Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3)

Knee-jerk reaction on finishing: I feel like I just ate a rice cake. Don’t get me wrong— I like rice cakes, they’re just not super satisfying.

Ranking my enjoyment of this series:
1. Fourth Wing
2. Onyx Storm
3. Iron Flame

So I have a lot of thoughts, but to avoid all spoilers, I’ll try to be brief and vague

What I liked:
1. Violet, Xaden, and all the dragons

What I didn’t like:
1. Not enough meaningful plot progression.

I feel like if someone wanted to skip book 3 for some reason, I would sum up the plot in one sentence, have them read the last 1-2 chapters, and they would be all set for book 4. That said, if you love the characters (which I do), then you’ll be reasonably happy to go on this ride despite this. While the lack of plot progression left me feeling unsatisfied, I enjoyed the read, and anticipate reading book 4. Though I’m not like foaming at the mouth for it, and I don’t anticipate Onyx Storm being one of my favorite reads of the year.

In the end, if you’re a fan of the series, I think you’ll like this one too!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I mean, I’ll be reading the sequel, but I don’t think this one’s going to make my favorite series list. Kinda feel weird about it, no lie! The super hype is hard to deal with!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Rival

What I liked about this book:
– Great narration
– A bubbly, engaging YA voice.
– A sweet childhood friends-to-lovers mixed with a touch of rivals-to-lovers. (It’s very clear from the beginning that Sebastian is head over heels for Sadie and waiting for her to catch up. But it’s very sweet to watch them overcome past misunderstandings for their relationship to evolve into love)
– A quirky college campus that we’d all definitely want to live in
– The first 25-30% drew me right in
– Sebastian was super sweet and popped off the page.

What I didn’t like:
– This one felt about 3 hours (~30%) too long for me for a single-POV, light romcom, and I felt like the second half dragged.
– The many side characters, while fun, all kind of blended together for me
– While I started off liking Sadie, she grated on me in the second half – especially in some of the high-tension moments with Sebastian.
– Overall, the main plot felt a little lower stakes than my usual preference

Overall, if you’re looking for a light, sweet college romance with a YA flavor and great narration, you might want to check this one out! Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m not sure how I feel about single POV romances anymore. I NEED BOTH OF THEM!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – A Killing Cold

What I liked:
– Audiobook narration is fantastic
– Descriptive imagery & narration that gives a tense sense of foreboding
– The idea of a mystery unfolding in a picturesque mountain cabin setting
– Some unexpected twists at the end

What I didn’t like:
– I couldn’t connect to the characters on this one and found nearly all of them to pretty unlikable, making it hard for me to get connected to the story. This could also have heavily impacted my thoughts on pacing and distinctiveness below
– Please keep in mind I like very fast-paced books, but this one felt too slow for me. Especially in the first half.
– I didn’t really feel like this one had that memorable spike that’ll keep me thinking about it. I almost felt like I’d read this story (or more likely, one that was very similar) before.

So, yeah, unfortunately, I don’t think this one wasn’t really for me, but if you’re looking for a tense, wintry thriller, this book may be for you! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook!

⭐⭐⭐½

I do feel like I’ve had a weird string of 3.5 star reads. Maybe I need to start being pickier about my book choices.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Sweet Nightmare

This book left me feeling strangely conflicted.

What I liked:
– The premise. I love the idea of paranormals hanging out at (essentially) a reform school with monsters in the basement.
– I liked the idea of Clementine, Jude, & all of their paranormal friends
– I’m usually a sucker for monsters, time travel, & tons of action

What I didn’t like
– I think my main issue was that I felt like none of the elements I liked were fleshed out as much as I needed them to be. I feel like we barely scraped the surface of Jude & Clementine. And there was so much intense stuff going on (like their classmates dying) but we kind of breezed past it without giving them time to react.
– Also, at times, I found Clementine a little frustrating in what she was or was not sharing with others

Overall I really liked the concept and found this an entertaining paranormal YA read, but I’m not sure I’ll grab the sequel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve heard this is like a spin-off of the author’s more popular series, so I might check that out and see what it’s all about.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Dragon Shifter’s Mates

So I picked this at random from Audible as a complete series before a marathon of roadtrips. If they hadn’t been linked together, I don’t think I would’ve gone beyond book one, but I will say I was entertained on the drive. But please keep in mind, I’d never actually read a reverse harem before this, but I can now say that it’s not really for me. And honestly, I think I realized I’m not a shifter person either, so very obviously, I probably shouldn’t have picked this one up. That said! I liked all the characters individually, and I found the writing, narration, and plot super easy to follow. And though I found the spicy scenes somewhat repetitive, if you love shifter romances and reverse harem, I think you’ll enjoy this series.

This book was written for a very specific reader, I think. It was not for me, but it could be for you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Halfway to the Grave

Loved Bones but Kat drove me crazy sometimes.

What I liked:
– Lots of vampire killing vampire action
– Bones. He is pretty much everything you’d want in a vampire trainer / love interest
– Fun banter

What I didn’t like:
– Kat sometimes drove me a little crazy about her mom
– Not a huge fan of the ending. Definitely depends on a book 2 to be satisfying, and I didn’t feel like it was a great choice from Kat.

Still, I think I’m game to see what book 2 is all about! Recommended for those looking for a vampire romance with action and spice.

Update: I tried book 2, but it was produced by a different narrator and I could not *stand* Bones’s voice. Had to DNF.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I do wish Graphic Audio had also produced the sequel, so I could give it a solid shake, but what can you do?

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Best Thing You Can Steal

I’m pretty much always down for a heist in a magical world. The narration was fantastic, it had a quick pace to it and a satisfying end… but the characters didn’t quite pop for me. Not quite for me, but if you’re looking for a fast-paced magical heist, this one might be for you !

⭐⭐⭐½

Not quite for me, but it might be for you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Priceless (Rylee Adamson)

I picked this audiobook up from Audible because it was included in my subscription and it was produced by Graphic Audiobooks. (They include sound effects and a full cast and legit sound like a movie.)

And it was basically everything I could ever want from an urban fantasy. Bamf FMC, excellent chemistry with the MMC, a magical world that keeps you guessing, and some excellent fast-paced action. I am SO here for book 2 and recommend to basically everyone. *chef’s kiss*

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yep – this was perfectly for me. Highly recommend.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Risk (Mindf*ck 1)

Another complete surprise! I stumbled on this book when I was on a road trip searching Libby for an audiobook to read and picked this one up at random without knowing anything about it. Based on the cover (not the one featured here… but the others), I honestly thought it would be too spicy for me, but it was so fun! It basically felt like Dexter except with more romance and if Dexter was a girl out for vengeance and also falling for the FBI agent that’s on her case.

Super fast paced with spice and some darkness, I’ll totally be looking for book 2!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love a book that surprises you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone)

This was another audiobook I picked up from Libby on a road trip. And I actually thought I was going to DNF it at 40% (I legit returned it.) but then I ended up checking it out again because I didn’t feel like looking for another book to read. Buttttt I probably should’ve. Though the world was interesting, I found Persephone’s character grating. And while I enjoyed her character growth, I wasn’t super into the relationship between she and Hades.

Trust your gut feelings, friends. If you’re thinking about DNF-ing, then DNF and find a book more suited to you

Thanks for reading!