ect625's reviews
89 reviews

A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets by Kate Khavari

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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 book finally addresses the mysterious government plot that Saffron has been worried about in the first two books of the series. Unfortunately, in doing that, it takes a huge turn away from the lighthearted banter and poetic references to flowers and plants. It didn't hit in the same happy, clever way that the first two did. I did enjoy it overall, though. The book ends on a note that indicates a continuation of the series, and I'll probably keep reading it because I really like Saffron and all of her endearing traits (that make up for the annoying ones). She is growing more independent and sure of herself in each book, and that's nice to see. Elizabeth plays a more prominent role in the story, and I like getting to know her better. Hoping to see more of her!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Fable by Adrienne Young

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

The book is divided into two distinct parts due to a change in the plot. The issue I have is that the plot wasn't very strong to begin with. The main character, Gemma, is vapid and self-centered, and her personality completely changes in the second half without any development leading up to it. I struggled to keep sight of the overall plot to the book because it was weak in the beginning and then had a dramatic shift halfway through. It's a decent story but has some holes and weak character development. The conversations are pretty cringey at times, too.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Darling story! Lighthearted and cute, and it was refreshing to have a happy ending for once!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Circe by Madeline Miller

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The book had a very slow start and never fully held my attention. Circe's story in mythology is an intriguing one, but this retelling felt flat and even boring at times. It has Circe reflecting on her inner thoughts and feelings as she goes about her daily life gathering herbs and flowers, as well as during some of the major plot points of her story. The ending was pretty sappy but touching. Having said all that, the book has its merits and the author succeeded at focusing on Circe's maturing and evolution into a more sympathetic character. I just personally prefer more swashbuckling adventure when it comes to mythology.
Weyward by Emilia Hart

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

Ugh! I loved the book up until the lame ending and epilogue! The plot was enjoyable though, and I liked how it all shook out.

I thought Saffron and Lee were really a good team, and their working and more relationship was fun. It felt a bit like Brambleby and Emily in Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. (Or even Scully and Mulder from X-Files!)

Saffron completely overreacted in the end
to the offer from the government agency and its implied connection to her dad's potential work using poisonous plants to create weapons of war
. The situation and her response felt underdeveloped and disconnected to the main story. The mystery is strong enough to stand on its own and doesn't need contrived drama in an attempt to create tension.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings