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sophiexxjones's reviews
18 reviews
The Will of the Many by James Islington
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
The author captures teenage experiences with mental illness well. Once I got into the writing style, it felt very authentic to a teenage experience.
Autumn is a frustrating narrator at times, but that’s important to the teenage perspective, so as much I as I struggled with it, it serves its purpose well.
Overall, my biggest issue lies with the ending. Accidental pregnancy is my least favourite trope and I think it’s a lazy way for characters to “overcome” grief. A heartbreaking story until its final chapter.
Autumn is a frustrating narrator at times, but that’s important to the teenage perspective, so as much I as I struggled with it, it serves its purpose well.
Overall, my biggest issue lies with the ending. Accidental pregnancy is my least favourite trope and I think it’s a lazy way for characters to “overcome” grief. A heartbreaking story until its final chapter.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Did not finish book. Stopped at 94%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 94%.
Honestly, I stuck with this book for much longer than I should have. The drama between the characters was so forced and felt like a repeat of the first book in the series. In some areas the world building felt sloppy. This feels like a very rushed release, and I’m already concerned for the future of the series if she’s already repeating plotlines in the second book.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
The world building and characters were written amazingly.
Overall, the plot felt quite predictable if you’ve read lots of similar series, but it’s still a fantastic read, even if you see the plot twists coming from a mile away.
I’m excited to see where the series goes
Overall, the plot felt quite predictable if you’ve read lots of similar series, but it’s still a fantastic read, even if you see the plot twists coming from a mile away.
I’m excited to see where the series goes
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was painful to read at times because Snow is such a evil, petty character. Brilliant writing to make the ‘protagonist’ so unlikeable.
Pacing was a bit strange at times.
Pacing was a bit strange at times.
Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo
adventurous
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
The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The majority of this book was incredible. It was tense, suspenseful, emotional and a delight to read. I was so intrigued and excited by the political and philosophical aspects. I could not put it down.
But, after the first half of the book, where the plot is so action-driven, a romance is stuffed in. At first, I welcomed it, and enjoyed it, but it became a pain when it was clear that the book would focus on it, rather than keep it as a subplot, then awkwardly weave it into the plot. As with most YA dystopian novels, when the plot and romance are both too big to be evenly balanced, they both end clumsily tied-up in the last few chapters.
By the end, the novel had started to do the thing in books that I hate the most, which is when the author tries to stuff as many plot twists and betrayals into the climax as possible, which just results in a poorly-paced, confusing and dissatisfying ending. I enjoy fast-paced books, but by this point, I was getting whiplash and had no time to process anything or feel with the characters.
It just felt like too much by the end - I didn’t know who to root for and finishing it felt like a chore. Disappointing, because the concept and world-building is truely amazing.
But, after the first half of the book, where the plot is so action-driven, a romance is stuffed in. At first, I welcomed it, and enjoyed it, but it became a pain when it was clear that the book would focus on it, rather than keep it as a subplot, then awkwardly weave it into the plot. As with most YA dystopian novels, when the plot and romance are both too big to be evenly balanced, they both end clumsily tied-up in the last few chapters.
By the end, the novel had started to do the thing in books that I hate the most, which is when the author tries to stuff as many plot twists and betrayals into the climax as possible, which just results in a poorly-paced, confusing and dissatisfying ending. I enjoy fast-paced books, but by this point, I was getting whiplash and had no time to process anything or feel with the characters.
It just felt like too much by the end - I didn’t know who to root for and finishing it felt like a chore. Disappointing, because the concept and world-building is truely amazing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Grief
The Women of Troy by Euripides
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The first two thirds of the book were brilliant. The romance felt natural and the world building was great. However, the last third of the book falls flat with the sheer amount of exposition. The majority of the book is paced really well, but it slows right down in Part III to explain all the backstory. If it had been better woven into the first two parts, this would’ve been an easy 5 stars. Serpent & Dove is heartbreaking, funny, exciting, and terrifying, but some pacing issues let it down unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Animal death and Vomit