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heartbrekker's Reviews (796)
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I'm very sad that I did not enjoy this story.
The representation within the LGBTQIA+ world for one thing was such a wonderful aspect to this story, and I really loved it. It was so satisfying to see such a diverse cast in a sci-fi world. We DEFINITELY need more of them, especially after reading this book.
Now my issues were mostly with the writing style, pace, and those issues led to my issues in connecting with the main characters. I did enjoy the different take on Morgana. She was probably my favorite character because she held immense amounts of depth and complexity.
Now back to the others: I didn't care about them. None of the emotional scenes struck a chord within me, and I was just downright upset to realize this book was not for me. Even the humor ended up running off me like water because I was just not feeling any of the team. None of them left me FEELING. I was just aimless.
Furthermore, the pace felt as if it were going a mile a minute, and I tried to keep up as much as I could.. but at a certain point it becomes overwhelming. Part of the reason I didn't enjoy the pace was because I personally felt two distinctive voices in the writing. For me, the two different writing styles were trying to merge into one, failing, and it left my head hurting. Dual written books tend to have that affect on me anyway, so maybe I should've seen this coming. Alas, I was too excited for this story to think of that.
I've seen tons of positive reviews, so I hope you enjoy it much more than I did.
ARC gifted by Jimmy Patterson. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The representation within the LGBTQIA+ world for one thing was such a wonderful aspect to this story, and I really loved it. It was so satisfying to see such a diverse cast in a sci-fi world. We DEFINITELY need more of them, especially after reading this book.
Now my issues were mostly with the writing style, pace, and those issues led to my issues in connecting with the main characters. I did enjoy the different take on Morgana. She was probably my favorite character because she held immense amounts of depth and complexity.
Now back to the others: I didn't care about them. None of the emotional scenes struck a chord within me, and I was just downright upset to realize this book was not for me. Even the humor ended up running off me like water because I was just not feeling any of the team. None of them left me FEELING. I was just aimless.
Furthermore, the pace felt as if it were going a mile a minute, and I tried to keep up as much as I could.. but at a certain point it becomes overwhelming. Part of the reason I didn't enjoy the pace was because I personally felt two distinctive voices in the writing. For me, the two different writing styles were trying to merge into one, failing, and it left my head hurting. Dual written books tend to have that affect on me anyway, so maybe I should've seen this coming. Alas, I was too excited for this story to think of that.
I've seen tons of positive reviews, so I hope you enjoy it much more than I did.
ARC gifted by Jimmy Patterson. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4
This review is going to be a TAD different.
‘“I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, but it wasn’t. Not that you aren’t all fairly charming, and as for you—” He dropped a glittery wink at Alec, who looked astounded. “Call me?”
Alec blushed and stuttered and probably would have stood there all night if Jace hadn’t grasped his elbow and hauled him toward the door, Isabelle at their heels.’
♥ City of Bones , Cassandra Clare
Where it all began.
I remember reading The Mortal Instruments in 7th grade, and it had a profound impact on me. Malec was the first LGBTQ+ rep I ever read where they were main POVs. They went on to affect so many of my beliefs and eventually just the person I am today, and I can’t thank them/ Cassie enough for it. I have this overwhelming nostalgia for their journey, and it’s crescendoing into this epic piece known as The Red Scrolls of Magic. I’m so happy they have a book of their own because they deserve it.
I’m not going to talk much about the content of this story besides the fact that it takes place during Malec’s European vacation between City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels. It focuses on some crazy revelations, but mostly it’s a book for the fans. It’s a book dedicated to the love that is Malec, and I’ll never be over that. They were my favorite couple and main characters in TMI, so this story was everything I needed and more. I’ve always desired a story solely for them, and in getting it, I’m a satisfied bean. My 7th grade self would be losing her mind right about now.
The Red Scrolls of Magic reminded me of why I adore the Shadowhunter world, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel entails. I thought maybe I was over this world after my intense disappointment in TDA, but Red Scrolls has reminded me of what this world meant to me and also made me feel both when I first read them, during TID, and now. I don’t know if I’m describing my emotions well, but it makes sense to me haha.
This review is going to be a TAD different.
‘“I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, but it wasn’t. Not that you aren’t all fairly charming, and as for you—” He dropped a glittery wink at Alec, who looked astounded. “Call me?”
