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kinzo103's reviews
95 reviews
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
dark
fast-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? No
5.0
This is what romantasy should be. A well thought out setting, a magic system with boundaries that make sense and still evolve, an intermingling with mythology and history, and a true enemies-to-lovers timeline. I need all the enemies-to-lovers authors to take note of how this relationship develops: slowly. Minimally noted moments of tenderness that do not eclipse the plot. I would barely consider this book in particular a romantasy because the romance is such a subplot, but we’ll see how it develops throughout the rest of the series. This book is a gem in the piles of stories that are too eager to get to the spice.
That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I really wanted to love this book. I was so excited about it for months. However, for me personally, there is too much sex for the length of the story, there are inconsistencies in the storytelling, the incredibly modern vernacular feels out of place, and there are editing issues galore.
That being said, I love the idea behind this story. I think the material is excellent, and would like to have seen this story explored more and spread out over a more detailed timeline.
That being said, I love the idea behind this story. I think the material is excellent, and would like to have seen this story explored more and spread out over a more detailed timeline.
The West Wind by Alexandria Warwick
adventurous
medium-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
4.25
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and the second was no exception. I’ve loved getting to know these characters and flesh out the lore of this world, and I’m excited to see it continue. I love that the main female lead is described as a fat woman, something different than the petite, bird-boned women I’ve come to expect from romantasy books.
My only qualm with this book would be the pacing, which is in part due to the incongruity of time between the human world and the fae world, but even so. Hours seemed to pass in one conversation and it felt like everything happened very rapidly.
My only qualm with this book would be the pacing, which is in part due to the incongruity of time between the human world and the fae world, but even so. Hours seemed to pass in one conversation and it felt like everything happened very rapidly.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
This book has been recommended to me repeatedly throughout the years and I finally gave it a try; I’m so glad I did. As always, the audio version of this book is well worth it. Hearing the author tell her stories is an experience worth enjoying.
I appreciate Glennon’s candor and authenticity. She shares stories that have to be both frightening and cleansing to share, and she communicates those feelings well.
There are several parts of this book where Glennon dropped a line that I had to playback several times to let myself take them in, little nuggets of gold that were so invaluable to me. These are the moments of truth and lesson that make this book worth reading multiple times to absorb the message.
I appreciate Glennon’s candor and authenticity. She shares stories that have to be both frightening and cleansing to share, and she communicates those feelings well.
There are several parts of this book where Glennon dropped a line that I had to playback several times to let myself take them in, little nuggets of gold that were so invaluable to me. These are the moments of truth and lesson that make this book worth reading multiple times to absorb the message.
The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is a classic romantasy if there ever was one. A solid magic system and lore history and a sweet romance. I love the story. It could be a 5 star but everything feels like it moves very quickly, this easily could have been a duology and allowed a better paced evolution of character development. Like how did Reina go from a jealous mean girl to being dead set on ruining the world? A couple places felt like very heavy info dumps, again giving so much info that we don’t really get to explore. And of course, it wouldn’t be a romantasy without the MCs not being able to communicate effectively. Nonetheless, this is an excellent representation of the genre and I highly recommend.
You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
First and foremost, if you want to read this book, heavily consider the audiobook format. Having these stories read by Jessi herself adds something special to every story.
This was the second memoir of Jessi's that I read and she never fails to make me laugh, make me cry, and contemplate what it means to be born in a female body. Her comedic takes on the very real parts of life are intellectual, funny, and for me, very true. It is reassuring and comforting to hear retellings of nearly universal experiences through her filter. From one wolf to another, Jessi's books are always worth picking up and sitting with.
This was the second memoir of Jessi's that I read and she never fails to make me laugh, make me cry, and contemplate what it means to be born in a female body. Her comedic takes on the very real parts of life are intellectual, funny, and for me, very true. It is reassuring and comforting to hear retellings of nearly universal experiences through her filter. From one wolf to another, Jessi's books are always worth picking up and sitting with.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TLDR: If you want a moral descent into madness and futility with characters that you never feel like you really understand, this is your book. This entire book, from the writing to the story, is a delusion of grandeur.
In all honesty, I didn't know how I wanted to rate this book. It is so well written structure-wise, it is beautiful in a pretentious, academic way. The story... I don't even know how I feel. This book is *slow* and yet I couldn't put it down? I desperately wanted it to be over but I was never bored. It is truly an enigma, whether good or bad, I'm not sure. After what I thought was the big reveal and I was only 36% through the book, I wondered what could possibly fill the rest of this book?? And I continued feeling that way through every development, right through the very end. I both hate and love this book. This story successfully captures the idea that you never truly know any of the people around you, no matter what you think.
In all honesty, I didn't know how I wanted to rate this book. It is so well written structure-wise, it is beautiful in a pretentious, academic way. The story... I don't even know how I feel. This book is *slow* and yet I couldn't put it down? I desperately wanted it to be over but I was never bored. It is truly an enigma, whether good or bad, I'm not sure. After what I thought was the big reveal and I was only 36% through the book, I wondered what could possibly fill the rest of this book?? And I continued feeling that way through every development, right through the very end. I both hate and love this book. This story successfully captures the idea that you never truly know any of the people around you, no matter what you think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-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? No
4.5
This book is an excellent mix of history and mystery. It is sad and gut-wrenching and it kept me engaged every minute. The story provides an intimate look into factual medical history and finds real people mixed into a fictional story that creates a mythology of its own. It’s also a great reminder of the very real suffering that was endured to bring modern medicine to where it is now. The characters are authentic and brilliant, I loved them and cried for them and I wish I could read this book again for the first time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault and Slavery
This book heavily features content about maternal deaths in the early 1800s.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
This story is so cute and still feels very real, not too hallmark-y which is what I always expect from a high school romance story. The author writes that she is diagnosed with OCD and the main character, Brad, is her expression of this experience, which makes him even more lovable. This book is funny and still confronts growth and change and being brave enough to face your fears, and while I’ve never met any high schoolers as cool as Celine and Brad, I’d like to think they exist somewhere out there.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
This book is full of whimsy and nonsense and I loved every minute of it. It’s kind of like falling down the rabbit hole into a wonderland of badass women and flying houses. The dry humor mixed with the frivolity of proper English society and women that don’t care about anything except their reputation makes for a very fun story. I wish that we had seen more evolution of Cecelia’s mindset regarding Miss Darlington and her own autonomy.