Gina Lucia
Jumping back into the story with The Dragon Republic was a breeze. And what a story it is! Kuang delivers a gritty, realistic narrative that pulls no punches.
The character development is tough, and while many of the characters are unlikeable, there's something strangely compelling about them.
From the get-go, I was fully invested. Kuang does a masterful job of making the main character unlikeable yet undeniably real, especially considering the harsh realities of war and the difficult decisions it forces people to make.
The Dragon Republic is not for the faint of heart. It's a brutal, uncomfortable read that keeps you on edge constantly. But that's also what makes it so good.
While the story maintains a relentless pace, it does drag a bit during some repetitive moments. However, this doesn't detract too much from the overall experience.
While it may not be perfect, The Dragon Republic is an excellent next step in this trilogy and I'm looking forward to the last.
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First off, big kudos for the content warning - it's always appreciated.
Right out of the gate, the writing had me hooked. It flows well, is engaging, and is very easy to read.
Now, onto the fun bits. This book is a whirlwind, with moments of cheesy delight and sauciness that keep things interesting. The plot and world-building hold up pretty well (although I would have liked more world-building), and the character development is a plus.
However, there's a hiccup with the ‘not like other girls' trope, which isn't exactly my cup of tea.
Personally, I would've preferred a slower burn. Things start feeling a bit repetitive later on, which dampens the excitement.
And while it's a good read overall, there were moments where it dragged a bit.
But hey, despite its flaws, The Lost God offers a fun escape, especially if you're up for some light-hearted adventure.
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Sleep Like Death is a YA fairytale reimagining filled with twists, turns, and some horror to boot.
First off, let me just say that while this book didn't work for me, it doesn't mean it won't work for you. I'll explain why.
Sleep Like Death jumps right into the story, and while I enjoyed the first chapter, I feel like I missed something. That something was a way to feel connected to the main character.
I feel like I missed a crucial step in her story before I even got going. A way for me to understand her character, her personality, and what makes her tick. Because I didn't get that, for the rest of the book, I struggled to feel a connection to her.
Now, onto the spooky stuff. This book has some horror vibes, which I enjoyed. It gets pretty dark and gruesome, which can be a cool twist in a fairytale retelling. I definitely wasn't expecting it.
Speaking of the retelling, sometimes the nods to the original fairytale felt a bit forced. I put this down to style, but for me, it pulled me out of the story a little too often.
Overall, I appreciate the spin on classic fairytales, but the tone and character motivations just didn't vibe with me. Again, this is personal. This style may work perfectly for you.
But hey, credit where it's due - the writing flows smoothly, and Bayron sure knows how to set a scene. I definitely felt the atmosphere, even if the rest didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a sweet, if slightly predictable quick, and cosy read.
If you're looking for a pallet cleanser that gives you those good feelings while probably making you hungry, this should do the trick.
There's nothing groundbreaking in terms of story or characters here, but I'm pretty sure there's not meant to be. It's just gentle, cosy, low-stakes fun.
Plus, there are some recipes at the back of the book, so you can put together the food within the story. A bonus!
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An Education in Malice offers a slow-burning story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the moment when everything will ignite.
Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect from this retelling, but it quickly became apparent that this was more of an adaptation. One that I very much enjoyed.
Gibson's attention to detail is remarkable, with the senses playing a vital role in every scene, whether mundane or fantastical. Every sight, smell, and sound is painted so vividly, it's like you're right there in the story.
While the writing is undeniably beautiful, I found myself wishing for deeper character development. The main character's growth stumbled a little for me, with her background serving more as an anecdote than a driving force behind her actions.
Despite this, the book's ending left me wanting more, even if it felt a tad rushed. Oh, and if we're talking spice, yeah, there are some steamy scenes in there. So, if you're into that, you won't be disappointed.
The writing is beautiful, and the mix of reality and the supernatural is done just right. So, if you're up for a dark, tense read with a big slice of sapphic spice, give An Education in Malice a shot.
Thank you Orbit books for the advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Live Like a Goddess is a fun and intriguing mix of mythology stories from around the world and personal development.
Each chapter talks about a particular goddess, tells her story, and relates that story to a kind of personal development message.
The stories themselves stood out as a highlight for me. They're written well and are very condensed and short, so you can absorb the story quickly.
The personal development side of the book was done with intention, it was gentle and filled with good advice, but this advice was very surface-level. Each section was about a page and a half of almost post-it note-style advice that I would have enjoyed more had it been fleshed out and more in-depth.
I enjoyed the premise of this book, the structure, and, of course, the gorgeous illustrations. If you're looking for a quick read you can pick up and put down, this is a great option.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
If you're wondering whether you should re-read the Eragon series before giving Murtagh a go, I'd say maybe.
The author does a good job of keeping you up to date gradually via a drip feed of information, but in general, the world and its lore are quite vast, so I'd proceed with caution.
Overall, as far as a re-introduction to the series, Murtagh was pretty entertaining, although it did falter at a few points.
The story stumbled around halfway due to the repetitive nature of Murtagh's situation. The book probably could have either been condensed or split in two with some slight changes to the story to make it work a little better.
I will say that I understand the decision to not include some key characters to give Murtagh himself some time to shine, but a little closer on that front would have been helpful. If only to solidify the idea that there won't be another book. Because right now, I'm unsure.
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This book blew me away.
It took a while for me to grasp each character as an individual, but I think that's the point because they, fairly quickly, start to become completely different beings, all going in multiple directions but barging into one another.
I love the way the book handles the trans character. Showing us the internal and external struggle but moving it forward in a gentle and pleasing way. It's part of the story, but it doesn't overshadow or undershadow it.
So unexpected, emotional, gripping, and thoughtful. A tense but enjoyable ride.
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Ruthless Vows did not disappoint. As a duology follow-up, I'd say it far surpasses Divine Rivals, and that on its own is a great book.
If you're looking for a duology that doesn't disappoint, let it be this one.
It's filled with romance, intriguing world-building, action, and an incredible amount of heart-pounding scenarios that had me racing through the book.
As far as series go, this one is seriously satisfying.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Yes, Heather Fawcett has done it again!
I dove into Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands and was instantly reminded of the dynamic between the two main characters. Their relationship is a mix of humor, sweet moments, and complicated thoughts and feelings.
At first, the story took its time to unfold, and I found myself wishing things would pick up a bit faster. But once the story hit its stride in the second half, I was hooked. I honestly devoured it.
The protagonist, especially, is a character I found myself relating to – she's smart, knows her value, and yet, she's always winding up in some kind of predicament because of this. I'm sure a lot of readers can relate to her.
I have to be honest, though – the slow start did make me hesitate a bit, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. The cozy vibe of the book does pair well with the leisurely pace at the beginning, but for me, it just took a little too long to really get into the thick of the story.
But once the book picked up, it was a fantastic story. I can't wait for the next one!
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi is a fantastic, intense, and emotional read. Adeyemi expertly blends emotions with logic, drawing us into a world where every character's struggle feels incredibly authentic.
The characters themselves are what really make Adeyemi's writing stand out. They are beautifully flawed, making hasty decisions influenced by a mix of intense emotions - something we can all relate to.
This book delves into the complexities of leadership and the impact of decisions. It's honestly a wild and troubling ride.
Listening to the audiobook version adds another layer to the experience, making the story even more immersive and intense. If you debating on picking it up as an audiobook, I highly recommend it. Bahni Turpin did an amazing job.
The relentless pace of the book, with one high-stakes situation after another, is the reason for my four-star rating. A few moments of calm within the storm would have made a big difference.
Overall, Children of Virtue and Vengeance is an engaging, thought-provoking read that stays with you. Definitely worth picking up.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel ( ttps://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt).
The Stardust Thief was a fantastic read. I got so immersed in the storytelling I forgot to write many notes so this review will be brief.
I loved this take on classic stories (One Thousand and One Nights) because so many times I forgot it was based on them. The story was so captivating, and the characters so interesting, I got lost in it.
If you're looking for a book that weaves Middle Eastern folktales, with modern storytelling, complicated characters, and a plot that I'm absolutely excited to continue reading - give this a go.
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I read The Dark Is Rising for a global readathon and honestly, had it not been for the readathon, I wouldn't have picked this up. I'm glad I did though.
The Dark Is Rising doesn't read like a children's book. The only real hint you get is a lot of repetition throughout (although it's quite poetic) and the fact that the MC is a child.
It starts by feeling like a small story but it grows as you read each chapter into something that feels huge, magical, and completely weird.
It has real moments of beauty and some images and themes that will stay with me until I read it again next year.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I kinda knew I'd love Bonesmith from the cover alone. Badass woman MC meets necromancy? Yes, please!
The main character didn't disappoint. Wren is full of flaws, has kindness in her, but takes no crap. She's self-aware and confident, which makes her a pleasure to read.
The plot seems straightforward, but is anything but. I have a feeling this world is going to grow and grow, and I'm in it for the ride.
Overall, fantastic, the perfect blend of action, adventure, intrigue, and all woven with necromancy. Really enjoyed it.
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The Blood Traitorl kicks off with a lengthy process of gathering its scattered characters, feeling more like a headcount than an epic start. There was a lot of tell and don't show due to this, which made for a start that dragged.
As for the story, it often got stuck on repeat with the characters' relationships, especially Kiva's constant struggle for recognition. I was itching for the plot to break free from these loops and really take off but it didn't feel like it ever did.
The plot mechanics felt overly convenient, with events engineered just to push characters together. I won't go into each of these, but let's just say this book felt like fan service, rather than a finale.
What started as a promising gritty fantasy gradually morphs into a lighter romantasy, which wasn't quite what I signed up for. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a love story, but I was hoping for more depth and complexity.
Jaren was my biggest disappointment in this book. He is the biggest walking red flag I have ever seen. His relationship with Kiva is not only unbelievable but incredibly toxic. I actually didn't want them to get together in the end because of this - although you know they do.
In all fairness, the book is well-crafted and offers some entertainment value. It just didn't deliver the epic experience I was anticipating. For those who enjoy a blend of romance and fantasy, this might hit the mark.
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3.5 stars
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is a continuation of my favourite sci-fi book. The humour is very British, very surreal, and without end.
It's this last point that made this read a bit of a struggle for me. The comedy is almost constant, which actually grates a bit. It's hard to keep up when absolutely everything is very strange and/or funny. I needed a little relief at key moments, a bit of quiet in between the chaos.
Perhaps it's just the stage of life I'm in right now, but it's one of those series you can't binge-read. You need to take each book as it comes, have a break, and perhaps come back to the next. Because honestly, it's like a slap in the face.
I'm always nervous to continue a series long after I've finished it, even if it is a prequel of sorts.
You never know if you've changed too much to still enjoy the world and characters, or if the author's writing or storytelling just isn't the same as it once was.
But I needn't have been worried because The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was great.
We drop right back into the cruelty of this dystopian world, which is both nostalgic and unsettling. We get to see more of how the Hunger Games was created, more of its origin story, and more explanation/backstory for things that happen within the original series.
It was an enjoyable read, especially if you cast aside any expectations. It's never going to live up to our fondness for the original series. It doesn't have that freshness, that excitement. But it does contain some nice closure for a series that helped me through a lot.
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Divine Rivals is a book filled with a mix of myth and wartime, and while I'm not usually keen on experiencing war through fiction (unless I'm there to learn), Ross never lets me down.
Ross has a knack for blending something tragic with moments of sweetness that either leave you feeling joy, or a strange sense of sadness.
Perhaps it's the general themes or link to WW1, but the way the author touches on these moments, and gives us a glimpse into the very human side of war, made this an incredibly immersive book. I was locked in until the end.
Ross does an amazing job of character development. Gradually allowing us to see a character's full personality through how they react to the situations they're put in and how they interact with others. It was beautifully done.
Relationship-building was the only thing that brought it down from 5 to 4 stars. I understand the period it's vaguely set in influences this, but it didn't quite work for me.
Divine Rivals is a book filled with emotion. It's sad, unexpected, deeply moving, and very nostalgic. I've already pre-ordered the next one.
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I'm at a little bit of a loss with this one. It was entertaining, sure, but it felt like a different series come the end.
Oraya was a deep character. Flawed, traumatised, angry, and despite all that, incredibly impressive. She allowed us to see into a deeply political and brutal world but from an outside perspective.
This alone gave the series some serious bite (pun intended), but this second book, went in a whole different direction. A direction that felt too much like a lot of other romantasy stories. I'm a little disappointed.
For over 600 pages of action-packed story, not a lot happens. There's lots of talk, lots of glaring, but not enough of what we got from the first book.
An entertaining duology and great to see vampires holding some weight in the romantasy genre, but not the kind of end I was looking for.
