obscurepages's Reviews (410)

Oh, this was so damn good! I was first interested in this book because of that synopsis, but then I also found out that the main character is pansexual and other minor characters are LGBTQ+!

This was action-packed and fast-paced all throughout and I loved that. (All the action actually reminded me a bit of Guardians of the Galaxy!) Apart from this, the story also didn't shy away from deep and significant themes such as loss and grief, power imbalance, political intrigue, and more. Most importantly, I did not expect there would be yearning in this book and that I would be rooting for the romance part! And of course, that ending wrecked me! (Pretty sure I'm still internally screaming because of it.) Overall, I loved Crownchasers. It's action-packed, heart-stopping, and absolutely engrossing. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Anyone looking for some sci-fi goodness + queer characters in SFF + exciting political intrigue, this is it!

Review/tour stop will be posted soon as part of the Crownchasers Blog Tour hosted by MTMC Tours. Thank you MTMC Tours and Harper Teen for the free arc/e-arc!

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Okay, this has been one of the most intense and intricate books I've ever read.

The writing style was great and I love how it pulls you in every scene of the book and makes you anticipate what happens next. While it has enough action to keep you on your toes, it can also be slow and dragging at times. I think this is because there's so much details and happenings in a single chapter, and you need to really pay attention to catch every aspect.

Loved the characters and the individual journeys they went through in the story. My key takeaways are:
- I like Talyien as a female protagonist, but damn, love really messes us up huh.
- I want to strangle Rayyel please, where do I sign up
- And of course, I am a fan of Khine and I want to give him the world.

I also love how I could identify and pinpoint Filipino culture/beliefs all throughout the book. The food, the mentality, the double standards towards women, the sheer pressure and expectations of parents and others for their children, and more. It's so great to see an epic fantasy novel that's imbued with Filipino identity!

The plot wad so good. It seemed simple at first, but as you read, you'll realize everything is much more complex and challenging. The plot twists were also magnificent! I love how the author reveals some of the biggest and most interesting plot twists in such a casual manner that I'm just struck dumb a couple of times while I was reading the book.

Overall, this is a strong debut epic fantasy and I can't wait to continue Talyien's story.

Diving into the sequel immediately for the Ikessar Falcon Blog Tour hosted by Caffeine Book Tours, AKA #DethroneTheDragonlord!

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This was an entire freaking roller coaster and I am mentally drained.

Where do I even start?

The writing style? It's excellent. It's one of the several things I liked in the first book, and I'm glad I get to see it here again. I also loved the prose here in The Ikessar Falcon. There were several moments that I was left in awe because of certain lines and scenes.

The plot is as wild as ever. A lot of times, I had to put down the book and take a breath. A lot of times, I also wondered how much more of the story will surprise me and will I (and the characters) get a break. Although I appreciate that the plot is so complex, there were times that I thought all the chaos is getting out of hand. There are a lot of happenings, misadventures, betrayals, secrets, and more, so you better brace yourself.

The world-building, of course, amazing. It's rich and intricate, and I have a feeling we haven't seen the entirety of it yet. I'm particularly interested in the agan and how it will affect the next book in the series. I keep wondering if there will be more to it in the next part of Talyien's story.

The characters are... a mess. Don't get me wrong, I love how character-driven this story is. But I feel like almost everyone in this book kept making stupid mistakes and I just wanted nothing but safety for the characters. (Especially Khine, because Khine deserves the whole world, and I wish I could give it to him.) Talyien's arc is far from over and we see her change so much from the start of the book until the end. It makes me so curious about the next book, of course, because again, our main character is faced with yet another misfortune.

Overall, this book is intricate and absolutely riveting! Those looking for new adult fantasy novels with cutthroat action and epic adventure will find refuge in this series.

Watch out for my tour stop on The Ikessar Falcon Blog Tour hosted by Caffeine Book Tours!

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THIS BOOK WAS JUST TOO GOOD, MY HEART CAN'T TAKE IT.

This book was a quick read, but it never lacked spark or excitement for me. From the story, to the romance, to the characters themselves, it was so good and I loved it!

I loved Skye as a main female character. I mean, hellooooo? A fat, queer Asian girl who's confident and not afraid of taking up the space she deserves?! I LOVE TO SEE IT. The way this book tackled fatphobia hit too close to home and several times in the book, I felt like crying (and I also felt angry). I love Skye's attitude and her overall personality, I think I need a friend like her. Also, Henry and Skye are the bi icons we deserve.

And another thing why I loved this book? It has all the love and praise for BTS and I can't help but agree! (I started reading this book because I was on a BTS high and it was definitely a great decision.)

Big thanks to Epic Reads for sending me a copy of I'll Be The One! Of course, it did not affect my overall opinion of the book.

