Search

Search only in certain items:

Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1)
Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1)
Zen Cho | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fabulous Magical Regency Romp
Sorcerer to the Crown is a Regency era fantasy novel packed with romance, mystery, and adventure. Fans of historial fiction and gaslamp fantasy like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell, the Chrestomanci series, or A Great and Terrible Beauty will enjoy this romantic romp through an alternative London where magic is a gentleman's sport and issues of race, class, and gender are as worrying as the general decline of magic in England.

Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.

Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
  
40x40

QuietlyBookish (65 KP) rated Fangirl in Books

Jul 6, 2017  
Fangirl
Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.9 (46 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (3 more)
Themes of Mental Illness
Plot
Dialogue
Must Read For Anyone Starting University!
I very much enjoyed this book. I read this book in one day. I loved Cath, I felt that she was easy to like and she was realistic, I think her thoughts, feelings and actions were easy to relate to.
This book is about finding yourself as you transition from teenager to adult and learn to live alone for the first time.
I can't recommend this enough, I think everyone can gain something from this story!

There are a lot of different editions of this book! I'd recommend looking them up if you're interested in fan art or author Q&A's! Also, there are two other books related to Fangirl, there is Carry On which is a full novel about the Simon and Baz fanfiction Cath writes in Fangirl. Also, Cath and Levi make an appearance in the author's adult novel Landline, if you're interested in that!
  
40x40

Samantha (67 KP) rated Heir of Fire in Books

Jul 7, 2017  
Heir of Fire
Heir of Fire
Sarah J. Maas | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.9 (38 Ratings)
Book Rating
Rowan and Manon are new, interesting and valuable characters to this series (2 more)
Celaena's/ Elentiya's/ Aelin's development as a Fae and in trusting those around her
Further insight is provided in relation to Celaena's/ Elentiya's/ Aelin's past and the influence of these occurances
What should we be calling her?
This story was a brilliant addition to the 'Throne of Glass' series, showing immense growth in the main character whilst also introducing new characters and story lines to the mix. I found that it took a while to get into Manon's story line, although once I did it was a valuable addition to the story. The story line surrounding Chaol and Dorian seemed cloudy and trivial for a fair amount of the novel although still had its merits in relation to the story as a whole. Overall, the combination of story lines allowed for a story that provided constant engagement and intrigue throughout the novel.
  
TF
Together Forever (Orphan Train, #2)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is definitely a book that you will not put down! The author has done her extensive research and has brought fiction and history together in an incredible novel. Jody Hedlund has a knack for developing the characters so that you can truly interact with them and feel the emotions and the empathy, that these agents must have felt. As the reader, I felt that I really bonded with the characters, I felt love for little Jethro and wanted to ease the fear of the other children. The author makes the reader feel as if they are a part of the story. This storyline also has a theme of love, forgiveness, restoration and letting the past go and being free to move on to the future. A truly enjoyable book!


This story was full of laughter, fun, romance, anticipation and mystery. It's a novel that everyone will enjoy.


I rate this one 5 stars.
  
40x40

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Asymmetry in Books

Jan 17, 2018  
Asymmetry
Asymmetry
Lisa Halliday | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Asymmetrical stories
Lisa Halliday's novel of three parts charts the relationship between an eccentric older writer Ezra Blazer, his young lover Alice, and then moves quickly to the story of an American Iraqi attempting to find his roots.

Individually, each story is captivating, Halliday's ability to bring humour with subtle behaviour is remarkable. Similarly, her research into Iraq is interesting - though at one point I did get confused as she mentions the Clinton administration's foreign policy role during the second Gulf War when it should be under George Bush. I'm unsure whether this is a typo or a genuine mistake or I'm wrong altogether.

While each part is well-written, and the first story is completed in the third part when Ezra's character becomes a guest on BBC's Desert Island Discs, it all feels rather disjointed. Perhaps this is why the novel is named Asymmetry as a result? We may never know.
  
The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green | 2012 | Children
10
8.2 (185 Ratings)
Book Rating
I scoffed at the author's note before the novel started. Of COURSE the characters and events are fictional. DUH. But i had to remind myself of that when i finished because Hazel and Augustus are my dear friends and my heroes. (and it's not because the "fought" cancer "bravely") Even as fictional characters -still don't actually, literally believe that- they left their scars upon me and I'm better for it. That's the whole point of literature, isn't it? That's the whole point of life: notice the universe but don't forget about the simple beauties in front of you. Like a fantastic novel.

SPOILER

I felt like Green put me in the shoes of Hazel in that he created a character that i fell in love with but tragically lost. In an infinite number of dimensions with an infinite number of outcomes, Augustus and Hazel live a long and happy life together. I refuse to believe anything less.
  
Despite being the second in the series, you don’t need to read the first to enjoy this novel.

Overall, the novel wasn’t terrible. I am not a fan of insta-lust nor people contradicting their morals with their actions. While there was chemistry between the leads, the insta-lust factor put me off. The erotic scenes were also a bit tame for my tastes. Filled with innuendos instead of being straightforward, I feel the erotic scenes would be more suited for someone who is put off but more vulgar language.

I also wasn’t a fan of the author’s writing style in general. Some part seems too long, dragging out unnecessarily or was just too flowery.

Bottom line, this is a historical romance meant for those who want a tamer historical romance. Honestly, it reminds of the novels that my grandma used to read, like Kathleen Woodiwiss and older Jude Deveraux.
  
LI
Lust is the Thorn
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second novel I have read from this author and I am not sure if I like her or not yet. Both stories feature tormented men with troubled past and the women who love them. I love a good romance about a man falling in love with his best friend’s sister, but there seemed to be a lot lacking from this novel. I felt that the only conflict was the character’s own hang ups.

I did, however, enjoy the bad girl, good boy dynamic. I am so used to the man being the “bad” one that it was refreshing. Not to mention he was genuinely a good guy. I felt like they deserved each other and helped each other heal.

However, I didn’t particularly care for the story line. There was nothing wrong with it or the author’s writing. I just didn’t care about the characters or their story.
  
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to say this was a cute romance novella but the heroine was too frustrating. Actually, both leads were but male protagonist’s was more understandable. The couple fell in love but, due to their relationship, are not allowed to be together. However, they still act like they are together, e.i. jealousy, touching, etc. That was all fine and dandy, but the female lead was too childish for me. Not to mention she seemed to cry on nearly every page. I don’t mind tears, they realistic. But this novel had too much.

Also for being the first in the series, there isn’t much background information. While it’s not absolutely necessary, it would have been much appreciated.

The author created a interesting universe with realistic characters (even though they weren’t my favorites). It ends with a pretty hot scene, but is overall pretty tame.
  
WP
When Passion Rules
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had been wanting to read this novel since I first saw the cover before it was even released. I don't understand why the cover is so delectable, but it made this novel a must read for me.

I love Lindsey's Malory Series. It's on my top 10 series list in fact. I have read some of her other works but this is the first in a few years. The greatest thing about Lindsey is that she knows how to tell a story. From her style to the dialogue, from the plot and character development to the story itself, the woman has a gift.

However, I did not fall in love with it the way I expected myself to. I love historical romance, and Lindsey is the Queen of Historical Romance. Despite this, I was not wowed like I thought I would. I loved how Lindsey put a little murder mystery in it. The twist towards the end was interesting, though not wholly unexpected.