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hann_cant_read's reviews
431 reviews
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
fast-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? It's complicated
2.25
This was my second Julie Soto book, and I might give her one more go because I can see the potential but I'm not overwhelmed with excitement.
I know the music aspect / switching between the violin and the cello / the orchestra hierarchy irritated a lot of people because it wasn't realistic, but as someone who has literally no background in music I was able to suspend my disbelief for that pretty easily. (I can see how that would be a deal breaker if you're familiar with the industry, but I'm not so it wasn't something that bothered me.)
This book relied on the miscommunication trope soooo heavily. To the point where the things the main characters WERE communicating didn't make any sense. Xander's criticisms of Gwen's playing were actually him admiring how amazing she was? Are we in kindergarten?
I'm also not a fan of insta-love, which it felt like this book was supposed to be rivals to lovers but there was no build up. They just suddenly were banging like rabbits and saying "I love you" with no relationship development at all.
Gwen as a character felt like a child. She's written as if she's so self aware but constantly makes stupid impulsive decisions. The villains of the story were spelled out right at the beginning of the book, but she just keeps ignoring everyone's stories and warnings and all of her gut feelings, and then is shocked and confused when the villains do something villainous to her.
I will say, even if most of the music politics didn't bother me,the fact that she legitimately couldn't relax and just play, makes it feel like an absolutely insane choice to make her first chair. publicity gimmick or not. Potential doesn't mean she's ready for that?!?
Xander / Alex was I think supposed to be aloof and mysterious but he just came across as condescending.
The 3rd act breakup was so random and frustrating. It relied so heavily on the characters just accepting the villains behavior. Literally zero character growth throughout the entire story. And then the resolution was them just ...changing their minds and quitting their jobs? Luckily there was that lawyer Gwen's roommate just started dating who specializes in contracts.
Everyone coming together and resolving their decades long issues over a holiday meal, and just having an impromptu jam session felt so gimmicky. If all it took was a quick chat to solve everything then why did it take decades to happen?
My last complaint is less about the story and more just a personal gripe, but the fact that Ama (the FMC from her previous book, Forget Me Not) kept showing up got really annoying really quickly. The first time she was spotted was fine, a cute little Easter egg, but then she just. kept. appearing. She didn't add anything to the story, it was clearly supposed to be a little tongue in cheek, but it was just distracting from the main story.
I know the music aspect / switching between the violin and the cello / the orchestra hierarchy irritated a lot of people because it wasn't realistic, but as someone who has literally no background in music I was able to suspend my disbelief for that pretty easily. (I can see how that would be a deal breaker if you're familiar with the industry, but I'm not so it wasn't something that bothered me.)
This book relied on the miscommunication trope soooo heavily. To the point where the things the main characters WERE communicating didn't make any sense. Xander's criticisms of Gwen's playing were actually him admiring how amazing she was? Are we in kindergarten?
I'm also not a fan of insta-love, which it felt like this book was supposed to be rivals to lovers but there was no build up. They just suddenly were banging like rabbits and saying "I love you" with no relationship development at all.
Gwen as a character felt like a child. She's written as if she's so self aware but constantly makes stupid impulsive decisions. The villains of the story were spelled out right at the beginning of the book, but she just keeps ignoring everyone's stories and warnings and all of her gut feelings, and then is shocked and confused when the villains do something villainous to her.
I will say, even if most of the music politics didn't bother me,
Xander / Alex was I think supposed to be aloof and mysterious but he just came across as condescending.
The 3rd act breakup was so random and frustrating.
My last complaint is less about the story and more just a personal gripe, but the fact that Ama (the FMC from her previous book, Forget Me Not) kept showing up got really annoying really quickly. The first time she was spotted was fine, a cute little Easter egg, but then she just. kept. appearing. She didn't add anything to the story, it was clearly supposed to be a little tongue in cheek, but it was just distracting from the main story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I was so intrigued by the premise, but the execution fell flat for me.
I had such a hard time getting invested in the story. It almost felt like I was reading a detailed outline, or that I was being told <i>about</i> the story rather than being immersed in it.
There was so many extra details that did nothing to drive the plot or story - it felt like the author wanted us to know how much research was done for this story. So we got detailed descriptions of architecture or clothing or food, but surprisingly little about the actual magic system except when it was directly relevant - which in turn made the ending much more predictable. (Although I'd rather the ending be predictable and actually make sense than it be a twist with no lead up, so there's that.)
The timeline bouncing was also very weird, and made the pacing that much more strange. Bouncing back to her origins didn't build any suspense about how she was sent away / we didn't learn anything extra from it because she also thought about those events in the later timeline.
The random POV's from Lucia and Piero thrown in when it was convenient for the plot was also a little jarring since we had been exclusively with Ginevra up until those two random chapters.
This is probably a problem related to the inability to immerse myself in the story, but the relationships all felt extremely one dimensional. Taddea and Ginevra were friends I guess? I was told they were,until they had their falling out. But then they made up, but then Taddea blamed her again I guess for some reason. I don't know why any of these things happened.
Lucia as an entire character felt more like a plot device than a person. Their friendship was just Ginevra explaining what she needed to do to her and by extension the audience.
Zenobia / that family storyline was such a roundabout way for her to accidentally discover the cure. The gravedigger coming out of nowhere to save them at the trial with his jokes...okay, sure?
I read and loved The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, and this book did have a lot of similarities when it came to themes (religious persecution, the intertwining of magic and luck) I just wish it had been executed better.
I had such a hard time getting invested in the story. It almost felt like I was reading a detailed outline, or that I was being told <i>about</i> the story rather than being immersed in it.
There was so many extra details that did nothing to drive the plot or story - it felt like the author wanted us to know how much research was done for this story. So we got detailed descriptions of architecture or clothing or food, but surprisingly little about the actual magic system except when it was directly relevant - which in turn made the ending much more predictable. (Although I'd rather the ending be predictable and actually make sense than it be a twist with no lead up, so there's that.)
The timeline bouncing was also very weird, and made the pacing that much more strange. Bouncing back to her origins didn't build any suspense about how she was sent away / we didn't learn anything extra from it because she also thought about those events in the later timeline.
The random POV's from Lucia and Piero thrown in when it was convenient for the plot was also a little jarring since we had been exclusively with Ginevra up until those two random chapters.
This is probably a problem related to the inability to immerse myself in the story, but the relationships all felt extremely one dimensional. Taddea and Ginevra were friends I guess? I was told they were,
Lucia as an entire character felt more like a plot device than a person. Their friendship was just Ginevra explaining what she needed to do to her and by extension the audience.
I read and loved The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, and this book did have a lot of similarities when it came to themes (religious persecution, the intertwining of magic and luck) I just wish it had been executed better.
Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
DNF at 58%
I just couldn't keep going. It was dragging so much and the plot wasn't going anywhere. The back and forth between the different timelines just kept ruining any momentum I gained (albeit not much, because I was not invested in either timeline.)
The whole story just feels like fanfiction and a trope checkbox list. I had issues with the first in this series but I really believed it had potential if the author could get a better editor / plot out the full story, but I'm giving up hope.
The characters are so flat - the trauma is used to manufacture drama and it's just not believable nor am I particularly invested in it. The relationships are volatile for no reason - they have blow ups that come out of nowhere and make up so quickly with no real depth.
I found myself hate reading / dreading going back to finish so I'm just calling it quits.
I just couldn't keep going. It was dragging so much and the plot wasn't going anywhere. The back and forth between the different timelines just kept ruining any momentum I gained (albeit not much, because I was not invested in either timeline.)
The whole story just feels like fanfiction and a trope checkbox list. I had issues with the first in this series but I really believed it had potential if the author could get a better editor / plot out the full story, but I'm giving up hope.
The characters are so flat - the trauma is used to manufacture drama and it's just not believable nor am I particularly invested in it. The relationships are volatile for no reason - they have blow ups that come out of nowhere and make up so quickly with no real depth.
I found myself hate reading / dreading going back to finish so I'm just calling it quits.
Masters of Death by Olivie Blake
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Masters of Death by Olivie Blake is about a Vampire real estate agent trying to sell a haunted house. Except, not at all, really. It’s actually layers and layers of what it means to be mortal, what makes life worth living, and the human condition as seen through the eyes of humans and celestial beings alike.
I loved this book. But I can see why it’s not for everyone. While there is an overarching plot, it is the characters ultimately that drive the story forward, which usually is not my cup of tea! But these characters? Their morals and motivations and interpersonal dynamics? I couldn’t get enough.
The writing felt very Shakespearean, with lyrical banter and descriptions. It’s very theme focused, so at times it was a little tricky to follow along, and I found myself having to re-read a passage or two to try and decipher all the subtext. Like a lot of fantasy, there are certain elements that you just have to know will click at some point if you keep going - which in a weird inception / breaking the 4th wall kind of way ties back to her reoccurring theme of what it means to be mortal in an immortal world.
This was my first Olivie Blake book, so I don’t know if that style is consistent across the board with her, but I’ll find out soon.
I loved this book. But I can see why it’s not for everyone. While there is an overarching plot, it is the characters ultimately that drive the story forward, which usually is not my cup of tea! But these characters? Their morals and motivations and interpersonal dynamics? I couldn’t get enough.
The writing felt very Shakespearean, with lyrical banter and descriptions. It’s very theme focused, so at times it was a little tricky to follow along, and I found myself having to re-read a passage or two to try and decipher all the subtext. Like a lot of fantasy, there are certain elements that you just have to know will click at some point if you keep going - which in a weird inception / breaking the 4th wall kind of way ties back to her reoccurring theme of what it means to be mortal in an immortal world.
This was my first Olivie Blake book, so I don’t know if that style is consistent across the board with her, but I’ll find out soon.
The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved the Scarlet Alchemist, this one took me a little longer to get into. Once I hit about 50% though I breezed through the remaining half.
I really really loved the conclusion of the Empress' story, but the way the two story lines ended separately felt kind of disconnected. The Alchemy/Penglai Island conclusion felt like it was an extended epilogue more than an actual conclusion of the entire story.
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Wicked King by Holly Black
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had tried to read this traditionally and ended up dnfing because I wasn't in the right headspace for it. I just re-picked it up, but went with the audio this time and it was a game changer. I ended up falling in love with the story, and I actually liked it better than the first one by the end.
Some points were predictable (but I'm a firm believer that predictable doesn't always mean bad - better a predictable storyline than a wild twist that makes no sense...aka my issue with the first book)
Some plot points I didn't predict and I was pleasantly surprised with the reveals. They were set up so nicely!!
All in all, I recommend the audio version and that's definitely how I will be reading Wisteria when it comes out.
Some points were predictable (but I'm a firm believer that predictable doesn't always mean bad - better a predictable storyline than a wild twist that makes no sense...aka my issue with the first book)
Some plot points I didn't predict and I was pleasantly surprised with the reveals. They were set up so nicely!!
All in all, I recommend the audio version and that's definitely how I will be reading Wisteria when it comes out.