Alec blushed and stuttered and probably would have stood there all night if Jace hadn’t grasped his elbow and hauled him toward the door, Isabelle at their heels.’
♥ City of Bones , Cassandra Clare
Where it all began.
I remember reading The Mortal Instruments in 7th grade, and it had a profound impact on me. Malec was the first LGBTQ+ rep I ever read where they were main POVs. They went on to affect so many of my beliefs and eventually just the person I am today, and I can’t thank them/ Cassie enough for it. I have this overwhelming nostalgia for their journey, and it’s crescendoing into this epic piece known as The Red Scrolls of Magic. I’m so happy they have a book of their own because they deserve it.
I’m not going to talk much about the content of this story besides the fact that it takes place during Malec’s European vacation between City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels. It focuses on some crazy revelations, but mostly it’s a book for the fans. It’s a book dedicated to the love that is Malec, and I’ll never be over that. They were my favorite couple and main characters in TMI, so this story was everything I needed and more. I’ve always desired a story solely for them, and in getting it, I’m a satisfied bean. My 7th grade self would be losing her mind right about now.
The Red Scrolls of Magic reminded me of why I adore the Shadowhunter world, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel entails. I thought maybe I was over this world after my intense disappointment in TDA, but Red Scrolls has reminded me of what this world meant to me and also made me feel both when I first read them, during TID, and now. I don’t know if I’m describing my emotions well, but it makes sense to me haha.
To start off this review, I just need to say it’s so bittersweet and emotional. I didn’t expect to feel so much distress and pain for the characters, but it was such a pleasant surprise. I kept wanting to reach out to hug these characters because they don’t deserve any of it.
Collins writing truly is the star to this story because without that lovely prose, I don’t think I would’ve felt as much. There tends to be this heavy weight with historical fiction sometimes that makes it harder to plow on, but in my opinion, Collins perfectly balances smooth prose with the heavy content of history.
Now I’ve seen a few people rate this lower because they believed The Binding is full fantasy. It is actually historical fiction with fantastical elements. It takes place a few centuries after the Crusades, but I didn’t really aim to narrow it down from that.
The main character is Emmett Farmer, a farmer, who has fallen ill and can no longer do his duties. Then, one day, everything changes when he is asked to work under a binder, which is seen as witchery to many due to what books contain, memories. Emmett, ultimately, decides to go, and his story blossoms from there.
Emmett is an empathetic, brave, and loving character. He’s strong willed against the facets of immorality and stands up for what he believes in (or as best as he can). He’s definitely a great character, and I certainly cannot wait for y’all to watch him grow in Part II of the story. I can’t count the amount of times my eyes teared up.
I usually would go into further detail about the story, but I personally think you should go into The Binding knowing only what I’ve said or the synopsis. I want to compare it to so many other books to give you an idea, but for each one, I see a spoiler than may ruin the experience in reading The Binding. I know I went in knowing little and came out wiping some tears I didn’t expect to shed. It’s one of my favorite books ever because of it.
*fan face*
I JUST WANT MORE EMMETT AND THEY WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED CAUSE SPOILERS.
Thank you William Morrow for sending me a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Collins writing truly is the star to this story because without that lovely prose, I don’t think I would’ve felt as much. There tends to be this heavy weight with historical fiction sometimes that makes it harder to plow on, but in my opinion, Collins perfectly balances smooth prose with the heavy content of history.
Now I’ve seen a few people rate this lower because they believed The Binding is full fantasy. It is actually historical fiction with fantastical elements. It takes place a few centuries after the Crusades, but I didn’t really aim to narrow it down from that.
The main character is Emmett Farmer, a farmer, who has fallen ill and can no longer do his duties. Then, one day, everything changes when he is asked to work under a binder, which is seen as witchery to many due to what books contain, memories. Emmett, ultimately, decides to go, and his story blossoms from there.
Emmett is an empathetic, brave, and loving character. He’s strong willed against the facets of immorality and stands up for what he believes in (or as best as he can). He’s definitely a great character, and I certainly cannot wait for y’all to watch him grow in Part II of the story. I can’t count the amount of times my eyes teared up.
I usually would go into further detail about the story, but I personally think you should go into The Binding knowing only what I’ve said or the synopsis. I want to compare it to so many other books to give you an idea, but for each one, I see a spoiler than may ruin the experience in reading The Binding. I know I went in knowing little and came out wiping some tears I didn’t expect to shed. It’s one of my favorite books ever because of it.
