protestmyboredom's reviews
932 reviews

The Chaos Crew Complete Series by Harlow King, Eva Chance

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

2.75

Okay- I liked the beginning bits best- the massacre and the crew coming together and building trust. Long and action-packed with steamy scenes. 
Hooked by Emily McIntire

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Okay- predictable but some clever takes incorporating names and bits of story in. Low on plot but decent amount of steam, unimpressive portrayal sex scenes in my opinion. 
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is the longest I’ve taken to read a book in a long time and I forced myself to finish day. Unfortunately I was disappointed- the third and final book in a series that started so strong. There were still bits and pieces of wisdom and meaning but overall it slogged on for me, drawn out and over dramatic. I loved the first book, the second book was okay (more torturous in the not knowing), and this book was a little painful and boring. But I still enjoyed the series (will only reread the first perhaps in future). There was a lot of pressure and so much possibility for this last book that I do cut Olivie Blake some slack- it would be tough to live up to everyone’s expectations. I did really enjoy the author’s acknowledgment section in this final book- it was big and meaningful and true. This series is thinky and fantastic and beautiful example of psychology but not my favorite beyond the first book and like An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard, I will mentally stop after the first book (though Howard’s book at least wrapped up the story enough to pass as a standalone, though another was published years later).
Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

A steamy romance but obvious and lacking the witty conversation and will they/won’t they. 
Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Loved it. Little slow on the start and world building but I love the characters and interactions and I want more!
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I didn’t love this as much as the first, maybe because the first gets the credit of the originality and base storyline. But I’m satisfied with how it progressed and ended.
I enjoyed the reunion of Kitt and Iris in that western town.
I wish this book was more sensational but it was okay, a satisfactory ending to the duology, but even that feels like a bit of a let down after the first book which I enjoyed so much. 
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

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adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I wish I remembered Priory of the Orange Tree better as I read this and I might’ve enjoyed it more and understood more significance from it all. Honestly I thought this book was slow and didn’t enjoy it as much until Glorian was faced with Fyredel and started stepping up into her role. I liked Unora and Dumai best in the mountains, I feel like it hinted at but never dealt much with politics or opposing the River Lord. I’m glad Tunuva and Esbar had faith in each other and worked it out. I liked the bit about Wulf coming to the Priory, even if all that seems rather fantastical to survive crossing that plague-ridden, war-torn world multiple times. Anyways, I liked bits but the whole was hard and slow. I felt the POV shifted too much that when I was finally getting into a story then it changed to another character. I always like multiple POV best when the characters somehow meet, even tangently, so I wish there was more of that beyond Wulf and Tunuva (and obviously Wulf and Glorian). I hope Glorian’s legend does her proudly. 
Scoring Chance by Teagan Hunter

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Really rushed
through the fight and time apart- though I feel bad for Miller. I like the lesson to work on yourself but you can do that without totally hurting and ignoring someone you love; even if you need space, TELL HIM duh. I wish he moved on in the meantime. Before that it was too quick and easy too (though my falling also felt quick and easy in the best way, but there was no long distance or fame or money issues either!).
Not one of my favorites from the series.
A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

Simple, somewhat enjoyable short stories peaking at Pratchett’s early writing under pseudonyms published in the 1970-80s mostly. 
Undead AF by MaryJanice Davidson

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

So disappointing… I loved this series through like book 8. Then book nine was an about face (though apparently it was resolved as a possible future/Ancient Betsy) and this just tried too hard while treading water, not much happened and it was too chatty with too many footnotes. I’m rereading the first two to erase this from my memory and keep original Betsy in my mind.