books, travel, nursing, and all of life's in-betweens
A-/B+ | This book is another perfect example of how villain origin stories should be done. While the worldbuilding is pretty damn cool, what really makes this book work for me are the characters themselves, specifically Xifeng. However, the pacing can be far too slow at times, making it a drag to read when it does. Still, I think that Dao comes out strong in this debut novel.
Read moreA | A marvelous end to this outstanding trilogy that stayed consistently strong throughout the whole trilogy, Ember Queen is a great example of how to write the last book in a series. The book’s strength lies in Sebastian’s writing and her ability to make me care about all the characters — even those that I found annoying and even those who I should feel no sympathy for — as well as the relationships between them.
There will be spoilers below.
Read moreC-/D+ | While this book has a great premise, its execution was choppy and poor. The book’s saving grace is the writing. However, beautiful diction can’t hide the fact that there was no structure to this book, that the pacing was all over the place, and that the characters and their relationship didn’t feel genuine.
This review will contain some spoilers.
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A-/B+ | Despite the fact that Talyien was one of the most frustrating characters I have read this year, I truly enjoyed this magnificent, character-driven novel with its lush Filipino-coded world. Talyien is surely one of the most interesting characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. The worldbuilding is woven into the story in such a superb way that I could vividly see, smell, feel, hear, and taste the universe. This adult fantasy novel is unapologetically Filipino and it reflects so much of both the good and bad aspects of Filipino society. It is a thrill ride full of heartbreak, betrayal, love, family, duty, and politics.
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C-/D+ | This is such a disappointing book. I actually threw this into my DNF shelf but after drinking iced coffee, I decided to just finish the rest of the book because I was so close to finishing it. I’m only writing this right after I finished reading the book cuz it’s like almost 9pm here in Manila and I’m still on the coffee high. Will this review make sense??? Idk !!
You know what the saddest thing is? I was REALLY enjoying this book. I was in love. But then NOTHING was happening plot wise. Yes, I am all for character driven stories, but if I’m at 40% or something into the book, I should already see ACTION. Instead, about 55% of the book is introductory stuff with nothing major happening. Then when the plot does occur, it just is so ridiculously rushed?
Both Mina (the Queen/Stepmother) and Lynet (Snow White) are interesting characters who did feel alive (Mina more so than Lynet which is lmao), but at the same time, they weren’t fully fleshed out enough. Mina did feel more fleshed out, but wow Lynet just felt bland.
The character motivations thus felt super — idk, subpar. I didn’t and couldn’t believe them, especially Lynet. I didn’t feel like Lynet was in danger at any moment because she had such quick control over her magic which is just ridiculous to me.
Overall, Mina was a better written character but even she suffered at the half way point. The jump between past!Mina POV and present!Mina POV was just a whiplash. It helped because at least it was easier to understand her motivations, but lord after the halfway point when the action happened, I just cringed. Her emotions just didn’t feel REAL and it’s such a shame because I did enjoy Mina’s backstory.
The worldbuilding was also lacking.
The entire thing just felt rushed and wow I’m honestly sad that I didn’t like this book.
B- | Simply put? This book is a fun, immersive, and easy read. Kira is a believable teenage protagonist who struggles with school, bullies, and family drama along with the supernatural drama she’s entangled in. The plot is interesting, but predictable. There is romance, but it doesn’t overpower the plot or Kira’s struggles which I am absolutely thankful to see. Still, while I enjoyed this book, I don’t believe it reached its fullest potential which was disappointing. I would definitely give this book a shot, especially if you were once super into manga/anime, too.
Make sure to read about the giveway!
Read moreC+ | Enjoyable as this novel is with characters that will both annoy you and endear themselves to you and set in an interesting time period, it is hampered down by historical inaccuracies and wasted opportunities all for the sake of drama. Aside from Lada, there are no major other female characters. The other female characters that are present are either presented as nothing more than one-dimensional beings. Mehmed’s characterization is, unfortunately, another thing that pulls this story down as it completely erases the more ruthless side of him. I can’t speak about the Muslim representation here because I am not Muslim myself, so for any thoughts on how Islam was presented here, please seek out #ownvoices bloggers to get more.
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A- | If I could hold up another book as the PERFECT example of mythology and worldbuilding, I’d move Beneath the Haunting Sea to the side and hold this one higher up instead. Beyond the Shadowed Earth takes what was good about the previous standalone book in this universe and makes it better. Quite frankly, this book is far more compelling and impressive. Eda makes for a far better protagonist than Talia. The mythology and worldbuilding are much more extensive here. Still, although I liked the story overall, the ending was a bit meh and there were certain things that made it hard to suspend my disbelief.
This standalone book that’s set in the same universe as SEA, but you don’t need to read the previous book. It does help to read it so you can understand the mythology better, but this book tells Eda’s story rather than it being a continuation of Talia’s story. If you’re like me and the type of person who wants to understand the myths and how the universe works, then yes, you should read the previous book.
Make sure to read all the way through the end to get information about the giveaway!
Read moreStunning, magnificent, stupendous. There are only a few books out there that I can honestly say that I:
1) Adored to the moon & back & back again
2) Immediately want to reread
3) Can say made me weep
4) Find absolutely beautifully raw and stunning.
This is the best book I have ever read. Yes, I’m saying this straight from my very soul — THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is the best book I have ever read, hands down.
I’m not even sure if I’m going to write a full review of this book because I am so utterly in love with this book that all I’m going to end up doing is screaming about my love for it.
I want everyone out there to read this book ASAP. Don’t walk to the bookstore. RUN to one or to a library to get this book. Absolute must-read.
A+ | People always talk about “second book syndrome” and I can tell you straight up? This book absolutely does not suffer from it. It is everything I had hoped for and more. This book is so good that I didn’t even notice it was midnight on January 1st because I was so enthralled. It is fast-paced and it doesn’t leave you time to breathe because there is always something happening.
I loved Katherine even more in this book. If I had to rank which queens are my favorite, it would be Katherine, Mirabella, and Arsinoe. They are all compelling, interesting characters, but I think that Katherine has become the most interesting one. She is ruthless, out for blood, and I gotta say, I’m looking forward to seeing what the next with her (& her sisters, of course, but mostly Katherine).
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