✨Check out one of my latest blog posts where I recommended YA Books based on BTS songs! (And yes, this book was included in it!)✨

Full review soon? Maybe...??

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The Unspoken was such an interesting read. I'm fond of a few cop procedural shows and true crime shows, so I had no trouble diving into the world quickly. The plot is definitely one big puzzle and loved the mystery of it all. I did expect more thrill or shock as I read, but still I have to applaud the author for a twisted storyline. There was a certain part of the story that seemed disconnected from the main story. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, but it felt disconnected from everything. Ashe Cayne was also one complex character! I thought I already knew what kind of character he is, but he still managed to surprise me towards the end. Overall, The Unspoken is a good, entertaining read! (Exact rating: 3.5 stars!)

Full review on my blog soon!

Big thanks to @mbc_books on Instagram for sending a copy my way! (This did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)

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THIS WAS FANTASTIC.

It has:
✨ DRAGONS
✨ glorious character arcs
✨ so many queer characters

This has been a nice read! I kind of expected more grandeur? More action? More thrill? Still, I can't deny that this was a satisfying read, especially the way everything was wrapped up in the end. I also loved the mystery that surrounded the Philosopher's Stone. I mean this Stone has always been mysterious (this is actually one of the main reasons why I got interested in this book lol), but the addition of a new mystery to it made it so intriguing. The plot was a wild one and it can get complicated (I would say that this is because it's also historical fiction), but nevertheless it was also exciting in its own way. Exact rating: 3.75

(I received an e-arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Wednesday Books!)

Full review on my blog soon. (Maybe?)

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WHEW. Okay, listen. This book is one of my most anticipated reads this year, and I'll definitely be looking forward to the sequel next year!

Master of One was a whole action-packed ride. Though it can take a while to really build up/can feel slow at times, the intriguing plot and the characters really stood out for me and got me invested in the story. Also!! All the yearning in this book made me want to curl up in a ball. (oh, the AGONY)

Full review soon!

(Also, a big thanks to the author Jaida Jones for sending me an e-arc of this book! They've been so kind to me, making sure I get a copy

THAT. WAS. ABSOLUTELY. BRILLIANT.

Now before I read this book, I knew I would love it. And now that I finished it, I can definitely see why a lot of people adore this book. I loved Grisha trilogy, but now I can also see that Six of Crows has an entire different charm of its own.

"No mourners."
"No funerals."

Let me start by describing my favorite part of this book, the characterization. These six characters were written beautifully! Kaz and his obscure past, Inej and her experience under the Menagerie, Nina and her Heartrender powers, Matthias and his love for his country, Jesper and his addiction and his identity, and Wylan and his unforgiving father. Their backstories, their personalities, their desires, every thing! I loved how the author really took the time to build every characters' personality. It definitely made me fall in love with these six criminal outcasts. We get to know each and every one of them with every chapter and every flash back, and yet, there are still some mysteries to be solved. (I'm so looking forward to the next book AAAHHHH) I also love how the characters are showing affection to one another (Kaz and Inej, Nina and Matthias, Jesper and Wylan), but the romance wasn't rushed or pushed too much into the story. It was still about the plot and their mission to finish the most impossible heist.

Now, the plot—it was wonderful and so gripping! It was simple enough, but there were also a lot of elements, a lot of parts that added to the richness and complexity of the story. It was one hell of roller coaster ride, but to be honest, I'd gladly go through it again!
And those little plot twists! Man, they seriously messed me up. I'm seriously in awe of Leigh Bardugo's ability to just shock me and stun me every time I witness a plot twist.

"I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath. It was the vow of the drüskelle to Fjerda. And now it was Matthias' promise to her."

Again, I applaud Leigh Bardugo's writing! She just hooks me every time. Her writing is beautiful, and poetic, and dark, and so imaginative! This story leaves me breathless and wanting for more! I think it's safe to say that Leigh Bardugo is now one of my favorite writers.

"Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart."

This is definitely a five stars for me! I NEED CROOKED KINGDOM NOW.

This was so beautiful and endearing! This book showed the different kinds of vulnerability that comes with loving someone and/or baring your heart for them. These poems, haikus, and stories, were beautifully-written and captivating all in all.

As someone who has loved so greatly before, I related to a lot of the pieces in this book. I was also a former literary writer, so reading these pieces comforted my heart and inspired me in one or another.

There were haikus and pieces that, despite their shortness, were able to give such a lasting impact to me as a reader and a person. I absolutely loved that. Some pieces felt awkward to me, particularly the longer ones. Still, I have to give kudos to the author for such an authentic and expressive storytelling.

In conclusion, this book was simply wonderful.