Isabelle Joshua's Blog

Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a fun and fast read. I did get a little confused by all the characters and the back story and the mystery plot. But it was a good book and held my interest.

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Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story was funny and kookie. Good fun read.

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Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is fantastic. Not what I typically read, but the narrator's voice was excellent. There were some part that were confusing because I was listening to it and maybe not paying as much attention to names, in which there are many. This author is rather fond of a huge cast of characters. But I will go back and read. I love Vaelin Al Sorna, he is an extraordinary and beautiful character. I understand why the princess and the sister love him.

This book is almost entirely comprised of male characters and lots of violence, but it is so worth it!

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Queen of Fire by Anthony Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was good and I liked different voices. It was expansive and had so much going on. The depth of the history of this world was amazing. The ending was okay, it was just an ending and I didn't want it to end. I didn't feel like Vaelin had a great emotional depth and his grief wasn't as profound or touching as I thought it would be but possibly he is just so closed off. He is the ultimate mans-man. Again, I love Richard Brand's voice and he IS Vaelin Al Sorna.

And it didn't end on a very high note or even a note of good things to come for these people, they were so battered and bruised from the war, so I didn't see a lot of hope even at the end.

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Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Again, I listened to the audio of this book and I LOVE Richard Brand's voice. And I really enjoyed the varied POV and expansion of the world. My heart hurt for Vaelin after he left Sharon and basically gave up himself. Then he meets someone else, it was very action packed and the characters were awesome. The world that Anthony Ryan builds is so intricate and deep that it seems so real. My only complaint is the amount of characters and the names, while I like them, it make it very hard to keep them straight. I had to just let it go. I will most likely read this series again and possibly reading it rather than listening to it would help, but Richard Brand's voice will be in my head.

Love Vaelin and Frentis!

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My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was really a cautionary tale and the naivety of Phillip was hard to identify with. Despite Rachel's sweet nature there was enough inconsistency of emotion that I always suspected her guilt. I was furious with Phillip for most of the book at how stupid he was even with all the red flags. But I was very satisfied with the ending. It is typical of her other work and very good.

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Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great suspense and interesting story. I did figure it out but it was still good.

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Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure what to expect for this. Fantasy books aren't ones that I typically read, but I have in the past and I have liked them. So I started this one off and although there were some awkward sentences. For instance, a few too many exclamation points for Celaena character. But as the story grew and expanded, I loved every minute of it. I loved Dorian and Choal. The dialog was very good, the witty comeback and everything. It wrapped it's warm assassin cloak around me and wouldn't let go.

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The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book redeemed the series after the Winner's Crime. I was so disgusted with Kestral in the last book. And so heartbroken for Arin. I loved the character of Roshar, the Eastern prince, and his wit and lines brought such levity to the book. Arin is still wonderful and fierce and romantic. And I was pleased with the storyline for Kestral and felt the rebuilding of her was so necessary. A great book and finale to end this series. The war and fighting scenes were heart pounding and very detailed!

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The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was infuriating simple because of Kestral's character. I hated all the lies and the tremendous hurt she inflicted on Arin. Time and Time again. I just couldn't understand it. She was so smart but yet just like Arin when her feelings got mixed up in her decision she made horrible ones. The story was good and progressed well but it was so hard and heartbreaking to read, I didn't want to continue. But I did. I had to find out if Arin got his happiness and if Kestral stopped all the lying. So I do recommend it but beware of the hard parts are many.

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