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rdmoreland0801's reviews
258 reviews
Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this was least favorite in the series. Spensa is once again off in a different world doing her own thing while her friends are frantically trying to keep the DDF afloat.
While I enjoy Spensa’s solo adventures, I didn’t feel like the story was moved along at all. The function of the Nowhere is still confusing and kinda feels like everything is more convenient than actually solved.
Still enjoyable, but looking forward to getting the gang back together.
While I enjoy Spensa’s solo adventures, I didn’t feel like the story was moved along at all. The function of the Nowhere is still confusing and kinda feels like everything is more convenient than actually solved.
Still enjoyable, but looking forward to getting the gang back together.
Thrive by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-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
4.5
I love Lily and Lo even more after this book. It broke my heart that Lo slipped in his sobriety after so long and that it’s so much easier to do it over and over again.
Lily and Lo have thrown out the list of “suggestions” from her therapist. It’s hard to tell if she’s also slipping in her recovery, or if she’s able to actually manage without the added structure.
Lo is terrified of being a father, but it could turn out to be the greatest thing he’s ever done. I hope that this is the thing that turns their lives away from their addictions and toward a healthy future.
I also really enjoy seeing Rose and Connor’s relationship from Lily and Lo’s POV. You can really feel the admiration and respect they have for their love. I almost feel like we get a truer view of the relationships from an outside perspective.
Lily and Lo have thrown out the list of “suggestions” from her therapist. It’s hard to tell if she’s also slipping in her recovery, or if she’s able to actually manage without the added structure.
Lo is terrified of being a father, but it could turn out to be the greatest thing he’s ever done. I hope that this is the thing that turns their lives away from their addictions and toward a healthy future.
I also really enjoy seeing Rose and Connor’s relationship from Lily and Lo’s POV. You can really feel the admiration and respect they have for their love. I almost feel like we get a truer view of the relationships from an outside perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Hothouse Flower by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.5
Daisy and Ryke’s relationship starts off as fast friends, despite the age difference. Ryke feels a sense of duty to protect Daisy and is drawn to her over and over.
Their friendship may have been borderline inappropriate, but Ryke tried hard not to fall for her and he didn’t touch her until she was eighteen. I don’t think he would have crossed the line prior to that.
I liked seeing more of Daisy being carefree, as she is the most sheltered Calloway sister. The relationship between them is wild, reckless, all in.
I especially adored seeing the other relationships from Ryke and Daisy’s POVs. They make them seem even sweeter than in their own books. This book made me fall even more in love with Lily and Lo.
Their friendship may have been borderline inappropriate, but Ryke tried hard not to fall for her and he didn’t touch her until she was eighteen. I don’t think he would have crossed the line prior to that.
I liked seeing more of Daisy being carefree, as she is the most sheltered Calloway sister. The relationship between them is wild, reckless, all in.
I especially adored seeing the other relationships from Ryke and Daisy’s POVs. They make them seem even sweeter than in their own books. This book made me fall even more in love with Lily and Lo.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Although I was slightly confused by the ending, I think it was appropriate. El and Orion were never normal. They were both born for a specific purpose, bringing balance to each other and the world.
El really came into her own in this book. She finally understood why her life played out the way it did, knowing her purpose. She has always had good intentions and people were finally able to see that.
Her friends along the way really helped push the story along and each had their role in El’s life.
Although this is not a romance, I’m glad we still got to see little bits and pieces of El and Orion being sweet to each other.
El really came into her own in this book. She finally understood why her life played out the way it did, knowing her purpose. She has always had good intentions and people were finally able to see that.
Her friends along the way really helped push the story along and each had their role in El’s life.
Although this is not a romance, I’m glad we still got to see little bits and pieces of El and Orion being sweet to each other.
Kiss the Sky by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
4.5
Oh, how interesting Rose and Connor are. They’re both super intelligent and incredibly hard-headed. After years of tension, they’re finally together.
Rose and Connor push each other to be better versions of themselves. Rose has a hard time letting go of control, and Connor shows her that losing control can be healthy. Connor doesn’t know how to live, but Rose sticks with him because she can sense his love even though he won’t say it.
I also loved to see Lily and Lo’s relationship through their eyes. They are helping with their addictions, but you can also feel the incredible way Lily and Lo love each other. I think Rose and Connor learn a lot more from them than they realize.
Cutest thing ever: Connor proposing to Rose at the wedding they hijacked from Lily and Lo. ❤️
<spoilet>
Rose and Connor push each other to be better versions of themselves. Rose has a hard time letting go of control, and Connor shows her that losing control can be healthy. Connor doesn’t know how to live, but Rose sticks with him because she can sense his love even though he won’t say it.
I also loved to see Lily and Lo’s relationship through their eyes. They are helping with their addictions, but you can also feel the incredible way Lily and Lo love each other. I think Rose and Connor learn a lot more from them than they realize.
