chaptersofmads's reviews
825 reviews

“I was my past and my present—and I would forge my own future.”

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh, how I missed Sue Lynn Tan's writing style.

Atmospheric and romantic, Immortal reads like a fairytale, leaving the reader caught up in a haze of enchanting descriptions and dramatic conflicts. Between the lush world-building and the whimsical prose, Sue Lynn Tan's novels are always as beautiful as their covers - this one being no different.

Despite my eventual enjoyment, there was a moment when I was worried I wasn't enjoying this as much as I'd hoped. This was because I struggled to connect with the book at first, due to a few elements I can't discuss here because of spoilers. What I can say is that if you're struggling with the beginning of the book, (most likely) those aspects have a purpose and will be explained.

Like Daughter of the Moon Goddess this book was a fantastical experience, transporting me to the events taking place and leaving me feeling the way a beautiful movie score does. I loved being back in this world.

Overall, I had a fantastic time reading this and I'm still so incredibly grateful for chance to read an ARC. While I don't think this book will work for every reader, I recommend it to anyone that loves romantic fairytales and books that feel like magic. 

I don't know how to rate or review this, because my opinions are terribly conflicted.

Many of the problems I had with this book have already been touched on in other reviews far more eloquently than I ever could, but to name a major one very briefly: this book was incredibly misogynistic to black women.

Despite seeing the potential that this story had and appreciating it for everything it was, the issues I had with this book overshadowed any positive opinions.

“All that is good comes from the Gods. All that is evil comes from men.”

I have already spent too long with this book and I don't want to spend even more writing a long, in-depth review.

So, to put it briefly: reading Sword Catcher was like talking to a really hot person only to find out that they're actually very terrible and dull.

It has one of the most beautiful covers (don't get me started on the Illumicrate special edition) that I have ever seen and one of the worst interiors I've witnessed in quite awhile.

I didn't go into this expecting perfection. I have enjoyed most of the Shadowhunters books, even though I think they're mostly messes. But this was... just horrendous on so many fronts.

This had all of the aspects that people think make YA books weak, but with brothels and a main character (/main love interest???) that has a book his friend commissioned with portraits of his possible marriage choices completely nude (without their knowledge, based on the imagination of the artist).

It was also really, really boring.

Sword Catcher's only redeeming quality (aside from its gorgeous cover) were the moments that I found myself engaged in the political drama/magic system, but those moments were fleeting and didn't make up for the hundreds of pages of nothing.

Overall, if it wasn't clear, this wasn't for me. In fact, the only other positive thing I can say about it is how pleased I am to be finished with it.

"You have to decide what matters most: your humanity or your survival."

I am incredibly conflicted on how to review this.

Blood Scion was one of the most difficult reads I've experienced in quite awhile. Opening with a paragraph informing you that this story was inspired by the real life horrors endured by child soldiers, you know what you're getting yourself into. And yet, I don't think you can fully prepare yourself for reading about the terrible things our MC experiences.

With subject matter like this, it's impossible to review the story the same way I would other fantasy novels.

I will say that there are lot of really well-done things about this book. There's never a moment where it's unclear how much this story and its lessons meant to the author. Her meaning is palpable on every page and I admire that.

Despite that, there were so many things I struggled with.

To just name some:
The plotting/world-building/military structures are really, really inconsistent and illogical. For how incredibly violent, present, and terrifying the authorities are, none of the main character's successes make sense. Much of the dialogue is melodramatic to the point of lessening the intensity of the situations, particularly when it's an antagonist speaking. The romance is also between a 15 year old and a 22 year old. (This may have been intentionally uncomfortable, but since his age is never actually stated and the reader has to do the math, this is still a bit odd.)

I don't want to sit here and make it sound like I'm trying to bash this, especially because I can see what it wanted to be and I know a lot of other people really connected with its execution. But - for me - beyond the extremely poignant, powerful messaging, the rest of the book kind of just falls apart.

I don't know if this review made any sense because my thoughts truly feel really incoherent about this. I'm thankful I read it and I admire the author's ability to weave real-world horrors with a fantastical setting, but it didn't work for me.

Don't let this review turn you off of reading it. If it still sounds like something you want to read, please give it a try. I can't overstate how much I appreciate the messaging of this book, even if the rest of it didn't work for me. 

"At this precise moment, I can genuinely say that my only wish is to remain here with you."

I'm incredibly pleased to say that I found this a drastic improvement on book 1.

To be clear, I didn't dislike book 1. I actually enjoyed quite a bit of it, but my feelings were also conflicted due to some personal and technical complaints (particularly in the treatment/abuse of the changling fae child and the ableist narrative it perpetuated) but also... I didn't really care for the romance.

This book was practically a 180. It maintained everything I appreciated about the first book, while improving on every single aspect that I had struggled with. The romance? Spectacular. The pacing? I couldn't put it down. This was magical and dark and romantic, without any of the aspects that made me question if I even enjoyed the first book.

That isn't to say this book was perfect, more just that it was perfect for what I needed right now. It still has some rocky moments in terms of plotting, but I had such a great time reading that they were easy to overlook.

I won't say that it was entirely unproblematic as I'm sure there could be something I missed/overlooked, but from my perspective, I didn't notice anything that was nearly as devastating or offensive as some of the plot-points in its predecessor.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. Whether you loved book 1 or felt neutral about it, I'm here to join with the majority in saying that this is much better. 

“Why do we desire, above all other things, that which has the greatest power to destroy us?”

Short, romantic, and beautifully atmospheric, An Enchantment of Ravens was like a magical DCOM with a really high budget and fantastic color-grading.

That is to say: this wasn't my favorite, but it was by no means bad. It was (mostly) an enjoyable read with many aspects I love, such as creepy forests and fae that are actually frightening. It's also poorly paced, with severe insta-love and (in my opinion) a plot that was predictable to the point of making the story boring.

I think if I had connected with the characters more, I might not have minded the plotting issues. Since I didn't really feel much for the main characters or their romance, these aspects felt much more obvious than they might to someone else.

There was also one of the worst romantic lines I have ever read:

"It was like riding him as a horse again." (said as she's straddling his waist and kissing him for the first time.)

This might not bother some people, but I kept thinking of this line for the rest of the book and cracking up all over again.

Overall, my issues aside, this was fun! I'd recommend it to people looking for a quick, magical, autumnal read that displays some of the darker, warped versions of the fae (just... be careful with this book if you struggle with any kind of food.)

“All that mattered was the story. The myths that made gods, brought them to life in their shrines. Stories bind hope and love to make it faith.”

Fantasy books with a focus on gods, religion, and the line between faith & fanaticism have my entire heart.

I was a bit hesitant going into this book because I'd heard some mixed reviews, but I absolutely loved it. I can see why some people were let down, especially if they loved the first book for the found family and quest vibes (which were notably... less present in this story lol.)

The focus turned more towards the gods and their followers, which was exactly what I wanted. We still followed most of the characters from Godkiller, but their focus was on the changing tide of the kingdoms, the struggles of the gods, and the changing political climate.

The characters were perhaps the weakest part of this installment, which isn't to say I didn't still care for them, but their own internal struggle took up so much of their narratives that it became hard to connect with them. One character in particular was acting so rashly that I found it hard to not be irritated every time it was their perspective. (Not my beloved Skedi though; his internal struggle was actually handled the best, in my opinion.)

Also, Elo and Arren were 1,000,000% in love and I will die on this hill.

As for recommending this: I know this trilogy isn't quite as character driven as some books, but I'd still highly recommend this series to everyone. It's so good, familiar and unique at once, as well as fantastic at being inclusive without feeling forced.

Now, I shall sit here and wait for March/April, because I need Faithbreaker in my hands as soon as possible. 

This was the book equivalent of a PureFlix film, including misogyny, using forgiveness to continue cycles of abuse, and the most rushed romance I have ever read. Like... she's awed and amazed that he had wanted to kiss her since the day before.

I want to make it clear: I didn't rate this book a one star because of the religious aspects, though I do think this should have been marketed better. With that being said, I did want to mention that - as an ex-Christian - I did find the religious aspects both tedious and... very forced. The prayers were both excessive and really awkwardly placed/timed?

I went into this expecting a fun, Christmassy time and I left feeling very let-down.

There's not a single enjoyable moment in this nor are any of the characters redeemable. A big part of the story is Starr's love for her family which makes... no sense. If my boyfriend of 6 months left me the moment he laid eyes on my sister and then my entire family treated me like I was unreasonable for being uncomfortable, I'd be a little bothered.

Overall, this was... a mess and I did not like a single thing about it. I wish the author well and I hope she continues to find readers that love her books, I'm just not one of them. 

“Strange, the powers you find sometimes, in a garden at the end of the road.”

Maybe the real horror elements were the family members we made along the way.

This was my third T. Kingfisher book and my least favorite, which is impressive because this was still good. It dragged on a bit and bored me at times, but it was still a well-crafted horror book with a strong focus on familial trauma - which really appeals to me as a reader.

(Please note that there are quite a few triggers in this book, but I am tired and still sick so didn't feel like typing them all out.)

Overall, I liked this and I'm glad I read it, but it won't be one I revisit.

“It’s a weak and unimaginative human being who resorts to violence to get what they want.”

I've been sick so I never reviewed this; or even marked it as completed, for that matter.

To put it briefly: I really, really enjoyed this one. A bit less than book 1, but I think that was because this installment lost some of what made What the River Knows feel quite so unique. Along with a few instances of trope service 

such as how very much Whit used the phrase "my wife" throughout the book. It got irritating.

That being said though? I loved this. I love these characters and this setting and the magical artifacts. I love Isabel Ibañez' writing style and I need to pick up more of her books in the future, if they're even half as enjoyable.

Overall, I highly recommend this duology. It's very quickly become one of my favorite series, so if we usually have similar tastes, I think you'd love this. I was both satisfied and delighted by this conclusion.