Mairin

The book that wouldn't burn. One of my most anticipated releases of this year
I love Mark Lawrence books. But this one has to be his weakest.

This isn't a sweeping epic story, but something quieter, focused more on the two main characters. It was lyrical and sweet, and compelling.
The characters were strong and I really liked Livera. The concept of living out in the dust of Sabbers and of course, the library is really interesting.

I loved how he used timelines in this book. Livera and Evar would span many years, and it was nice to see their relationships unfold. But the story was a little long.
The ending really picked up. There were moments where I was surprised, and one plot twist I did not see coming. I need book two after that ending!

The character work in this was slow, but Livera held this together. Evar is a quieter character but still has some deep personalities. His relationship with the library, I loved.
The library itself was a character in and of its own and I found it so interesting! I didn't care too much about the side characters, if you asked me I couldn't name them, but watching Livera explore the library had me on the edge of my seat salivating for more.

This is a good entrance into a series. If it had been cut by 200 pages, I would have loved it more.
I do recommend it. It was a good story.

DNF at 25%.

I got so bored. There was very little happening and I didn't really find the characters engaging.

I wished I'd dnfed this.

I found Priory okay, but this book flopped so bad.

it was incredibly slow to start, with hardly anything interesting about the characters that would keep me engaged in reading. the worldbuilding was good, but at times it was a little infodumpy, and i would have liked more of an subtler take.

for such a big book, it was a slog to get through. some of the characters stories felt a bit rushed or they jumped about the story a little. the romances in these books were defiantly rushed and felt a little forced. some of the plot twists were easy to see.

the ending, where I should have been rooting for these characters instead, i was left feeling incredibly disappointed. the outcome of the whole plot, the one thing they were all trying to stop, stopped on it's own. there was nothing the characters really did that furthers the plot or tried to stop the main conflict. they were suffering and dying, and yet no one came up with any idea on how to stop it, instead all they had to do was wait.

highly disappointing read.

GIVE. ME. MORE. FEMININE. RAGE. BOOKS.

This book had me by the eyeballs. And the rage! There is so much rage in this book and it is definitely warranted. I was standing with the characters cheering, screaming for them at each moment.

While the elemental magic was amazing, it was the suffragette themes that drew me in and wouldn't let go. Everyone needs to read this book. Women fighting for their rights, how the government and police force would twist things to make them come out in a good light, and add elemental magic where some people are denied the ability to learn how to control it, and you have chaos.

Characters.

Both main characters drew me in in vastly different ways. There is N strong willed, determined, hardstrong in the best way. She would fight tooth and claw for what she wants.
Then there is G who is subdued, quiet, stuffing down her emotions to protect others.

Never have I laughed so much in the first chapter of a book.

This book started off in the best way. Rambo! Oh how I love him to death. The cutest character ever. All the characters were so well written with each complimenting the others. They all fit this story perfectly.

There was humor throughout this book but it's underlying message was of love and friendship. Something cosy.
T J Klune always writes some of the cosiest stories with a bit of a heavy conflict to them and do love them. I love all the oddities of the characters, how each have their quirks and fears and they all feel so real, even if they are robots.

The world building lost me for a moment. I wasn't completely sold on how Victor was made but I didn't come to this book for excessive world building, I came for a good time, a story where I didn't have to think too much and In The Lives Of Puppets delivered.

The romance side was a bit strange to me. in its essence it's sweet and wholesome but one party is a robot and I couldn't get passed that. Its just not my thing.

There is little at fault with this book. it achieved what it set out to do and I had a good time reading.

I highly recommend the audiobook the narrator really brings this book to life

THIS DAMNED BOOK!

I am screaming. It's so damned good.

I inhaled it. The prose is so lyrical and made me want to keep reading. The audiobook hooked me, each character stood out and had so much depth I had no choice but to fall in love. Iris! Roman!
I loved every damned second of this book. The struggle of Iris, Roman's struggles with his father. I want nothing more than to see each of these characters be happy.
And the letters! The romance that built between the two was so beautiful. I was crying.
Then THEN ENDING.
THE ENDING.

I almost cried. I knew something bad was going to happen, but I still hoped that it wouldn't. It was far worse than what I could ever have thought.

All the stars. Perfection.

This book had me screaming!
At first the narration took abit of getting used to, but once I got it, I couldn't but it down.The way it was told was something I hadn't experienced before I don't think the word said was used, and yet, I had a clear picture on who was talking

The book is split into large parts. once I got to the midpoint, the book hooked me and struggled to put it down.,

In true game of thrones fashion, this story gets brutal, dark, but the women in this story shine.
I really love, Krishna, Mati, Satyabhama they shone from the page.
But, the prologue ! I was hooked wanting more
I was on the edge of my seat toward the end. One of the best battles I have read.
I cant wait for book two!

If you like first law, game of thrones you should pick this up.

I cried. The ending with painter did bring me to tears as much as I wasn't a massive fan of this book. THere were repetive moments, and I'm not a massive fan of religion in hows it can indoctrinate people, but I see in this, Sanderson was making a critique of sorts and I was meant to feel this way.
I wanted more from the relationship. I wished there was more to show them getting closer.
The plot was the most interesting (appart from Painter) the ending sold me on this book, and I would have enjoyed it more is if it wasn't so repetitive.
Painters journey was what kept me hooked to the page. I liked yumi but ter religion annoyed me so much.
I did like how everything came to an end. The ending had me glued to the page in true Sanderson fashion.
Not a bad book.

I expected more from this story. Reading through it was a bit meth on moments, but only when book back at the story as a whole do I like it more. As I was reading my enjoyment was nit what I had wanted or expected from Sanderson.
There is defiantly some humor. But it wasn't as humorous to me from what I assumed from the premise. Here I think the deer dive into the magic failed, along with the ending plot. I wanted a character stumbling in an unknown world and making mistakes, not a antagonist that we got.
The characters were thought but but I did like the side characters more.
I would have loved to see more of the world, but it was an okay read

Tress is such a sweet story. I had the best time reading.
I loved the characters. Sanderson has a way with his characters when I fall in love with them instantly. The crew, tress, Charlie I loved them all.
Hoid. He gave me many a laugh.
The world building is where Sanderson excels. I loved this world, however dangerous the seas are, it was far different from what I've read before.
I cannot believe I didn't see the twist. Looking back, it really should have been obvious.
The ending was abit meh for me but only for a few select moments. Otherwise it was perfect for the story.
Highly enjoyable, and brilliant cosy fantasy.

I went into this with more expectations than the book delivered. My bad I should have read the blurb

Instead of sweeping action this story is told from two female perspectives. While I found these characters okay I feel the story lacked something. A deep dive into women's struggles as they try and keep their children alive, or seek to get more power for their children. Grouch(?) reminded me a little of Cersi from Game Of Thrones.

The story had no sweeping plot twists and the fantasy element was rather pushed to the back. But it was okay. A line of enjoyment but nothing that swept me away in the story.

It failed on my expectations but that doesn't make it a bad book. It just wasn't what I wanted when I read the title.

If I was to describe this story it would be meh. A meh kind of story.

This was such such interesting book, and they nailed the narration. I love how this was told via podcast form, it really fit the story.

I didn't I really like the friend but I was hooked on the story. There were moments that surprised me and moments were I felt fear for the characters

Overall an interesting and good read!

The shadow casket. What should have been one of my best books of this year Only it wasn't. I was left feeling disappointed. What I expected after the ember blade I didn't get. I want big battles revolution and while there was a big battle, this book just felt like a lot of filler for the next book. Ot was more political than adventure which is what I expected. Things happened. And it had me in a chokehold from SPOILER CHARACTER and Aren.
I also really loved Klyssen POV. He really stepped up in this book Oh and Grub! GRUB IS THE BEST. But the plot... left me wanting. It meandered and drove away from what I felt like the characters should have been paying attention to. And some of the characters. They changed and things happened that didn't add up. I won't get too much into spoilers but I feel the author tries to ☠️ characters or bad things happen to these characters and I just don't feel much? In the ember blade I loved the character but in this they lacked a lot.
Fen. We NEED to talk about fen If you've read the book you know what the author did. And I can tell you I don't like it. It doesn't fit well with fens character but also WHY. Not only did I question one moment that happened to fen as it came across unbelievable and while after talking to some friends or could be possible I also find it highly unlikely someone like Fen would react to this SPOILER in that way. It left me feel sour and like the author has no idea about women. I am going to note that it seems like every female character Aren comes across there has to be a hint of romance. I'm not saying it's a bad thing but I don't like how that makes me feel as a woman It was an okay read. i feel the last book is going to be a big banger and I wish the middle book wasn't so middley

Once again I was left crying at work.

The story started off as most refelings do but oh it took a turn for the better.
A feminist retelling of the Witch and the Tsar? Sign me up!

I loved this version of Baba Yaga. Strong in her own way, caring she is everything I look for in a character.

The side characters shine as well. I loved them all, even if I cannot say heir names or spell them. This brings me to my only gripe with this story. Listening to the audiobook it was hard to know who was who at times as tome all the names sounded similar. it didn't take any enjoyment from the story and understood what was going on despite the language barrier.

The ending almost had me in tears. The lead up to the climax and how everything was resolved, but I learned for one character close to Yaga. I thought it would be a bitter sweet ending.

And whatever direction the author chose ( I'm not going to tell you, you'll have to read it yourself to find out) it would have suited the story either way.

An excellent tale that has made me want to reread it again.

Once again I cried.

In such a short time even knowing the ending I always fall for these characters and sob when the book is done.

I love these books. How the characters grow so close in such a small amount of time. The bond between each of them always tears me apart.

Fucking incredible

If you want Roman era but make it fantasy and gay? This book has it

Like most people im always skeptical about reading books by male authors. Are breast going to be mention countless time like their possessed and can move on their own? Do women have any characteristics? Are they just there to please the men?

Well Miles a Cameron blew my mind!
Not only where women written well, this book is the gayest thing I've read since GIDEION the 9th. Yup you hear me. It has lesbians gays, they/thems and it's not a romance!

Honestly I've been looking for books like this that feature lgbtq character but don't centre it around romance.

This book wouldn't be the easiest to read. You're thrust into the story and are expected to catch up. But a group of normal people wanting to tear down the gods ? Count me in.

Each character stood out and I loved watching the characters come together. Most of this book was plot driven but it had some nice character moments that left me feeling sweet and nice inside.

The worldbuilding was weaves throughout the story expertly and I never felt lost but I don't I wouldn't want to live there. No thank you leave me in middle earth where I belong

If I had one critique it would be please please write shorter chapters. You're making Tolkien la chapter look short.

I lover book one, but book two held lot of repetitions of book one that I didn't like

As characters, I love both touraire and Luca but I'm not together sold on them. Here was aloe of back and forth between them was the same as book one.

I had wanted a more in depth into the politics of the world. We saw sone, enough to keep me understanding but I wanted more. I had hoped Luca would have more of a plan to claim her throne but she left me wanting.

The plot was engaging enough, and it was a good story, but Notting amazing.

Part of my feelings could be from the audiobook. I was not too keen on the narrator. She used french acents for a lot ,of the characters that made it hard to know who was speaking.

As always the magic drew me to his story. I'm hoping to see more in book 3

This book

Possession
Slow burn
The devil
A creepy library

This book gave everything and more. I was so invested in Eliot and Tess's relationship, the relationship between the Devil and Tess. EVERYTHING

I was scared, eager, crying while reading this book.

Eliot was perfect in a broken human way. I wanted to take him and protect him for the world.

This is a standalone and the ending! sh*t me! It left you in a bang right where you think everything is going to be fine.

Don't get me wrong this can start of slow, but the slow build to the relationships, the world is incredible. How the two became friends, how they chose to confide in each other while dealing with their own problems.

THIS BOOK IS PERFECTION

I would give my soul for another book in Tess and Eliot's world


Everyone GO READ THIS BOOK

dnf

the book started out strong but as we followed Raine through her journey it became clear that she had no motivations. the story fizzled out.
there was a point where Raine had a motivation, but when she is denied what she wants, instead of fighting for it she accept it. the characters were not well rounded or deep enough for me to follow them through a story that had hardly anything happening.
i do get the impression that the end of the book would, however, deliver strong but I couldn't bring up the urge to pick this book back up to read about someone I cared nothing about. there were strange things happening in the world, and yet, no one really seemed to care to do much about it.

Ovius. I have to mention him. he comes across as the nice guy, who pines after a character who doesn't share his feelings, but the trouble is, he isn't taking the hint and lies to others saying they are together and stalking the woman practically.
there was also a instance with Raine, a 17 yr in a relationship with a 30yr. this was grooming and the author took care to make that clear.

these moments could have been explored a lot more in depth, to show Raine dealing with these situations, instead most people accept Ovtius as he is, without curbing that side of him, or letting him know that it's wrong to stalk someone who doesn't share his feelings.

this story could have delivered a lot but it failed by being boring. the MC can see the dead yet that hardly gets a mention. things are happening around Raine, but she does little to nothing about it, or her situation. there was no drive to her, and that is why I couldn't finish this book.

I read this as part of a readalong.

While this type of book isn't for me, (the beast romance weirds me out, but if you like it, that's absolutely fine) its a well written book.

there is no plot, but a story like this isn't designed for a plot. I devoured this in one sitting, and it was pretty clean.

the characters could have been more fleshed out, but they weren't cardboard cutouts that can appear in some books.
the dialogue was stilted in places, too forced but it was few and far between.

the world is interesting. based in a modern day, with mythical creatures and human coexisting, was a lovely concept and I wanted more worldbuilding on that.

now, the Spice was pretty mediocre, nothing too drastic but go into reading this without the technical concepts that lives in this world, and just accept things can happen that wouldn't really be possible.

it wasn't as bad as i expected.

Dnf. Bad paceing terrible smut and i hate the ‘oh the vampire is the one good guy and not misogynistic'

I loved this book. A chosen one where someone else full fills the prophecy? Count me in!

And it was for better than it sounds. Tasha. Oh how love her. with only one arm, a I take no shit personality, and one of the best fighters she ruled the page. Pair that with a whiny chosen one and its brilliance.

I was hooked to the story from page one. I did not expect it to take turns it did and loved it.

The worldbuilding is expansive and woven into the tale expertly.

Go pick this up, you won't regret it!

DNF. Not engaging enough for me to keep reading. The same thing is happening over and over again. I'm over it.

Enjoyable, I loved the characters for the most part apart from the one annoying stupid character,
There were moments where it slogged, but overall not a bad read.