Danielle J Barth​
Danielle J Barth​
2025 Book Reviews
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.”
- George R. R. Martin
I maintain a reading journal to track my yearly readings and thoughts. While I use a physical journal that I created, I will transcribe the reviews here as well.
For fiction books, I roughly use the CAWPILE system. Susan Lyn has one of my favorite breakdowns of this rating system. Find it here.
Anything with an asterisk (*) contains minor spoilers.
Monthly Overview
Personal Statistics
Number of Days Read
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
September
October
November
December
27/31
19/28
​16/31
Number of Books Read
10
3
3.25
Number of Pages Read
Book of the Month
4,830
1,488
1,397
Empire of Storms
Onyx Storm
The Slain Divine
Apprentice to the Villain
Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Assistant to the Villain #2
337
Fantasy/Rom-Com
2024
01/01/2025-01/02/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
She was afraid, but she knew now: fear usually meant you were standing on the edge of something new, something self-altering, something potentially good.
It had occurred to her many times over that "impossible" was merely a word people used to describe limitations they wished for you to adhere to, so you wouldn't upset the balance.
"Does your mind live in the gutter?"..."No, but it rents there on occasion."
Favorite Style Aspects
Banter is great.
Love Evie's character.
Great manipulation of POVs
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
2
4
5
4
3
4
My Review*
I was smiling throughout half the book. The comedy and banter was great. The tension between Evie & Trystan dragged on a bit, and his self-righteousness in not wanting to "ruin her" makes me angry.
Crown of Midnight
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #2
418
Fantasy
2013
01/03/2025-01/06/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
But death was her curse and her gift, and death had been her good friend these long, long years.
Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you hear with your heart.
To escape death, she'd become death.
But he had no idea what sort of darkness lurked inside her, or what sort of monster she was willing to become in order to make things right.
Favorite Style Aspects
Good manipulation of POV
Good use of character epiphany moments
Good use of vagueness/foreshadowing
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
My Review*
Better than book 1. Intrigue was definitely there. I think Calaena was too harsh on Chaol. I know she lost her best friend, but it felt like too much. Dorian having Magic was a neat twist.
The Assassin's Blade
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #0.5
435
Fantasy
2014
01/07/2025-01/09/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything."
She was fire, she was darkness, she was dust and blood and shadow.
Life isn't easy, no matter where you are. You'll make choices you think are right, then suffer for them.
Everything has a price.
"My name is Calaena Sardothien...and I will not be afraid."
Favorite Style Aspects
Use of POV (and deliberate disuse of Sam's)
Each story built upon the last
Different cultures, even among assassins
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
2
4
4
5
4
4
4
My Review
Not nearly as good. The characters were flat. The Red Desert was my favorite, and it didn't have most of the usual characters.
Heir of Fire
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #3
562
Fantasy
2014
01/10/2025-01/15/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
It would not take a monster to destroy a monster - but light, light to drive out the darkness.
She was the hear of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one.
"And then I am going to rattle the stars."
"Because I am lost...And I do not know the way."
"To whatever end."
Favorite Style Aspects
Use of POV, especially in high tension scenarios
Foreshadowing
Fleshed out characters
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
5
4
4
5
4
5
My Review
As everyone agrees, the best book so far. A story of reforging oneself and love, self-reflection, and realization. Balance, light, and dark; past, present, and future.
Queen of Shadows
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #4
645
Fantasy
2015
01/15/2025-01/17/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"You make me want to live, Rowan. Not survive; not exist. Live."
They joined hands. So the world ended. And the next one began.
But perhaps monsters needed to look out for each other now and then.
"Light up the darkness, Majesty."
"You and I are nothing but wild beasts wearing human skins."
"How can I take away somebody who means the world to someone else? Even if she is my enemy."
Favorite Style Aspects
Foreshadowing
POV usage
Deep, unique characters
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
5
4
4
5
4
5
My Review*
The best so far. Now I get the memes about Aelin not telling her court her plans. And for some reason, I especially love how Manon gave Aelin the message about Dorian.
Empire of Storms
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #5
689
Fantasy
2016
01/17/2025-01/22/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers."
"Even when this world is a forgotten whisper of dust between the stars, I will always love you."
"Tell him thank you for walking that dark path with me back to the light."
"It is not such a hard thing, is it - to die for your friends?"
"War is sanctioned murder, no matter what side you're on."
Favorite Style Aspects
Tandem with Tower of Dawn
POV usage
Deep, unique characters
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
My Review
I knew what was going to happen, and I was still bawling by the end. I fully believe reading this in tandem with Tower of Dawn makes both books so much better.
Tower of Dawn
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #6
660
Fantasy
2017
01/17/2025-01/22/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
A gift for a queen who had seen another human in hell and thought to reach back a hand. With no thought of it ever being returned. A moment of kindness....
You must enter where you fear to tread.
"We don't look back. It helps no one and nothing to look back."
A moment of kindness from a young woman who ended lives to [one] who saved them.
...he'd learned that strength could be hidden beneath the most unlikely faces.
Favorite Style Aspects
Tandem with Empire of Storms
POV usage
Character growth
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
4
4
5
5
5
4
5
My Review*
Chaol still had moments of self-righteousness or self-loathing that had me rolling my eyes or grinding my teeth, but otherwise, I loved it.
Kingdom of Ash
Sarah J Maas
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Throne of Glass #7
984
Fantasy
2018
01/23/2025-01/24/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"You do not yield."
He would not allow it...He would not obey.
"Let's make this a fight worthy of a song."
"I am here, I am with you."
Light. They all burned with it. Radiated it...their fierce hearts...not a trace of the Thirteen, or their brave, noble wyverns.
Gavriel smiled at him. "Close the gate, Aedion."
Favorite Style Aspects
Call back ending
POV usage
Character growth
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
4
5
4
5
5
5
My Review
Honestly, almost too many people lived. As much as I hate deaths, there should have been more. At least one of the royals or the Healer on High. Otherwise, excellent book.
Of Jade and Dragons
Amber Chen
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Fall of the Dragon #1
466 (DNF @ 100)
Fantasy/steampunk
2024
01/27/25-01/29/25
Hardcover, Illumicrate Exclusive
Ratings - DNF
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
2
1
1
2
2
4
1
My Review*
I couldn't do it. Over 25% through and I had no interest. The characters were flat and I didn't feel like Ying was passionate enough about vengeance. The coolest thing was the mech chimera.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Stuart Turton
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
-
482
Paranormal Mystery
2018
12/03/2024-02/01/2025
Audiobook
Favorite Quotes
How lost do you have to be to let the devil lead you home?
Too little information and you're blind, too much and you're blinded.
What use is rearranging the furniture if you burn the house down doing it.
...every man is in a cage of his own making.
...without hope, what use is love or compassion or kindness?
Nothing like a mask to reveal somebody's true nature.
Favorite Style Aspects
Character personalities
Timeloop
Twisty-turvy
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
4
5
5
5
3
4
My Review*
The audiobook narrator was fabulous. The idea of a rehabilitation prison is fascination. The logic of it all is questionable, but that comes something with paranormals.
Onyx Storm
Rebecca Yarros
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
The Empyrean #3
527
Fantasy
2025
02/01/2025-02/05/2025
Hardcover
Favorite Quotes
She is warmth and light and air and love.
"We made it a good one."
"Don't barter it away...The pain. The mess. Give it to me. I'll hold it. I know that sounds ludicrous, but I'll find a way...I will hold everything you don't want to feel..."
"I kept the inside remarks inside."
"Pain isn't a competition...There's always enough to go around."
Favorite Style Aspects
Beautiful foreshadowing
Disability inclusion
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
My Review
Ugh. As a write, I can see all the heartbreaking ways this can go. I can handle all of them as long as Xaden & Violet are together in the end.
The Bladed Faith
David Dalglish
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Vagrant Gods #1
465
Fantasy
2022
02/08/2025-02/15/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"People say it is in the daylight that things are laid bare, but I've found truths are best revealed when the moon is high."
"War makes monsters of us all...I hunt so no one else must be a monster."
"The wise can rebuild a better world from the ashes, but for there to be ashes, we must first burn down the old and rotten."
"You are not defined by your doubts...but the path you walked to bring you to where you are now."
Favorite Style Aspects
Excellent foreshadowing/set-up
Interesting world-building/faith system
Cool characters
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
My Review
It had a slow start, but overall, it was very intriguing and I enjoyed it. It will be interesting to see where the series leads.
The Sapphire Altar
David Dalglish
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Vagrant Gods #2
496
Fantasy
2023
02/16/2025-02/27/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"You would destroy a world of beauty and wonder to achieve your hollow peace."
"You would build a gray land of ash and soot, where the faithful bend by the boot on their necks to offer shallow worship."
"...a crown and a throne to rule an island of corpses."
Favorite Style Aspects
Foreshadowing
POVs
Unique characters
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
My Review*
It was harder to get through this one. I liked the twist of Keles becoming queen.
The Slain Divine
David Dalglish
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Vagrant Gods #3
477
Fantasy
2024
03/07/2025-03/10/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"I believe in you," she whispered to the boy she might have loved and the god she would never worship.
"The man is still in there...I trust in him. I believe in him. He is wounded, broken, and afraid, but he is alive...You offered me hope when I would have accepted death. You vowed to protect those you loved, no matter the cost. You knelt and called me your queen, because you knew who you are...Remember what you were, and look upon what you are now. See, Cyrus Lythan. See, and then choose."
Favorite Style Aspects
Foreshadowing
POVs
Unique characters
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
My Review*
Overall, I enjoyed it. Thorda's death seemed too short, as did Soma's/Dagon's, and that left something to be desired. Dario's death being a call back to Velgyn's was a nice touch.
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men
Shauna Lawless
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Gael Song #1
434
Fantasy, Historical Fiction
2022
03/12/2025-03/15/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"Helping bring babies into the world is hungry work." "So is living."
"You kings and princes war and fight like little boys hitting each other with sticks, squabbling over the same land. And it's the poor people who pay the price."
"Fearing rejection is not a good reason to not ask a question."
"But if you don't do something counter to expectations, anything will never change, right?"
How can he smile when the ground was covered with dead men, lost dreams, and stilled hearts?
Favorite Style Aspects
Very different 2 main characters
Appendix of characters
Not afraid of time lapse
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
2
3
5
3
3
5
3
My Review**
It was different. Fodla was too naive. Grom was too power-hungry and naive. A little TOO much focus on women not having political power. Lonan's death wasn't really necessary or adding to plot or character development. However, I did like Lawless's writing style/voice, which is probably the main reason I did not DNF this book.
The Hand of the Sun King
J.T. Greathouse
Series:
# Pages:
Genre:
Pub Year:
Dates Read:
Format:
Pact and Pattern #1
356
Fantasy
2021
03/16/2025-03/22/2025
Paperback
Favorite Quotes
"The eye trained always on the next bend in the path never sees the beauty of the forest."
"History is the story of many kings and many gods, all grasping for the reins of the world...letting the weak be trampled by the chaos wrought."
Suffering is unescapable, for it is the dusk that must follow every dawn...cruelty is a human invention.
...romantic tales of wars long past could never trick the young into seeking glory, only to drag them down into death.​
Favorite Style Aspects
Some mild 4th wall breaking
Different cultures
Timelapse
Ratings
C -
A -
W -
P -
I -
L -
E -
3
4
4
3
4
3
4
My Review
I enjoyed it. Parts of the magic were a little difficult to understand, and the "woe as me" dragged on some. However, you really do start to feel for Alder, as well as his allies.
Posted on 03/25/2025