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art_books_chemistry's reviews
543 reviews
Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'll say it: Brown should have left the original trilogy as is. *But* I have no problem with Iron Gold starting a new series; that would have been the correct way to go about this instead of "continuing" the same series after a 10 year time gap in the story. I want to make this distinction because I don't think Iron Gold is terrible as the first book of a series that sets up more books. Granted, you obviously need the background of the original trilogy to read Iron Gold but I think it would have been better with more distinct separation. I will be continuing the series which I know plenty of people have given up on it.
I think that having the four different POVs and bouncing between them was far too much. I don't mind bouncing POVs when done well but these were spread so far apart in location as well as part of the story that at times it became confusing, especially on audio. Speaking of the audio, I absolutely *hated* the narrator for Lysander. And speaking of hating people, Lyria is not particularly likable, I'm hoping her story gets better in Dark Age because her chapters are just depressing and boring (until later on when they merge with Ephraim's).
Darrow's storyline definitely redeems the book, though it is just a continuous more of the same even though it's been ten years which seem's a bit unrealistic to some extent. There doesn't seem to have been much character development in the gap between Morning Star and Iron Gold.
I won't say this book is worth it until I get through Dark Age, if Dark Age is better then it will be worth reading Iron Gold to get there.
I think that having the four different POVs and bouncing between them was far too much. I don't mind bouncing POVs when done well but these were spread so far apart in location as well as part of the story that at times it became confusing, especially on audio. Speaking of the audio, I absolutely *hated* the narrator for Lysander. And speaking of hating people, Lyria is not particularly likable, I'm hoping her story gets better in Dark Age because her chapters are just depressing and boring (until later on when they merge with Ephraim's).
Darrow's storyline definitely redeems the book, though it is just a continuous more of the same even though it's been ten years which seem's a bit unrealistic to some extent. There doesn't seem to have been much character development in the gap between Morning Star and Iron Gold.
I won't say this book is worth it until I get through Dark Age, if Dark Age is better then it will be worth reading Iron Gold to get there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
Nocturne by Alyssa Wees
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nocturne is Phantom of the Opera meets the Persephone & Hades myth. Instead of a young budding opera singer, we have our barely legal prima ballerina. Enter a mysterious, tall, dark, and handsome patron who we're not sure is the villain or not; chaos subsequently follows.
It's been so long since I did ballet (10 years of it but over 20 years ago LOL) that I had to look up a bunch of the terms used but I love when technical language is used to immerse the reader in the specific setting; it makes it feel real since a professional wouldn't dumb down their language for their internal monologue. And I'd say a majority of Nocturne is internal monologue so if that bothers you, I'd suggest not reading this. I did need to remind myself a couple times that Grace is for most intents and purposes a child, a deeply troubled one at that, when she became a bit whiny.
Overall, I thought this storyline was unique especially with using the ballets performed as devices in the plot. I was able to put most of the pieces together before the reveals near the end but some were definitely meant to be obvious to the reader vs Grace so it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story as it unfolded. Grace's character development was solid and consistent as well.
I did feel like the pace became a little slow at some point and a couple of things could have been explained better. I also felt that some of the historical references were thrown in more to make the reader remember it wasn't modern day, instead of always being relevant to the plot or setting which made it a little disjointed at points.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this copy.
It's been so long since I did ballet (10 years of it but over 20 years ago LOL) that I had to look up a bunch of the terms used but I love when technical language is used to immerse the reader in the specific setting; it makes it feel real since a professional wouldn't dumb down their language for their internal monologue. And I'd say a majority of Nocturne is internal monologue so if that bothers you, I'd suggest not reading this. I did need to remind myself a couple times that Grace is for most intents and purposes a child, a deeply troubled one at that, when she became a bit whiny.
Overall, I thought this storyline was unique especially with using the ballets performed as devices in the plot. I was able to put most of the pieces together before the reveals near the end but some were definitely meant to be obvious to the reader vs Grace so it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story as it unfolded. Grace's character development was solid and consistent as well.
I did feel like the pace became a little slow at some point and a couple of things could have been explained better. I also felt that some of the historical references were thrown in more to make the reader remember it wasn't modern day, instead of always being relevant to the plot or setting which made it a little disjointed at points.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence
Scarred by Emily McIntire
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.25
I'm going to start with the embarrassing fact that I was WAY too far into this audiobook before I realized the FMC is Sara B for Sarabi. *facepalm* Bravo Emily, well done, I'm going to go put my dunce cap on in the corner now.
I thought this was a brilliant reimagining for Lion King/Scar. LK is one of my favorite Disney movies and has been since it originally came out. I loved all the little easter eggs scattered throughout like the Elephant Bones Tavern to a bunch of the names matching up lightly to their characters like "Scar" (Tristan) having a T name for Taka. The narrative as it is reworked for this human situation, works out so well and so much more realistic than it would for the original story (I mean hyenas would never actually win against a pride of lions lol).
Even though I loved the storyline and plot, I'm rating this lower because the v!rg!nal storyline doesn't do it for me. I know other people are fine with that, but it's not my jam so it was a bit of a turn off for the s3x related parts of the story. The actual build-up and s3xual tension was well done and complemented the plot well.
Definitely check you triggers before picking this up, it definitely has some dark aspects.
I thought this was a brilliant reimagining for Lion King/Scar. LK is one of my favorite Disney movies and has been since it originally came out. I loved all the little easter eggs scattered throughout like the Elephant Bones Tavern to a bunch of the names matching up lightly to their characters like "Scar" (Tristan) having a T name for Taka. The narrative as it is reworked for this human situation, works out so well and so much more realistic than it would for the original story (I mean hyenas would never actually win against a pride of lions lol).
Even though I loved the storyline and plot, I'm rating this lower because the v!rg!nal storyline doesn't do it for me. I know other people are fine with that, but it's not my jam so it was a bit of a turn off for the s3x related parts of the story. The actual build-up and s3xual tension was well done and complemented the plot well.
Definitely check you triggers before picking this up, it definitely has some dark aspects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying and Alcohol
Escape to Jekyll Island by Sandy Malone
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
Escape to Jekyll Island is a perfect little real life snippet that is wildly relatable to anyone that has been through a major upheaval in their life. It's also incredibly CUTE. Sandy wrote the perfect second chance romance with a second chance career for a solid lovable down-to-earth FMC. No spoilers but I can't wait to see more of the male love interest! My only "complaint" is that Tally's ex didn't get more of the karma he deserved...
This is an adorable small-town romance with some fun and quirky characters (oh, Aunt Etah...) while also being a relaxing beach read with just enough of extra stuff going on. Also great for anyone recovering from working in the wedding industry that needs to remember why they quit! Hehehe, ok so I do miss some parts of it but *not* the monster-in-laws or inevitable day-of problems. Or the hours for that matter; people don't believe me when I say as the caterers we would be up at 5am and would often not finish until 2am the next day..... I do kind of miss pizza fries and coffee at 3am with my parents though, it was still fun if exhausting.
This is an adorable small-town romance with some fun and quirky characters (oh, Aunt Etah...) while also being a relaxing beach read with just enough of extra stuff going on. Also great for anyone recovering from working in the wedding industry that needs to remember why they quit! Hehehe, ok so I do miss some parts of it but *not* the monster-in-laws or inevitable day-of problems. Or the hours for that matter; people don't believe me when I say as the caterers we would be up at 5am and would often not finish until 2am the next day..... I do kind of miss pizza fries and coffee at 3am with my parents though, it was still fun if exhausting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
In Plain Sight by C.J. Box
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another great installment of the Joe Pickett series! Joe's character is becoming more faceted all the time and this storyline threw a couple of right hooks right at him. I can't figure out where the main story goes from here, considering the job situation Joe currently finds himself in; especially given what he chose to do at the end of the book. How am I only on book 6 of 24 (soon to be 25)??
The plot of In Plain Sight seemed to move very fast, and felt like it was just to wrap up the April Keeley storyline from earlier on while also setting up more of Nate's ongoing story. It didn't introduce much more in the Pickett's storyline.
The plot of In Plain Sight seemed to move very fast, and felt like it was just to wrap up the April Keeley storyline from earlier on while also setting up more of Nate's ongoing story. It didn't introduce much more in the Pickett's storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness and Alcohol
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
This was way more feral (in a good way) than I was actually expecting. A lot of monster books pretend to be feral but in reality once they meet their person they just turn into permanent puppy dogs, or they're nearly exactly humanoid in attitude from the start. Orpheus ate some of his previous "offerings" even though he is absolutely a golden retriever while trying to make Rhea happy. I was giggling hysterically with some of their interactions, though I was getting annoyed towards the end with Rhea not just outright explaining some things better to Orpheus.
I was honestly I little surprised at how in depth the world building already was and enjoyed the non-romance aspect of the plot as well. I'm excited to see where the Demon King's storyline goes and where the Witch Owl comes back in again.
Overall, I loved this. The pacing was well done, the characters were relatable if not always lovable, and plus who doesn't imagine revenge on their bullies?
I was honestly I little surprised at how in depth the world building already was and enjoyed the non-romance aspect of the plot as well. I'm excited to see where the Demon King's storyline goes and where the Witch Owl comes back in again.
Overall, I loved this. The pacing was well done, the characters were relatable if not always lovable, and plus who doesn't imagine revenge on their bullies?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M.R. James, Volume 1 by M.R. James
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Each short story in this collection, though modernly set, has an original Twilight Zone feel to it. And just like Twilight Zone, not every short is a great hit. I'd say 2 out of 4 were great. The first, Casting the Runes, is wonderfully psychological with the sweetest revenge at the end and my favorite out of these. Lost Hearts was not quite as good; it would have been creepier with more real life clues and the twist was easy to see coming.
The third, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, left me too confused to be creeped out. It tried too hard to be creepy real life and creepy supernatural simultaneously, then basically not having an ending, which just felt weird. Lastly, A View from a Hill, was very well done by being solidly realistic in feel for anyone that actually believes in ghosts. This relied on the concept of a local haunting location that everyone avoids and don't we all know of at least one of those?
The third, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, left me too confused to be creeped out. It tried too hard to be creepy real life and creepy supernatural simultaneously, then basically not having an ending, which just felt weird. Lastly, A View from a Hill, was very well done by being solidly realistic in feel for anyone that actually believes in ghosts. This relied on the concept of a local haunting location that everyone avoids and don't we all know of at least one of those?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Pedophilia and Alcohol
Orisha, Volume 1: With Great Power by Huzayfa Umar
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It's been a while since I read a manga and this art style was definitely a bit different for me. I did end up liking it though I need to get a tablet or e-reader that can do apps so I can read NetGalley directly instead of needing to use my phone. It's hard to see all the detail when I need to zoom in just to read the words. NetGalley's format of making two pages into one page doesn't help.
The fight scenes were a little visually confusing sometimes with a lot of lines all over the place but I was still able to follow blow by blow reasonably well. The plot is pretty well set already for a first book of a series, thought I actually think it could have been extended and split into two with the last couple chapters of this book being a climax of Vol. 2 and a longer journey to the location be the rest of Vol. 1. It felt a little rushed and the character development of Oya was lost because of it. 100+ years old and she trusts this new young kid without second thoughts? Whether she should or not was beside the point, it just seemed unrealistic the way it happened.
I found the character's faces to be wonderfully expressive and thankfully wildly different enough to be able to tell them all apart. I'm hoping, later in the series some of their facial markings, etc are explained. I'm guessing they are relevant to the Orisha mythology of Nigeria so maybe other people don't need them explained but I'd love to learn more.
Overall, I think it was a solid first book from a debut author and I'm excited for more!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for my honest review.
The fight scenes were a little visually confusing sometimes with a lot of lines all over the place but I was still able to follow blow by blow reasonably well. The plot is pretty well set already for a first book of a series, thought I actually think it could have been extended and split into two with the last couple chapters of this book being a climax of Vol. 2 and a longer journey to the location be the rest of Vol. 1. It felt a little rushed and the character development of Oya was lost because of it. 100+ years old and she trusts this new young kid without second thoughts? Whether she should or not was beside the point, it just seemed unrealistic the way it happened.
I found the character's faces to be wonderfully expressive and thankfully wildly different enough to be able to tell them all apart. I'm hoping, later in the series some of their facial markings, etc are explained. I'm guessing they are relevant to the Orisha mythology of Nigeria so maybe other people don't need them explained but I'd love to learn more.
Overall, I think it was a solid first book from a debut author and I'm excited for more!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am struggling with my rating on this. I like the concept of the story a lot and enjoyed learning about a pantheon of gods/goddesses that I, for the most part, have never heard of. What I struggled with was the integration of the real history of Russia surrounding Tsar Ivan the Terrible with that mythos. I found the different parts weren't properly intertwined and just hard stopped sometimes between the real life and magical sections. The interludes were also a little confusing on audio at first because I didn't realize when the POV switched. The interludes also time jump without saying so, whereas the chapters are named with dates when they time jump.
I did guess who the mysterious goddess was a decent amount of time before they revealed it, though my first guess was wrong so good job to the author there, appropriate amount of suspense. I also appreciated the 'balance of the universe' aspect since that's very prevalent in old world or pagan belief systems. But other than that, there seemed to be a lot of filler side action since we rarely have actual battles described and for me, there was a decent amount that I felt could have been cut out without losing the main story or any character development. And while I'm on the latter, there was plenty however there were so many side characters that I think some of the main character development got lost.
I did guess who the mysterious goddess was a decent amount of time before they revealed it, though my first guess was wrong so good job to the author there, appropriate amount of suspense. I also appreciated the 'balance of the universe' aspect since that's very prevalent in old world or pagan belief systems. But other than that, there seemed to be a lot of filler side action since we rarely have actual battles described and for me, there was a decent amount that I felt could have been cut out without losing the main story or any character development. And while I'm on the latter, there was plenty however there were so many side characters that I think some of the main character development got lost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death and Vomit
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-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
3.75
Firstly, this is no great literary masterpiece and it's good because I didn't expect it to be so. I've seen very mixed reviews of this book before I bought it but I like Ice Planet Barbarians and this book is just sooo pretty. I am pretty sure at least a percentage of the people that bought this for the pretty cover and sprayed edges did not bother to read the synopsis or try the author's other work first. A primary plot of this book is the special minotaur holiday that makes them insatiable with lust which should tell you what at least half the book is about.
As for the non-spicy part of the book, the plot is thin but reasonably believable. The "Five" are all different but special in their own ways which natural allows the secondary plot to move forward to it's climax. Thought for me I found part of the ending to be disappointing for some of the side characters. I did guess some of what eventually happened to the FMC in the end but like I said, the plot isn't trying that hard, it was pretty clear what would ultimately happen in some cases from the very beginning. There was less than subtle foreshadowing on some pieces from very early on.
Overall, a decent fantasy romance that was entertaining though it could have moved a little faster in pace for what it was.
As for the non-spicy part of the book, the plot is thin but reasonably believable. The "Five" are all different but special in their own ways which natural allows the secondary plot to move forward to it's climax. Thought for me I found part of the ending to be disappointing for some of the side characters. I did guess some of what eventually happened to the FMC in the end but like I said, the plot isn't trying that hard, it was pretty clear what would ultimately happen in some cases from the very beginning. There was less than subtle foreshadowing on some pieces from very early on.
Overall, a decent fantasy romance that was entertaining though it could have moved a little faster in pace for what it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail