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doomfaery's reviews
88 reviews
A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Torture
A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The reasonable side of me knows and completely understands that this book is basically a money grab. It's a shameless filler.
However, Casteels character is so strong and well developed, that reading book one all over again from his perspective was actually thrilling. The steamy scenes are still steamy, and J.L.A. manages to slip in another surprise for us at the end there.
In general, this is a great read and I'm sad to be so far from reading the sixth installment.
However, Casteels character is so strong and well developed, that reading book one all over again from his perspective was actually thrilling. The steamy scenes are still steamy, and J.L.A. manages to slip in another surprise for us at the end there.
In general, this is a great read and I'm sad to be so far from reading the sixth installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Fortunately, CC #3 is way more action packed than CC #2. There are some parts that drag on a little but overall the story is pretty fast paced.
This book would make an excellent ending to the CC universe. The biggest of the bad guys have been taken care of, the main plot point is finished, there really isn't much else to go on. But I know SJM can't help but beat a dead horse and suck the joy and integrity out of any series she does, so I fully expect more to come in the series, likely from the POV of a much less interesting couple, with lukewarm romance and a watered down plot. Ya know, like the Cassian/Nesta book.
I've said it before: SJM is a clumsy writer, unworthy of the downright worship people throw at her. She can't help but stray from her characterisation, until the entire cast all speak and act the same. I wish she'd give it a rest with the Stephanie Meyer-est mate thing, and instead focus on developing her cast more and fleshing out plot ideas.
The backbone of CC is good, that's the thing. The world building is excellent. The plot points aren't even terrible. But instead of focusing on how to develop all that and truly make it shine, she focuses instead on unrealistic sex scenes (magic aside, no woman comes that fast from a penis alone, sorry), and which main character to kill off and then revive at the last minute.
Seriously, if you know her tricks, then very little in these novels will surprise you, because she does the same shit over and over and over. Eventually you stop worrying about the fates of the main cast, because you know she's going to heal them and imbue them with insanely OP magical powers. Lady needs to take a writing class and really practice.
She's not a bad writer, just a clumsy and downright lazy one. Someone needs to tell her that making it up as you go along only works in action movies and shouldn't be applied to writing novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I feel that this book could have been about 500 pages, as most of it is slice of life and pals palling around, with only thin threads of a deeper plot to keep the reader interested.
Unfortunately, the first books plot was so epic that there isn't much to follow up on. I see this happen time and time again: the first book/movie/season is so epic that there isn't a way to one up. The plot becomes a tried and true but basic trope of overpowering the government.
There are the usual faves of J. Maas:
- uncontrollable and mysterious magic powers
- enemies and to friends and lovers
- secretly a good guy!
- secretly a bad guy!
- love that is so important that it's actually pre-destined (seriously, I could do without the mate crap)
There were a couple of minor twists that got me, and the ending that mixes CC with ACOTAR is interesting but also kind of messy and seriously encroaching on MCU territory. The biggest 'twist' I saw coming from a mile away because she never changed anything up and it's broadcast from the beginning LOL.
That being said, the characterisation is a smidge better, and I do think there is some great world building at work here. I can tell J. Maas really wants to be the next Cassie Clare, with worlds and characters that spand centuries and interconnect with each other. I get it, and I think she could do it, if she'd learn how to stretch a plot over more than one book and a romance, too. She has a tendency to rush everything, creating a dull narrative with little promise for reward. Seriously I was bored until about page 500!
Maybe the next one will be better :)
Unfortunately, the first books plot was so epic that there isn't much to follow up on. I see this happen time and time again: the first book/movie/season is so epic that there isn't a way to one up. The plot becomes a tried and true but basic trope of overpowering the government.
There are the usual faves of J. Maas:
- uncontrollable and mysterious magic powers
- enemies and to friends and lovers
- secretly a good guy!
- secretly a bad guy!
- love that is so important that it's actually pre-destined (seriously, I could do without the mate crap)
There were a couple of minor twists that got me, and the ending that mixes CC with ACOTAR is interesting but also kind of messy and seriously encroaching on MCU territory. The biggest 'twist' I saw coming from a mile away because she never changed anything up and it's broadcast from the beginning LOL.
That being said, the characterisation is a smidge better, and I do think there is some great world building at work here. I can tell J. Maas really wants to be the next Cassie Clare, with worlds and characters that spand centuries and interconnect with each other. I get it, and I think she could do it, if she'd learn how to stretch a plot over more than one book and a romance, too. She has a tendency to rush everything, creating a dull narrative with little promise for reward. Seriously I was bored until about page 500!
Maybe the next one will be better :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence