now - this novella is for the erotica girlies for sure. I'm absolutely positive this is who Charissa wrote this one for. Because damn. This is the slowest burn until suddenly, oh boy, it is surely not. I'm not even straight and it got me sweating.
If you're not into the hot and heavy, open door sex you really only need to read the very beginning of the book. It gives you some context from into the ending of City of Ruin but once Nephele and Neri set off on their own you can totally just DNF. Though, the pining and slow burn is just so good I really encourage you to try it out 😜
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.25
“I turn my back to the fire to assess our lodgings more closely. My stomach tightens at the sight of a single bed, large enough for one person, something we’ll have to worry about later.”
Okay now - this novella is for the erotica girlies for sure. I'm absolutely positive this is who Charissa wrote this one for. Because damn. This is the slowest burn until suddenly, oh boy, it is surely not. I'm not even straight and it got me sweating.
If you're not into the hot and heavy, open door sex you really only need to read the very beginning of the book. It gives you some context from into the ending of City of Ruin but once Nephele and Neri set off on their own you can totally just DNF. Though, the pining and slow burn is just so good I really encourage you to try it out 😜
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent