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blissofalife's reviews
111 reviews
My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
A fun read, the narrator on the audiobook was phenomenal! The book itself felt like it needed a little extra editing. There were several side plots that came to nothing and made the middle-ending drag on. Like the entire side plot with the Great White Bear?? And the number of scenes where Guilford and Jane are just…reiterating that he’s a horse during the day. Very repetitive.
Found this book after binging and loving the series, not upset that the series is drastically different from the book, I enjoyed both of them for different reasons. The tv series was definitely aged up from the book content.
I think I will read more of the books in this series, but I’m gonna take a break. Again, it needed to be shorter.
Found this book after binging and loving the series, not upset that the series is drastically different from the book, I enjoyed both of them for different reasons. The tv series was definitely aged up from the book content.
I think I will read more of the books in this series, but I’m gonna take a break. Again, it needed to be shorter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I’m struggling to rate this one, the world building was incredible! It was full of new ideas well explaining and executed with interesting and bizarre concepts sprinkled throughout. I would love to read a whole series set in this world!…just not about these characters.
Interesting uses of Christianity throughout, lots of symbolism and Bible verses alluding to the ultimate reveal, really solid buildup.
I just didn’t like the reveal. Or the final chapters. Or the ambiguous ending. I can’t believe the big reveal was “you’re not siblings! Oh wait, jkjk, you absolutely are. The truth will set you free you’re welcome” and then they just…agree with it all? Literally with the attitude of “well, at least they can’t hurt us more than they already have” feels icky icky.
Interesting uses of Christianity throughout, lots of symbolism and Bible verses alluding to the ultimate reveal, really solid buildup.
I just didn’t like the reveal. Or the final chapters. Or the ambiguous ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, Vomit, and Religious bigotry
A Deal with the Elf King [Dramatized Adaption] by Elise Kova
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This isn’t my first dramatized adaptation of an audiobook, which is a good thing, because after this I would’ve avoided them like the plague. The sound effects were way too loud and made it difficult to hear the narrator and were very distracting, they were continuously in the background instead of being used to punctuate a moment.
The storyline itself was…fine, the world building was alright but left quite a bit to be desired. I feel like nothing was fully explained, and the resolution was rushed and felt like an afterthought rather than the grand reveal it wanted to be.
The romance was unconvincing, and the main characters did not feel compatible in the least. The sex scenes were unnecessary, and did nothing to make me believe the characters were falling in love or even connecting on an emotional (or physical, ironically) level.
Honestly just a meh read for me, a good premise but poorly explored.
The storyline itself was…fine, the world building was alright but left quite a bit to be desired. I feel like nothing was fully explained, and the resolution was rushed and felt like an afterthought rather than the grand reveal it wanted to be.
The romance was unconvincing, and the main characters did not feel compatible in the least. The sex scenes were unnecessary, and did nothing to make me believe the characters were falling in love or even connecting on an emotional (or physical, ironically) level.
Honestly just a meh read for me, a good premise but poorly explored.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Gaslighting
A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved Freya! Self-aware and willing to examine her own actions and their consequences as well as those of others, I appreciate that despite being the child of gods she doesn’t view herself as inherently superior.
Lots of mystery, plenty of tension. Despite building in several scenes that could’ve easily been much more salacious, I’m glad that they weren’t. The love plot line isn’t the main plot line but an important supporting line. But for a “forbidden attraction” trope, this one was done well and made sense with the story.
Would recommend for adults with an interest in Nordic mythology who enjoy fantastical adventures with a side of forbidden romance.
Can’t wait for the next installment!
Lots of mystery, plenty of tension. Despite building in several scenes that could’ve easily been much more salacious, I’m glad that they weren’t. The love plot line isn’t the main plot line but an important supporting line. But for a “forbidden attraction” trope, this one was done well and made sense with the story.
Would recommend for adults with an interest in Nordic mythology who enjoy fantastical adventures with a side of forbidden romance.
Can’t wait for the next installment!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism
It’s about Nordic warriors with several battle scenes and a few loved scenes all written for adults. Graphic but not gratuitous.
Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I’m a huge fan of witches who aren’t over powerful and this one was done so well! I liked the alternating POV and how it both told us more than the individuals characters knew while still keeping us in the dark. But man, this was a long one. And for all its length, there are so many loose ends! I feel like I’ve been left with more questions than answers, especially in the last few chapters.
Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook!
Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Self harm, and Stalking
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo
adventurous
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? No
4.0
I loved the background we’re given in this one! A visit to Singing Hills AT LAST! I enjoyed the origin stories, and that there were so many of them. I liked seeing a bit of conflict between the main characters and how they handled it, great character development! Another great addition to a fantastic series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Much more action packed than the previous installments! I did however, miss the storytelling outline of the previous books, but I still loved this one. I’m excited to continue on with this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.0
A fun, un-serious romp that felt reminiscent of a dungeons and dragons campaign. I loved the sass of all of the characters as well as the (very relatable) reactions of the main character to combat situations. I loved cinnamons complete and utter reluctance to be a hero and her massive pockets full of snacks.
I liked the plot. I thought it was fun. I liked most all the characters and how they interacted with one another and that as a whole The conflict was towards an entity and not with each other.
I did NOT like the sex scenes. Not because I don’t like sex scenes, but because it felt like they were unnecessarily lengthy and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. To be honest, they felt like something straight out of fanfiction. By the third one, I was skipping through the whole thing.
Overall of fun read, but I think I would’ve struggled to finish it if I hadn’t been listening to it on a 6 Hour drive.
That said, I’ll give the next book in the series a try, I really loved the narrator and did think it was a fun book. Just not one I’ll be recommending to my book club lol.
I liked the plot. I thought it was fun. I liked most all the characters and how they interacted with one another and that as a whole The conflict was towards an entity and not with each other.
I did NOT like the sex scenes. Not because I don’t like sex scenes, but because it felt like they were unnecessarily lengthy and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. To be honest, they felt like something straight out of fanfiction. By the third one, I was skipping through the whole thing.
Overall of fun read, but I think I would’ve struggled to finish it if I hadn’t been listening to it on a 6 Hour drive.
That said, I’ll give the next book in the series a try, I really loved the narrator and did think it was a fun book. Just not one I’ll be recommending to my book club lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I was a little disappointed with the climax and ending. It felt like we were building up to some grand reveal which never came. Even the title of the book felt a little misleading? Familiars were mentioned, but never obviously attached or showed clear purpose. I didn’t really understand Fleetwood obsession with Alice, but maybe that was the point and I missed it. And the big reveal about her husband having another family? Why did that just fizzle out at the end and come to nothing? We spent half the book with her being so distressed about it and in the end the solution is: “I’ll just ignore it.” But the reveal at the end that these were real characters and loosely. (very loosely.) based on real events was super interesting to me!
I did, however, love the attention to historical detail and dedication to - as far as I can tell - historical accuracy in the descriptions of interactions between the classes and feelings and views of the time. As well as what the characters were wearing, and why.
I did, however, love the attention to historical detail and dedication to - as far as I can tell - historical accuracy in the descriptions of interactions between the classes and feelings and views of the time. As well as what the characters were wearing, and why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, and Classism
Minor: Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo
adventurous
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? No
4.5
Any fear I had of this series being repetitive have been laid to rest. I loved the style of this one, how it was distinctly different but also similar to the first!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder