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kellybarth's reviews
70 reviews
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The Chyerti are sadly less prominent than in book 1, and I found the pace to move a little more slowly than the first, but overall I found this to be a great read (especially in snowy winter time!). If you're looking for a cozy winter read that isn't cheesy or cutesy you'll love The Winternight Trilogy.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Vasya is back but this time she's far from home, a weary traveler headed toward the big city. Just like book 1, this book opens with a woman telling her family an old story. Once again, this story will be brought to life as the novel unfolds, but not in the way you expect. Book 2 has more adventure and a little less magic than Book 1, but it is still firmly in fantasy territory.
Don't miss the helpful resources at the end of the story, including a glossary and an explanation of the characters' many nicknames.
Vibe Check
This book is for you if you like:
Don't miss the helpful resources at the end of the story, including a glossary and an explanation of the characters' many nicknames.
Vibe Check
This book is for you if you like:
- Fantasy and Ghost Stories
- Russian Folklore
- Russian History (specifically from the 1300's)
- Mulan vibes and strong underestimated women
- Romance that isn't smut
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The Chyerti are sadly less prominent than in book 1, and I found the pace to move a little more slowly than the first, but overall I found this to be a great read (especially in snowy winter time!). If you're looking for a cozy winter read that isn't cheesy or cutesy you'll love The Winternight Trilogy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
When Shadows Grow Tall by Maressa Voss
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"When Shadows Grow Tall" is a Fantasy novel, set in a fictional realm called The Grasp. This is the first book of the The Cycles of Night series.
This novel follows Lovelace and Gunnar, members of a mysterious brotherhood of "dactyli." They find themselves in a realm on the edge of enlightenment, gathering the "truest truth". When the order faces a fatal threat from a rogue member, Lovelace and Gunnar embark on a dangerous journey where they discover more than the welfare of the order is at stake. Their former compatriot, Alev, amasses an army of those he calls the Burned Ones, who possess the ability to wield impossible magic.
Meanwhile, A young woman named Kylene undertakes a journey of her own to find her missing father, a prominent printer wanted for sedition against the overbearing ruler, Osbert.
This book is for you if you enjoy:
Elemental Magic
Mysterious Societies
Epic Quests
Unlikely Heroes
Strong Female Characters
Gaelic Influences
Battles of Good vs. Evil
Vibe Check
When Shadows Grow Tall gave me Robin Hood vibes in the best way. You can't help but root for the cast of loveable underdogs as they journey through nature to restore order to The Grasp at the hands of the oppressive rule of the mysterious Osbert.
Minor Content Warning for the murder of a child. This isn't particularly gory; it is a minor, isolated incident within the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed When Shadows Grow Tall and give it ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
As with any fantasy series, you'll spend the opening chapters meeting the cast of characters and learning the vocabulary of the realm and its particular brand of magic. With the exposition well-established, and the first part of this adventure well underway, I'm excited to see what journeys await in Book 2!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novel follows Lovelace and Gunnar, members of a mysterious brotherhood of "dactyli." They find themselves in a realm on the edge of enlightenment, gathering the "truest truth". When the order faces a fatal threat from a rogue member, Lovelace and Gunnar embark on a dangerous journey where they discover more than the welfare of the order is at stake. Their former compatriot, Alev, amasses an army of those he calls the Burned Ones, who possess the ability to wield impossible magic.
Meanwhile, A young woman named Kylene undertakes a journey of her own to find her missing father, a prominent printer wanted for sedition against the overbearing ruler, Osbert.
This book is for you if you enjoy:
Elemental Magic
Mysterious Societies
Epic Quests
Unlikely Heroes
Strong Female Characters
Gaelic Influences
Battles of Good vs. Evil
Vibe Check
When Shadows Grow Tall gave me Robin Hood vibes in the best way. You can't help but root for the cast of loveable underdogs as they journey through nature to restore order to The Grasp at the hands of the oppressive rule of the mysterious Osbert.
Minor Content Warning for the murder of a child. This isn't particularly gory; it is a minor, isolated incident within the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed When Shadows Grow Tall and give it ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
As with any fantasy series, you'll spend the opening chapters meeting the cast of characters and learning the vocabulary of the realm and its particular brand of magic. With the exposition well-established, and the first part of this adventure well underway, I'm excited to see what journeys await in Book 2!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Bear and the Nightingale is an exciting mix of fantasy, folklore, Russian history, adventure, and just a touch of romance.
The characters are a little hard to keep track of at first, but if you stick with it you’ll fall in love with Pyotr’s family as you watch his children grow into strong, independent adults.
I didn’t want to leave this world, and I am so glad to have book 2 to look forward to!
The characters are a little hard to keep track of at first, but if you stick with it you’ll fall in love with Pyotr’s family as you watch his children grow into strong, independent adults.
I didn’t want to leave this world, and I am so glad to have book 2 to look forward to!
The Maid by Nita Prose
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A frustrating take on the unteliable narrator/whodunnit trope. Major plot holes made the second half of this book hard to read, and the twist at the end could have been left off entirely.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A slow build, but worth it. The world building a faeries were vivid and exciting.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0