tyriek's reviews
74 reviews

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

emotional hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing slow-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

This book took me a while to read for all the right reasons. I just wanted to stay cozied up in the cafe with Viv and Tandri. 
This speaks to me on a really personal level. I really relate to her on a number of levels. Viv struggles to communicate, or to accept love and help. She struggles to build relationships, yet through it all she tries, she is vulnerable, and puts herself out there. 
I've been needing to find extra kindness for myself at the moment, and this book really helped me with this. It was a gentle book brimming with love and understanding, yet fun and engaging, and it was a heavily character-driven read.

Hell's Wardens by Pirateaba

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

This is my favourite TWI book in a while! We get some more really meaty action, instead of just character studies (which I also enjoy in moderation but feel there's been a bit too much of.) I also love that this one has balanced the POVs more than they have recently. LOVE this one!

The Wicked King by Holly Black

3.75

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

3.25

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I'm not sure how to rate this- I hate Nesta and

in real life you can'tforce someone to change if they don'twant to

. Her trauma isn't an excuse for actively trying to hurt the people around her for a long period of time, especially since that was always her behaviour (pre-war). Although I liked her arc once

she decided to change

, and believe everyone is worthy of love, I don't think she was really ever held accountable for her behaviour. I also felt her character was unfairly rewarded with things that she didn't deserve.

narritively,  her and the other women reaching the peak of the mountain doesn'tmake sense after only a few months training

. Having said all that, the last quarter was inspiring and I grudgingly liked it. So It gets a 3.

Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

This book was thoroughly researched (which I LOVE in historical fantasy). All characters were well-developed with strengths and flaws, and they felt so real. I loved the intense Sapphic romance, alongside the dynamic of a relationship struggling due to social pressure, duty, lack of communication, and closeted sexuality. I also loved watching the tenderness and vulnerability with which they eventually figured it all out. The tension of the political intrigue, especially as a woman, weaving in the feminine rage at the way women are belittled and gaslit, was masterfully done. Loved this book

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

3.0

Pretty good, fun to see Oaks perspective and nice ending

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

medium-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

Addresses the power imbalance in their relationship, discusses female rage against men committing violence against women, addresses the pain and grief of parental abuse, and how we protect our hearts from being hardened by the world. Still really fun and easy to read, and elaborate on the themes addressed int he first book. It also fleshes out the lore of the world it's set in and gets deeper into the world building. I love that this is an extension on the first book, and not just a copy. Amazing book!

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense 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

5.0

One of my favorite books of the year! this book is so fun with trending tropes (grumpy sunshine, morally grey love interest, shadow-daddy) but flips a lot of them on their head. It's silly, funny, and doesn't take itself too seriously- yet it still treats trauma and relationships with respect and care. The characters have quirks and foibles which are defined by their backstory, making them feel very human, relatable, fleshed-out, and lovable. 
It includes queer characters, without that being the defining part of who they are (which I love.)
The book isn't poetry or a masterclass in literary writing, but it doesn't try to be. It succeeds monumentally at being not only a funny and cute romance, but also a light fantasty which addresses trauma, relationships, and what it means to be 'good' and 'evil'.
On a personal level I relate to Evie, the main character, and love FMCs who are smart, ditsy, grade-A yappers who manage to endear everyone to them.
This might not be for you if you're looking for a book with technical and poetic prose, or if you dislike characters being a bit of a Mary-Sue. While Evie isn't perfect and her flaws are certainly addressed prominently, things do seem to just work out for her, and she seems to have pretty heavy plot armour.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child abuse

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75