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pages_and_procrastination's Reviews (1.6k)
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was given a digital copy of this title, free. All opinions are my own.
This is a collection of twelve familiar fairytales retold with a twist. The twists may be that the main character is gender-flipped or that the ending is not what we're used to. It may be that Chainani has explored a story, going deeper and showing something that we never really thought about before. I do believe that overall the collection is unique. But as a whole, reading one story after the other, sometimes the twists became a bit predictable. I did enjoy reading the collection. But individual stories are forgettable. My favorite story would have to be the Peter Pan retelling, I like this one better than what I remember of the original and the most common theories thrown out about Peter Pan. While I wouldn't say that this was Chainani's best work, the writing did make me curious enough to want to check out more of his work.
This is a collection of twelve familiar fairytales retold with a twist. The twists may be that the main character is gender-flipped or that the ending is not what we're used to. It may be that Chainani has explored a story, going deeper and showing something that we never really thought about before. I do believe that overall the collection is unique. But as a whole, reading one story after the other, sometimes the twists became a bit predictable. I did enjoy reading the collection. But individual stories are forgettable. My favorite story would have to be the Peter Pan retelling, I like this one better than what I remember of the original and the most common theories thrown out about Peter Pan. While I wouldn't say that this was Chainani's best work, the writing did make me curious enough to want to check out more of his work.
adventurous
funny
fast-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
I was given a digital copy of this title, free. All opinions are my own.
This is the third and final book in the Kiss Quotient trilogy. This is Quan's romance Anna is a classical violinist who is so weighed down by anxiety that she can't play. She is in a relationship with Julian, a man her family believes is right for her. Until Julian decides that he wants an open relationship ance wants o see other people. Anna figures that if he is going to see other people than she should too. Quan meets Anna through a dating app as they are both looking for a one night stand.
This was a bit more serious than the other two books in the series. But it still had the familiarity of Hoang's writing style. You get to see previous characters, and there is still the humor that was there in the first two books, For the most part I did enjoy this, I mean it's Quan and he deserves a happily ever after.But the one thing that I don't understand is why no one really questioned Quan about his dating choices. It seems that he always picked the lady that needed taking care of. Anna was called out and had to work on her issues,That was her character arc, so why did Quan essentially get to stay the same?
Either way, I am glad to have completed this trilogy and I am super glad that Quan got his happily ever after. I ill definitely be keeping my eye out for what ever Hoang puts out next.
This is the third and final book in the Kiss Quotient trilogy. This is Quan's romance Anna is a classical violinist who is so weighed down by anxiety that she can't play. She is in a relationship with Julian, a man her family believes is right for her. Until Julian decides that he wants an open relationship ance wants o see other people. Anna figures that if he is going to see other people than she should too. Quan meets Anna through a dating app as they are both looking for a one night stand.
This was a bit more serious than the other two books in the series. But it still had the familiarity of Hoang's writing style. You get to see previous characters, and there is still the humor that was there in the first two books, For the most part I did enjoy this, I mean it's Quan and he deserves a happily ever after.But the one thing that I don't understand is why no one really questioned Quan about his dating choices. It seems that he always picked the lady that needed taking care of. Anna was called out and had to work on her issues,That was her character arc, so why did Quan essentially get to stay the same?
Either way, I am glad to have completed this trilogy and I am super glad that Quan got his happily ever after. I ill definitely be keeping my eye out for what ever Hoang puts out next.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was given a digital copy of this title, free. All opinions are my own.
This is the second book in the series and followsDiana ( Lady Templeton) and Jeremy (Marquess of Willingham). They have known each other since childhood and are constantly bickering with one another. Diana wagers to Jeremy that he'll be wed in a year. After a scathing review from a mistress, Jeremy proposes a sexual liaison with Diana to get his confidence back up. So this is another exaggerated trope with a regency romance. I'm not sure if you saw my review of the first book in the series To Have and to Hoax,but I wasn't super impressed. In fact, it made me reluctant to pick this up. But, I have to admit that this one was so much better. This succeeded where the first book failed, And it had to be because of the characters forceful personalities. This book was hilarious with its utter ridiculousness and the Character's' Shenanigans. Yes, it was super predictable. But that didn't really bother me, this time around. Diana and Jeremy worked together as characters and as a couple. This book has piqued my interest about the third book that's due out in April.
This is the second book in the series and followsDiana ( Lady Templeton) and Jeremy (Marquess of Willingham). They have known each other since childhood and are constantly bickering with one another. Diana wagers to Jeremy that he'll be wed in a year. After a scathing review from a mistress, Jeremy proposes a sexual liaison with Diana to get his confidence back up. So this is another exaggerated trope with a regency romance. I'm not sure if you saw my review of the first book in the series To Have and to Hoax,but I wasn't super impressed. In fact, it made me reluctant to pick this up. But, I have to admit that this one was so much better. This succeeded where the first book failed, And it had to be because of the characters forceful personalities. This book was hilarious with its utter ridiculousness and the Character's' Shenanigans. Yes, it was super predictable. But that didn't really bother me, this time around. Diana and Jeremy worked together as characters and as a couple. This book has piqued my interest about the third book that's due out in April.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, I did like it, I think it's a pretty good start. It definitely left me curious about some things. Though it didn't leave me with the urgency to immediately pick up the next book. Robin was a character - while there were moments she appeared to have a backbone, there were even more moments that she was incredibly naive and a bit stupid. She held her family in a higher regard than they did her, and I want to know why. Then there is the demon. Zylas is not your typical demon. And for the majority of the book the reason for this is the unusual binding and contract.There are snippets of allusions that there is more to Zylas, but nothing concrete. Even the revelation at the end that Zylas has been protecting Robin because he wants to isn't given much space. While I may not be urgently waiting for the next book (it is currently available) it will be there when I am ready. And I am curious enough to plan on continuing the series, I am pretty happy with this recommendation.
This was a decent recommendation from The Storygraph.
This was a decent recommendation from The Storygraph.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is another one that I picked up for my The storygraph recommends Challenge. It's also a Kindle Book that I've had for awhile so a for! for me! (Kindle A to Z Challenges.)
Anyway... This was 120 pages so more of a novella than full length Novel. But Bellet did a lot in those few pages. Not only was this a great introduction to the characters and setting, it also gave you time to become invested in the bigger unseen threat. While Jade is dealing with the smaller, more immediate threat, Bellet peels back layers to show the complexity and depth that makes up her character. I like Jade Crow, mainly because she is honest about her skill level -especially when comparing it to the bigger threat. She's not the most powerful but she has heart. She is willing to do the hard and dark thing - not for power itself, but to protect those she loves. In short, Jade is the underdog that I can get behind. Even though Jade sees her friends as people she has put in danger, I think they are a source of strength for her. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. Yes, I've already, bought it!
This was a spot-on recommendation from The Storygraph.
My Recommendation :. Its currently free, normally $.99 so definitely worth Checking it out.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve had this on the kindle for a long while. And I am glad to have finally started this series. I can’t say that I had very high expectations going in, but whatever they were this book exceeded them. I inhaled this book and the next two over the weekend. If the rest of the series was available on audio then I would have consumed them too. This series is mainly about Ever Chace who believes that she is a human adopted by two powerful paranormals. But -and this isn’t a spoiler- she is really a valkyrie, the intended queen of Valhalla and daughter of Odin. The first 3 books are about discovering this AND accepting it. But don’t be fooled - all of the characters of the investigative team is fully developed, full of distinct personalties and their own flaws. They each have their own storylines. Each case I wrapped up by the end of the book, but each book also ends in a cliffhanger. The following books picks up where the cliffhanger leaves off. In this series you have werewolves, vampires, valkyries, sorcerers and shifters and they are all learning new ways to trust one another. The romances are complicated, but the matches work. I can’t wait to continue on with the rest of the series.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
*I was given a digital copy of this title, free. All opinions are my own.*
Cas Russell is exceptionally good at math. Its her superpower and it’s constantly running through her head. Her calculations allow her to knock out people from a distance with a rock thrown at the right angle. Her calculations also allow her to break into and out of places. She uses her skills to retrieve things. In this case, she is retrieving a person. This gets her involved in an elaborate conspiracy and on the bad side of someone who’s power is mental manipulation.
Cas is absolutely not a people person. She is amazingly smart and brutally violent. Yes, she chooses violence as if there’s not another option. Even when there are. The side characters include:
-a private investigator, Arthur who questions her violent tendencies and the company she keeps.
- a computer hacker, Checker, that proves to be braver and more resourceful than Cas first assumed
- A sociopath who is scary, violent and feared. Rio is an associate who is not a friend and knows more about Cas then he’s allowed her to believe.
This didn’t end how I expected it to- with Cas as the clear victor. But it is a great first book. I like Cas and the ragtag group that stands by her. Well, I am still undecided about Rio. It really depends on if he turns out to be friend or foe. I will always bet on Cas. Pithica is an interesting entity. Because they were really doing good things and not just trying look good. It was the way that they went about it -taking away people’s free will - that was the problem. I am looking forward to see what else Cas gets into in the next book.
challenging
dark
medium-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
This was an interesting fantasy. Some things I liked and some things I didn’t. First there is a pretty graphic near rape scene. It’s never addressed and treated as if it’s normal (and following the theme of seizing land and political takeovers - it is). One of the biggest things that bothered me was that in some areas (mainly the sex scenes) it’s very clear that the female characters were written by a man. I didn’t really like Rin. At least, I didn’t like her all of the time. I understand her character and most of the decisions that she makes. But, she wasn’t the best leader. To be honest, there aren’t any characters that I really liked. I liked the story well enough to finish it but not enough to continue on with the series. After the build up, I kind of wish that the final sword fights were given more time on the page. Even the fight with the mysterious inked guy could have used more page time. This was a story that was barely compelling enough for me to finish it. On the surface it looks and sounded like a book I would enjoy, but the execution didn’t do well with the follow through.
So, was this a TSG recommendation win or fail?
FAIL
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was given a copy of this digital galley, free. All opinions are my own.
Oh shit! That ending? I wasn’t expecting that. Now what Jenny figured out and a what was revealed at the end? I suspected long before it was revealed and I was right about who. I was not really expecting to like Gearbreakers as much as I did. I like Pacific Rim and the concept for the story intrigued me. But YA fantasy -at least the newer YA fantasy -has been a lot more misses than hits. But this one was most definitely a hit. Eris was a bundle of recklessness and fury, it made her brave (or stupid) and able to endure more than she should be able to. Sona has hidden her fury and has natural skills asa. Valkyrie, making her deadly. Sona spends the book, not trying to pretend that she’s human but embracing what what she is and twisting that to her own purpose. Eris spends time as crew leader and helping Sona to find her place amongst the Gearbreakers - some who come to accept Son as one of them and some who forever see her and the enemy.
Make no mistake - this book is violent whether it’s the gearbrakers fighting amongst themselves or them fighting against the mochas. Things get bloody. But you see the heartbeat of humanity in them as they resist and fight against Godolia. Their mission is dangerous and a near impossible one. I should not be surprised at the ending- that it is not a happy one. But I am. I’m also mad that I now have to wait for book #2.
Oh shit! That ending? I wasn’t expecting that. Now what Jenny figured out and a what was revealed at the end? I suspected long before it was revealed and I was right about who. I was not really expecting to like Gearbreakers as much as I did. I like Pacific Rim and the concept for the story intrigued me. But YA fantasy -at least the newer YA fantasy -has been a lot more misses than hits. But this one was most definitely a hit. Eris was a bundle of recklessness and fury, it made her brave (or stupid) and able to endure more than she should be able to. Sona has hidden her fury and has natural skills asa. Valkyrie, making her deadly. Sona spends the book, not trying to pretend that she’s human but embracing what what she is and twisting that to her own purpose. Eris spends time as crew leader and helping Sona to find her place amongst the Gearbreakers - some who come to accept Son as one of them and some who forever see her and the enemy.
Make no mistake - this book is violent whether it’s the gearbrakers fighting amongst themselves or them fighting against the mochas. Things get bloody. But you see the heartbeat of humanity in them as they resist and fight against Godolia. Their mission is dangerous and a near impossible one. I should not be surprised at the ending- that it is not a happy one. But I am. I’m also mad that I now have to wait for book #2.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am slowly dipping my toes deeper into the horror genre. Meaning, I am trying to read more than just Stephen King. I want something that is going to creep me out but not keep me awake all night. Nothing But Blackened Teeth balances this nicely. If you watch a lot of horror movies then you know how this ends. But I think it’s all about the journey. I kind of want to know what happened between the five of them to get them to where they are today. It sounds like a love web gone wrong. But the not knowing? It is a bit frustrating, but I also think that it’s part of the charm. There is so much left unspoken and you’re left waiting for it to be revealed to see who is pushed over the edge. I didn’t like Talia, she was the insecure mean girl.
This was compulsively readable, each breath holding its breath until it all escalates and the house is satisfied. This is just a novella and Khaw has done an excellent job in such a small space. There is a nice balance of unknown and inevitable. The tension is strung just right. But, I am excited to see what she does in a larger space.