Nate

Improved in every way compared to the original

4.75

I finally read the highly recommended Red Rising and what a read it was. The premise is super interesting with intense action, political intrigue, and just keeps you wanting more.

I often saw Dresden as a highly recommended series, and after reading Storm Front I get why. Magical elements plus detective work makes for a wonderful combination. I’m interested in seeing where the series goes.

Matt does it again with another wild and crazy story that will grab you and pull you in. My only complaint is I didn’t feel like the last fourth of the book had its hooks in me as much as the first three quarters did.

Fun read, I get why people say to read it if you enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl. The similarities at first are dead in, even the narration sounded like Jeff at times. That being said I think Discount Dan does something fun to give its own spin that DCC fans may resonate with.

Edie Skye knows how to write one hell of a mech book. The magic system is really interesting, and the way it's incorporated into how the mechs function is really cool! The battle scenes feel well paced and keep you rooting as the big hits happen! 

The spicier parts of the book caught me off guard, though the full title of the book should have been obvious about what I was getting myself into. 

I was worried with this one given where book 3 left us. What I got was probably the best entry of the series so far with a fun story that didn't overstay its welcome!

Programing magic is a very interesting concept. The story at time feels very predictable, but overall it was an enjoyable experience. 

A solid four here. I really like the story but there are times it felt like it could have had a natural end. It makes sense once you read the whole way through if why its length is the way it is but there are still pacing issues. 

Four stars, I'm going to try and keep this as spoiler free as possible. As a first “dark romance” book there was some intense scenes here with some very descriptive words used. I can understand why people get pulled into the genre. The question though is if you took out the X-rated elements do you get a story that can stand on its own? To a degree yes.

The author tries so hard to explain why the stalking is “romantic” and Aly had no reason to feel unsafe, and all honesty in any real world situation I don't think you could ever convince me this type of relationship could happen. Setting aside my realistic expectations, the banter and jokes with each other where fun. There where times I laughed out loud with what was happening, and others I cringed. The story becomes predictable, and then overstays its welcome. 

In all honesty the story could have ended at Chapter 20, and been used as setup for the next book, but hey I'm not a writer so what do I know. What I do know is that the chapters following until the epilogue felt really just there as filler to expand the story and familiar relationship. The epilogue was cute.

The audiobook was actually a very fun listen and I think why I'm giving it 4 stars all together.

Would I read a dark romance again? Maybe. I could leave the X-rated stuff on the floor and still enjoy a romance novel I imagine, but the draw for me wasn't the x-rated stuff. It was my curiosity as to why the genre was so appealing and I can understand how it serves as an escape from reality. 

Oh what a book. Christopher Moore delights again with his witty humor and interesting tale. My only issue is that the ending felt rushed compared to everything else that happened in the book.

Book 2 improves on book 1 in every possible way. The pacing feels so much better, and the storylines feel much better integrated into each other. Dialogue is just as funny as it was in book 1 with the action feeling better paced!

I liked this one, but felt like there was a lot of threads fighting for your attention at the same time.

3.75
A.P. Beswick returns with the second Lavanthia novel which was rather interesting. With a pirate theme we get more character introductions and a bit more of a peak into the world. 

It's at a 3.75 because I feel there was a bit of a left turn that the book turn from really interesting and original story to a less interesting hunt for the mythical object. 

4.5
Zoey is back and the future looks like it needs a swift punch in the dick! Picking up months after the first book, David Wong places us right back into the world we left. Characters feel more fleshed out, conflicts and stakes seem higher even with Zoey in control of some powerful tools.

Ultimately David Wong manages to write a fantastic sequel that will keep you turning the pages trying to guess what happens next.

4.5

Christoper Moore knocks it out of the park yet again in Shakespeare for Squirrels. Following our beloved Fool Pocket through a Midsummer Night Dream is as funny as you would expect! 

4.75
I have to give it to my amazing friend for another out of this world recommendation . 

What an amazing introduction to the writings of David Wong. From an action packed story that took twists I did not see coming, to fun dialogue, and a terrifying always live world that we are heading to I was in awe the entire way through.

Christy Carlson Romano does an amazing job narrating this book too! The violence was over the top at times for sure and quite graphically described, but the overall story was just so well done I cannot wait to read more from David Wong!

4.25 

After coming off Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights with Monsters was highly recommended. I can understand why. From a LitRPG perspective it is beautifully executed with a blend of systems, stats, abilities, and progression.

For me though I felt like there was enough content here for maybe a prequel novella  and a  novel. There were a few story lines that felt like they were rushed to get to an end. Things became a little difficult to keep track of in the last 15% of the book. 

4.5 I wasn't sure going into this how much I was going to love it. What I walked away with was an amazing continuation of a short story that Sanderson expertly reworked into the first part and built even more on the Cosmere! From returning characters from different novels to an expansion on events that have occurred this was an enjoyable standalone novel!

What a lovely follow up to Fool! I do think Mr. Moore took on a big effort to combine three stories here but he was successful in creating a funny and easy to follow novel!

You got political intrigue in my crazy litrpg about a guy in his boxers and his cat!

What a step up from Eye of the Bedlum Bride. The action felt easier to follow even though there was more going on, and all the new characters felt properly fleshed out.

Carl gets saved yet again by some bizarre rule going in his favor. The end.

The main plot is starting to become predictable where we know that Carl is going to be saved by the rules being bent or moved in his favor, but what Matt adds to the world with his world building, expanding of characters and their motives helps makes up for it.

At this point I think it would be a welcomed surprise to see Carl fail honestly just to change up the formula.

So we're really building out a more complex story now. What started off as funny man and his exciting girlfriend cat is now has political intrigue and drama happening that your invested in. 

Each move on the board now feels like it has actual consequences, and we hold our breath as we wait to see what happens.

Dinniman successfully expands our cast of characters, without loosing focus on our main dynamic duo, and keeps us wanting more from them. 

A 4.5 it raises the bar again, and sets up for some intense drama going forward.

4.25

More Carl, but a wicked tonel shift compared to book 3 that's for sure. I think it makes sense as Matt has started to write the overall bigger story of what's going on.

There were some parts that felt slow  compared to 3, which is why it's a lower score but overall really enjoyed it!

4.75
Carls back baby and he's found his mojo! No seriously what happened between book 1 and 2 to make 2 feel like it lost its comedy and focus that made DCC special!

I'm happy Matt was able to find that edge again and really bring this book back to the quality of the first! Between the action, the jokes, and even adding his style to the RPG elements Matt shows why he is so good at what he does.