Scan barcode
readundancies's reviews
1511 reviews
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
My Dear Friend by Heather Moll
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Darcy Comes to Rosings: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation by Andrea David
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
2.5
The angst was mid because it occurred entirely in the heads of D&E and was borne from insecurities, nothing more.
This also felt too long, like things were dragging on for longer than was comfortable.
Everything else was a bit boring, and the tone of the writing was a bit off-putting in that it wasn’t as soft as I prefer.
This also felt too long, like things were dragging on for longer than was comfortable.
Everything else was a bit boring, and the tone of the writing was a bit off-putting in that it wasn’t as soft as I prefer.
Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.25
I feel like this should just be a fully-fledged novel as opposed to a novella series, but that may have something to do with the cliffhanger ending and my need for MORE, NOW.
Loved the multimedia at the end alongside the footnotes, loved the main characters and even the supporting cast even though again, character development was sacrificed on that front due to the novella’s length, and I loved the build-up and reveal of the plot and its twist in spite of the predictability because the writing was just so strong in voice and pacing.
Will be purchasing a physical copy and pre-ordering the sequel because this novella was all of the fun I want in a sci-fi read, speed and all.
Loved the multimedia at the end alongside the footnotes, loved the main characters and even the supporting cast even though again, character development was sacrificed on that front due to the novella’s length, and I loved the build-up and reveal of the plot and its twist in spite of the predictability because the writing was just so strong in voice and pacing.
Will be purchasing a physical copy and pre-ordering the sequel because this novella was all of the fun I want in a sci-fi read, speed and all.
The Assassin of Venice by Alyssa Palombo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I think I want more build up to the romance as opposed to everything else that this story is focusing on.
I only got about 7% in, but it’s pretty clear this is not what my mood is calling for; which is a me problem, not a book problem.
I only got about 7% in, but it’s pretty clear this is not what my mood is calling for; which is a me problem, not a book problem.
Love Me Not by Terri Osburn
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Genuinely only finished this because I had already gotten over halfway through and I’m behind on my reading goal for the year, and we need to pad those stats, so yeah.
The dialogue did improve, the cheesiness did not.
This is also cleaner than Mr. Clean when it comes to the romance, and I like my romance like I like my martinis - dirty as fuck.
Moving on.
-x-
DNF @ 53%
This has some of the most appallingly poor dialogue I have read in quite some time.
And I just can’t stomach another word of it.
So no, just no.
The dialogue did improve, the cheesiness did not.
This is also cleaner than Mr. Clean when it comes to the romance, and I like my romance like I like my martinis - dirty as fuck.
Moving on.
-x-
DNF @ 53%
This has some of the most appallingly poor dialogue I have read in quite some time.
And I just can’t stomach another word of it.
So no, just no.
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The plot was weak, but so were my emotions because I truly teared up too many times for me to comfortable with.
The romance was not strong in the sense that the lead characters really don’t have a whole lot of physical interaction on page, but the characters themselves were still fairly developed if a bit messy in terms of flaws.
The writing is strong though when it comes to the discussions about grief and trauma and how the characters handle it. There’s a very sincere tone to the writing that is captured very well and evokes real emotion in the reader when the relationships between characters are explored.
It was low stakes, but also low investment, and even though it doesn’t have a lot of re-readability for me, I still enjoyed it enough not to turn anyone away from it.
The romance was not strong in the sense that the lead characters really don’t have a whole lot of physical interaction on page, but the characters themselves were still fairly developed if a bit messy in terms of flaws.
The writing is strong though when it comes to the discussions about grief and trauma and how the characters handle it. There’s a very sincere tone to the writing that is captured very well and evokes real emotion in the reader when the relationships between characters are explored.
It was low stakes, but also low investment, and even though it doesn’t have a lot of re-readability for me, I still enjoyed it enough not to turn anyone away from it.
Second Tide's the Charm by Chandra Blumberg
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A soft, cozy read. Emotional with no spice, it’s sweet but not nearly angsty enough for my taste.
Which is great for anyone not looking for that. I’m just here for all the angsty drama when it comes to my low-stakes romance reads.
Which is great for anyone not looking for that. I’m just here for all the angsty drama when it comes to my low-stakes romance reads.
The Silverblood Promise by James Logan
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really went through a bit of a tailspin of emotions when reading this book; at times I was flirting with a 5-star read, at others I was desperately grasping for something more from the writing.
Which is to say, that this being a debut fantasy novel did not surprise me. Something about the tone of the writing, certain phrases of dialogue and the fact that I found myself wanting a bit more character depth and development from some of the supporting cast just felt cultivated this sense of a newly fledged author telling a tale. And I think this isn’t a bad thing at all, it leaves room for improvement in the sequels and future works by James Logan, but also allows for some concessions to be made when it comes to the fluidity of the prose and narrative of the plot and how the journey of it all comes together and concludes.
I thought the characters and characterization, especially with Lukan, were well thought out and had solid groundwork for which the characters to grow out of. I will say that some of the secondary or supporting characters, especially Ashra, left me wanting to know a lot more about them. She had fit seamlessly into the team of Lukan and Flea, but I also felt like I never really got to learn enough about her. I felt similar with Flea, but to a lesser degree since we’re introduced to her quite early on in the story. I wanted more from the characters, but I think it has a lot to do with the narrative structure and how Ashra and Flea had minimal perspective page-time in that their POV inclusions felt all too brief and they kind of barrelled on in without any warning or explanation as to why they showed up.
The world-building was really strong though, considering I spent a not so little amount of time muttering under my breath, trying to flip to a non-existent map that should’ve been included at the front of the story.
The plot was quite fast paced, and did get a little anti-climactic at the end of the novel, where I was expecting a bit more of a bang for my buck when it came to the climax of the novel.
But honestly? Other than those qualms, I really enjoyed my time with this story, and would encourage others to pick it up if there’s any kind of interest in it.
Which is to say, that this being a debut fantasy novel did not surprise me. Something about the tone of the writing, certain phrases of dialogue and the fact that I found myself wanting a bit more character depth and development from some of the supporting cast just felt cultivated this sense of a newly fledged author telling a tale. And I think this isn’t a bad thing at all, it leaves room for improvement in the sequels and future works by James Logan, but also allows for some concessions to be made when it comes to the fluidity of the prose and narrative of the plot and how the journey of it all comes together and concludes.
I thought the characters and characterization, especially with Lukan, were well thought out and had solid groundwork for which the characters to grow out of. I will say that some of the secondary or supporting characters, especially Ashra, left me wanting to know a lot more about them. She had fit seamlessly into the team of Lukan and Flea, but I also felt like I never really got to learn enough about her. I felt similar with Flea, but to a lesser degree since we’re introduced to her quite early on in the story. I wanted more from the characters, but I think it has a lot to do with the narrative structure and how Ashra and Flea had minimal perspective page-time in that their POV inclusions felt all too brief and they kind of barrelled on in without any warning or explanation as to why they showed up.
The world-building was really strong though, considering I spent a not so little amount of time muttering under my breath, trying to flip to a non-existent map that should’ve been included at the front of the story.
The plot was quite fast paced, and did get a little anti-climactic at the end of the novel, where I was expecting a bit more of a bang for my buck when it came to the climax of the novel.
But honestly? Other than those qualms, I really enjoyed my time with this story, and would encourage others to pick it up if there’s any kind of interest in it.