Cutest thing ever: Connor proposing to Rose at the wedding they hijacked from Lily and Lo. ❤️
<spoilet>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Breaker is no doubt the best Cane brother. He’s smart, sweet, and nerdy. His friendship with Lia is so incredibly adorable. I’m a sucker for friends to lovers.
I have no idea how it took them ten years to realize they’re meant to be together, but I’m glad they finally got there. They just click. Their relationship seemed the most natural out of the three.
I’m also glad Breaker set Birdy up with Penn. I really liked her character and hope to see more of her.
Also, Brian sucks and his mom is literally the worst.
I have no idea how it took them ten years to realize they’re meant to be together, but I’m glad they finally got there. They just click. Their relationship seemed the most natural out of the three.
I’m also glad Breaker set Birdy up with Penn. I really liked her character and hope to see more of her.
Also, Brian sucks and his mom is literally the worst.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed this. It was a nice little sci-fi palette cleanser.
There’s not really a plot, it’s more just vibes. Sometimes that’s all you need.
There’s not really a plot, it’s more just vibes. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
What an amazing conclusion to this trilogy!
There was so much going on with everyone spread out all over the place. There was betrayal, heartbreak, and even new love.
I know some people will hate how much romance there was in this book, but I absolutely loved it.
Harristan and Quint have my heart. They were so genuine and Quint was so patient with him. I’m so glad we got to see their happy ending.
Eric and Olive were also adorable. I just knew he couldn’t resist little Elmo. Now they have their own bundle of joy on the way.
Even Ben and Alice had their cute little love story, ending with an engagement.
Kari and Lochlan are moving into the castle, as he is the new King’s Justice. I absolutely loved seeing his and Corrick’s friendship blossom throughout this book.
Corrick is now king and he has died Tessa to be his queen.
I was absolutely devastated from the moment Corrick and Tessa stepped off the ship from Ostriary to cries of “long live the king.”
While it would have been a solid ending to leave it there, I’m so glad we got to see Harristan and Quint, now living as Sullivan and Miller, even with their own stables. I don’t think there could have been a better ending.
There was so much going on with everyone spread out all over the place. There was betrayal, heartbreak, and even new love.
I know some people will hate how much romance there was in this book, but I absolutely loved it.
Harristan and Quint have my heart. They were so genuine and Quint was so patient with him. I’m so glad we got to see their happy ending.
Eric and Olive were also adorable. I just knew he couldn’t resist little Elmo. Now they have their own bundle of joy on the way.
Even Ben and Alice had their cute little love story, ending with an engagement.
Kari and Lochlan are moving into the castle, as he is the new King’s Justice. I absolutely loved seeing his and Corrick’s friendship blossom throughout this book.
Corrick is now king and he has died Tessa to be his queen.
I was absolutely devastated from the moment Corrick and Tessa stepped off the ship from Ostriary to cries of “long live the king.”
While it would have been a solid ending to leave it there, I’m so glad we got to see Harristan and Quint, now living as Sullivan and Miller, even with their own stables. I don’t think there could have been a better ending.
Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
After calming the rebel uprising, Tessa and company work to save all of Kandala while working with the rebel leaders. Tensions are still high when Captain Blakemore arrives from the neighboring country of Ostriary.
Tessa and Corrick decided to go to Ostriary with Blakemore to attempt a a trade agreement - steel for moonflower. As a show of good faith, they take the rebel leader Lachlan with them, leaving Harristan to navigate the divided kingdom on his own.
After Tessa receives input from Lachlan and Blakemore about Corrick, she begins to question her already strained relationship with the prince.
Everybody is on edge and nobody is truly who they say they are. Betrayal is on the open sea and throughout the kingdom of Kandala.
Tessa is left in a foreign country, betrayed by those around her, and now grieving for the man she loves once again.
Tessa and Corrick decided to go to Ostriary with Blakemore to attempt a a trade agreement - steel for moonflower. As a show of good faith, they take the rebel leader Lachlan with them, leaving Harristan to navigate the divided kingdom on his own.
After Tessa receives input from Lachlan and Blakemore about Corrick, she begins to question her already strained relationship with the prince.
Everybody is on edge and nobody is truly who they say they are. Betrayal is on the open sea and throughout the kingdom of Kandala.
Tessa is left in a foreign country, betrayed by those around her, and now grieving for the man she loves once again.
Addicted For Now by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
I definitely enjoyed seeing Lo and Lily together as a true couple for once. They went through tough times in this book, but they decided they loved each other more than their addictions.
I love how much and how hard Lo loves Lily, it’s so sweet. I know their relationship is slightly toxic, but I think they’d both be worse off without each other.
Also such a great cast of side characters and can’t wait to read the stories from the other Calloway sisters.
I love how much and how hard Lo loves Lily, it’s so sweet. I know their relationship is slightly toxic, but I think they’d both be worse off without each other.
Also such a great cast of side characters and can’t wait to read the stories from the other Calloway sisters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship