Better than the first in the series, which was already good. I found myself more invested and intrigued by the character arcs in this installment and Better than the first in the series, which was already good. I found myself more invested and intrigued by the character arcs in this installment and in the main romance. This enjoyable duology definitely has a place on every romantic fantasy lover's shelves....more
While I really enjoyed much of this -- most especially the mythology surrounding the Cards -- I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. Someti3.5 stars
While I really enjoyed much of this -- most especially the mythology surrounding the Cards -- I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. Sometimes the writing lent itself to being overwrought or repetitive in its descriptions, and I never felt the emotional connection between the two main leads and felt their love developed entirely too quickly (no heart squeezies with this one). Even so, the world building and created mythology were fascinating, and I am invested in seeing what happens in the second book....more
Not as good as the first title in the duology (The Serpent and the Wings of Night), but still an enjoyable read, especially for a self-published title Not as good as the first title in the duology (The Serpent and the Wings of Night), but still an enjoyable read, especially for a self-published title....more
Similar to its predecessor, Fourth Wing, IRON FLAME does a lot of things well in terms of reaching its target audie A short mini-review months late....
Similar to its predecessor, Fourth Wing, IRON FLAME does a lot of things well in terms of reaching its target audience, but it takes a lot longer to get there in this slog of a novel that's a quarter-million words long. I read it and I enjoyed it, but I still found myself wishing for a tighter text, fewer unnecessary fight scenes where the outcome is always the same, and less of the "why won't you share with me?" back and forth between the two leads. There was also a lot of messy and unclear worldbuilding with the luminary and wardstones and with the basic magic system. I also wish the ending of the book hadn't seemed so obvious in its trajectory (view spoiler)[anyone who's read any amount of paranormal romance knows that bringing back one's lover from the dark side is an established trope and there's no real risk here to their relationship (hide spoiler)] and that the end point for Violet across the series not so obvious (view spoiler)[clear hints about a prophecy and her being the Chosen One TM (hide spoiler)]. However, having said that, I really enjoyed seeing the friendships developed more, the evolution of Andarna, and what I believe is the building of a foundation for better and more intriguing worldbuilding in coming books. I'm sure I will still snap up the next book when it comes out just to see where things go next....more
Though FALL OF WRATH AND RUIN is substantially less bloated on page length and word count than the author's From Blood and Ash series, Armentrout fail Though FALL OF WRATH AND RUIN is substantially less bloated on page length and word count than the author's From Blood and Ash series, Armentrout failed to deliver anything better with this, a traditionally published book, and in many ways, it was worse. It felt as though the author simply pulled character types and plot points from her other series and then threw in *every* currently popular sexual trope seen across the dark romance genre (view spoiler)[primal play, praise kink, dubious consent, exhibitionism, and a possible knotting to come (hide spoiler)], hoping that combination would make this novel into a winner. Instead, for me, all those things made the story trite, predictable, and often uncomfortable. The fantasy aspects were also uninspired, with a FMC who is, of course, the most special of the special but never knew it, a MMC who is huge and hulking but kind and non-threatening only to the FMC, and worldbuilding that was slapped together, with a main combat scene that was eerily reminiscent of her first FBAA book. In all, a very mediocre effort, with squicky sexual content from the jump. I'll definitely be skipping any future books in the series....more
Despite my low rating, this book has the most believable character development of any in the series, and for that, I appreciated the craft of it more Despite my low rating, this book has the most believable character development of any in the series, and for that, I appreciated the craft of it more than any other title in the series. I also appreciated the focus on female friendship and strength. The book was decidedly too long, though, and I can no longer stand most of the other "inner circle" characters because they were all insufferable in their supposed perfection and resultant judgment of others (view spoiler)[Rhysand most insufferable of all, who took away reproductive autonomy from his spouse, Feyre (hide spoiler)] and because now three of the four books in the main series have the same climactic scene (view spoiler)[of a beloved character dying and being brought back to life by faerie magic (hide spoiler)]....more
Whew, I did it - read the book of the moment, which I think is a first for me (I'm usually either ahead of the trend or way, way behind).
If DIVERGENT Whew, I did it - read the book of the moment, which I think is a first for me (I'm usually either ahead of the trend or way, way behind).
If DIVERGENT and HUNGER GAMES and A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES and VAMPIRE ACADEMY all got thrown into a centrifuge and someone spun out the heaviest parts (those plot points most obvious, those most likely to grab readers' attention) and then sprinkled those with a heavy dose of talking dragons, FOURTH WING is what would result. My assessment is, by no means, an original take, but I really felt I could feel and see strains of each of these prior series coming through as I read it. That's also not to say that that's not a good thing, as this book delivers on exactly what is aims to be: a widely accessible piece of commercial fantasy romance that appeals to a wide breadth of readers.
While I found much of the first half of the novel predictable and boring, for other readers (read: less jaded ones), this story is going to pull them in from the first scenes. Once the worldbuilding, conflict, and romance started to appear on the page more, I also found myself pulled in. There are a lot of things this author does well, especially for a burgeoning audience of new readers coming from BookTok and elsewhere or for those of us who rode the first big wave of YA fantasy and paranormal romance 15 years ago and might be coming back to it.
Having said that, it did take me 200+ pages to get into it, and I cringed throughout at some things (breaking the fourth wall, slang/language used, sarcastic dragons, oh-so-convenient happenings, and some plot holes or illogical worldbuilding). FOURTH WING also feels distinctly like a YA novel, not a new adult or adult tale. Clearly, it has lots of violence and detailed sex scenes, but it still felt like it had more in common with the conventions of YA than adult fantasy, and that left me wanting it to feel more mature in style and delivery. However, these things won't take away from most readers' enjoyment....more
While I can see why people loved this book, especially when it first came out during the pandemic and we all needed something kind and encouraging, it While I can see why people loved this book, especially when it first came out during the pandemic and we all needed something kind and encouraging, it just wasn't for me. It was too exaggerated and saccharine, and it felt young, almost naive, at times. I do, though, appreciate the author's dedication to the craft and style of the story, and the inclusion of a sweet queer love story that wasn't bogged down by trauma. Feels best suited for those who love a boarding school-esque setting with lots of quirky characters and a British feel. I could have also done without the constant use of body descriptions (and related body-shaming) as a stand-in for character development.
2.5 stars.Only read because it seemed less daunting than the 700+ page bloat that is book 4. Nothing really to see here other than setting up the next 2.5 stars.Only read because it seemed less daunting than the 700+ page bloat that is book 4. Nothing really to see here other than setting up the next book(s) in the series, but nothing offensive or bothersome; just more about why everyone in the Night Court is super spehshul....more
More like 2.5 stars. Whew, that took me only a mere SIX YEARS to slog through after multiple attempts to finish it. Major pacing problems, a lot of deMore like 2.5 stars. Whew, that took me only a mere SIX YEARS to slog through after multiple attempts to finish it. Major pacing problems, a lot of deus ex machina resolutions, and so much of Rhys and Feyre being the most super-speshul ever....more
Wow, what a whirlwind (or whirlpool?) of a read! STEEL TIDE is that rare second book in a trilogy that outshines the first and expands and de 4.5 stars
Wow, what a whirlwind (or whirlpool?) of a read! STEEL TIDE is that rare second book in a trilogy that outshines the first and expands and develops the story fully, rather than simply linking the beginning and the end.
Parker's second installment has the same hallmarks as the first in the series -- strong female relationships at the fore, a complicated heroine, and a fast-paced plot full of nearly nonstop adventure and suspense. STEEL TIDE brings more than that, though, by upping the stakes, creating an even more breakneck pace, and complicating the human matters even more. The author has a real knack in this book for creating treacherous situations (and characters) and then providing even more ingenious solutions and plot twists related to them. Though I am usually quick to predict plot points or character reveals, STEEL TIDE provided one after another that I didn't see coming. The novel also provides an opportunity to examine the ethics of warfare and how it can and will change everyone who engages in it, even the perceived "good" side, and I really appreciated this angle of the story. The romance also starts to make more sense.
For those who like action and adventure with strong female characters, with a side of moral inquiry (a la The Hunger Games), I highly recommend this....more
McLemore's new release, BLANCA & ROJA, is a fantastic and fantastical novel of magical realism. The author empl4.5 stars - my best read of 2018 so far
McLemore's new release, BLANCA & ROJA, is a fantastic and fantastical novel of magical realism. The author employs lyrical and gorgeous writing, complex characters, and representation that addressees different identities to craft a moving retelling mash-up of delight that pulls from two fairy tales and one ballet. I'm so glad I discovered her writing in the ALL OUT anthology. My only qualms (minor, at best) were that the writing style became a bit repetitive at times in the latter half of the book and that the magical aspects of the world were sometimes ill-defined. ...more
A rollicking and fast-paced sea adventure story full of women's and girls' strength and camaraderie. Though the plot was a bit predictable at times, I A rollicking and fast-paced sea adventure story full of women's and girls' strength and camaraderie. Though the plot was a bit predictable at times, I stayed up late to read it and enjoyed seeing what and where Caledonia's crew would encounter next....more
Wow, what a powerhouse of an appalling, despairing, and poignant little novel.
This is not light fantasy fare, as the cover or YA categorizat4.5 stars
Wow, what a powerhouse of an appalling, despairing, and poignant little novel.
This is not light fantasy fare, as the cover or YA categorization might make some believe, but rather a visceral and disturbing examination of the power structures that oppress women, both as they exist today and in the stories we tell (and have told) each other. I loved this book, though I did spend much of the book in a perpetual state of fear and dread, cringing about what would happen next. I cried once; I looked away in utter repulsion another time and had to take a moment to recover; I had got a stress headache from clenching my jaw too tightly while reading. But I also got goosebumps during the final 10% and had many "oh, wow" moments when the reality of a piece of dialogue or a scene hit me full-force, as a woman who has seen or experienced similar.
Though some may quibble with the YA categorization, I think this could be good for the introspective high school reader (15+) or any adult fan of fantasy, fairy tales, and feminism. Be warned that this is weighty book, with many triggering topics, but well-done and purposeful in its delivery and execution. I thought it was fantastic.
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