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toastyghosty13's reviews
161 reviews
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I think it tired and had a cool premise, but I ultimately just felt bored with the main character Yeeran and felt Lettle was annoying but otherwise enjoyed her and actually found her interesting.
I often found myself asking the question "why should I care about any of this?"
I found the lore behind the drums lacking. I wish we learned a lot more about the connection between the animals that the fae bind with to gain their magical powers. I forget the name and am not going to look it up (it was similar to the blue people avatar but if their connections with the animal tied their lives together, so if one dies the other dies). This dynamic was by far the most interesting part of the book to me besides the idea of some hidden fae society that has not been seen for centuries. Another disappointment is that apparently the long extinct humans in this world were more powerful because they were the ultimate magic users. Usually fantasy books make humans weaksauce (as they should tbh) so this was met with disappointment for me, and then compounded when I find out they don't exist anymore to delve deeper into that.
I do wish that I liked this book, especially with how beautiful the cover is. The idea for the main plot is interesting and so is the setting and even some of the characters, but I never felt like it clicked or captivated me. It is hard to describe a book as being "bad" when I am rating it subjectively on its ability to engage me as it can be difficult to put into words. I think this book is still worth a try reading because there are so many people that do enjoy it, but maybe go into it with low expectations.
Still better than House of Flame and Shadow though lmao
I often found myself asking the question "why should I care about any of this?"
I found the lore behind the drums lacking. I wish we learned a lot more about the connection between
I do wish that I liked this book, especially with how beautiful the cover is. The idea for the main plot is interesting and so is the setting and even some of the characters, but I never felt like it clicked or captivated me. It is hard to describe a book as being "bad" when I am rating it subjectively on its ability to engage me as it can be difficult to put into words. I think this book is still worth a try reading because there are so many people that do enjoy it, but maybe go into it with low expectations.
Still better than House of Flame and Shadow though lmao
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, and War
Silver Bullet by Colette Rhodes
dark
mysterious
sad
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
3.75
This proved again that this series is more than I expected it to be. I like that each book focuses on another one of Grace's soul bonds and gives the space to learn more about each one specifically while also learning more about Grace and the overarching lore behind the chaos that is happening. I am not as much of a fun of Bullet as I am of Riot (I CAN'T with the show tunes imsrybutnotrly) but I do still hope that there is more to the lore behind him being an Oneroi (sp?).
Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.5
This was very informative on women in greek mythology, and how their stories have shifted and have been manipulated over time. I found that a lot of the known stereotypes of these stories have shifted to be negative towards the women, when their actions tended to be justified once explained by Natalie Haynes. One of these that stood out to me was Pandora with her jar. Pandora was the one suffering here, but she gets the bad reputation.
I will probably reread this in the future. I did find parts of it to be a bit too slow but that probably has more to do with my ability to read "history" books and dryer material. Despite this comment, the author did do an amazing job turning the analyses of these myths into something narrative.
I will probably reread this in the future. I did find parts of it to be a bit too slow but that probably has more to do with my ability to read "history" books and dryer material. Despite this comment, the author did do an amazing job turning the analyses of these myths into something narrative.
Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved seeing this crossover between the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society. This took some of the more major characters and had them work together to stop some bad guys. Very fun story, love the extra material. Ally Carter did not have to give us this but she did and I am here for it.
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
Fun 2nd installment of the Heist Society series. I loved seeing Kat and crew again, they are all such great loveable characters. I liked how this one started off with a pretty big plot twist, since it was unexpected and was a good way to keep it interesting. This made it feel like it deviated a bit from the last book of "commit heist to return items to rightful owners". While it still had this theme, the variety made it stand out and prevent it from feeling like a templated book, where you just change the names and locations but it is overall the same. I love that Ally Carter was able to do this, and I sincerely hope she revisits this series in the future!!
Run Riot by Colette Rhodes
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
3.25
This was recommended by a friend. I found the concept to be super interesting. I ended up liking this book a lot more than I thought I would, since I thought it was going to be a lot of plotless romance and smut. It was the opposite, and I actually wish there was more romance. This was a unique story that had interesting characters and dynamics. The lore behind the agathos and daemons is cool and I like that there is a lot of time spent figuring that out and exploring it further. I like how it also shows Grace, the main character, and how much she grows once she meets Riot. I will definitely finish out this series.
Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller
informative
medium-paced
2.5
I thought this book was so interesting because it goes over the life of the father of taxonomy UNTIL 75% OF THE WAY THROUGH IT IS REVEALED HE WAS A HUGE RACIST. Idk, I can't really bring myself to care about what he has done for the taxonomy world, and I think all of his work being lost to natural disasters 3 times is karma for being a racist lol.
Also, I did not care for how the author went into information about herself and her past relationships. I read this book because I was interested in reading about taxonomy stuff, not to listen about how you met the love of your life and then promptly threw it all away after 7 years for a hook up. The dude you cheated on probably wouldn't have even cared that much if you communicated to him that you wanted to explore your sexuality with a woman.
This review put it perfectly into words: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3539789603
Also, I did not care for how the author went into information about herself and her past relationships. I read this book because I was interested in reading about taxonomy stuff, not to listen about how you met the love of your life and then promptly threw it all away after 7 years for a hook up. The dude you cheated on probably wouldn't have even cared that much if you communicated to him that you wanted to explore your sexuality with a woman.
This review put it perfectly into words: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3539789603
The Spies That Bind by Ally Carter
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a fun prequel to the Gallagher Girls series that gives context on how Cammie meets Liz and Bex. It introduces other characters too and helps to also give more details on the school they are attending. This book was cute and I love all of the supplemental material that the GG series is getting.
Heist Society by Ally Carter
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
3.0
Loved reading this book again, the last time being when I was in middle school. I love Ally Carters concepts and ability to make a unique story that has fun characters. It makes me wish I got to be a super cool teenage art thief.
I remembered the book being a lot different when I first read it, but that's not to say that it was lacking in any way. It was fun reading about Kat and her friends being a modern day robin hood, stealing back priceless artifacts and returning them to their rightful owners. I wish there were more than 3 books in this series, since the adventures they get up to are akin to Oceans 11.
I remembered the book being a lot different when I first read it, but that's not to say that it was lacking in any way. It was fun reading about Kat and her friends being a modern day robin hood, stealing back priceless artifacts and returning them to their rightful owners. I wish there were more than 3 books in this series, since the adventures they get up to are akin to Oceans 11.
Sandrider by Angie Sage
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.0
This was a fun book to read. There is a special place in my heart for the Septimus Heap universe, and it is so fun to read about them again as adults and side characters to a new cast. Tod is a very fun main character and I like seeing how she mirrors young Septimus with her approaches to problem solving and caring about her friends.
This was very nostalgic, despite it being the first time I have read it. I love the new setting of the desert and am curious where the story will lead to next in Book 3.
This was very nostalgic, despite it being the first time I have read it. I love the new setting of the desert and am curious where the story will lead to next in Book 3.