Book Review, Series, YA Fantasy

Series: The Bone Witch by R.C.

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The Bone Witch

4 Stars.

The plot of this book is character development (which I kinda love) and the character development is so slowly paced that it seems as if the reader will never get to the point. And perhaps that is why there are more books in the series. There are so many twists and turns that make this novel enjoyable and even more nuanced culture and world building that make this book one of a kind (or three of a kind if you wanna count the follow-ups). It is refreshing to see the action (and I mean lots of intense action) take a back seat as we learn about how Tea came to be the way she is. The alternation between present and flashback annoyed me at first, but soon I came to admire the complexity of the chiasmus. Beautifully done.

The Heart Forger

3.5 stars. My rating seems a bit high, but when you factor in that it had a high enjoyability, was incredibly easy to read, and was paced nigh perfection (as well as possessing decent enough character progression) I guess it all evens out reasonably.  The plot was tacky though, like sticky-tacky, like I’m stuck in molasses and enjoying it more than I should, but would rather get to the point already. Maybe I’m saying that because this one was less plot=character development and more plot=history. Ok, ok. I know I said it was pretty good pacing–and, honestly, maybe I’d be more satisfied if I read the final book–but trust me the plot doesn’t really develop any further than what we ended with in the previous book. Let’s go back to how I said it was enjoyable. Obviously, I love character development and boy-howdy there was a ton. *flips through notes* Romance is a big bleh, thumbs down, blah-dee-dah. The transitions were lesser compared to the first book: more forced, in my opinion (which of course this whole review is my opinion); but I do believe that those transitions contributed to a more accurate chiasmus, so that’s something!

In short, I think it lacked quality overall but the enjoyability really surpassed all its shortcomings.

The Shadow Glass

Review to come

Book Review, Fantasy, Mystery, Series

Series: Hexen’s Cross by J.K.

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Hexen’s Cross

5 stars. Instantly captivating. Some romcom-esque tropes. But you know what? I didn’t even care. With an original plot line and interesting characters and development, I can’t wait to read the second book of Kowallis’s sophomore series!

Hexen’s Binding

4 stars. This book was not at all what I expected to come from this series. It was totally off pace with the first and yet still in line. It was a joy to read and get to know all the characters a little more as well as meeting new people altogether. There were a few editorial oversights, but nothing too distracting (especially since it cleared up near the end). Kowallis sure knows how to make a struggle real and I admire that wholeheartedly. The pace was a bit slow for my liking, but that would probably be my biggest and only qualm with this story. An overall success.

Hexen’s Wane

Not yet released. Hopefully soon!

Book Review, Children's Fiction, Series, YA Fantasy, YA Science Fiction

Series: The Fowl Twins by E.C.

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The Fowl Twins

5 stars. How I have hungered for an addition to the Fowl saga! Colfer didn’t disappoint in any way. It was a joy to read after such a long hiatus from the Fowl family. The plot was beautiful and the narration hilarious. And even if it was “kinda gross” at times, it is probably the most exciting, fast-paced story I’ve read in a while. Most of all it made me want to reread all my Colfer books starting with the Supernaturalist followed by every Artemis Fowl book in the series (now if I could only find them in the garage).

Myles and Beckett are two geniuses in their own special ways. Colfer does a wonderful job at distinguishing his characters and making them pop off the page. They all work together for common goals–or selfish ones–and it all works without a hitch.

Book Review, Non-Fiction

Eats, Shoots & Leaves by L.T.

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5 stars. First of all why are there 4 intros? Why couldn’t the book just start? Or has it just been a while since I’ve read a book fancy enough to have acknowledgements, foreward, publishers notes, preface, AND introduction? It was easily 16% of the book!

This book is hilarious and I learned a lot (like how to spell hifalutin). Despite my laugh-out-loud education, I have now been shamed to no end and want to go delete/edit every post I have ever made on anything.

Please go read this book and become a better person.

Book Review, Fantasy, Romance, Series, Time Travel

Series: All Souls Trilogy by D.H.

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A Discovery of Witches

3 Stars. I have mixed emotions about this book. I read it in just a couple days, but I’m not entirely sure I actually enjoyed it. The plot is intriguing and the overall world-building is captivating, but I really can’t grasp the appeal of another “I’m a helpless young woman and I’m resistant to the idea of anything unnatural, but I also can’t live without my immortal lover” trope. But besides that, I guess it was fine. The prose was elementary at best and altogether boring, but the story was somehow interesting at the same time (?) And it HAD to be the first in a series AND end with a cliffhanger. So I have to read the rest of the series but it’s booked at the library for the next 6 months and I refuse to buy it because I didn’t like it THAT much.
What a dilemma.

Shadow of Night

2 stars. First of all I’m honestly tired of vampire romances. Second of all these are the least memorable characters of all time. I was halfway through the book before I realized who was who (and who had even participated in the first book). I think most of the confusion came from it being an odd combination of Twilight and Court of Thorns and Roses–but not the good parts (what? were there good parts? the answer is a resounding NO!)
But I narrowed it down, guys. Why do people think codependency is so romantic? And the constant qualifiers attributing territorial, possessive, and abusive tendencies to a vampiric and/or immortal state is, frankly, the worst reason ever and encourages poor impressionable youths that they should aspire to that kind of relationship. C’mon, readers!
The third thing that drove me insane was the constant repetition. Not in a good, poetic way where you’re like “oh, thank you author for reminding me of that important detail as well as making it literarily relevant and intriguing” NO! it was the “wait, what? did this seriously just reference something I read two pages ago in the same chapter. Do they think I’m stupid or, like, completely without common sense or inductive reasoning skills? I’m super insulted!” way.
I cannot say that I’m excited to read the last book, but I probably will because I’m not a quitter. (yuck)

Book of Life

2.5 stars. Yep, this series is still as petty as ever. Honestly, I can’t believe I even got this far. It was slightly better than the others in terms of how it was written, but was largely grasping at straws to try to mend its previous flaws. My opinion could be derived from the fact that I’m not a fan of romance and/or because it legitimately sucked.

Like I said: petty. But then, maybe we both are.