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madmadmaddymad's reviews
191 reviews
Deadly Games by Lindsay Buroker
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Okay, this adventure series continues to be compelling and fun
Did I really just read three books before Sicarius and Amaranthe kissed, though? What? Are you kidding? Please ravish each other, I don’t know how much more of this I can take lol
Did I really just read three books before Sicarius and Amaranthe kissed, though? What? Are you kidding? Please ravish each other, I don’t know how much more of this I can take lol
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Magical academic books are really my thing. I love how this one invoked Harry Potter, Narnia, and other fantasy staples.
It’s actually my second time reading it - my cousin recommended this to me years ago since I used to be such a Potterhead. I only read this one, though, and somehow never continued with the series, although I have watched the show on Syfy. I wonder how similar it is? Everyone in the show is so incredibly stylish, but this book makes it seem like they’re a bunch of bookish dorks.
I find it weird how little of Julia we get to see in this book! And how weird that I remembered her so vividly. It’s strange to read a book years later and half remember certain things - I remember the scene with the fox sex really grossing me out the first time I read this book as a teenager…. And somehow I COMPLETELY missed the fact that Quentin has a threesome! You go Quentin! Good for you! (Except for the part where you’re violently depressed about it. Sir! I like it better when I can root for you! Can you cheer the fuck up?)
This book is very well written but somehow, the prose can get a little verbose and run out through my brain before I actually digest what I’ve read.
I think that’s why it made such an entertaining re-read!
Anyway.
I love magical boys, and magical worlds with magical schools. This is exactly the type of book I love to read.
It’s actually my second time reading it - my cousin recommended this to me years ago since I used to be such a Potterhead. I only read this one, though, and somehow never continued with the series, although I have watched the show on Syfy. I wonder how similar it is? Everyone in the show is so incredibly stylish, but this book makes it seem like they’re a bunch of bookish dorks.
I find it weird how little of Julia we get to see in this book! And how weird that I remembered her so vividly. It’s strange to read a book years later and half remember certain things - I remember the scene with the fox sex really grossing me out the first time I read this book as a teenager…. And somehow I COMPLETELY missed the fact that Quentin has a threesome! You go Quentin! Good for you! (Except for the part where you’re violently depressed about it. Sir! I like it better when I can root for you! Can you cheer the fuck up?)
This book is very well written but somehow, the prose can get a little verbose and run out through my brain before I actually digest what I’ve read.
I think that’s why it made such an entertaining re-read!
Anyway.
I love magical boys, and magical worlds with magical schools. This is exactly the type of book I love to read.
Found by the Lake Monster by Lillian Lark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is some of the strangest smut I’ve ever read.
Knotting, anal sex, and egg depositing… I’m sort of shocked that my foray into monster romance hasn’t yielded more works like this one.
And god bless you Lillian Lark for all the fun and non problematic monster fucking I could ask for!
Knotting, anal sex, and egg depositing… I’m sort of shocked that my foray into monster romance hasn’t yielded more works like this one.
And god bless you Lillian Lark for all the fun and non problematic monster fucking I could ask for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cried the whole last half of this book!
I didn’t get pretzel dust in my eye, but I was reading it on a flight
Beautiful writing, and so emotional
I didn’t get pretzel dust in my eye, but I was reading it on a flight
Beautiful writing, and so emotional
Stalked by the Kraken by Lillian Lark
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Good smut!
Very sexy!
I think of the love interest as just Ursula from the Little Mermaid…. But with a dick…. He’s very loveable! And such a gentleman! I like the way he’s so kind during sex…. Man there’s nothing sexier than consent and caring about the other person’s feelings. Whew!
I found the woman in this to be a little bit unbearable, though. I dunno I was really off-put by how she kept mentioning that she was so sex-positive, and then being so shy and uncomfortable with her new kraken lover. It was hard for me as a reader to really relax into the erotic parts of the story when she just kept struggling so much to lose herself in the sexuality of the moment. Yikes.
But, against all odds, sex with a tentacle or two is pretty hot.
Very sexy!
I think of the love interest as just Ursula from the Little Mermaid…. But with a dick…. He’s very loveable! And such a gentleman! I like the way he’s so kind during sex…. Man there’s nothing sexier than consent and caring about the other person’s feelings. Whew!
I found the woman in this to be a little bit unbearable, though. I dunno I was really off-put by how she kept mentioning that she was so sex-positive, and then being so shy and uncomfortable with her new kraken lover. It was hard for me as a reader to really relax into the erotic parts of the story when she just kept struggling so much to lose herself in the sexuality of the moment. Yikes.
But, against all odds, sex with a tentacle or two is pretty hot.
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s a little disjointed, random, and upsetting. The apocalypse came, but instead of zombies, people just turn on each other and kill one another instead of trying to work together and live. I kind of hated the world of this book, and how miserable and hopeless it was.
The only part I actually had a good time with was the budding romance between Jamie and Andrew. Except for one thing. I know sexuality can be a fluid thing - but I really don’t enjoy books where a character is stated to be straight and then suddenly is doing some really homosexual stuff. I find it really uncomfy. I would have preferred it if Jaimie just admitted he was bi.
The romance was sweet, though.
Also - I’m so glad they helped Cara. A place like the Fort Caroline sounds like my actual nightmare, and I wanted them to go back and save all the women there, who were probably being used for broodmares and kept against their will. That plot was actually horrific. I know they had to leave - but they should have told the other settlement at the end that there was a fucked up settlement to the north, and some of the things that were happening there. I’m glad Cara got out, but I’m sure there were so many others in that place who regret coming to live there, just like she did.
The only part I actually had a good time with was the budding romance between Jamie and Andrew. Except for one thing. I know sexuality can be a fluid thing - but I really don’t enjoy books where a character is stated to be straight and then suddenly is doing some really homosexual stuff. I find it really uncomfy. I would have preferred it if Jaimie just admitted he was bi.
The romance was sweet, though.
Also - I’m so glad they helped Cara. A place like the Fort Caroline sounds like my actual nightmare, and I wanted them to go back and save all the women there, who were probably being used for broodmares and kept against their will. That plot was actually horrific. I know they had to leave - but they should have told the other settlement at the end that there was a fucked up settlement to the north, and some of the things that were happening there. I’m glad Cara got out, but I’m sure there were so many others in that place who regret coming to live there, just like she did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
Book of Night by Holly Black
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
5.0
I really loved this book, it had me gripped the whole time.
I wondered the whole time what Lionel Salt had taken from Charlie…. Was it just her innocence? To be fair, I found him extremely sinister and chilling. In a world where shadows and magic exist - still a pretentious billionaire who’s used to getting anything he wants can be a compelling villain.
Also, I really liked Charlie! A very different sort of YA heroine, set in her faults and hooked on the adrenaline of adventure. Vince was hard for me to trust at first. Then, I thought he betrayed her. And that ENDING!!!! Wow! I wasn’t expecting at all.
Excellent, thrilling, and very dark - and somewhat spooky. I loved it.
I wondered the whole time what Lionel Salt had taken from Charlie…. Was it just her innocence? To be fair, I found him extremely sinister and chilling. In a world where shadows and magic exist - still a pretentious billionaire who’s used to getting anything he wants can be a compelling villain.
Also, I really liked Charlie! A very different sort of YA heroine, set in her faults and hooked on the adrenaline of adventure. Vince was hard for me to trust at first. Then, I thought he betrayed her. And that ENDING!!!! Wow! I wasn’t expecting at all.
Excellent, thrilling, and very dark - and somewhat spooky. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The crossover chapters were the best part of this book, and all too soon… it was over.
I lived for the Prythian portion, I suffered through the Crescent City portion. But SJM of course delivered her signature steamy sex and heart-pounding action, so what more could I ask for?
It was en enjoyable book.
I lived for the Prythian portion, I suffered through the Crescent City portion. But SJM of course delivered her signature steamy sex and heart-pounding action, so what more could I ask for?
It was en enjoyable book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and War
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very cute.
(Predictable.)
But very cute.
I kind of identify with the main character - whenever I’m reading a book and it describes a hunky guy, I can’t imagine his face for some reason. All my romance novel love interests are faceless, and I fall in love with them anyway.
Wish this book had had the courage to let Sadie stay face blind - I kind of liked that part of her character. But it was definitely the appropriate ending to have it all come back together and her to see Joe’s face for the first time and somehow be able to recognize him. Kind of reminded me of 50 First Dates, in a way.
(Predictable.)
But very cute.
I kind of identify with the main character - whenever I’m reading a book and it describes a hunky guy, I can’t imagine his face for some reason. All my romance novel love interests are faceless, and I fall in love with them anyway.
Wish this book had had the courage to let Sadie stay face blind - I kind of liked that part of her character. But it was definitely the appropriate ending to have it all come back together and her to see Joe’s face for the first time and somehow be able to recognize him. Kind of reminded me of 50 First Dates, in a way.
Misery by Stephen King
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven’t read much Stephen King but this is still my favorite King novel.
The way Paul has to write on a typewriter with no “n” key really stuck with me. The way the “e” and “t” later fell off the typewriter was so devastating and vivid in my memory. It really goes to show how hopeless this man had become, that writing was his only escape from a messed up situation.
And of course; there’s Annie. Annie is the worst, most hateful villainess in almost any work I can think of. I vividly remember her forcing Paul to burn his book. The disjointed pieces of Misery. And the lawnmower scene.
The way Paul has to write on a typewriter with no “n” key really stuck with me. The way the “e” and “t” later fell off the typewriter was so devastating and vivid in my memory. It really goes to show how hopeless this man had become, that writing was his only escape from a messed up situation.
And of course; there’s Annie. Annie is the worst, most hateful villainess in almost any work I can think of. I vividly remember her forcing Paul to burn his book. The disjointed pieces of Misery. And the lawnmower scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail