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solaris_zip's Reviews (198)
Robin lives and yet he is in a coma? like jeeze Jason cannot catch a break. I understand after the injuries he had it was the only way, but at least show us him getting better, waking up from it. But no. We have 10 pages about the damn joker
I didn’t know what to expect, kinda disappointed. The book is rather slow paced and although it’s marked as an erotica read, surprisingly there is not a lot of such content . The book could have been better developed in the sense that there needs to be a better communication, connection between the main characters. Besides the little to non existent character development, where we go from grumpy and cold to suddenly in love?
It was such a sweet, despite the topic of the book, read. I liked a lot reading little moments from Cardan's perspective.
Not only it gives that extra boost to the main story, but it also makes you understand his character much better. At the end of "Queen of nothing" you're left with a "changed" Cardan, yet, we do not know much of this story. Why he is liked this, why he acted in a certain way. Surely, reading this book, gives you a small insight on why Cardan is Cardan. Not a justification of his actions and words, but an understanding.
Although I enjoyed it, I wished that all of these infos were present in the main books. Not only they would give justice to Cardan's characterisation but also bring something extra to the story.
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:
Yes
A Persephone and Hades retelling but with a fae twist. A deal with the elf king brings you into a fantasy world where you’re meet with elves, humans, vampires, fairies, merfolk and so much more. The book is rather fast paced and a light enjoyable read. It’s pretty light hearted, with not many points of conflict, which is good just as it’s bad. In the sense that for a fantasy book, it was lacking that magical aspect. In a world filled with magic, elves, human queens there was so much rich history to explore, and yet, it was hard at times to understand how the magic system worked. The lack of conflict made the book a bit dull on some parts- the main conflict was luella, the main character, which struggle to see herself as the human queen, she felt she did not belong in the other side- spending the whole book struggling with this feeling.
Eldas (MMC) and Luella (MFC) were sweet, but didn’t had much depth to them. Their characters weren’t fully developed. My issue is that with Luella her main personality is being a healer. Besides that she doesn’t have a lot going on. Eldas, on the other hand, despite the sweet moments between him and Luella, still came across too strong and almost overpowered Luella in a way. The romance was a slow burn. There is a need for some extra angst, some motive, something to show the true colours of these characters. There is a lot, TOO MUCH, miscommunication between the two especially towards the end, and it was driving me insane. The miscommunication in a way made the little chemistry between the two of them feel almost non existent.
I do have to say, I did like Harrow (Eldas’s younger brother). And between him and the main characters he felt the one more well characterised. AND WILLOW. Willow my beloved. Three stars only for him. The bonus chapter was cute, and seeing a snipped from Elda’s pov was nice. I wished it was in the main book.
Overall it’s a light read, something you can read quickly especially during the holidays. But it’s quite forgettable because of the lack of events. It leans more towards a romance read with a sprinkle of fantasy. Hopefully the next inserts from this series will be better developed.
Eldas (MMC) and Luella (MFC) were sweet, but didn’t had much depth to them. Their characters weren’t fully developed. My issue is that with Luella her main personality is being a healer. Besides that she doesn’t have a lot going on. Eldas, on the other hand, despite the sweet moments between him and Luella, still came across too strong and almost overpowered Luella in a way. The romance was a slow burn. There is a need for some extra angst, some motive, something to show the true colours of these characters. There is a lot, TOO MUCH, miscommunication between the two especially towards the end, and it was driving me insane. The miscommunication in a way made the little chemistry between the two of them feel almost non existent.
I do have to say, I did like Harrow (Eldas’s younger brother). And between him and the main characters he felt the one more well characterised. AND WILLOW. Willow my beloved. Three stars only for him. The bonus chapter was cute, and seeing a snipped from Elda’s pov was nice. I wished it was in the main book.
Overall it’s a light read, something you can read quickly especially during the holidays. But it’s quite forgettable because of the lack of events. It leans more towards a romance read with a sprinkle of fantasy. Hopefully the next inserts from this series will be better developed.
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
I feel there were a lot of things that could be explored. Jude’s role as queen, as a mortal queen. The struggles with the crown. Her relationship with her twin sister, which for the love of god, after being betrayed twice is insane the fact Jude has forgiven her so quickly. I wish to explore Jude’s and Cardan’s feelings more. What happened after he came back? After they go in that room being the throne, what’s their connection like? How do they rule together?
Overall, this is a good trilogy. I feel I would give 4 stars for the three books together. It’s mostly politically focus, which is not a bad thing necessarily, but sometimes there is an unbalanced between the political aspects of the book and everything else. Almost as if the author tried to squeeze as much stuff as possible. It’s good, and I love Jude and Cardan, but it’s not the best.
Unpopular opinion, I liked the cruel prince better than book 2. I feel book two was slower and more “heavy” in terms of the political talk. It was also rather confusing at times. I can see why people like it- considering we have way more Cardan and Jude’s moments- and they were nice and enjoyable to read, I also enjoyed reading the little snippets where Cardan’s real personality came out. But for the love of god, I hated the end. What was that? It happened all so suddenly. I feel, this book was rushed in a way. Jude’s and Cardan relationship went back and forth and it really annoyed me. Sure, they are enemies, but you cannot let them sleep together, forming a bond of sort on unspoken feelings and words, just to break everything away a few chapters down. And building this momento up and down, constantly. Too much. I’m sure there must be a reason on why Cardan did what he did at the end of the book, but gosh… if that annoyed me
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
Heartstopper is the first queer book I read when I realise I wasn’t straight and to this day, 4 years after, holds a special place in my heart. I grew up along side Charlie and Nick, and it’s strange seeing that I’m older than them now. The book is heartwarming, exploring Nick and Charlie’s relationship (and a preview on their friends too) as teenagers adventures into the world of intimacy and love. Charlie struggling with his self confidence and body dysmorphia, and how he is battling it. The struggle of being in love and going long distance.. it’s a full package. Alice’s writing is always easy to follow and easy to relate to. From your first heart problems to problems that life throws in the way heartstopper is a graphic novel that is not only heartwarming, but gives you a place to be heard and understood not matter your age and gender or sexuality.
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
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. If you enter with the intention of looking for romance you’re severely mistaken, which I feel it’s an issue that many do. The book is set up to be a trilogy, book one introducing the characters and a bit of the world. The politics of it mostly. It can feel repetitive, perhaps even boring, but I personally found it very enjoyable. I give 4,5 rather than 5 simply because in some parts I truly struggled to understand what was going on and to remember all of the made up names.
Onto the characters. I adore Jude. A misconception of her character that I have seen a lot is people arguing “if she was so scared of the fae world why didn’t she just left?” She was scared, as she should be considering the morally grey beliefs those fairies hold, but the point is you have a girl, who saw her parents brutally pass away, and move to a world where she *doesnt belong*. But at the same time that’s the only place she knows. She has no connection to the human realm anymore. No education, nothing. She was raised to be a fae. It’s only obvious despite everything she keeps trying. And I found that admirable. How despite being scared, despite having people close to her like her twin sister, who constantly told her to stop trying to “rebel” and to just learn to live with it; she truly never gave up. She went on and fought for what she believed was right.
I liked how we saw a different face for Cardan, and I like how his and Jude’s relationship is already shifting somewhat. I despite Locke and Taryn, who went out and betrayed Jude, her own twin sister. We can argue that she was doing the same thing as Jude, survive in a world that doesn’t belong to you. But I like to argue she did the cowardly thing, of which betraying the only person who stood by your side, who almost got killed because she only wanted to defend you, the person who almost drown to make sure she was safe and what does Taryn do..? Ah yes, enstablish a relationship with Locke, of whom painted himself to be this nice guy, who helped Jude when the others tormented her and yet… perhaps he hurt her the most. Dating both her and her TWIN sister. And can we just focus on this for a second? You’re telling me, your guy wants to test your loyalty and so he decides to kiss and have a thing with your twin sister? Like Taryn… what the actual fuck? How was she even ok with this is beyond me 😭💀
Book one is a book about fighting what you want. Learning to never gave up. Learning that even family can betray you, even your own blood. Learning that friends and acquaintances might come from the most unexpected places. Learning that despite not fitting in, it’s ok. It’s ok to be different, it’s ok to fight against it. And it’s ok to feel you belong, despite people telling you otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
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 wish you weren't here" is a book, narrated under the dual POVs of Ava and James, that follows the story of Ava, a 28 years old American woman who needs some extra credit to graduate from law school. She decides to fulfil a promise she made to her mother years before, and she decides to take these extra credits in Urbino, Italy (city that held a special significance to her mother - and later in the book to Ava too)
What I really liked about the book is how the author, Christy Schillig, manages to teleports you right into an Italian summer. I am Italian, I literally live in this country, and yet Schilling managed to make me feel nostalgic for *the* Italian summers. For how August summer nights feels. Spend under the gazebo, around the table, with the fresh summer breeze.
Christy Schilling managed to create a novel that brings you right to Italy, drinking an aperol spritz with your friends while doing an aperitivo.
I liked how the writing was smooth and easy to follow, how the chapters were short and it kept you hooked to reading again and again. I can't deny I shed some tears towards the end, as Ava and James miscommunication was getting
*hard*. But I also loved their banter. I wish we got to see more of their romance.
This is a novel about the importance of finding a family, and that it doesn't always mean blood family. That you can find love even in the most unexpected, smallest things. The importance of learning and healing from your trauma. To learn to move on and to find strength within you.
Filled with art, lingering touches and unsaid words and thoughts. Art that connects generations. Art that speaks to the soul. And fated love, where they have always been connected, just without their knowledge. Bound to lose and to find each other. I wish you weren't here is a rollercoaster of emotions, which will push you right into an Italian summer.
You can almost feel you're there, along side the characters, as the book manages to incorporate Italian and English language and elements into one. A must read !!