story_goblin's reviews
354 reviews

The Rift, Part 2 by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Gene Luen Yang

Go to review page

4.0

The Rift, Part 1 by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Gene Luen Yang

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

Go to review page

challenging dark funny hopeful reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

Extremely unique, wildly vivid, and perfectly grotesque in all aspects. Several elements of being human are exaggerated and then dissected before being pinned in a display case. And yet, it is ultimately hopeful. 
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

The core premise/the magical realism element is a really fascinating idea, but the book fails to really deliver. I think the characterization is the weakest element. All the main characters are really defined by one main trait (Nell is Stubborn, for example). Because the characters are not fully fleshed out,
as each person adds their pieces of the story, there are no unique voices; it sounds like more narration instead of a character speaking.
I also found most of the mystery elements not very mysterious. If the intention was to use dramatic irony to build tension, I don’t think it worked due to the lack of strong characterization.
I absolutely clocked both secret identities and how the villain was moving unseen way early and, instead of building tension, it slowed the story down as I waited for the characters to catch on.
Lastly, I feel like some of the characters’ motivations were not well explained. 
City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious reflective tense slow-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

3.5

I really liked the idea of this story, but it just takes a really long time for things ti start happening.
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book was very slow to start. I don't think I got truly invested in the characters, the main plot, OR the mystery element until roughly half to two-thirds of the way into the book. I was planning to give it 3 stars because I still really liked the idea of the book even if I felt like it was too slowly executed, but the last 3rd of the book was compelling enough to raise it to 3.75 stars.
Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Nimona by ND Stevenson

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

I’m really glad I finally read this. 💜
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

Showcases pure joy in the face of extreme hate 💜

After the Hearing scene, I got nervous and expected to struggle through sections because the story’s villains are the exact type of people that make me the angriest. However, I should not have worried. For the entire rest of the book, joy firmly outweighs the hate and anger from the villains. 
Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This trilogy was AMAZING- the scope of Wheel of Time/Cosmere, but more vibrant and diverse. When does the box set come out?? I mean, the audiobooks were fantastic with their full cast, but I’m eager to reread at my own pace/be able to flip back to reread things that become important later/etc.