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blossomclouds's reviews
57 reviews
Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly bloody, especially towards the middle, but I expected that (anybody would, right?). The in-world misogyny makes sense given the material of ASoIaF, yet it can still be hard to read at times.
It's a gripping read that gave me a good few mental conundrums where monarchies are concerned, which is something I enjoy! I adore the world built in these books and I wasn't disappointed in how it was fleshed out here.
It's a gripping read that gave me a good few mental conundrums where monarchies are concerned, which is something I enjoy! I adore the world built in these books and I wasn't disappointed in how it was fleshed out here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence and Torture
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Sexual assault
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm ten thousand years late on reading this book, but I finally did it and I finally loved it.
I knew the framework of this story before I read it and yet, I was still surprised by it, and that is a true compliment. The writing style is immersive and very easy to get into. The narrative was compact and neat.
It was an amazingly fascinating story, is all.
I knew the framework of this story before I read it and yet, I was still surprised by it, and that is a true compliment. The writing style is immersive and very easy to get into. The narrative was compact and neat.
It was an amazingly fascinating story, is all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage and Death of parent
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
I do not have a very coherent explanation for this. There were repeating patterns to this book that felt too much like going back and forth on things that were already discussed. The writing style continues to be amazing and I feel really bad for putting this aside for now! There was just something about it that sapped my motivation to continue.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
As with all fiction books, most of this is entirely subjective: I absolutely adored The Poppy War. I liked this book. The main point that leads me to an entire star less than the book before it, is the character narrative. Though there is excellent character work, and a few subtle differences, it disappointed me somewhat that it was basically the same lesson learned at the end of it. The constant retreading of the same ground got too much for me. Characters didn't catch onto things for - what I felt - too long a time.
On the other hand, the highlights of this book for me were the dynamic between Rin and Kitay, the incredible antagonist, the magic system, the writing style and the many different kinds of platonic and group dynamics! The female characters in particular are a joy to behold.
There just seems to be an incredible awareness by the author of all the little intricacies of human nature. I loved those small interactions and details!
The socioeconomic narrative portrayed within is no doubt incredibly important.
It's an absolutely humbling display of how to portray a war and military strategy. Fantastic, in my view!
Overall, it was a good read that I honestly enjoyed!!
On the other hand, the highlights of this book for me were the dynamic between Rin and Kitay, the incredible antagonist, the magic system, the writing style and the many different kinds of platonic and group dynamics! The female characters in particular are a joy to behold.
There just seems to be an incredible awareness by the author of all the little intricacies of human nature. I loved those small interactions and details!
The socioeconomic narrative portrayed within is no doubt incredibly important.
It's an absolutely humbling display of how to portray a war and military strategy. Fantastic, in my view!
Overall, it was a good read that I honestly enjoyed!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Colonisation, and War
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and War
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75