*fan face*
I JUST WANT MORE EMMETT AND THEY WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED CAUSE SPOILERS.
Thank you William Morrow for sending me a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kingsbane is most certainly one of my top reads of 2019, specifically it may be my favorite.
Kingsbane starts off nearly right where Furyborn left off. Eliana is dealing with the revelation that she is the daughter of the Blood Queen and that to save her world she must become the Sun Queen.
Rielle, on the other hand, is her world’s anointed Sun Queen, but she’s been tasked to search for the seven hidden castings of the Saints to repair the Gate, which is failing to hold the angels.
I’m at a loss for words for this sequel. I will say: DO NOT ignore the chapter headers. One in particular became the literal epitome of this book, in my opinion.
Claire is magnificent at displaying the turmoil in labeling a person as a Blood or Sun Queen. People aren’t wholly bad or good but are made of all the emotions and feelings in between. Rielle and Eliana grow and try to find themselves in a world that tries to endlessly shove their own opinions of these women’s identities down their throats, and I think their torn allegiances to how they want to live exemplifies that.
It’s similar to how our own societies try to put women in these boxes they’ll never fit. It’s downright toxic for young women to exist within the confines of societal expectations, and while some of these people mean well, it’s still detrimental to that individual’s mental health. You have to be you. Not someone else’s expectations.
For example, the most profound aspect to this sequel for me was Eliana’s identity struggle. I tear up thinking about what she goes through in Kingsbane because she doesn’t want any of this. She’s the first character, in my opinion, to be so utterly human in a novel because I know 100% I could never do what heroes do, but at the same time, Eliana doesn’t get a choice. El MUST take up her destiny, and it scrapes against her mental health because of all these growing expectations that are choking the life out of her. I felt as if I couldn’t breathe at times because Claire was figuratively suffocating me with these revelations, a mirror to Eliana’s own feelings. I just want El to be happy and healthy because Claire doesn’t hold back in the tolls she takes.
Now Rielle is.. Rielle is going through A LOT, and I honestly can’t allude more than that because it’s just too much. It’ll lead to spoilers and that is a big no. She really receives the bulk of events in Kingsbane (and I mean why wouldn’t she? Kingsbane is HER title haha), and just like El, I want her to find some peace.
They’re plenty of times where these two are selfish or righteous or making the wrong decisions, but they’re also plenty of moments where they step into who they are, what makes them happy, and are constantly questioning the expectations on them. I see so many of my own attributes (some not so favorable) reflected in Rielle, and then I just feel for the position El is put into. Nobody is perfect. Claire Legrand is one of the best at tearing aside these facades of heroic perfection and replacing it with the brutal truth: humans are flawed.
As always, Claire is one of my favorite writers, so sliding back into her style was wonderful. She’s a great storyteller, and after the ending... I just... the reason this review took so long was solely because the ending hurt for me to even think about. I still refuse to think about what actually happened because my heart ACHES.
Betrayal is all I can say.
Betrayal and loss.
Kingsbane starts off nearly right where Furyborn left off. Eliana is dealing with the revelation that she is the daughter of the Blood Queen and that to save her world she must become the Sun Queen.
Rielle, on the other hand, is her world’s anointed Sun Queen, but she’s been tasked to search for the seven hidden castings of the Saints to repair the Gate, which is failing to hold the angels.
I’m at a loss for words for this sequel. I will say: DO NOT ignore the chapter headers. One in particular became the literal epitome of this book, in my opinion.
Claire is magnificent at displaying the turmoil in labeling a person as a Blood or Sun Queen. People aren’t wholly bad or good but are made of all the emotions and feelings in between. Rielle and Eliana grow and try to find themselves in a world that tries to endlessly shove their own opinions of these women’s identities down their throats, and I think their torn allegiances to how they want to live exemplifies that.
It’s similar to how our own societies try to put women in these boxes they’ll never fit. It’s downright toxic for young women to exist within the confines of societal expectations, and while some of these people mean well, it’s still detrimental to that individual’s mental health. You have to be you. Not someone else’s expectations.
