Mini Reviews (part seven)
Hi everyone!
Here are my next five non-podcast reads of 2022.
I started the next chapter of the Shadowhunters series, which I am reading as part of a buddy read hosted by @buddyreadbooknook on Instagram. It has been a lot of fun discovering and discussing this world with all the lovely people. I also read the newest Dark Olympus installment and finally brushed off a book that’s been on my TBR for over two years.
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
This was a solid Shadowhunters installment.
I much prefer Tessa as an MC to Clary, I think she is more mature (unsurprising since she is older) and I find her more relatable. I love that she loves to read. I was so happy with the setting because I lived in London for many years, so it was nice to be reminded of that time in my life.
I really dislike Jessamine's character. I was firmly team Will until the last chapter, now I am team Jem (he is just so kind). What a cliffhanger ending!
Looking forward to the next one.
Rating: 4/5
Learn My Lesson (Wicked Villains #2)
Fans self ... the best and steamiest Katee Robert book I have read so far.
I feel like maybe I just don't vibe with the Greek mythology retellings by this author, because I thought this book was amazing. There are only 2 reasons why this was not a 5 star read for me:
1. The action sequence at the end of the book was unnecessary, naive and too rushed to really make me feel like any of the characters were in danger.
2. The number of editing mistakes which took me out of the story every time.
Other than that I loved the dynamic between the three main characters - Meg, Hades and Hercules - as well as the exploration of a BDSM relationship (about which I know next to nothing, so honestly cannot comment on whether or not this was an accurate depiction) which was hot as hell.
Had a really great time reading this and look forward to the next one.
Rating: 4/5
Vicious (Villains #1)
So I think I overhyped this for myself and therefore didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Don't get me wrong, this was a great book - it explores some dark themes and I liked the jumping around in time, as well as all of the characters. But it was just lacking that little something that would have pushed it to amazing for me.
That being said, I am very curious for the sequel because of the cliffhanger ending and the title, ‘Vengeful’, which I would have thought would be better suited for this one.
Rating: 4/5
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)
The best Shadowhunters novel so far.
I loved this - there was so much character development and so much angst, with very little action but I honestly don't care because the Tessa/Will/Jem triangle is all I care about right now.
Rating: 5/5
Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus #3)
This was so disappointing, my least favourite Katee Robert book so far.
Again with the typos - is there even an editor for her books?
I liked the overall premise about there being a competition for the title of Ares but thought the execution was poor. While I get that this is primarily a romance book, I wish there had been more action. There was no tension, it was obvious who would win from the beginning. There is still no explanation for how the ‘magic’ of this world works.
I am sick of the constant underestimating and pigeonholing of the female characters in this series. Just enough already. Not even the supposedly super-clever Patroclus had any real respect for Helen throughout most of this book.
None of the characters were particularly likeable, my least favourite being Achilles. He was brash, stubborn and conceited, behaved like a hypocrite multiple times. Supposedly the best fighter in all the land, he didn’t really amount to much in combat. The sex was hot, sure, but otherwise I didn’t feel any real connection between the characters. I wish we had had more of Atalanta, she was the only one of the supporting cast who interested me at all.
What was the Minotaur doing in this story? Why was Achilles shot in his thigh and not his heel? Can this really even be called a retelling at this point when so many things have been changed?
I almost wish I had DNFd this and I don’t know if I will be continuing this series…
Also, please don’t romanticise miscarriages, it is extremely tone-deaf.
Rating: 2/5
Have you read any of these books? Do you agree with my ratings? Let me know in the comments below, via e-mail or DM us on Instagram - we love to hear from you!
Until next time, keep reading!
Lucia