narcobunbun's Reviews (48)

I just finished this book and honestly? It's a solid 4-star read that had me completely invested in these characters who feel like people you've actually met before. The way the author weaves familial relationships through the story is such a refreshing change from the typical "chosen one with conveniently dead parents" fantasy formula. Plus, can we talk about how the whole time you can practically feel the author's love for her culture radiating off the page?

The island setting is basically an extra character in itself – I could practically feel the tropical breeze and hear the waves while reading. The descriptions are so vivid you'll be pricing flights to this fictional place before you hit the halfway mark. The worldbuilding has this wonderful lived-in quality that makes the fantasy elements feel grounded rather than gimmicky. Not perfect, but definitely worth clearing your weekend schedule for!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I really enjoyed Ashley Flowers' writing as she crafts a genuinely suspenseful small town mystery with enough twists to keep me invested throughout. The atmospheric tension and character development showed real skill, and I found myself eager to see how everything would connect. The little hints/foreshadowing dropped throughout will have you connecting all the dots right along with our main character, Margot. 

The ending, though? That was a letdown for me. Too many loose threads and an actual cliffhanger felt frustrating for a standalone novel. And I should mention that as a parent, the fictional portrayal of child deaths hit harder than I expected, even though I knew the subject matter going in. I nearly gave it just 2 stars because of these issues, but the quality of the writing bumped it up to 3. Worth reading if you enjoy well-written mysteries, but be prepared for an unresolved ending and some tough content.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Just finished "Heir of Storms" and I'm genuinely excited for this one to hit shelves in June! It follows Blaze, born with rain powers in a family of fire-wielders (talk about black sheep status). After her powers caused a deadly storm as a baby, she's been hidden away until she and her twin brother get unexpectedly thrown into a competition for the throne. The palace intrigue really sucked me in - watching Blaze navigate the politics while caught between the Crown Prince and this intriguing newcomer kept me turning pages way too late. I especially loved her journey from outcast to finding her own strength!

Does it use familiar fantasy elements? Sure - magical competitions and court schemes aren't exactly new territory. But the characters felt fresh and layered, and I found myself actually caring about what happened to them (even some of the side characters!). I'm definitely grabbing the sequel when it comes out! A solid 3.75/5 stars from me.

Steve Cavanagh’s "Fifty Fifty" is a total rollercoaster ride that'll keep you flipping pages like crazy. The writing flows easily and the plot twists come at you fast and furious, making it perfect for when you just want to sink into your couch and escape for a bit.

The only downside? After a while, you start expecting the unexpected, which kinda takes the punch out of all those "gotcha" moments. Still, it's a solid three-star read that does exactly what it promises - entertains you without making your brain work too hard. Worth picking up when you need a quick thriller fix!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Burning God wraps up Kuang's Poppy War trilogy with a powerful emotional punch that left me stunned. Rin's journey comes full circle in this brutal finale, and Kuang's talent for showing humanity at both its worst and best is simply masterful. The way she weaves historical influences with fantasy while keeping everything grounded in raw emotion makes this series stand out in a crowded genre.

Finishing this book felt like losing friends I'd grown to love over three incredible novels. There's an emptiness that comes after completing a trilogy this good—you've watched these characters grow, suffer, and sometimes self-destruct. Kuang doesn't offer easy answers, and that's why the ending works so perfectly. If you haven't started this series yet, clear your schedule and prepare for a story that will haunt you long after the final page.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC! Please note that all opinions expressed are my own.

I recently finished reading “A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash,” which is set to be released at the end of May. I would rate this book a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique storyline and the slow-burning romance between the characters. This added a delightful depth to their journey, keeping me engaged from beginning to end!

However, I must mention that the writing style was a bit too ornate for my personal preference. While some readers might appreciate the lush prose, I occasionally found it to be a distraction from the pacing. Despite this minor flaw, the compelling plot and well-developed characters made it an enjoyable read overall. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells is a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. I really enjoyed seeing MurderBot continue to struggle with figuring out who they are and what they want. The internal monologues are hilarious as always, and the action scenes kept me hooked. It’s a perfect mix of humor and heart-pounding moments.

The ending was such a nice surprise, too. It was so touching to see MurderBot finally find a good place with friends. After all the chaos, it was great to see them get some peace and happiness. It left me feeling hopeful for what's next in the series!

OMG, let me tell you about “His Face is the Sun” – it’s one of those books that starts slow but ends with a total bang! At first, I was kind of wondering where the story was going. Four main characters in a divided desert kingdom with an mysterious pharaoh and ancient evil? Sounds cool, but it took me a minute to get into the groove. But once I did? I was all in.

The last quarter of the book is where things get seriously wild. Plot twists start flying, the characters’ connections get super intense, and I could not put it down. If you’re into fantasy with a historical vibe and can hang with a bit of a slow start, this book is totally worth it. The payoff is chef’s kiss. Be sure to look out for its release in early May!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Martha Wells has done it again with Rogue Protocol! This installment in the Murderbot Diaries series cranks up the action compared to the previous book, and I’m here for it. Murderbot’s sardonic inner monologue is as hilarious as ever, with some of the most brilliant fourth-wall-breaking commentary that had me literally laughing out loud. It’s fascinating to watch our favorite antisocial security bot continue to navigate human emotions, inching closer to understanding humanity while still insisting he’d rather not actually hang out with anyone.
The emotional punch of this book, though? Totally unexpected. Without giving too much away, the ending involving Miki absolutely broke my heart. Wells continues to prove that a book about a snarky robot can be deeply moving, complex, and wildly entertaining. I’m giving Rogue Protocol a solid four stars – it’s a must-read for anyone who loves science fiction with heart, humor, and just the right amount of robot sass.

Just finished “Artificial Condition,” the second installment in Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries, and I’m giving it a solid 3.5 stars! Our favorite antisocial SecUnit is back, this time venturing out on its own to discover the truth about its past. What I absolutely loved was watching Murderbot reluctantly make new friends along the way (especially the sassy transport ship AI) and seeing its understanding of humanity deepen, despite its best efforts to just watch media and be left alone. Wells continues to deliver sharp dialogue and moments that are surprisingly touching for a novella about a cyborg security unit. While the plot wasn’t quite as compelling as the first book, the character development more than makes up for it. Already grabbed the next one because I need to know where Murderbot’s journey of self-discovery leads next!