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rachachisaur's reviews
320 reviews
Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Another book giving very much The Mummy and Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider vibes, but with Mayan/Aztec cultures as the setting.
I really enjoyed the two main characters, their dynamic was very cute. A few cringy cliche lines here and there but otherwise solid banter and somewhat slow burn romance.
The plot was intriguing but got a little lost in the multiple mazes and false starts. A strong start, but the middle wandered too much and took a bit too long to bring the magical artifact elements into play. I wish there had been more of the “mystery” and supernatural elements and a bit less time spent in the maze type settings.
The audiobook narrator did a good job with the various accents represented amongst the background characters.
I really enjoyed the two main characters, their dynamic was very cute. A few cringy cliche lines here and there but otherwise solid banter and somewhat slow burn romance.
The plot was intriguing but got a little lost in the multiple mazes and false starts. A strong start, but the middle wandered too much and took a bit too long to bring the magical artifact elements into play. I wish there had been more of the “mystery” and supernatural elements and a bit less time spent in the maze type settings.
The audiobook narrator did a good job with the various accents represented amongst the background characters.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A solid unreliable narrator story. I loved the twist, but was underwhelmed by the ending.
I do love the feel of the writing, especially for a ya horror book.
Huge pacing issues, and a bit heavy-handed on the dramatic language, but as this is a debut book I am optimistic about the author’s other books coming out.
I do love the feel of the writing, especially for a ya horror book.
Huge pacing issues, and a bit heavy-handed on the dramatic language, but as this is a debut book I am optimistic about the author’s other books coming out.
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book was everything my little linguistic nerd heart could ever want.
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It’s a shame that the issues with this book overshadow the incredibly creative, whimsical worldbuilding. The setting of the book is very much a variation of the Spirited Away world premise.
The two main characters have no personality and no chemistry, so the insta-love storyline becomes jarring and annoying. Especially in a book that’s set up with a very Studio Ghibli-type premise, a platonic relationship would have fit so much better and allowed for strong character growth.
The concept of the plot is great, but the implementation becomes just a string of stops that don’t tie into anything because our characters are two-dimensional and unaffected by anything they experience.
The two main characters have no personality and no chemistry, so the insta-love storyline becomes jarring and annoying. Especially in a book that’s set up with a very Studio Ghibli-type premise, a platonic relationship would have fit so much better and allowed for strong character growth.
The concept of the plot is great, but the implementation becomes just a string of stops that don’t tie into anything because our characters are two-dimensional and unaffected by anything they experience.
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I love a dark, atmospheric retelling. I’m a sucker for hearth spirits and Slavic folklore. But if I have to hear the endearment “not so clever fox” one more time I’m going to throw up.
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one in particular is a great representation of what it would look like if people in their early 20s were the only ones picked to defeat evil and save the world.
Helene is playing checkers while the Commandant is playing 3D chess. She never stood a chance. Laia is just repeatedly getting her heart torn out, and Elias is as ever completely useless. Therefore thousands of people suffer and everything goes to hell.
Also I kind side with the jinn on this one.
Also I kind side with the jinn on this one.
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Very wordy and rambling. The descriptions of everything were over the top.
Men should stop writing succubus characters until they can do them justice. The heavy emphasis on beauty and perfection also rubbed me the wrong way.
Men should stop writing succubus characters until they can do them justice. The heavy emphasis on beauty and perfection also rubbed me the wrong way.
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My favorite aspect of this book is how the author refuses to resolve the family conflicts or make the main characters become more likable or palatable over time. There’s something about insisting on a character, especially a disabled character, remaining prickly and headstrong while still deserving to be central to everything in their life that is so refreshing.
I had to knock off half a star because the ending felt like a big letdown. The entire book had a sense of momentum and just totally dropped off suddenly at the end, like it was building to a grand finale that never happened.
I had to knock off half a star because the ending felt like a big letdown. The entire book had a sense of momentum and just totally dropped off suddenly at the end, like it was building to a grand finale that never happened.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I did it, I finally found a series worse than the Mortal Instruments. Wish I hadn’t.
How did every single character become even less mature? I felt like I was reading scenes featuring a bunch of particularly nasty middle school kids.
Absolutely cringe dialogue, horrible backfilling world-building, contrived drama/conflict.
How did every single character become even less mature? I felt like I was reading scenes featuring a bunch of particularly nasty middle school kids.
Absolutely cringe dialogue, horrible backfilling world-building, contrived drama/conflict.
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I read this as a child and it creeped me out. I’m happy to say upon rereading it that’s it’s an engaging tale of family dynamics, independence, and loss that I very much enjoyed reading.