izzie_27's reviews
392 reviews

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is the first Booker prize winner I've read and it didn't disappoint. Profound, emotional, yet concise with perfect prose, the story allowed us to float in space beside our protagonists, their stories washing over us. 

My only cons are that some characters got way more story time than others, and that as I listened to this via audiobook sometimes I zoned out and may have missed things. This is on me though but something to be aware of it picking between word vs audio. The narration itself was beautiful and I loved the subtle accents the narrator employed and added more layers to simple moments.

Narration: 4.5/5

Prison Planet Barbarian by Ruby Dixon

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

When She's Married by Ruby Dixon

emotional 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? No

4.0

When She's Ready by Ruby Dixon

emotional lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Very cute, I'm loving the Risdaverse stories! 

Pretty Human by Ruby Dixon

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

Another cute novella. I read Bad Guy first so it was fun to read Milly and Varricks origin story.

The Alien's Mail-Order Bride by Ruby Dixon

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A cute little novella I enjoyed inhaling between bigger books. 

Bad Guy by Ruby Dixon

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

This is everything I love in a Ruby Dixon story! The sci fi world building, the complex characters, the tension and spice, this one was a slow burn and the pining by Crulden was especially juicy. 

Corsairs: Kaspar by Ruby Dixon

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-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

3.5

This helped fill the void the lack of new IPB, Icehome and Iceclones have left in my life. The start and end were good but I did feel like the middle dragged on, and could've been a little quicker. In saying that it was written as a serial during covid times so Ruby can do whatever she wants in those conditions! 

Not my favourite in the Rubyverse but still an enjoyable read.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A challenging book that made me think hard about the advantages I've had and the atrocities others have lived through. The book was written first as a screenplay and that was felt through the text. The prose was short and lacked the connection to the main protagonist, indicative of the connection the author had to the muse. Humbling but at times distant. 

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A fun novel critiquing the industry I love so dear but know so little about. This really leapt out of the pages as an audiobook.
Stars: 5/5
Narration: 4/5