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emthecozyreader's review
1.0
Nothing ever felt like it was appropriately reacted to. It was either an under reaction or over reaction.
None of it flowed well, either. It felt very chunked up. Tbh it reminded me so much of ACOTAR that I thought it might have started out as fan fiction for it.
None of it flowed well, either. It felt very chunked up. Tbh it reminded me so much of ACOTAR that I thought it might have started out as fan fiction for it.
cocoscarlett's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
goodyreads's review
4.0
To see my full review, plus many more, check it out on goodyreads.blog by clicking the link HERE
For a debut novel, this was a pretty impressive story to get into. It was so easy to get wrapped into this world and meet Astrid, who’s more than just a regular Princess. She’s got some depth to her, and some morally gray traits to her personality. She’s got some fire to her spirit!
She’s feeling very conflicted in her position: Princess by day and lifeforce sucker by night. She disguises herself in a veiled costume and takes the life of a willing victim as a sacrifice in order to pass it to her mother in order to keep her alive and keep their whole island safe. The seeds of doubt were already planted that something more nefarious may be going on with all this, but it takes some foreign company visiting their lush island home to really set things in motion.
I’ll be honest, I got some major From Blood and Ash/A Shadow in the Ember vibes from this book, which isn’t a bad thing! If anyone reading this has followed my reviews on here, they should know the FBAA series is a big favorite of mine! I wouldn’t say this even comes close to copying it , TWL definitely still feels like it’s own entity, but I can definitely see some comparisons between the two or possibly the author even drew some inspiration from the story! Who knows?
Reading this book, I was easily sucked in to the exotic and tropical world the author created, and created fun and familiar dynamics between the cast of characters. Dashiel and Astrid had some great chemistry and lots of playful banter—think a similar vibe to Cassian and Nesta in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas—and I really got into their slow burn romance throughout. Dash was an easy guy to like, and Astrid wasn’t afraid to humble him and put him in his place when he (maybe) needed it.
The midpoint got a little slow for me, only because we already knew about the Queen’s manipulation of Astrid and her people because it’s in the synopsis, so that part wasn’t all that shocking to see develop. There is a question of which side everyone is on exactly, and the unknown of what everyone’s intentions are definitely keep you interested. Astrid and her friend Ilona grow closer to Dashiel and Prince Zale, but also more weary of them as questionable behavior shows; there’s definitely more going on beneath the surface.
You meet Lex later on in the story, and once again complete and total mystery surrounds him, but he’s a major character believe me! He’s not just a random addition to the story at all…
The ending sequences are the piece-de-resistance of the whole book. I’ll admit I didn’t see it coming, and it certainly leaves you with a brow-raising expression, and the final page ends on a dark and sexy way that leaves you yearning to see what could possibly happen next, and also wanting the next book, like, yesterday.
Once again, even if I didn’t get to personally know the author, I’d say this is a pretty remarkable debut novel that shows so much promise for bigger and better things! Miranda Joy is certainly a name to remember if she keeps this up!
Thanks for Reading!
-- Nick Goodsell
For a debut novel, this was a pretty impressive story to get into. It was so easy to get wrapped into this world and meet Astrid, who’s more than just a regular Princess. She’s got some depth to her, and some morally gray traits to her personality. She’s got some fire to her spirit!
She’s feeling very conflicted in her position: Princess by day and lifeforce sucker by night. She disguises herself in a veiled costume and takes the life of a willing victim as a sacrifice in order to pass it to her mother in order to keep her alive and keep their whole island safe. The seeds of doubt were already planted that something more nefarious may be going on with all this, but it takes some foreign company visiting their lush island home to really set things in motion.
I’ll be honest, I got some major From Blood and Ash/A Shadow in the Ember vibes from this book, which isn’t a bad thing! If anyone reading this has followed my reviews on here, they should know the FBAA series is a big favorite of mine! I wouldn’t say this even comes close to copying it , TWL definitely still feels like it’s own entity, but I can definitely see some comparisons between the two or possibly the author even drew some inspiration from the story! Who knows?
Reading this book, I was easily sucked in to the exotic and tropical world the author created, and created fun and familiar dynamics between the cast of characters. Dashiel and Astrid had some great chemistry and lots of playful banter—think a similar vibe to Cassian and Nesta in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas—and I really got into their slow burn romance throughout. Dash was an easy guy to like, and Astrid wasn’t afraid to humble him and put him in his place when he (maybe) needed it.
The midpoint got a little slow for me, only because we already knew about the Queen’s manipulation of Astrid and her people because it’s in the synopsis, so that part wasn’t all that shocking to see develop. There is a question of which side everyone is on exactly, and the unknown of what everyone’s intentions are definitely keep you interested. Astrid and her friend Ilona grow closer to Dashiel and Prince Zale, but also more weary of them as questionable behavior shows; there’s definitely more going on beneath the surface.
You meet Lex later on in the story, and once again complete and total mystery surrounds him, but he’s a major character believe me! He’s not just a random addition to the story at all…
The ending sequences are the piece-de-resistance of the whole book. I’ll admit I didn’t see it coming, and it certainly leaves you with a brow-raising expression, and the final page ends on a dark and sexy way that leaves you yearning to see what could possibly happen next, and also wanting the next book, like, yesterday.
Once again, even if I didn’t get to personally know the author, I’d say this is a pretty remarkable debut novel that shows so much promise for bigger and better things! Miranda Joy is certainly a name to remember if she keeps this up!
Thanks for Reading!
-- Nick Goodsell
quinnlawrenceauthor's review
5.0
I might be a bit biased because my friend wrote it
but
READ
THIS
BOOK
preorder it now and then buy a second copy when it's released on 6/22/22. Buy a copy for every room in your house so you don't have to constantly go fetch it from one shelf.
It did take me a minute to get into it, but once I did I could.not.put.it.down.
The setting? LUSH ISLAND JUNGLE
The characters? DEEP, RELATABLE, POWERFUL
The relationships? FUN, REALISTIC, SPICY
The plot? DRIVEN, MYSTERIOUS, TWISTING
The lies? WICKED
"You have me, and I won't let you drown."
but
READ
THIS
BOOK
preorder it now and then buy a second copy when it's released on 6/22/22. Buy a copy for every room in your house so you don't have to constantly go fetch it from one shelf.
It did take me a minute to get into it, but once I did I could.not.put.it.down.
The setting? LUSH ISLAND JUNGLE
The characters? DEEP, RELATABLE, POWERFUL
The relationships? FUN, REALISTIC, SPICY
The plot? DRIVEN, MYSTERIOUS, TWISTING
The lies? WICKED
"You have me, and I won't let you drown."
mycupoftealcsw's review
3.0
Starts out with an interesting premise- there are multiple types of magic, a big secret, things aren't what they appear, some rapunzel vibes- but then the main love interests start talking more and they are both insufferable. The FMC is judgemental of her mother's tendency to show off her wealth when others live in poverty but she, herself, uses "peasant" as an insult twice within a very short span of time. She also objectifies the male guards like they are her personal play things. The MMC gives a really gross vibe and, other than being good looking, is not at all attractive. DNF at 20%
immadumbo's review
5.0
I just love when a book is unexpectedly amazing and exceeds all expectations. Now I don’t know what to do with myself while I wait for the second to be published.
chocolatesalad97's review
4.0
The start of the book was slow, but once it was going I found the read quite enjoyable. I did feel at points it was predictable, and that it felt like it was written by a very young and inexperienced writer, at points I was like wow did my teenage self write this
authormirandajoy's review
5.0
Hi, friends! Just a little note about These Wicked Lies:
First, I had so much fun writing this book and I hope you enjoy it. Despite the plethora of serious topics, I meant this to be a FUN, EASY, quick fantasy read.
Like the title states, there are plenty of lies and deception *wink, wink.* Nothing is what it seems.
Our main character, Astrid, is extremely stubborn and brash in this first book. She has a LOT of growing to do throughout this series. She is meant to be imperfect, and she struggles heavily with her mental health, especially in book one. She isn't for everyone, but she's for those of us who struggle with our own emotions/mental health, and want to see more imperfect characters on the page.
There is murder, sex, foul language, and other mature content—reader discretion is advised.
This series WILL have a HEA, but it's an untraditional romance—read to find out more! And remember, nothing is as it seems at first.
First, I had so much fun writing this book and I hope you enjoy it. Despite the plethora of serious topics, I meant this to be a FUN, EASY, quick fantasy read.
Like the title states, there are plenty of lies and deception *wink, wink.* Nothing is what it seems.
Our main character, Astrid, is extremely stubborn and brash in this first book. She has a LOT of growing to do throughout this series. She is meant to be imperfect, and she struggles heavily with her mental health, especially in book one. She isn't for everyone, but she's for those of us who struggle with our own emotions/mental health, and want to see more imperfect characters on the page.
There is murder, sex, foul language, and other mature content—reader discretion is advised.
This series WILL have a HEA, but it's an untraditional romance—read to find out more! And remember, nothing is as it seems at first.
_myliteraryobsession's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
breenanyx's review against another edition
3.5
The writing was ok at the beginning but definitely picked up. The plot was really interesting. I'm not sure I'm picking up the next book.