Tammy > Recent Status Updates

*Exhales*

Wow. This book was a constant dopamine hit. I need to catch my breath before I can write an official review.

I seriously can’t stop turning the pages. This book is holding me captive. I really enjoy the FMC and MMC. Complaints about them (and the FMC’s best friends) are seriously so hyperbolic and completely taken out of context.

It’s so refreshing to “meet” an MMC from a time before male characters are overcorrected and written to speak like they’ve been put through a round of sensitivity reading, three therapy sessions, and a programmed with a set of TikTok-approved traits.

Wow, this is so good. Yes, the MMC is cocky, dangerous, and seemingly deranged, and yet…AND YET, just like Ariel to King Triton: “But, Daddy, I love him!” 😭

Where the heck was I back in 2009?
Like, seriously?! This book is SO GOOD, what the F.

Super quick read. Finished in less than two hours. Fun but could have been better. Formal review to follow.

I don't think Cozy Fantasy (as a genre) is for me, but this book is objectively well-written and is enjoyable. I'll definitely finish and keep it, for when I want something that's engaging with a real plot, but won't get me all riled up (haha), like when I'm flying somewhere.

Read this back in the eighth grade, and I don’t remember it having ever been this naughty! Haha. Very funny, with lots of puns and innuendoes. Like, yeah, people complain about it being “objectifying” and offensive, but seriously? Just allow yourself to have fun once in a while. Jesus.

Easy to follow along so far. The cozy vibe reminds me of Patricia C. Wrede’s “Dealing With Dragons” in tone. You know, the kind of fantasy that feels very…domestic? Not sure where I stand on this book yet, but it’s only 368 pages long.

This was my 2nd time reading it, hence the speed. Here a the thing: as a Dystopian, it deserves one star.

HOWEVER, as a military science-fantasy, it’s a solid five-star read. I’ll write a formal review later and explain the difference later. Dystopian has specific genre requirements. Military fiction has a different set. The book meets the latter, but not the former.

I'm still so astounded by the mis-marketing! As a military sci-fantasy, this is a solid novel. I'd go as far as giving it 4/5 stars. The problem is, it's presented as a Dystopian (which it isn't), which confuses readers because it does not meet genre requirements. Do I recommend this? So far, yes. Absolutely. But, do not go into this expecting a Dystopian because it is not.

Hmmm…marketing this as a Dystopian is a bit inaccurate. I’d say that this is more of a military drama with touches of sci-fu and fantasy. Military science-fantasy. It’s closer to “Dune” than to “Divergent” or “The Hunger Games.”

3.5 stars that I’ll round up to 4. It doesn’t deserve all the 1-star reviews it receives, but it certainly isn’t a 5-star read, either. Formal review to follow.

It’s a quick and entertaining-enough read, but I’m not sure if it’s deserving of “Wow.” Like…it has likable moments, but it’s not exactly a likable book, know what I mean? But it’s not hate-able, either. I can hear my husband say, “That’s called ‘mediocre,’ Love.”

If I hadn’t DNF’d so many books this year, I probably would have been less forgiving. “Phantasma” isn’t bad enough to DNF, I’m predicting 3 stars.

Ok, but why is Blackwell so lovable, though?
Entertaining story, but I’m not sure how this book was considered one of the best books of 2024.

What I don’t get is, why is Ophelia thinking such hostile thoughts about other women? Lol. Nobody is saying or doing anything to her. They’re…simply existing in the same space, and her thoughts toward them are so nasty and vitriolic, while that isn’t the case either the other male competitors. These women are just there and she’s basically looking at them—one by one—with hate, unprovoked.

Alright, we’re finally getting to the action!

There’s a battle every three pages, but I’m reading this for the plot! Lol. But seriously, the plot and side quests are great.

Wow, so good! I’ll come back and write a full review later. This book doesn’t deserve five stars; it deserves all the stars in the world.

I’m so sad, as there are only 80 pages left to this wonderful, wonderful book! 😩

Gosh, my heart breaks over Stella’s earnestness. She tries so hard to…be what the neurotypical world expects of her. And just…the effort that she puts into being “better.” I want to cry.

OMG, how can a book be so lovable? And where was I during the last nine years? I think the book came out in 2016? Anyway, THIS is how you write contemporary romance. I can’t believe this gets lumped in with the…more inferior stuff.

Ten pages in, and I can already tell the quality is infinitely higher than that of the horrifically lazy “Daydream” by Hannah Grace.

Does anyone else feel that a lot newer romances just don't feel...romantic, especially the male romantic heroes? It's like, in trying to make them so safe and unproblematic, authors unintentionally turn them into...the cotton ball equivalents of paintball pellets. Reading about today's male romantic heroes is like playing paintball with cotton balls.

Welp, if the book is as well-written as what I’ve read so far, I can definitely see why “Phantasma” is popular as it has been. The author has a very charming “voice” here.

Wow, this book has been one dopamine hit after another! There’s only enough “down time” (maybe two pages worth each time?) to prepare you for the next hit, and it is glorious. This author certainly knows her audience. Now, let’s talk about Prince Eric—our protagonist. I really appreciate Miller (author) keeping character continuity. She expands on his character, but he FEELS like Eric, you know?

What a fascinating novel, so far.
Here’s my advice for how to enjoy it better: just go with it. Let it lead you. Don’t analyze what the story is saying, don’t try to commit facts to memory, don’t look for subtexts or nuances, etc. It’s the mind of book where you should just relax and let it take the lead. Trust the author, take a more passive approach. Read it the opposite way of how you were taught to.

I still can’t get over how good of a job Brandon Sanderson has done here. I’m definitely a fan-girl. The entire cast of characters is incredible, the plot and character developments, the prose. My goodness, Sanderson can do no wrong.

The prose is so engaging and easy to follow without being dumbed down. Please don’t suck, as I’ve already DNF’d two books this month. 😢

Good plot (so far), but the prose is inconsistent in quality. Ultimately, this reads like a book written about a “bro,” for “bros,” by a “bro.”