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What a finish to an epic series! I loved every minute of this journey, and although I'm sad it's over, it was a very satisfying end.
Throughout the series, Amara makes a lot of comparisons between her life and Greek and Roman mythology as she takes in monuments, tributes, and frescos. But in this book, I feel like these references were much more common. Mostly because she had a lot of reflecting to do and a lot of choices to make.
If you know these tales, her commentary and comparison to her life really enhance the story. Makes it much more relatable, in a strange way.
In general, this book really amps it up. Elodie Harper does a fantastic job of making such a complicated and difficult life, something relatable. Her way of describing relationships, and how she develops characters makes you fall in love with the characters.
It doesn't matter if they're put through stressful situations, trauma, or the intricacies of daily life. You want to be there for all of it.
This series was amazing, don't miss out by not reading it.
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The House of Many Ways revisits more of what you'd expect from a sequel to Howl's Moving Castle. Although, of course, it's the third book in the trilogy.
Gone are the racist stereotypes, fatphobia, and sexism (for the most part), and instead, we're left with a magical story set inside an even more magical house. This book is whimsical, joyful, and quite creative - much better.
Although this book has a lot of charm, it's also kind of boring. Not a lot happens until the latter half, and although usually, that can lend itself to cosy vibes (being in a magical house and all), it sadly doesn't.
The MC was also quite frustrating. Clueless at one moment, incredibly intelligent in the next. I wanted more from her.
All in all, it felt like this book was written as fan service for the series. Re-visiting many fan-favorite characters in interesting ways. But for me, it felt a little flat. Enjoyable, but not something I'd read again.
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Here we go people, time to re-visit Viv the Orc and her cosy adventures. This time before she starts her story in Legends & Lattes.
I'm talking bakery treats, musty books, a shop that needs some serious TLC, and... necromancers?!
Because Bookshops & Bonedust is book 0, as in it comes before L&L, the story itself is slightly different. Instead of full-pelt cosy, we've got a blend.
Viv turns up at a new location, asks for favours from townsfolk, and subsequently builds relationships. Sounds similar so far, and although it is, it's also a little bit more than that.
Woven into the story is adventure and quest. Where Viv juggles her instinct for battle and bravery with her growing feelings and pull towards a simpler life.
There's not as much cosy atmosphere in this book as there was with L&L due to the way the story is structured. It's there, but it's a bit more subtle. Depending on the level of cosy you're expecting, this could be a good or bad thing.
The romance is also very light-touch and incredibly subtle. Its sole purpose is to give Viv a bit of a backstory or journey, but I would have liked it to get a bit more focus personally.
One of the things I did appreciate is the number of women in the book. Especially considering it's not usual for high fantasy, of this kind anyway, to have too many and written so casually too.
Overall, Bookshops & Bonedust is a fun read. It's light, easy, and what you'd come to expect from Travis Baldree's excellent writing.
Thank you Tor Books and Black Crow PR for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Ah, I love a good duology, and this was fantastic!
While One Dark Window was a dark and stormy adventure, Two Twisted Crowns went deeper, explored more, and wrapped everything up in one very satisfying bow.
The second book in this duology allowed us to see more from some side characters, which I particularly enjoyed.
Let's just say the author does a great job of making every character in the duology feel real. So when you get to see a little more of some of them, it makes you want to see more of them all.
Rachel Gillig does a fantastic job of blending the story. You get moments of action and darkness with breaks of sweetness. It gives you hope but allows you to look forward to more of both while not feeling like you're missing a thing.
A winding, heart-pounding story that's haunting, slightly gruesome, gritty, and sweet all at the same time. Not drawn out at all. Just right.
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Well, I wasn't expecting this.
After Howl's Moving Castle, I was hoping for a follow-on that, while it didn't need to be the same characters, it would at least have similar vibes and themes.
While the writing is excellent, and the story is too, it contains a lot of things I don't like. Namely racist stereotypes, sexism, and fatphobia. Some of it's honestly quite disgusting. Which is disappointing given the author is a woman.
I'm talking about reducing the main character to repetitive racial stereotypes to make it ‘quirky.' The ‘not like other girls' trope - which is very annoying, and multiple points in the story where women are reduced to either what they look like or their weight. The latter is particularly cruel and unnecessary.
1 star for the negatives.
4 stars for the writing.
So 2.
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