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sup3r_xn0va_maya's Reviews (387)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Obsidio is the third book in the illuminae Files series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I really enjoyed the journey that we went on to uncover the rest of the story with the Betech corporation attacking the mining planet Kerenza IV and the Heimdal jump station.
One thing that really bothered me was the argument that kept getting used by the soldiers to justify their actions. Various soldiers and even characters who weren't planet side were basically saying that the citizens of Kerenza IV deserved what was happening to them (they were being starved, murdered, and sexually harassed by the soldiers) because they were there on the planet holding an illegal mining operation in the first place. That' is a BS argument and justification and I wanted to scratch my eyes out every time I heard someone say "but the citizens were here illegally anyways."
The book is long ending at 615 pages and there were some parts that seemed to drag on and on. I honestly don't think the story could have been any shorter because we would have ended up not getting certain information that was vital to the story. I understand why it was as long as it was, I just needed the boring parts to not be so boring.
Overall this book did not disappoint. This was an action packed sci fi and I'm happy I read the series. I give this 5 out of 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to this audiobook for free on Libbyapp.com
One thing that really bothered me was the argument that kept getting used by the soldiers to justify their actions. Various soldiers and even characters who weren't planet side were basically saying that the citizens of Kerenza IV deserved what was happening to them (they were being starved, murdered, and sexually harassed by the soldiers) because they were there on the planet holding an illegal mining operation in the first place. That' is a BS argument and justification and I wanted to scratch my eyes out every time I heard someone say "but the citizens were here illegally anyways."
The book is long ending at 615 pages and there were some parts that seemed to drag on and on. I honestly don't think the story could have been any shorter because we would have ended up not getting certain information that was vital to the story. I understand why it was as long as it was, I just needed the boring parts to not be so boring.
Overall this book did not disappoint. This was an action packed sci fi and I'm happy I read the series. I give this 5 out of 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to this audiobook for free on Libbyapp.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
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
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh is the 6th book in her Psy/Changeling series. Mercy, a DarkRiver Sentinel leopard and SnowDancer Wolf, lieutenant Riley are the two main characters of this novel and I loved their story so much. Their banter was so cute, it made me chuckle out loud. Riley and Mercy have to put up with each other while investigating a kidnapping as well as <spolier>some accidents in the city killing that are killing the psy.
There are new things that we find out about Sasha and Lucas (the main characters of the first Psy/Changeling book,<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5405139765">Slave to Sensation</a>) , the SnowDancer and DarkRiver networks, and the E Psy. There's also a new group that the wolves and cats need to watch out for.
This book has plenty of spice! I'd say 4 🌶️ chilies/ out of 5🌶️ chilies worth of spiciness is in this book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I'm giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There are new things that we find out about Sasha and Lucas (the main characters of the first Psy/Changeling book,<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5405139765">Slave to Sensation</a>) , the SnowDancer and DarkRiver networks, and the E Psy. There's also a new group that the wolves and cats need to watch out for.
This book has plenty of spice! I'd say 4 🌶️ chilies/ out of 5🌶️ chilies worth of spiciness is in this book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I'm giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair is a retelling of sorts, of the romance between Greek Mythology's God of the Underworld, Hades and Goddess of Spring, Persephone. Persephone, who is pretending to be a human college student (and not a Goddess) when her and her roommate decide to go to the new popular club in town, owned by non other than Hades himself. Through a series of events Persephone ends up in a contract with Hades. Before the time is up, Persephone will have to create life within the Underworld or she'll have to stay down there forever.
This was really cute. I really enjoyed the banter between Hades and Persephone and I liked where the storyline ended up going. I found the first half of this to be a little slow, but once things started moving along faster it also got more interesting.
I really loved all the erotic scenes, they were great. I forgot to count how many they were but the spice level was high up there, I'd said 4 🌶️ chilies/ out of 5🌶️ chilies
I'm giving this 4.5 stars out of 5, I liked it a lot more than I liked Neon Gods by Katee Robert but I don't like how slow the beginning half of the novel is.
This was really cute. I really enjoyed the banter between Hades and Persephone and I liked where the storyline ended up going. I found the first half of this to be a little slow, but once things started moving along faster it also got more interesting.
I really loved all the erotic scenes, they were great. I forgot to count how many they were but the spice level was high up there, I'd said 4 🌶️ chilies/ out of 5🌶️ chilies
I'm giving this 4.5 stars out of 5, I liked it a lot more than I liked Neon Gods by Katee Robert but I don't like how slow the beginning half of the novel is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this book way more than I did and I just didn't.
I wish I had read a review that said "this Godfather-esqe story", because then I would have been prepared for how politically based boring it was. This was 612 pages of politics, I read it all and the question still remains, "why should I care?". I don't know which side to root for because I just simply didn't care.
I really enjoyed the magic system and the martial arts/hand to hand combat scenes that were described.
I'm giving this 3 stars out of 5, I didn't really like it very much.
I wish I had read a review that said "this Godfather-esqe story", because then I would have been prepared for how politically based boring it was. This was 612 pages of politics, I read it all and the question still remains, "why should I care?". I don't know which side to root for because I just simply didn't care.
I really enjoyed the magic system and the martial arts/hand to hand combat scenes that were described.
I'm giving this 3 stars out of 5, I didn't really like it very much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into this booking thinking it was going to be more fantasy and less political drama and I was wrong. I liked the tension between the two main characters, Luca and Touraine, and I think the duel points of views worked well for the book.
I loved the world building, I could clearly see the coutry of Balladaire in my mind's eye. This is definitely a fantasy becausethere's magic in the world but I think the book was too heavy on politics for me have to rated it four stars or higher.
I read this for my book club, The Supernova Book club
I loved the world building, I could clearly see the coutry of Balladaire in my mind's eye. This is definitely a fantasy because
I read this for my book club, The Supernova Book club
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
TW: Police brutality, murder of fat Black people
Belly of the Beast : The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness is a short book but it's still really powerful. There was a chapter on policing the fat Black body and police brutality that I had to skip for my own mental health, as I have a personal fear of police brutality after suffering from traumatic events at the hands of police. I can't say much about that chapter because I didn't finish it, however , the rest of the book was really good.
I wish there was a list of trigger warnings somewhere in the book, that was my only issue
I'm giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Belly of the Beast : The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness is a short book but it's still really powerful. There was a chapter on policing the fat Black body and police brutality that I had to skip for my own mental health, as I have a personal fear of police brutality after suffering from traumatic events at the hands of police. I can't say much about that chapter because I didn't finish it, however , the rest of the book was really good.
I wish there was a list of trigger warnings somewhere in the book, that was my only issue
I'm giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Fatphobia, Racism, Slavery, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Classism
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to read this book because it's been on my TBR since it released when I was in my early 20s (2010+). This book definitely could have been 150 pages shorter and I wouldn't be been so frustrated with the pacing and how long it was. The story honestly could have been 150 pages shorter and would have been just about the same (This book is 487 pgs.)
I'm not sure if my younger self would have appreciated this book more than my older self. I'm in my early 30s and I still enjoy reading young adult novels, this novel just didn't have enough action or excitement for me.
I wanted to see what the hype was and why this particular series was made into a movie franchise. This really wasn't as exciting or good as I expected it to be and therefore I feel let down and I don't have the desire to finish the series so I don't think I'll find out what happens in the story and I'm not that let down by not finding out all the secrets to this series.
I'm giving this 3 stars out of 5
I'm not sure if my younger self would have appreciated this book more than my older self. I'm in my early 30s and I still enjoy reading young adult novels, this novel just didn't have enough action or excitement for me.
I wanted to see what the hype was and why this particular series was made into a movie franchise. This really wasn't as exciting or good as I expected it to be and therefore I feel let down and I don't have the desire to finish the series so I don't think I'll find out what happens in the story and I'm not that let down by not finding out all the secrets to this series.
