3.0 Stars This is a domestic thriller that explores topics of postpartum depression and trauma. I expected some kind of big twists but this one ended u3.0 Stars This is a domestic thriller that explores topics of postpartum depression and trauma. I expected some kind of big twists but this one ended up being pretty straightforward. I was disappointed because I thought there was more to this one but it ended up being quite simple.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars After enjoying the trilogy that starts with the Dragonbone Chair, I was eager to dive into this sequel series.
I was pleased to find that the4.0 Stars After enjoying the trilogy that starts with the Dragonbone Chair, I was eager to dive into this sequel series.
I was pleased to find that the characters and writing quality were the same quality of the original worth. The world felt well fleshed out. The original trilogy was the inspiration for A Song of Ice and Series series and this sequel series scratched the same itch for anyone craving a well written, rich epic fantasy series.
I would absolutely recommend this one to fantasy fans but it would be best experienced after reading the original series. I am very interested in continuing this trilogy.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars This was an enjoyable if a bit simple start to a new epic fantasy series. This is a piece of adult fiction but I felt like it had crossover a3.0 Stars This was an enjoyable if a bit simple start to a new epic fantasy series. This is a piece of adult fiction but I felt like it had crossover appeal for young adult readers. The story and its characters felt a bit more straightforward, which made it feel quite accessible.
I appreciated this one but I didn't feel like the target audience. In the last several years, I have grown a preference for more complex narratives and worldbuilding which this does not provide. The story is enjoyable even if it is predictable. I just needed a more layered story than what was provided.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
2.5 Stars From the premise, this easily could have been a favourite book of the year. I am a sucker for time travel stories (especially with Romance el2.5 Stars From the premise, this easily could have been a favourite book of the year. I am a sucker for time travel stories (especially with Romance elements) and I have always been fascinated by historical Japan. It just felt rushed and underdeveloped. I wish the story and worldbuilding were more fleshed out. It left me wanting more because the premise had so much potential.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars This is a contagion story set at a snowy South Pole. As a sci-fi thriller, I felt this one will most appeal to readers looking for a suspense3.0 Stars This is a contagion story set at a snowy South Pole. As a sci-fi thriller, I felt this one will most appeal to readers looking for a suspenseful read. I have read a lot of similar narratives so I found this one to be relatively predictable and tropey.
I liked it but I wish I cared more about the characters because I would have been more attached to them and their survival.
I would primarily recommend this one to readers looking for a fast paced thriller in a wintery setting.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars I have previously read and enjoyed several novels by this author so I was eager to read this one.
As a science fiction new release, I see lot3.5 Stars I have previously read and enjoyed several novels by this author so I was eager to read this one.
As a science fiction new release, I see lots of elements that I like and want to see more in modern publishing. This author has written an intelligent novel, exploring various science fiction ideas.
Yet while I appreciate the attempt, I found this one tried to do too much in the number of pages it had. I wish the author had dug a bit deeper because I felt the ideas or themes were not explored enough to create a satisfying read.
This is still one of the better new science fiction novels I have read in 2025. I may revisit it and see if it grows on me with a second read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This is an enjoyable progression style fantasy that plays around with the concepts of leveling. I have previously enjoyed the subgenre of Lit3.5 Stars This is an enjoyable progression style fantasy that plays around with the concepts of leveling. I have previously enjoyed the subgenre of LitRPGs.
It was fun to see how those elements were woven into the narrative. I liked enough to continue on with the series. While not a personal favourite, I still found this one to be an escapist read.
I would recommend this to readers who already enjoy LitRPGs or readers looking to try the genre.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was another solid entry in this epic fantasy series. It has been enjoyable to see how far the story and characters have progressed at th4.0 Stars This was another solid entry in this epic fantasy series. It has been enjoyable to see how far the story and characters have progressed at this point.
I am enjoying the (relatively) fast paced epic fantasy narrative. That being said, I am still hoping to see more fresh ideas that subvert the genre. So far, this one has delivered a good story that leans into many tropes, but arguably does them quite well.
I would certainly recommend this series to readers looking to get into the epic fantasy genre. There is a reason Brandon Sanderson is such a popular and beloved author.
Readers interested in this series should definitely start back at the beginning with The Way of Kings. I am excited to be caught up for Winds and Truth.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
2.0 Stars This was a very straightforward action packed fantasy novel. I am usually quite a fan of a strong female character but this one felt like a s2.0 Stars This was a very straightforward action packed fantasy novel. I am usually quite a fan of a strong female character but this one felt like a stereotype rather than a real person.
To be fair, action packed narratives tend to not be my personal favourite. Personally I find strong characters are the most important factor in my fiction. Readers who enjoy non stop action and don't mind cliche characters might get along better than I did.
Overall I found this one shallow and forgettable. It lacked the complexity to make me truely love it.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars Once again, this author delivers a fun take on the classic Dungeon Crawler experience. Fans of these types of video games will likely love th3.5 Stars Once again, this author delivers a fun take on the classic Dungeon Crawler experience. Fans of these types of video games will likely love this series.
The story itself is quite silly at times, even when the stakes are seemingly high. I enjoyed this one although I will admit sometimes the humor was over the top for my personal tastes.
I would recommend this series to any geeky person looking for a new series to binge. This is an ongoing series so I understand there are several more published books.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This was a solid sequel that should be a must read for anyone who enjoyed the first book. Once again we follow our hero and his cat companion3.5 Stars This was a solid sequel that should be a must read for anyone who enjoyed the first book. Once again we follow our hero and his cat companion through this dungeon-like crawler.
Given the setup, this is definitely science fiction yet also has a fantasy flare. This story is clearly inspired by the video game Dungeon Crawlers that many of my peers grew up playing. As a geeky person, I enjoyed this aspect. It's fun as long as you don't try to take the plot too seriously.
This is the kind of fun read I would recommend for a reluctant reader, particularly one who enjoys books in the vein of Ready Player One.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This series has quickly become one of the best mystery series I have read. I haven't read every book, but I have loved many of the entries.
Th4.0 Stars This series has quickly become one of the best mystery series I have read. I haven't read every book, but I have loved many of the entries.
The mystery is always the right balance between being dark and cozy. The story is comforting yet still does not shy away from the darkness of humanity.
Also, I love the Quebec French settings. This audiobook had a different narrator. I liked the last one but I appreciate that this narrator is local to the area.
The best element continues to be the characters. I adore Garmache and Bouvier, who have grown and developed so much over the course of the series.
I loved the specific plot of this one and found it to be one of the best storylines I have read in this series.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves well written character driven mysteries.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
This is one of those cases when I really wanted to love this book. Admittedly, I have been hit or mi3.0 Stars Video Review https://youtu.be/y9h_dc_MtCo
This is one of those cases when I really wanted to love this book. Admittedly, I have been hit or miss with this author, but their hits have become all time favourite.
In comparison to some of their previous books, this one is much less “weird” and perhaps a little more commercial, which makes it easier to recommend to a wider audience. However, I just struggled to connect to our protagonist and, thus, struggled to become engrossed in the larger story.
There is lot of good parts to this one and I would still encourage readers to give it a try but it just wasn't the home run I expected.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
This is a short and sweet sci fi novella. From the premise, I expected it to be more suspenseful tha3.0 Stars Video Review https://youtu.be/ylEjUV5CZi8
This is a short and sweet sci fi novella. From the premise, I expected it to be more suspenseful than it turned out to be.
The narrative was easy to follow with generally likable characters. There is very minimal worldbuilding so it felt like this novel could have taken place in our modern times with only superficial changes. This was an easy read but I wish it had been more memorable or impactful.
I would mostly recommend this one to readers who prefer lighter sci fi stories that are mostly character stories set in space.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars I typically enjoy African Speculative fiction and so I am always looking for more. I have been hit or miss with this author before and unfort3.0 Stars I typically enjoy African Speculative fiction and so I am always looking for more. I have been hit or miss with this author before and unfortunately this one fell on the weaker.
I liked aspects of the worldbuilding. However I didn't entirely love how the fantasy and science fiction elements were mixed together. While plenty of my favourite books combine the two genres, I found this one didn't have enough definition to fully appreciate the magical elements woven into this future.
I am still intrigued by the story enough and hope to read the rest of the series at some point.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This was an easy, yet enjoyable piece of science fiction. While not the most unique or fresh, I still appreciated this story.
I have enjoyed 3.5 Stars This was an easy, yet enjoyable piece of science fiction. While not the most unique or fresh, I still appreciated this story.
I have enjoyed CJ Cherryh before so I somewhat knew what to expect. I liked this one but I didn't find it as compelling as some of her other work.
This is the start of a longer story and I am interested in seeing where this one goes. If you enjoy science fiction, then might be one you want to try.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher...more
3.5 Stars This was kind of the slow brooding atmospheric novel I have come to appreciate by this author. This is slow paced and suspenseful. I would cl3.5 Stars This was kind of the slow brooding atmospheric novel I have come to appreciate by this author. This is slow paced and suspenseful. I would classify this as more of a mystery than a thriller.
Personally, I found this one a bit too long and plodding. I wish it had been shorter but found the actual ending smart. I really appreciate how this author address mental health in his depictions of his characters.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for an atmospheric, character focused mystery.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars The premise of this one was absolutely intriguing. Some aspects of this narrative were compelling while other sections were not. I found this3.5 Stars The premise of this one was absolutely intriguing. Some aspects of this narrative were compelling while other sections were not. I found this uneven in execution which ultimately left me unsatisfied.
There were intriguing parts of this story which is reflected in my rating, but it fell short of my expectations.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This was a decent conclusion to the trilogy that started with The Blighted Stars. I found it a touch underwhelming. I liked but didn't love t3.5 Stars This was a decent conclusion to the trilogy that started with The Blighted Stars. I found it a touch underwhelming. I liked but didn't love the first two books so I was hoping this novel would push the series into the favorites.
If you love character driven sci fi, this one may appeal to you. I wasn't personally very attached to the characters which likely held me back from loving this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 Stars This is an easy space opera series. I liked this second book a bit more than the first. This one built off the original book, providing more 3.5 Stars This is an easy space opera series. I liked this second book a bit more than the first. This one built off the original book, providing more character development and story progression.
I would cautiously recommend this one to fans of The Expanse. I don't think the story or character are as strong but it's a similar kind of modern space opera that could appeal to similar readers. If the characters had been more compelling, I would have been more attached to this narrative.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a new, lesser known space opera to read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)
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