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vel629vet's reviews
1015 reviews
Black Cloak Volume 1 by Kelly Thompson
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Super unique noir murder mystery set in a mystical city with elves, draconids, mermaids, humans, and more. I want more more more about the history of this place and this city and how it came to be. But this was a GREAT opener to this world because Thompson doesn’t spend time forcing world building on you - she just tells the story and lets you pick up details along the way. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for volume 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Torture
Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Less interesting and impactful than book 1. Slower story movement and the awe was diminished since I had already gotten used to the artistic style. I also appreciate Hades pointing out their age difference, but if anything, now I've just gotten the super ick about the direction of the love story.
Captain Marvel Vol. 10: Revenge of the Brood Part 2 by Kelly Thompson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
5.0
The end of an era with Kelly Thompson’s incredible version of Carol. Highlights for me were the Fallen Avenger and the story in the future. I’ll miss Thompson’s Captain Marvel but I’m excited to see what’s next for her.
The Great British Bump-Off by John Allison
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
An attempted murder in the Bake-Off tent and one of the bakers must find the culprit while baking ahead of the competition. Cute but left something to be desired.
It's Jeff! Infinity comic 1-12 by Kelly Thompson
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Here for the vibes and the cuteness. When will we get a Jeff short on Disney+???
Women of the Post by Joshunda Sanders
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I wanted this to be amazing, and while the context and concept was incredible, the writing was not. While the flow improved in the second half of the book, I never felt a true depth in any of the 3 heroines. Any distinguishing character traits were very circumstantial rather than fully developed.
This book did, however, peak my interest in learning more about black women who served in the world wars. Again, I loved the concept and the history. I wish I had loved the prose.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing!
This book did, however, peak my interest in learning more about black women who served in the world wars. Again, I loved the concept and the history. I wish I had loved the prose.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, and War
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-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
5.0
Reread November 2023: Glad I reread before Iron Flame. Even a few months later there was a lot I forgot!
August 2023: This is the most thrilling book I have read in ages. It took me right back to the excitement I felt reading Divergent or The Hunger Games for the first time. The story is non-stop action and fun, with a genuinely unique storyline, setting, magic system, and world building. I loved the little nuances that spoke to the way a world could be, and the 'modern' dialogue didn't bother me in the slightest.
I cannot wait for book 2 and I'm so glad it's coming this year!!!
August 2023: This is the most thrilling book I have read in ages. It took me right back to the excitement I felt reading Divergent or The Hunger Games for the first time. The story is non-stop action and fun, with a genuinely unique storyline, setting, magic system, and world building. I loved the little nuances that spoke to the way a world could be, and the 'modern' dialogue didn't bother me in the slightest.
I cannot wait for book 2 and I'm so glad it's coming this year!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m the problem, it’s me.
This book came to me at the wrong time in my life. If i had read it 10 years ago or maybe 10 years from now, I think I would love it. I also think the hype over this book ruined it a bit for me, because I was not emotionally prepared for how heartbreaking much of this story is.
Zevin’s writing is beautiful, and her prose should absolutely be studied.
I wasn’t a fan of the shifting timelines, and the sad moments were just too sad for me. But the storytelling was immaculate, and the characters were more complex than nearly anything else I’ve ever read.
I do recommend, but don’t go in expecting the lighthearted book about friendship and video games that I was.
This book came to me at the wrong time in my life. If i had read it 10 years ago or maybe 10 years from now, I think I would love it. I also think the hype over this book ruined it a bit for me, because I was not emotionally prepared for how heartbreaking much of this story is.
Zevin’s writing is beautiful, and her prose should absolutely be studied.
I wasn’t a fan of the shifting timelines, and the sad moments were just too sad for me. But the storytelling was immaculate, and the characters were more complex than nearly anything else I’ve ever read.
I do recommend, but don’t go in expecting the lighthearted book about friendship and video games that I was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism and Abortion
Minor: Vomit
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5 stars. Weakest in the series. Frustrating lack of plot. I take pretty big issue with the climax of a book getting resolved by someone thinking really hard about a problem for dozens of pages until they realize the error of their ways.
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was the most daunting book I have read in a long, long time and I am really proud of myself for pushing through and finishing this masterpiece of a trilogy.
The entire story is really expertly done, and my one big critique is that the final book could have been split into 2 or even 3 smaller books to make it less intimidating. Overall I highly recommend this series if you like high fantasy, want to read more books from the Middle East/North Africa, or like intricate, complex storylines.
The entire story is really expertly done, and my one big critique is that the final book could have been split into 2 or even 3 smaller books to make it less intimidating. Overall I highly recommend this series if you like high fantasy, want to read more books from the Middle East/North Africa, or like intricate, complex storylines.