For example, the most profound aspect to this sequel for me was Eliana’s identity struggle. I tear up thinking about what she goes through in Kingsbane because she doesn’t want any of this. She’s the first character, in my opinion, to be so utterly human in a novel because I know 100% I could never do what heroes do, but at the same time, Eliana doesn’t get a choice. El MUST take up her destiny, and it scrapes against her mental health because of all these growing expectations that are choking the life out of her. I felt as if I couldn’t breathe at times because Claire was figuratively suffocating me with these revelations, a mirror to Eliana’s own feelings. I just want El to be happy and healthy because Claire doesn’t hold back in the tolls she takes.
Now Rielle is.. Rielle is going through A LOT, and I honestly can’t allude more than that because it’s just too much. It’ll lead to spoilers and that is a big no. She really receives the bulk of events in Kingsbane (and I mean why wouldn’t she? Kingsbane is HER title haha), and just like El, I want her to find some peace.
They’re plenty of times where these two are selfish or righteous or making the wrong decisions, but they’re also plenty of moments where they step into who they are, what makes them happy, and are constantly questioning the expectations on them. I see so many of my own attributes (some not so favorable) reflected in Rielle, and then I just feel for the position El is put into. Nobody is perfect. Claire Legrand is one of the best at tearing aside these facades of heroic perfection and replacing it with the brutal truth: humans are flawed.
As always, Claire is one of my favorite writers, so sliding back into her style was wonderful. She’s a great storyteller, and after the ending... I just... the reason this review took so long was solely because the ending hurt for me to even think about. I still refuse to think about what actually happened because my heart ACHES.
Betrayal is all I can say.
Betrayal and loss.
This BOOK-
It truly was greater than words can ever describe.
I struggled badly through Windwitch, so initially leading up to this installment, I was indifferent. I didn’t think about it much. Though, slowly, Bloodwitch started to dig its claws into my head (in a good way). I saw incredible reviews, and I realized I wanted to see what all of this hype was about.
Well.
It’s real.
And deserved.
Every POV was marvelous, deep, and gritty.
Each lesson the characters learned brought me to tears, especially at the end.
And most importantly, Bloodwitch teaches us to become ourselves for ourselves. It’s a book about finding your purpose and your needs and your life.
For these characters.. I screamed, I cried, I raged, I laughed, and I damn well rejoiced. My hope feels like a palpable being while reading Bloodwitch. These characters certainly need all the help they can get, and I ache to lessen their burdens.
Aeduan and Iseult still reign as my two favorite POV’s, but all of them are top tier in terms of plot. Susan Dennard got the ball rolling in the first two books, but Bloodwitch is where everything is put into perspective, specifically for Aeduan cause it’s his book, which is another reason I adored it. He’s an enigma that slowly becomes unraveled as the book progresses.
Now I could go into all the technicals, but I think, for my review, that wouldn’t do it any justice. I just wanted to express my emotions, and I also want you to know that no matter what, you aren’t ready for this book. It’s a game changer.
And, of course, read Sightwitch before Bloodwitch.
It truly was greater than words can ever describe.
I struggled badly through Windwitch, so initially leading up to this installment, I was indifferent. I didn’t think about it much. Though, slowly, Bloodwitch started to dig its claws into my head (in a good way). I saw incredible reviews, and I realized I wanted to see what all of this hype was about.
Well.
It’s real.
And deserved.
Every POV was marvelous, deep, and gritty.
Each lesson the characters learned brought me to tears, especially at the end.
And most importantly, Bloodwitch teaches us to become ourselves for ourselves. It’s a book about finding your purpose and your needs and your life.
For these characters.. I screamed, I cried, I raged, I laughed, and I damn well rejoiced. My hope feels like a palpable being while reading Bloodwitch. These characters certainly need all the help they can get, and I ache to lessen their burdens.
Aeduan and Iseult still reign as my two favorite POV’s, but all of them are top tier in terms of plot. Susan Dennard got the ball rolling in the first two books, but Bloodwitch is where everything is put into perspective, specifically for Aeduan cause it’s his book, which is another reason I adored it. He’s an enigma that slowly becomes unraveled as the book progresses.
Now I could go into all the technicals, but I think, for my review, that wouldn’t do it any justice. I just wanted to express my emotions, and I also want you to know that no matter what, you aren’t ready for this book. It’s a game changer.
And, of course, read Sightwitch before Bloodwitch.