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cryosphinx's reviews
173 reviews
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Fantastic sequel that I think I like more than the first book.
Book 2 adds another POV so it's nice to go between Laia, who is from the downtrodden caste and a former slave, to Elias, a soldier who ran from the Empire and Helene, his best friend who is still very much a part of the Empire and believes in it. We got more backstory into each of their stories, we learned more about the world including the tribes and mythical creatures and magic, and there's a high stakes prison break. The characters really shine and nobody is 100% good or bad, they all have motivations and flaws. But the bad guys are still very much the bad guys an I want them to suffer.
What I love is that this is a YA so it's an easier read, but Tahir does a lot with less words, painting everything without being too wordy and can move the plot along. And maybe I'm done, but there were several points when a twist happened and I had to set the book down and stew.
Book 2 adds another POV so it's nice to go between Laia, who is from the downtrodden caste and a former slave, to Elias, a soldier who ran from the Empire and Helene, his best friend who is still very much a part of the Empire and believes in it. We got more backstory into each of their stories, we learned more about the world including the tribes and mythical creatures and magic, and there's a high stakes prison break. The characters really shine and nobody is 100% good or bad, they all have motivations and flaws. But the bad guys are still very much the bad guys an I want them to suffer.
What I love is that this is a YA so it's an easier read, but Tahir does a lot with less words, painting everything without being too wordy and can move the plot along. And maybe I'm done, but there were several points when a twist happened and I had to set the book down and stew.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual violence
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I love this, and can tell this is a series that deserves to be talked about. It's very much a story in dichotomy. Laia, a slave to the Empire from the lowest caste and Elias, a soldier for the Empire that wishes to desert it while being a part of it. Both of them want freedom, for different reasons, and of course they cross paths. It's a great plot, with a dabble of magic and mystical creatures.
There's some side characters that weren't super fleshed out (so far) but some were so it was a bit uneven. I felt like I was supposed to care more about the side characters that showed up more, but I ended up caring more about the others. The villainess in this story is one of the most villainous villains to ever villain, like she is truly a piece of work. It does feel a bit 2000s ya with a love triangle thrown in that didn't really do much (I don't like them in any case but it seemed forced). There's a lot of torture and violence, and almost seems gratuitous but it's very much inspired by events, and it's rough and raw.
Overall, I wish I had started this sooner. I bought this a while back but added it to my TBR when seeing recommendations of female rage. And about half way through this I ran out and got the rest of the series.
There's some side characters that weren't super fleshed out (so far) but some were so it was a bit uneven. I felt like I was supposed to care more about the side characters that showed up more, but I ended up caring more about the others. The villainess in this story is one of the most villainous villains to ever villain, like she is truly a piece of work. It does feel a bit 2000s ya with a love triangle thrown in that didn't really do much (I don't like them in any case but it seemed forced). There's a lot of torture and violence, and almost seems gratuitous but it's very much inspired by events, and it's rough and raw.
Overall, I wish I had started this sooner. I bought this a while back but added it to my TBR when seeing recommendations of female rage. And about half way through this I ran out and got the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
4.5
I'm so sad, the trilogy is over!
At first I was sad to lose Sigma's POV, but Blythe is such a wondering FMC, I love that she takes no shit and doesn't care for society at large and carves her own path. Aris is face smackable but in an hilarious way to get under Bylthe's skin but the two of them are a delight together. The arc of their romance was well written and made a lot of sense and I love how they came together.
This gets knock down in the scoring only because I feel like the addition of Chaos just added some more plot points that don't get wrapped up and at this time, I'm not sure if Grace is adding more books in this world (besides the upcoming Christmas novella). I just hope it's not added and left sincethere's more to answer for with Sigma's mom
At first I was sad to lose Sigma's POV, but Blythe is such a wondering FMC, I love that she takes no shit and doesn't care for society at large and carves her own path. Aris is face smackable but in an hilarious way to get under Bylthe's skin but the two of them are a delight together. The arc of their romance was well written and made a lot of sense and I love how they came together.
