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bibliorama's reviews
170 reviews
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Enjoyment - 4.5
This is definitely one of my favorites from the whole series and one of my favs out of all her books.
Start - 5
Characters - 5
Only having the 3 povs really helped this book imo. The plot kept at a good clip while still being able to fit introspective character moments into it rather than being rushed by too many povs with plots (EoS I'm looking at you).
Atmosphere - 4
I loved that the Southern Continent was able to be built from the ground up rather than beholden to younger sjm world building decisions. I think sjm grew as a writer in this book. There were so many little details that I really appreciated.
Plot - 4.5
Ending - 4
The villain monolog was a bit over-the-top, but I'll live with it.
Style - 4
Overall - 4.5
P.S. the baby ruk deserved more justice than what it got, forever rip
This is definitely one of my favorites from the whole series and one of my favs out of all her books.
Start - 5
Characters - 5
Only having the 3 povs really helped this book imo. The plot kept at a good clip while still being able to fit introspective character moments into it rather than being rushed by too many povs with plots (EoS I'm looking at you).
Atmosphere - 4
I loved that the Southern Continent was able to be built from the ground up rather than beholden to younger sjm world building decisions. I think sjm grew as a writer in this book. There were so many little details that I really appreciated.
Plot - 4.5
Ending - 4
The villain monolog was a bit over-the-top, but I'll live with it.
Style - 4
Overall - 4.5
P.S. the baby ruk deserved more justice than what it got, forever rip
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Pregnancy
I can't exactly speak to how well done or not the disability rep was since I am not. I put it as minor ableism for Chaols thoughts somewhat at the beginning, but I never felt that the book really harped on him being lesser or anything like that and the book does explicitly counter that belief. But again, better to see a review from humans who have that first hand experience, sonI put a trigger warning there just in case.
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Quick, informative, digestable read.
Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Enjoyment - 4
These books really surprise me. This took me a second to get back into the world and characters, (mainly because I didn't remember too much from the first book) but then I was hooked. There was a whole lot more kingdom politicking in this than what I'd expect from a 2014 YA series. At first I wasn't sure I'd be interested in finishing the series, but after this finale, I think I have to finish the third and final book.
Start - 3
Characters - 3.5
Lots of believable and unique to each other characters. It's surprising how many side characters there are, but none feel flat.
Atmosphere - 3
Plot - 4
Ending - 4.5
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3.7
These books really surprise me. This took me a second to get back into the world and characters, (mainly because I didn't remember too much from the first book) but then I was hooked. There was a whole lot more kingdom politicking in this than what I'd expect from a 2014 YA series. At first I wasn't sure I'd be interested in finishing the series, but after this finale, I think I have to finish the third and final book.
Start - 3
Characters - 3.5
Lots of believable and unique to each other characters. It's surprising how many side characters there are, but none feel flat.
Atmosphere - 3
Plot - 4
Ending - 4.5
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3.7
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Death, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
I don't think that how the book handles the content is too much for a teenage, maybe a middle schooler would need some extra conversations about some stuff, but maybe not even then. Nothing is overt or explicit.
The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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? No
3.25
Enjoyment - 3.5
The audiobook was a very easy listen.
Start - 3
Characters - 4
Atmosphere - 3
I like the settings but I wish we lingered a little more on the descriptions. I can visualize some things really well, but the pace is so fast that we don't sit in each place for very long.
Plot - 3
Again, because the pace is bang bang bang, some plot resolutions feel too easy. However, nothing is from out of left field, and considering this is more heavy on the romance aspect this might not bother some people. It is definitely a better crafted plot for a romance book that I've read in awhile.
Ending - 3
Style - 3
Overall - 3
I'd like to read more stories from this world (both the fae and human worlds). The author's note talking about their inspiration behind the city was fascinating, I wish we got more of it in the book. I also really love this book's cover and would totally steal a poster version of it from a city street late at night.
The audiobook was a very easy listen.
Start - 3
Characters - 4
Atmosphere - 3
I like the settings but I wish we lingered a little more on the descriptions. I can visualize some things really well, but the pace is so fast that we don't sit in each place for very long.
Plot - 3
Again, because the pace is bang bang bang, some plot resolutions feel too easy. However, nothing is from out of left field, and considering this is more heavy on the romance aspect this might not bother some people. It is definitely a better crafted plot for a romance book that I've read in awhile.
Ending - 3
Style - 3
Overall - 3
I'd like to read more stories from this world (both the fae and human worlds). The author's note talking about their inspiration behind the city was fascinating, I wish we got more of it in the book. I also really love this book's cover and would totally steal a poster version of it from a city street late at night.
The Bitter End by Alexa Donne
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think this is one of the top Alexa Donne books I've read. The pacing was breakneck, but till had enough breathing room for small character moments. Every chapter also was relevant and kept the plot moving. No filler or characters spinning their wheels.
There is only one reason that is keeping me from giving it a 5 stars and that'sbecause Delaney was a first person POV, but for the most part kept the killer part of herself hidden from the reader in a way that I didn't feel like fit the first person narrative. I'm not a fan of first person killer perspectives where their subconscious isn't thinking about what they've done. I would have liked it better if it was third because at least the narrator isn't the brain of the killer. Other than that, this is some of my favorite writing that I've read from Donne!
Compared to her other thrillers, this definitely feels like a sister book to The Ivies than to Pretty Dead Queens.
There is only one reason that is keeping me from giving it a 5 stars and that's
Compared to her other thrillers, this definitely feels like a sister book to The Ivies than to Pretty Dead Queens.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Nothing too graphic, would definitely classify as upper YA. The most prevalent parts are the drinking, drug references and cursing (nothing outside of what older teens are already knowledgeable of).
Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America by Talia Lavin
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
It's hard for me to know what to include for all content warnings, the ones I listed have full chapters dedicated to them, but it's all just stating the facts. Overall, this isn't an easy read or a "fun" book, but it's clear, concise, and informative.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
While extremely informative, the book itself feels disjointed to me in how it lays out the chapters and information at times which I believe is just because McNamara wasn't able to finish the book herself unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty
It's a book about a serial killer, so it is graphic in nature. However, to me, McNamara is respectful of the victims, always using aliases to keep their privacy and never over describing the brutality while still being factual in what occurred, which is the most important aspect in a true crime book.
Private Revolutions: Four Women Face China's New Social Order by Yuan Yang
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Enjoyment - 5
The story unravels itself so well.
Start - 4.5
Characters - 5
Atmosphere - 5
Plot - 4.5
Ending - 5
Style - 5
Overall - 5
The story unravels itself so well.
Start - 4.5
Characters - 5
Atmosphere - 5
Plot - 4.5
Ending - 5
Style - 5
Overall - 5
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0