katsa6's reviews
433 reviews

Queens of Mist and Madness by Lisette Marshall

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

As much as I love the concept of this series. It could have been 3 books if we weren't having to read about Emelins insecurities for massive chunks of the books. I loved so many of the side characters but there didn't seem to be any real stakes in the series. The final battles were pretty lackluster. I was waiting the whole series for something to happen and nothing really happens. So many questions are left unanswered. Luckily I had read the prequel so I knew some back story to some characters in here. I just got really nothing out of this. 
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne

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dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I should have just stopped when I stopped enjoying it but I had paid for the audiobook so thought I would rough it out and it didn't get better. Reia annoyed me so much as a character she was horrible and manipulative and not nice to be in her head. Orpheus was a golden retriever type with obvious self control issues he is fighting throughout the book. I thought the premise was interesting it just wasn't for me.
A Kingdom of Ruin by K.F. Breene

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

Call me crazy but this is the best one so far. Finley has been taken captive and discovers she isn't as alone as she thought. Yes alot of this book happens in the dungeons and alot of torture etc but we get to have a lot more side characters developed. More POVs including Nyfain and Hadrial broke up the story a bit and kept the pacing going. 1 book to go in this absurd fever dream of a series
Ruins of Sea and Souls by Lisette Marshall

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adventurous dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Why is 50% of this book literally them just having relationship drama that would take a 1 min conversation. Not alot happens in first 50% at all. Creon and Emelin are juggling their relationship with a coming war and trying to get allies. But also spending a veeerrry long time trying to find some gods and sucking at it. After the 50% mark it picks back up and it's all on. Action, drama, intrigue. Probably could have made book 2 and 3 one book if you cut the relationship drama. But still a unique magic system and fun world with great characters
A Throne of Ruin by K.F. Breene

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adventurous funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I think we all know why we are reading this. And it's for Hadrials energy and antics. The plot was definitely on the back burner and this was all relationship building for Nyfain and Finley. Plot kicked in 30 pages to the end but honestly it's just smutty fun with a sweet romance underneath.
Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
I don't think I'm smart enough for this book. I didn't mind the first book as it was creepy and atmospheric. The second book was very dry but gave some clues to what was going on and gave more questions. This book for me is non sensical and whimsical and still creepy but so vague for me that I just can't be bothered finishing it. I assume it will be like that to the end. May read a summary to know what the author intended. But as I am not enjoying it I won't finish.
A Ruin of Roses by K.F. Breene

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As per the authors note at the start this didn't seem like it was intended to be a masterpiece of fiction. It felt like the author was having a lot of fun.
my main critique was when Finley was "speaking" to her shift beast there was no indication of speech marks or itallics to differentiate the inner voice and the creature
Is this a Beauty and the Beast retelling- yes. Is there a sickly father/family she is trying to save-yes. Is there a lot of sexual content- yes but not too much from our main character. Nyfain is a mysterious man who we learn alot from during the book with decent pacing on their building tension. I will continue to the next book as the world does interest me and I want to read more of Hadrials crazy dialogue. 
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon

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adventurous funny hopeful fast-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

4.0

Fun new world from Ruby Dixon. Aspeth is trying to save her family and her hold from ruin and war as her father has gambled away their "artifacts" items from an old long lost society with magic that can help in big and small ways. She decides to try join the Royal Artifact Guild under a false name to hide her status and her intentions from her family. She enlists the help of Hawk a Taurian (minotaur) with a mutually beneficial deal. Marry him and help him through the Conquest Moon where he will lose his mind in lust and he will help her into the guild. Cue hidden identities, marriage of convenience, trials and found family. Cute story with unique and fun characters and a very good cast of side characters you really want to root for. 
Funny Story by Emily Henry

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Daphne's life changes drastically when her fiance leaves her for his childhood best friend. She ends up rooming with his new girlfriends ex boyfriend Miles. They decide to fake date to get back at them but this story isn't really about that. It's about Daphne who has a life of people disappointing her and making her feel unwanted. It's about Miles hiding secrets behind a carefree happy friendly exterior. It's about finding your place and what you will compromise for and what you never will. It was good but some parts just didn't hit me as hard as I wanted it to. If you are a fan of Emily Henry you'll probably enjoy this anyway.
Five Broken Blades: The Epic Fantasy Debut Taking the World by Storm by Mai Corland

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.0

First half was establishing characters and back stories. Felt like maybe 1 too many POV. It jumped around almost every 3 pages to a new character. Last quarter was worth the grind though. Very intriguing and I would continue the series.