This gets knock down in the scoring only because I feel like the addition of Chaos just added some more plot points that don't get wrapped up and at this time, I'm not sure if Grace is adding more books in this world (besides the upcoming Christmas novella). I just hope it's not added and left since
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.75
I love, love, love this series. The vibes, the setting, the characters.
As others said, it's a bit slow in the beginning, and part of me feels like Grace felt like the murder mystery worked so well with the first book, that she needed to have another murder occur.
But otherwise, it's more of everything else I loved about the first book but including Blythe's POV which at first I thought was unneeded and just a setup for Wisteria (I had read the series after all three books were released) but I ended up LOVING Blythe so much. Her POV really adds a side of the setting where she doesn't care to fit in whereas Sigma is one who learns she doesn't need to fit in. This book ends up being a very good bridge from Book 1 to Book 3.
As others said, it's a bit slow in the beginning, and part of me feels like Grace felt like the murder mystery worked so well with the first book, that she needed to have another murder occur.
But otherwise, it's more of everything else I loved about the first book but including Blythe's POV which at first I thought was unneeded and just a setup for Wisteria (I had read the series after all three books were released) but I ended up LOVING Blythe so much. Her POV really adds a side of the setting where she doesn't care to fit in whereas Sigma is one who learns she doesn't need to fit in. This book ends up being a very good bridge from Book 1 to Book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
A beautiful dark and gothic paranormal\fantasy hybrid. This is one of the most atmospheric books I've read, it's just simply lovely. I had also read One Dark Window this year and didn't think I liked gothic vibes but glad I also picked this up. The murder mystery is also something I don't gravitate towards but it works so well here. I also liked that the MMC IS Death and not just a dude with death's powers. And Sigma is such an eccentric lady in this world and I love her for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
There is a lot that happens this book for character development, there is also a lot that happens for plot. It's another book with a floor mechanic with rules that you just have to vibe with.
If you hate slugs like me, book could be a 1/10, IYKYK. But the rest of it makes up for the slugs.
If you hate slugs like me, book could be a 1/10, IYKYK. But the rest of it makes up for the slugs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
funny
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
Before I started this series, my husband bought a pillow that's a pretty of the cover of this book. I asked why, and he said this was his favorite of the series.
I am now inclined to agree and now snuggle with the pillow.
I am now inclined to agree and now snuggle with the pillow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
funny
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
4.25
Another banger from Dinnaman. I didn't love the bubble plot at first, just coming off the confusing train plot of the last book so I thought to myself that it was another book where I had to just vibe with the floor's theme but after awhile, it started to make more sense and gave a good quest plot. More and more information about the world in particular with the assorted characters, backstories and the overarching galaxy wide corporations start really coming into more focus here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
I'm very conflicted writing a review for this. Dawn of Onyx is one of the best romantasy books I've read but this kind of fell flat for me. Where it shines is that Kane and Arwen as characters are well written and have fantastic arcs (Kane being top tier book boyfriend and Arwen really coming in to her own as a heroine), this ending felt both rushed and slow at different parts. I did like this better than Book 2 but the ending was just okay. The banter, the world, and the war were still what I've come to expect and I enjoyed it. I do absolutely want more from this word, and here's hoping for a Griffin\Mari spin off. The characte4rs were really what made this whole series for me and I love them immensely.
Ending spoilers:It does make me want to throw the book when the prologue is 9-10 months later and guess what?? She's knocked up. I do not care. Whyyyyy?
Ending spoilers:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
Woven by Gold by Elizabeth Helen
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed Woven By Gold for the same reasons I enjoyed Bonded By Thorns: sometimes you just need a no thoughts, head empty, here for a good time not a long time book. I thought the writing itself was overall better, and that there was more to the plot (as in 'things are happening' plot) but it's still fairly predictable. I do like Farron and Rosie's character development, and Caspian becoming more of a thorn (lolololol) in everyone's side. It also starts to step back from being overtly Beauty and the Beast. This won't be everyone's cup of tea as some might find it a shallow romantasy, but hey, it's a good time for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Grief