3.0 Stars Goddess driven stories can be challenging to write because the author needs to create a powerful character but also a flawed one. I appreciat3.0 Stars Goddess driven stories can be challenging to write because the author needs to create a powerful character but also a flawed one. I appreciated that the protagonist was morally and complex.
I likesld a lot of elements of this one but would have liked to see more depth from the characters and worldbuilding. The story felt a bit shallow which held me back from truly loving it. I am still interested to read more in this series to see where the author goes from here
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars I really enjoyed The Bone Shard Daughtee, so I was eager to read another book by the same author. However I quickly learned that this one has3.0 Stars I really enjoyed The Bone Shard Daughtee, so I was eager to read another book by the same author. However I quickly learned that this one has a different tone and style so fans of one series won't necessarily love the other.
For me, the strength of the Drowning Empire series was the characters and unfortunately I found these characters to be flater in comparison. This story is vast and ambitious and certainly has potential to turn into a compelling series. Yet judging this book alone, this one was not as compelling or memorable as I wanted it to be. I am still interested in this series but this wasn't the home run I expect from this author.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was a really enjoyable dragon heist story. I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent amount of depth to the characters and their under4.0 Stars This was a really enjoyable dragon heist story. I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent amount of depth to the characters and their underlying story.
I've seen this compared to Fourth Wing but since I haven't read that one and I cannot comment if they are similar or not. On its own, I found this to be a really fun story.
I would recommend this to someone looking for a lighter, but worthwhile fantasy story. I have read the entire Chorus of Dragons and felt this had a very similar tone. If you love that series, you will very likely enjoy this book too
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This was a beautifully written and often haunting story. I have not read Peter Pan (yet) but I very much want to. I imagine that there were d3.5 Stars This was a beautifully written and often haunting story. I have not read Peter Pan (yet) but I very much want to. I imagine that there were details I missed, but I felt it held up well as a standalone.
I was surprised to find that this portal fantasy was very much set in our modern world. References to modern technology like computers felt like a harsh contrast to this other worldly fantasy story.
There was a lot I liked about this one, but it ended up with this particular rating because I found the actual plot thin. It was a dark story, but lacked teeth. Still, I would still recommend this one to readers looking for a Peter Pan retelling.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars I really enjoyed the vN trilogy by this author so I was eager to check out her newest release. This one was more of a sci fi thriller, heavy 3.5 Stars I really enjoyed the vN trilogy by this author so I was eager to check out her newest release. This one was more of a sci fi thriller, heavy on the suspense aspects. It was a fun page turner that was easy to fly through. I wish it had been more focused on the sci fi elements because they fell into the background. An enjoyable read, but not as memorable as I would have liked.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was such a delightfully cute fantasy story… and this is coming from a reader who usually reads the dark and disturbing.
This book works b4.0 Stars This was such a delightfully cute fantasy story… and this is coming from a reader who usually reads the dark and disturbing.
This book works because there is an actual plot and, perhaps more importantly, it has well developed complex characters. I felt like the characters with flawed in the most relatable ways with motivation and emotions I could understand and appreciate.
I would recommend this to readers looking for a cute fantastical read with a surprising amount of depth.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars I really appreciated the unique worldbuilding in this novel. It had a different narrative tone which immediately caught me off guard. I am al3.0 Stars I really appreciated the unique worldbuilding in this novel. It had a different narrative tone which immediately caught me off guard. I am always looking for something special.
Despite that, I never completely fell in love with this story. I think the challenge is that this one didn't have a strong narrative direction or direction to the plot. At times, this can work if I'm attached to the characters but I found these ones to be a bit distant.
This novel has some great potential and things I liked about it, but it did not completely work for me.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was a solid piece of standalone fantasy. I have previously read The Basilisk Throne by this same author and now want to explore more of 4.0 Stars This was a solid piece of standalone fantasy. I have previously read The Basilisk Throne by this same author and now want to explore more of their backlist because they write the kinds of stories I like to read.
Perhaps not the most most inventive, but at the end of the day, this one delivered the kind of fantasy that is easy to read yet engrossing. The writing is simple, but pleasing. The characters are complex enough to offer compelling motivations. Finally I enjoyed the world. It's hard to flesh out worldbuilding in only one book but I was intrigued by what I had read.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a new fantasy to read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars I really enjoyed the dark premise of this fantasy novel. The setup was exactly up my alley and reminded me of some of my other favourite medi4.0 Stars I really enjoyed the dark premise of this fantasy novel. The setup was exactly up my alley and reminded me of some of my other favourite media that have gone to similar dark places.
This might be the first time I have read a fantasy novel translated from Korean. I appreciated the unique perspective but I found myself wondering if any style was lost through the translation. The story was good but the actual narrative style was incredibly straightforward with very plain writing. I wish there had been more nuanced and complexity to the prose because this one had serious five star potential but fell a little flat.
Despite my criticisms, I still enjoyed this one a lot and would highly recommend to readers looking for a dark fantasy story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars Compared to book one, I found this sequel more interesting but ultimately I still struggled with this grimdark series. The ending of the firs3.0 Stars Compared to book one, I found this sequel more interesting but ultimately I still struggled with this grimdark series. The ending of the first book left the series with a lot more potential.
The premise is great but the actual storyline I found to be quite dull. I just found the characters and plotting to be rather underwhelming.
I wouldn't primarily recommend this series to readers who can’t get enough of the fantasy genre and don't mine a familiar, tropey story. I just wish it provided something fresher.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
2.5 Stars I have read and enjoyed several of this author's novellas so I was hopeful this would be a favourite.
I found the prose to be pleasing. Howev2.5 Stars I have read and enjoyed several of this author's novellas so I was hopeful this would be a favourite.
I found the prose to be pleasing. However, I found the characters and worldbuilding to be underwhelming. I wanted to love this one but it was too vague for me to fully grasp and I found myself wanting more.
I think this author has a lot of potential but this story felt so undeveloped.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars I adore this author's novel, 36 Streets, so I was eager to read another story by this author.
Like their previous work, this one is dark and 3.0 Stars I adore this author's novel, 36 Streets, so I was eager to read another story by this author.
Like their previous work, this one is dark and gritty. The narrative is fast paced and thrilling. Personally, I wish the novella slowed down a touch because I wanted more character development and world building. Instead, this high octane ride was fast and furious. It was an easy pageturner but it felt too surface level to leave much of an impression on me.
That being said, I would still look definitely read more by this author as I see a lot of potential.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars I am always on the lookout for a good ghost/demon hunter fantasy story and I am thrilled to have finally found a good one.
The worldbuilding w4.0 Stars I am always on the lookout for a good ghost/demon hunter fantasy story and I am thrilled to have finally found a good one.
The worldbuilding was rich and interesting. The narrative was interesting with the right amount of action. I liked the characters but did not find them quite as compelling as they could have been. The magic, monsters and world were easily the best parts.
This is currently listed as a standalone on Goodreads but I really hope there is more to come in this universe. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a fresh fantasy story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars The premise of this novella is so cliche yet in this author's hands, the execution felt fresh.
I have read/watched so many murderous robots s4.0 Stars The premise of this novella is so cliche yet in this author's hands, the execution felt fresh.
I have read/watched so many murderous robots so many times but this hit differently. This one has very little action but instead follows the slow investigation.
The robot at the center of the story is technically emotionless which makes for a flat presentation. I felt it fit the narrative so I was more forgiving of this aspect than usual. I previously have said that I don't find this author to be exceptional at writing characters so I didn't expect to find a complex protagonist here. Instead I read this for the quirky narrative that is explored in this futuristic world.
If you love stories exploring worlds with artificial intelligence then I would recommend this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This is the second book in an epic fantasy series inspired by Norse Mythology. If you enjoyed the first book, A Flame in the North, then you 3.5 Stars This is the second book in an epic fantasy series inspired by Norse Mythology. If you enjoyed the first book, A Flame in the North, then you will likely enjoy this one too. I found this sequel on the same level with consistent character work and writing.
Once again, I found myself wanting more from the worldbuilding. I love Norse culture but those details felt surprisingly sparse. I like this series but it feels like missed potential. I wish the author had leaned into the premise more.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
4.0 Stars This is one of those cases where the sequel is even stronger than the first book. I liked the worldbuilding in the Surviving Sky but I felt t4.0 Stars This is one of those cases where the sequel is even stronger than the first book. I liked the worldbuilding in the Surviving Sky but I felt there was room for growth.
I was happy that this second book resolved a lot of my quibbles with the previous novel. The characters felt more developed with stronger with a more well fleshed out world.
I enjoyed the plot progression in this one and look forward to the next volume when it is released.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars I have read and enjoyed a few different books by this author so I was eager to read their newest release. The premise is interesting, but the3.0 Stars I have read and enjoyed a few different books by this author so I was eager to read their newest release. The premise is interesting, but the author's choice of tone did not entirely work for me. The narrative is very light hearted and at times silly. I found it hard to provide an objective review given the fact that I don't tend to love these goofy stories. There was some enjoyable sections of the narrative, but ultimately I found this one not to my tastes and fairly forgettable.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was an unexpected gem. I found this book randomly through my library system and requested it on a lark. I didn't realize until later tha4.0 Stars This was an unexpected gem. I found this book randomly through my library system and requested it on a lark. I didn't realize until later that I have read (& loved) this author before.
As a piece of elf fantasy with elements of romance, I didn't think this one would be for me but I'm so grateful I gave it a chance.
This book has so many elements that make a fantasy story work great for me. The characters are well developed and the plotting is compelling. For a story centering around elves, I thought this one would be cutesy but instead it has a serious tone reflective of the brutality of the world.
This is the start of a new trilogy and I am really looking forward to the upcoming volumes. I would recommend this epic fantasy story to those looking to get lost in a lush, yet gritty story....more
3.5 Stars As a huge fan of the Expanse series, this was easily one of my most anticipated releases of the year.
If you share my love for the authors’ writing style, you will find the same prose here. I felt that was one of the best parts.
I did struggle to connect to the characters though. I think most readers will agree that the characters were one of the best aspects of the Expanse so I was disappointed to find these ones to be so flat and forgettable. I never loved the relationships in the Expanse but I found the romance in this one much weaker. With the focus on crushes and kissing, it just felt surprisingly young for a book marketed to an adult audience.
In terms of the scope of the plot, this one was an action packed story that I feel sacrificed worldbuilding for pacing. The story felt extremely narrow in scope with the focus on this small group of individuals. I recognize the same could be said for Leviathan Wakes but when I read that I could clearly see the building blocks of a bigger story.
Despite all my criticisms, I still think it's a decent new release in comparison to the other 2024 science fiction I have been reading. I just don't feel it met my expectations or the level of hype I am seeing online. I would still recommend people try this for themselves but recommend going in with tamed expectations.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
This is a new release from the same author who wrote The Lost Fleet series. I enjoyed the first book for the most part, but I choose to continue on with the series. So if you absolutely love the author’s previous series, you may enjoy this series more than me.
This was a easy space opera with likeable, if not simple, characters. The plot moves quickly, making this for a fun fast read. Personally I wanted more meat from this story because the stakes felt low. I prefer stories with more weight since those serious elements tend to hook me in and keep me engrossed.
This is the start of a series and I would potentially continue as it offers a light escapist experience.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)
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