Y’all probably thought I restarted this blog just to abandon it again within a month – literally 2 posts in 😭, which, okay, fair. But in my defense, the end of February was absolutely hectic at work, and I barely had time to breathe while getting everything sorted for my month off. And obviously, this whole month has flown by because I’ve been busy being home in Sri Lanka and fully leaning into the princess treatment.
Honestly, if I really tried, I probably could have posted something, finished that half-baked draft and all, but I felt so overwhelmed that I decided not to. When I restarted this blog, I said I wanted to enjoy this, and posting just to keep up with a schedule was a big part of why I kept crashing and burning a few months in. So while I do want to post consistently, I’m giving myself the grace to do it at a pace that actually works for me 🌱
Since I’ve had a lot more time to read lately, I figured I’d share some quick thoughts on some of the latest series I’ve finished. (Some spoilers included!)
Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard
I feel like there was so much hype surrounding this series based on how morally grey, powerful, and commanding Mare was. And I… struggled to see it.
The premise was right up my alley; a powerless girl discovering she has abilities in a rigid, colour-coded society where power literally defines your worth. And I did enjoy the first book; the stakes and sacrifices were meaningful, and the political tension was interesting. But as the series goes on, it starts to feel so repetitive. Every book follows the same emotional and plot cycle: plan something, get betrayed, get captured, escape, regroup, and then do it all again. And don’t even get me started on the ending, Firelight should’ve just been incorporated into the main ending instead of existing as a separate novella.
I genuinely liked Mare’s selflessness and commitment to her cause over a boy, but she was also quite frustrating to follow. Her internal monologue circles the same doubts repeatedly without enough growth to justify her actions. And okay, maybe it’s a bit unfair of me to say this when I’m nearly a decade older than her with a fully developed frontal lobe – but she comes across as noticeably more immature compared to characters like Rin (The Poppy War) or Sylvia (The Jasad Heir). The moral dilemmas that should have landed, like choosing between Silver and Red loyalties, often felt reset for the next book’s drama.
Also whyyy was Maven the most compelling character imo?? I found it hard to care about any of the characters in general, but even then, his manipulations, quiet menace, and glimpses of vulnerability made him stand out. And the love triangle – I promise you I did not care who Mare ended up with. I barely cared about Mare by the end.
My Rating: 3 ⭐️
Crimson Moth duology by Kristen Ciccarelli
The dynamic between Rune and Gideon carried the entire series, and for the most part, it works really well. Rune is sassy and strong without feeling invincible, and there’s a vulnerability to her that makes her easy to root for. Gideon brings that rigid, duty-bound perspective that slowly starts to crack, which is always satisfying to watch. The tension from the underlying awareness that they’re on opposite sides – witch and witch hunter – means any moment of softness could turn into betrayal, keeping the romance sharp instead of slipping into something too comfortable too quickly.
That said, the whole “you were my brother’s first” angle felt kinda weird because of how close Gideon and Alex were. Rune’s relationship with Alex could have very easily been framed as platonic soulmates, with Gideon misunderstanding their strong emotional connection as something romantic. The love triangle aspect just made things feel slightly off once Gideon and Rune’s relationship started developing, and especially after Alex’s death, because his unreciprocated feelings lingered in the background unnecessarily.
Outside of that, I was fully invested in how everything would play out. The romance and the plot are woven together so well that it never feels like the story pauses for the relationship or vice versa – they actively drive each other forward. Every choice they make has consequences, and you can actually feel that pressure throughout the books. Rune’s dilemma about whether to betray Gideon to save her people, combined with Gideon’s struggle between duty and desire created tension that persisted across both books, not just in isolated moments. By the finale, the emotional payoff lands because you’ve been living in their heads, feeling the weight of paranoia, responsibility, and longing alongside them.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️
The Shepherd King duology by Rachel Gillig
The magic system with the Providence Cards is easily the strongest element of this series. It’s unique, slightly unpredictable, and adds intrigue that keeps the story engaging. Paired with the writing style, it creates an atmosphere that feels alive in a quiet, unsettling way. From the very beginning, there’s this eerie sense that something isn’t quite right, and that tension carries through the entire series.
And then there’s the Nightmare. He’s terrifying and fascinating in equal measure, especially when it’s revealed how deeply connected he is to Elspeth and the Providence Cards. His presence adds so much depth and unease, and every scene involving him feels layered in a way the rest of the narrative sometimes wasn’t.
That said, I couldn’t shake the disconnect I felt with the main duo. I liked them. I understood them. I just didn’t feel as emotionally attached as I wanted to. Ravyn is theoretically everything I should love in a male lead – smart, loyal, quietly yearning, morally grounded. And yet, I struggled to actually simp. The chemistry between him and Elspeth was there, but it never fully landed for me. Something about their dynamic just didn’t hit as hard as it could have, even though all the right elements were present.
Elm and Ione in book 2 though!! I did not expect to adore Elm as much as I did, but his arc ended up being one of the most compelling parts of the series. And the way Ione navigates everything she’s been through without losing that core part of herself had me genuinely rooting for her. I loved the way their characters were explored and how their growth felt so intertwined with each other.
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
That’s basically the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head lately. Outside of the Red Queen series (which I powered through mostly for spite), I actually enjoyed my other reads. Nothing perfect, but enough to keep me interested in turning the pages and occasionally thinking about the characters after I’ve finished. If you’ve read any of these lmk your thoughts in the comments below! And if you haven’t read them, hopefully this gives you a sense of whether each series might be your vibe.
Until next time 💌
Byeee,
Mayumi