I'm giving this 3 stars out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Queenie: Godmother of Harlem is about the life of Stephanie Saint-Clair, a Black woman and legend from 1930's Harlem. I had never heard of Saint-Clair before having read this for book club, but I'm happy I read this and that I found out about her and her life. She was a bad ass woman and I really felt inspiration from her story and from the graphic novel itself.
I really enjoyed this reading experience
I'm giving this graphic novel 5 out of 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this reading experience
I'm giving this graphic novel 5 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to come back and also add that the characters were flat and one dimensional and the main character didn't train with her dragons not once. she had two dragons and we got no training sequences ? yeah , lmao okay. I could deal with her being a Mary Sue but the dragon bit that I just mentioned? Very disappointing. This was just really mediocre.
I'm giving this a 2.5 stars out of 5.
October 1st, 2023
---
I would say that I read this book because I had FOMO (fear of missing out) because almost everyone in my friend group was talking about this book and I couldn't join the conversation, I just had to sit there feeling silly and confused. So I decided to pick up this book!
That being said, I think it was okay. I'm not used to reading long fantasy books so I'm not sure if it was me or the book, but certain parts seemed to DRAGON (drag on - lmao I love puns). The audiobook was about 21 hours and I just remember listening around hour 18 wishing it was already over.
I also had an awkward time with the intimate scenes, not because I'm a prude and don't like sex or intimacy but because I'm a women who is 32 years old (as of writing this review) and the main character was about 20 and her love interest was about 23. I have no interest in reading inmate scenes about characters more than 10 years younger than me, it just felt a bit awkward.
Other than those two issues, I think the book was fine. I enjoyed certain parts more than others, like I really enjoyed the actions scenes and the scenes where "secrets" were releveled. If there wasn't much going on in the story, I was probably a bit bored.
I'm giving this a 3 stars out of 5.
July 7th, 2023
I'm giving this a 2.5 stars out of 5.
October 1st, 2023
---
I would say that I read this book because I had FOMO (fear of missing out) because almost everyone in my friend group was talking about this book and I couldn't join the conversation, I just had to sit there feeling silly and confused. So I decided to pick up this book!
That being said, I think it was okay. I'm not used to reading long fantasy books so I'm not sure if it was me or the book, but certain parts seemed to DRAGON (drag on - lmao I love puns). The audiobook was about 21 hours and I just remember listening around hour 18 wishing it was already over.
I also had an awkward time with the intimate scenes, not because I'm a prude and don't like sex or intimacy but because I'm a women who is 32 years old (as of writing this review) and the main character was about 20 and her love interest was about 23. I have no interest in reading inmate scenes about characters more than 10 years younger than me, it just felt a bit awkward.
Other than those two issues, I think the book was fine. I enjoyed certain parts more than others, like I really enjoyed the actions scenes and the scenes where "secrets" were releveled. If there wasn't much going on in the story, I was probably a bit bored.
I'm giving this a 3 stars out of 5.
July 7th, 2023
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
dark
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
Neon Gods is a retelling of the Hades and Persephone love story, the twist is that this is an adult erotic novel.
I listened to this on audiobook and I had a few friends who begged me not to listen to the audiobook because they said it was so terrible that it ruined the whole experience of reading the story itself. Well, I ended up not listening to my friends and I listened to this on audiobook and it wasn't great at first but towards the end I was just used to the voice acting.
I really liked Hades and Persephone's relationship, it was really cute how they ended up falling in love and how Hades was super protective of her from the beginning.
I just enjoyed the story, I also loved the concept of when gods die, another person takes their place and they become a new version of that god. That was cool.
All in all I give this a 4 out of 5 stars as I liked the story but didn't love it.
I listened to this on audiobook and I had a few friends who begged me not to listen to the audiobook because they said it was so terrible that it ruined the whole experience of reading the story itself. Well, I ended up not listening to my friends and I listened to this on audiobook and it wasn't great at first but towards the end I was just used to the voice acting.
I really liked Hades and Persephone's relationship, it was really cute how they ended up falling in love and how Hades was super protective of her from the beginning.
I just enjoyed the story, I also loved the concept of
All in all I give this a 4 out of 5 stars as I liked the story but didn't love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder