beardedbarista's reviews
766 reviews

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Go to review page

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

3.5

I think this book is struggling with middle book syndrome or something for me. I just recently found out there are more books coming and I think this one and the last one Iron Flame were just very long building books and I'm just wanting something... more??
Not as spicy, not that I was hankering for that, but it just wasn't. Story seems to be leaving more YA as they progress.  Lots of thoughts I need to discuss with others who have finished...
The Trees by Percival Everett

Go to review page

dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was not exactly what I was expecting but maybe one of the darkest humored stories I have experienced since Fargo. At least the first half of the book. This is a powerful read and a reminder of our darkest history here in America. I could see this one being a tough one for a lot of people to stomach but definitely a necessary read!
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Go to review page

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? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I feel like my take on this is skewed because I had so many folks telling me this book was not good or just alright. But I think it probably just has a bit of middle book syndrome. It definitely built the characters more and gave more background and foreshadowing that will be needed for Onyx Storm. I definitely liked Fourth Wing more and this one did get lost in the school capers. But I liked it just fine. Now I can finally have conversations with the rest of the bookish world before starting Onyx Storm!
Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan

Go to review page

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

5.0

This is an exciting otherworldly action packed adventure! By other worldly think the movie Wanted bullet curving but set in the 1700's with Muskets and Rifles. People have magic abilities and the book starts right off with the fall of a king and the aftermath of that fallout. Meanwhile ancient legend of gods coming back is coming to fruition! Stoked to get into the second book asap and find out what happens next!
In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some by Josh Gad

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

First thanks to Gallery books for sending this book to me! 
I have always enjoyed Josh Gad and this was such a wonderful peek into his life. I learned so much and I love the inside scoop of movie and stage production and this book delivered! I am already planning to binge watch all of Gads work now!
Eruption by James Patterson, Michael Crichton

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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? No

3.5

This was an exciting thriller but I struggled to care about the characters. Definitely feels like a Dwayne The Rock Johnson kind of movie premise. Fun read and happy I did. I have been a huge Crichton fan my whole reading life.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Go to review page

adventurous 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? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Listen. It took me forever to get into the hype. But now that I have the Onyx Storm book I figured I should start the series! I really liked the war school plot and use of dragons and powers. The spice was spicy!! Pretty excellent. I have heard mixed reviews about Iron Flame. So hopefully people just be wrong about it :)
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense medium-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? Yes

3.0

I had an idea what this book was gunna be about and then it was about what I thought it was gunna be about. It was a really intense allegory for daddy issues through the lense of being trapped in a whale. Yep. And man did Jay come out with scars. We are reading this for my coffee shops book club and I can't wait to hear everyone's perspectives. Or yours... Give em to me!?!
Without Fail (Jack Reacher, #6) by Lee Child

Go to review page

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? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I liked this story and thankful to PRHaudio for the complimentary audiobook that got me through it! I just feel like this 16 hour book could have been 10 hours and still accomplished all the action and plot. But I am a sucker for Reacher action. This was a cool book cuz Neagley makes her debut and she is cool!
The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed by Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch

Go to review page

emotional informative inspiring tense fast-paced

5.0

First, thanks to Macmillan Audio, #partner, for this complimentary audiobook!
What a great and New to me story of another conspiracy to assassinate JFK. This is my first Meltzer book and it read with so much ease and gave really great back story to the events that led to the thwarted attempt. I have never spent much time looking deep into the Kennedy presidency or his assassination but now I am most intrigued!