kewlkat70's Reviews (250)

Very excited to return to the world of Oosten Are and Tad Williams and be reminded of what a wonderful story teller he is.   

One of the great epic fantasy writers overshadowed by more recent voices but I hope this new series will bring more readers to his writing and love of the epic novel. 

I am enthralled with a host of new characters and cannot wait to read more. 

A very enjoyable read. 

There was a lot of story for one novel.  The world seems interesting and the author has left enough possibility for more adventures in the world of Mystral. The next book is set up nicely but I will miss the main characters of this novel.  

Reminder:  I don't like urban fantasy. 

The whole Im a badass loner detective that hates authority is so overdone.  

Girl you are no Jessica Jones.  

This book is an improvement on the first book mostly as it introduces new characters POV.  Elspeth remains first person and the other characters are written in 3rd person.  I think the series would have been better overall if it was completely 3rd person.  Personally I find 1st person makes the narrator seem younger and the novel resembles YA for most authors.   

The romance follows a different couple in the sequel although Elspeth and Ravyn's story continues.   However the love story told through 3rd person is more powerfully told.  Again this tells me the author should have written all characters this way.  

The spicy parts are very few and quick.  So if you are looking for a fast read with 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ this is not the series for you. 

If you enjoy mostly YA lit with a hint of 🌶️ - open door but not too many details and a rare occurrence - then you will probably rate the duology higher.

The storyline itself is original and reads more like an isolated fairy tale then a complex world building epic fantasy.   Once again it is not to my taste but for readers that do not like complicated political intrigue between nations or even a varied and diverse world beyond the humans this would be rated much higher.  

Overall it's not a terrible novel and my complaints are the same I have for any YA novel.  I always feel there is something missing.   But the story and characters are likeable and I never was bored or felt like I should DNF.   
For those that are not sure they like the fantasy genre or would like to dip their toe into a more spicy read or for those who want to move from a cozy world to something a bit darker,  this is a good introduction with just enough of each element to give readers a taste.    


 

Another great dark series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley.  I have yet to be disappointed by any of her writing.  Her dark characters are truly dark, not merely tortured emo boys.  

She creates landscapes that are ancient and eternal and incomprehensible .  Magic is cruel but amoral in a true chaotic alignment, whether good or evil but mostly neutral. The human world is intertwined through the world but human protagonists are not powerless or entrapped by their weakness but their very humanity is the key to the world and it's creatures. 

And the love stories are emotional and believable.  The sex scenes are dark and kinky as well, with aspects of BDSM and anal but consent is deftly woven into those scenes. 

I had bigger expectations considering the number of people.who have recommended this book. 

It's not a terrible book.  It's a quick read, not very deep or detailed.  The premise is interesting and I am a sucker for magic cards BUT these are magic items not tarot or fortune cards which is my weakness. 

The characters are cookie cutter types without much depth to them. The heroine goes from hapless naif to leader of the rebels overnight due to her irresistable existence to the taciturn and dark male lead.  Yes we have read this before and the trope is tiresome but the book is so quick moving that we don't have to waste too much time with angst and worry over whether or not the lovers will see past their trauma and fall in love.  Etc. 

The only down side is one spicy scene and it's not very spicy at all.  I had to read it twice because I thought I missed how the MMC managed to satisfy himself. The description was very generic.  Look, I'll put up with some slap dash plot devices and questionable character development IF you give me some eyebrow raising smut scenes.  And I actually like the Main FC and MC so I want to spend some more time with them .  

In any case the book ended up on a high note and I would like to read the conclusion novel but ... It can wait. 

This is a re-read although I haven't read it in a long time so I have forgotten much of it.  
The story still holds up after many years although i did find it was a bit slow about midway through the book.  I think this is because it is a reread and I have less patience when I know the outcome.  

I am entering some of my old stand by true favourites of my life and the dragon riders of Pern series is a must read for anyone who likes fantasy or dragins or has been drawn into the genre due to the proliferation of romantic fantasy reads in the past few years. 

Female author,  strong capable female protagonists a world that has been well developed over many years of writing, believable romance and truly suitable for young adult readers that doesn't try to dumb down the writing for them.  

Again, I cannot attest to modern trigger warnings as my original impressions are based on a young reader's experience in the early 80s and typically we didn't notice triggers when they were so prevalent in the culture at the time.