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dragoninwinterfell's Reviews (147)
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm really surprised that I didn't care for this book. Daughter of the Moon Goddess sounds just like something I would love since it has a good blend of magic and politics, beautifully written prose, and in depth world building. The only things it was missing were well-written characters and well-paced storyprogression. The protagonist has no personality and the supporting characters are lifeless as well. Since the characters were little more than names, it was difficult to care about what they were doing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
It's easy to see why Frank Herbert's Dune has been so influential in the fantasy genre. This novel clearly inspired Star Wars, The Drahon Prince trilogy, the Cosmere, and A Song of Ice and Fire. Dune is truly fantasy done right with a perfect blend of mystical magic and cut throat politics in a fantastical universe with intricate world building. My only complaint is that the book isn't longer. There is a time jump that skips over so much pivotal character growth.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my first Stephen King novel. I have to say that this is a classic for a reason and King's popularity is well deserved. Thos was gripping and tense from beginning to end, even in the slower sections. I had wondered if watching the film adaptation would take away the suspense. It didn't. The pacing and expert character work kept me completely in the moment with each progression of the story.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is one of those rare novels that is greatly surpassed in quality by the adaptation. The 2022 movie was far better than this.
Despite being very short, the pacing made it feel like the story dragged on and on. The ending in particular felt like is slowed to a crawl. Despite the interesting premise, the execution of the plot felt lifeless and formulaic. This comes down to the poor character work.
None of the characters had any personality and the dynamics didn't feel earned. Each character simply filled the role dictated by the plot without appearing to have strong motivation of their own. The last fourth was particularly tedious because there were so many twists that weren't character motivated and seemed to just be there to lengthen the plot.
I definitely recommend the film adaptation on this one.
Despite being very short, the pacing made it feel like the story dragged on and on. The ending in particular felt like is slowed to a crawl. Despite the interesting premise, the execution of the plot felt lifeless and formulaic. This comes down to the poor character work.
None of the characters had any personality and the dynamics didn't feel earned. Each character simply filled the role dictated by the plot without appearing to have strong motivation of their own. The last fourth was particularly tedious because there were so many twists that weren't character motivated and seemed to just be there to lengthen the plot.
I definitely recommend the film adaptation on this one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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
The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste is an urban fantasy centered on politics, civil rights, and complicated family dynamics.
Venus - a brewer of love potions with a malevolent magical entity restrained inside of her - leads this story with wit, ruthlessness, vulnerability, and strength. As far as protagonists go, she was very compelling and enjoyable to follow. The supporting characters were also rich and well-fleshed out with interesting motivations of their own.
The strength of this novel is the world building. The magic system is intricate creating not just moments of wonder but dark moments of heavy consequences. I loved that each chapter began with an epigraph "quoted" from an in-universe book, speech, police report, etc. that helped to not only tell the story, but broadened the world around the characters.
It did take me a couple attempts to fully get into the book, but once I did, I loved the ride.
Thank you Netgalley for providing an advanced audio copy in exchange for honest review.
Venus - a brewer of love potions with a malevolent magical entity restrained inside of her - leads this story with wit, ruthlessness, vulnerability, and strength. As far as protagonists go, she was very compelling and enjoyable to follow. The supporting characters were also rich and well-fleshed out with interesting motivations of their own.
The strength of this novel is the world building. The magic system is intricate creating not just moments of wonder but dark moments of heavy consequences. I loved that each chapter began with an epigraph "quoted" from an in-universe book, speech, police report, etc. that helped to not only tell the story, but broadened the world around the characters.
It did take me a couple attempts to fully get into the book, but once I did, I loved the ride.
Thank you Netgalley for providing an advanced audio copy in exchange for honest review.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Girl on the Train is a solidly structured yet character drive mystery told through the POVs of three very flawed female characters.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This perfectly structured novel was both hard-hitting and an easy read at the same time.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Tender Beasts is one of those rare novels that had me so completely immersed and hooked that when it ended, I immediately restarted it. The mystery of this supernatural thriller was so solid that it feels like I've read two separate novels, one where I was discovering everything alongside the heroine and one where I was able to pick up additional clues and context. The plot was solidly structured, yet still felt character driven. And those characters driving this story were amazing.
Sunny Behre, the protagonist of the novel, is realistically flawed and unique as far as heroines go. A teenager from a wealthy Black family, Sunny lives a life of great privilege alongside the constant threat of racial bias against her and her loved ones. She navigates the world hiding behind the persona of a happy, peppy, "sunny" girl with a constantly positive perspective and a spotless reputation. On the inside, she is very different as her inner monologue depicts her as more pessimistic, manipulative, and strategic. She was honestly a joy to read as she navigated the struggle of grieving her mother and trying to protect her family as a series of murders threatened to destroy them.
Alongside the modern-day mystery are a series of diary entries written by Sunny's mother in the 1990s where backstory is given on the mysterious Milk Man who is still terrorizing the family. I love the dual timeline these entries provide. The way Sunny's mother annotated the diary entries also added a unique touch as she provided additional wisdom of hindsight as well as advice.
While this story isn't a sequel to Sambury's previous novel, Delicious Monsters, it clearly takes place in the same universe. It's not necessary to read that book before Tender Beasts, but if you do, there's a well-placed Easter egg.
Overall, Tender Beasts is excellent. Absolutely a give star read.
Sunny Behre, the protagonist of the novel, is realistically flawed and unique as far as heroines go. A teenager from a wealthy Black family, Sunny lives a life of great privilege alongside the constant threat of racial bias against her and her loved ones. She navigates the world hiding behind the persona of a happy, peppy, "sunny" girl with a constantly positive perspective and a spotless reputation. On the inside, she is very different as her inner monologue depicts her as more pessimistic, manipulative, and strategic. She was honestly a joy to read as she navigated the struggle of grieving her mother and trying to protect her family as a series of murders threatened to destroy them.
Alongside the modern-day mystery are a series of diary entries written by Sunny's mother in the 1990s where backstory is given on the mysterious Milk Man who is still terrorizing the family. I love the dual timeline these entries provide. The way Sunny's mother annotated the diary entries also added a unique touch as she provided additional wisdom of hindsight as well as advice.
While this story isn't a sequel to Sambury's previous novel, Delicious Monsters, it clearly takes place in the same universe. It's not necessary to read that book before Tender Beasts, but if you do, there's a well-placed Easter egg.
Overall, Tender Beasts is excellent. Absolutely a give star read.
dark
mysterious
slow-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
This sapphic, dark academia vampire romance has an excellent premise and first half. The slow burn, rivals to lovers dynamic between Laura, a southern Catholic young woman, and the aloof and arrogant Austrian student, Carmilla, began so well. I loved their interactions with each other and the steady build of their rivalry in class and their romantic fixation on each other, alongside the mystery of their professor's true motives. But once the story took an abrupt turn, it all fell apart for me. The slow burn flipped like a switch and became insta-love while their professor's secret and the fallout of it was lackluster. It was difficult for me to continue to slog through to the ending, which didn't feel earned.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.