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niseag's reviews
286 reviews
Impregnated by Nessie by Philomena MacKinnon
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Honestly, I've read better monster smut available for free on furaffinity... I love the loch Ness monster and was hoping for a spicy detailing of fun monster sex, but this is merely a rushed recounting of a concept. Where are the details, the interesting, sexy bits? What does nessies cock look like? (Other than Scottish...)
Very disappointing.
Very disappointing.
Omringd door idioten by Thomas Erikson
challenging
informative
medium-paced
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Classism
Help! I've Been Summoned By A Witch To Another World! by Tim Elcombe
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Help! I've Been Summoned by a Witch to Another World! Is a book with a lot of good ideas. The book follows the main character Alistair as he is wizzed away to a different plane of existence in an isekai kind of fashion. In this world he meets a set of interesting characters who become his companions and they defend the kingdom against the strife on their way. On paper, this sounds like it could have been amazing. There are plenty of story hooks and the characters are engaging... but it feels like the author is in a hurry to get the entire story told before he runs out of pages. Problems are presented and then immediately resolved before any gravitas can land, with quick fights and immediate solutions that seem to always work. This takes away from the impact these situations could have had, which is frustrating because I really do want to care. The same is true for worldbuilding and character development...it would be great if we could see more interaction between the characters other than motivational speeches so perhaps certain turns and relationships feel like like they are falling out of the sky without forshadowing. on top of that, the way the story builds up to a moral choice only to remove it at the last minute creates a disappointing anticlimax.
Again, this is not a bad book. It just could have been so much better, I wanted it to be so much more, because the concept is a lot of fun and appealing. I don't regret reading it, I've had a good time! Alistair was a friendly and likeable character, and the people he encountered each seemed like they were unique figures with their own lives, motivations and choices to make. And the way all the aspects tie up at least partly together is appealing as well.
A nice quick read, not without flaws but worth your time.
The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-Binary, and Beyond by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Thank Netgalley for the ARC
I am so, so happy books like this exist now. It's amazing that the mess that is gender is being introduced to children, possibly helping them in their own journeys and identities. The book itself is very attractive with bright colours and appealing illustrations, and the people depicted are all diverse not just in gender but in other aspects like race and ability as well. The text is relatively complex though, making this book persumably more suitable for older children. That is probably to be expected, because of the ballance the book has to make between simplification and inclusivity of all possibilities...I think the author done so commendably!
I am so, so happy books like this exist now. It's amazing that the mess that is gender is being introduced to children, possibly helping them in their own journeys and identities. The book itself is very attractive with bright colours and appealing illustrations, and the people depicted are all diverse not just in gender but in other aspects like race and ability as well. The text is relatively complex though, making this book persumably more suitable for older children. That is probably to be expected, because of the ballance the book has to make between simplification and inclusivity of all possibilities...I think the author done so commendably!
The Gathering Storm: The Chronicles of the Raven Book I by Kate Nascimento
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Thank you Reedsy Discovery for the ARC
This author knows how to write a fight scene. That is what I want to start this review of "The Gathering Storm" with, because it honestly impressed me. Expecially one on one fights are brilliant, each being unique and creative with the stakes high and present at all times. There is a lot of them, so this becomes very important in carrying the book!
Sadly, the rest of the book did not pull nearly as much weight for me. Character development felt a bit shallow, even if it was clear that the author intended for a cast of diverse and interesting individuals. Due to the many shifts between perspectives, the book failed in getting me particularly involved with either of the characters, which was a shame! There were various instances where I really wanted to feel for the characters, like poor Dallin or Argent, but I did not get a chance to really do so as either the point of view would shift or a new challenge would present itself. This seems to improve further into the book however, for which I am thankful.
What did not improve however, and I need to point this out, is the worldbuilding. Sadly, the only real word I have for it is "haphazard": various cultures clash in a way that does not shed much light on any. In fact, it appears that in an attempt to include more diverse influences different groups have been created that feel awkward and disjointed when interacting with one another. It is unclear how these peoples influence one another, do they have trading relations? Do their paths cross at all? if they do, them being this distinct and different seems weird... on top of that this feels incredibly clunky to those familiar with the source culture (I found myself yelling at the book that a "barra" is a wheelbarrow, and not a child...)
If you can look past that though, this is an engaging story, featuring a diverse cast of people fighting for their lives, their homes and their loved ones. It is quite well done! And those fight scenes...I might recommend the book just for those.
This author knows how to write a fight scene. That is what I want to start this review of "The Gathering Storm" with, because it honestly impressed me. Expecially one on one fights are brilliant, each being unique and creative with the stakes high and present at all times. There is a lot of them, so this becomes very important in carrying the book!
Sadly, the rest of the book did not pull nearly as much weight for me. Character development felt a bit shallow, even if it was clear that the author intended for a cast of diverse and interesting individuals. Due to the many shifts between perspectives, the book failed in getting me particularly involved with either of the characters, which was a shame! There were various instances where I really wanted to feel for the characters, like poor Dallin or Argent, but I did not get a chance to really do so as either the point of view would shift or a new challenge would present itself. This seems to improve further into the book however, for which I am thankful.
What did not improve however, and I need to point this out, is the worldbuilding. Sadly, the only real word I have for it is "haphazard": various cultures clash in a way that does not shed much light on any. In fact, it appears that in an attempt to include more diverse influences different groups have been created that feel awkward and disjointed when interacting with one another. It is unclear how these peoples influence one another, do they have trading relations? Do their paths cross at all? if they do, them being this distinct and different seems weird... on top of that this feels incredibly clunky to those familiar with the source culture (I found myself yelling at the book that a "barra" is a wheelbarrow, and not a child...)
If you can look past that though, this is an engaging story, featuring a diverse cast of people fighting for their lives, their homes and their loved ones. It is quite well done! And those fight scenes...I might recommend the book just for those.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Rape
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexism