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21sparrows's reviews
18 reviews
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this immediately after finishing EITA series (because I wasn’t ready to let the world go) and OMG. I love how the characters are woven into this story. It feels new, with some nods to previous events which I loved. I’m not sure how Sabaa does it, makes us love characters and then tortures them. We have multiple pov’s that are so engrossing you can’t stop reading, some action and some spice. I cannot believe the book ended where it did. I need part two so badly!
There is a timeline back and forth for part of the story. I didn’t know that going in, but it comes together nicely and is well done.
There is a timeline back and forth for part of the story. I didn’t know that going in, but it comes together nicely and is well done.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Grief, and War
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The best book I’ve read this year. Phenomenal, evocative and heart pounding. I loved every minute of it, could not put it down at all. Highly recommend.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Curses, games, demons and devils. This was completely gripping, I loved the game itself, the illusions the magic and in all of that the backdrop of New Orleans. I couldn’t put this one down at all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death, Gore, Blood, and Death of parent
This book and the author discuss themes of obsessive compulsive disorder.
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Audio book: I absolutely loved the narrator, she’s fantastic. The story is wonderful found family, slow burn romance, coming of age, story about self love with cosy autumnal vibes.
Bell is your typical late twenties witch about to turn 30, trying to balance it all (work, family, friends and magic) when she unexpectedly finds herself being summoned to the coven (by a hottie) in a performance review fashion. When she realizes she’s about to lose her magic, (the magic she’s never fully connected with) she becomes even more panicked and the rush to Halloween to save her magic is on!
The characters are well developed, easy magic system, and the plot is light hearted. It truly reads like your favorite episode of Gilmore Girls. Ariadne is hilarious, I lol’d way too many times. I can’t wait for the second book!
Bell is your typical late twenties witch about to turn 30, trying to balance it all (work, family, friends and magic) when she unexpectedly finds herself being summoned to the coven (by a hottie) in a performance review fashion. When she realizes she’s about to lose her magic, (the magic she’s never fully connected with) she becomes even more panicked and the rush to Halloween to save her magic is on!
The characters are well developed, easy magic system, and the plot is light hearted. It truly reads like your favorite episode of Gilmore Girls. Ariadne is hilarious, I lol’d way too many times. I can’t wait for the second book!
The Longest Autumn by Amy Avery
love triangle, grief, loss, food scarcity.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Beautiful and atmospheric. Tirne is a herald of The God of Autumn, who loves her life, her god and her friends. Until someone shatters her world. As things unravel further and further like a thread coming undone you get sucked into the world of an endless autumn, betrayal and despair. Can Tirne recover? Who can be trusted? Can she save her god by repairing an artifact? This story had me glued to my seat.
Content Warnings
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A wonderful fun read, I laughed and felt things. You love Dora from the moment you meet her, her curse is a unique one. The bond between her and her cousin Vanessa is so special and what every girl dreams of in a best friend. From the moment you meet Elias Wilder you will feel things.. things I will not spoil but he’s like a if eating a sour patch with ice cream was a person. All to say I loved every minute of this sweet book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A wonderful historical fantasy! Great cast of characters, steeped in 1920’s Washington DC, this story transports you to another time. Full of jazz halls and lively neighborhoods. The celebration of Black Lives and a magic system that makes too much sense! It’s easy to follow and you get lost in the heist! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction with a dab of fantasy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Death of parent, and Abandonment
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Intense story, dark mysterious, witchy vibes. You really get lost with Immanuelle Moore the FMC as she tries to discover why she is the reason for a curse plaguing her small colony. The story slowed down in the middle for me, too many random events but picks up real quick, unraveling the mystery as things progressively get darker and darker! If you’re into curses, blood oaths, plagues it’s got all three. Overall I highly recommend reading it for a dark ominous vibe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, and Pregnancy
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Loved the premise, but for me it fell a bit flat.
The murder mystery aspect of the story never became a real investigation, Lorelei simply seemed to just be throwing darts at a wall hoping to get a bullseye. The expedition I had hoped to be filled with folklore and explore the fantasy aspect of this fantasy romance book felt awkwardly crammed in with brief explanations that just didn't fully land. Unfortunately with our narrator Lorelei, she spent so much of her time not wanting to feel anything, I ended up not really caring for the characters.
The murder mystery aspect of the story never became a real investigation, Lorelei simply seemed to just be throwing darts at a wall hoping to get a bullseye. The expedition I had hoped to be filled with folklore and explore the fantasy aspect of this fantasy romance book felt awkwardly crammed in with brief explanations that just didn't fully land. Unfortunately with our narrator Lorelei, she spent so much of her time not wanting to feel anything, I ended up not really caring for the characters.
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If I could give this book 10 stars…
Vale is top tier book bf. He’s moody, funny and just dreamy. This novella has my whole heart. My sweet Lilith, she has a heart of gold, carrying the world on her shoulders. The slow burn romance is to die for. A must read.
Vale is top tier book bf. He’s moody, funny and just dreamy. This novella has my whole heart. My sweet Lilith, she has a heart of gold, carrying the world on her shoulders. The slow burn romance is to die for. A must read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness