amy_reads4's reviews
262 reviews

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Firstly I want to start off by saying my lack of enjoyment of this book is more of a me problem than a problem with the book itself. This is Elsie Silver’s debut novel, and it’s not at all bad for a debut, but it isn’t Chestnut Springs. I was obsessed with Chestnut Springs and have wanted to read Gold Rush Ranch ever since, however I wish I had almost done it the other way round and I think I would of enjoyed this more if I had. 

I loved Billie, and she was the redeeming factor in this for me, with Willa being one of my favourite ever FMC I could see moments of her in Billie and I really enjoyed that. You could also tell how much Elsie knows about horses, the relationship Billie built with DD was so special, infact I preferred that relationship to her one worn Vaughn. I found him to be really unlikeable, he was very pompous and had no redeeming qualities for me, but I am hoping that may change in further books to come. 

I liked the set up into Gold Rush Ranch, and whilst I do want to read the rest of them I won’t be rushing to do so. I feel like the writing style will develop further through the series and then will hopefully match the level we have come to know in books such as Chestnut Springs. 

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

With every Black Dagger Brotherhood book I read it climbs up the list of one of my all time favourite series, I’m so obsessed, and the fact there are so many books in this series just makes me happy. 

I think this book is my favourite so far, I was desperately waiting for Phury’s story and how it was going to unfold and I was not disappointed in the slightest. This book covers so many different topics and I felt like it handled the topic of addiction really well and we followed Phurys journey through this. I also feel like the overall plot line progressed a lot during this, with finding out about who Lash really is, how Quinn, John and Blay’s story and relationships progress. I’m totally team Blay & Quinn by the way and really hoping that will develop further moving forward! 

We met Lassiter who I am sooo intrigued by and I am so conflicted as to how I feel about Tor, and what is going to happen to him, I can understand why he feels the way he does, however I love his relationship shop with John and I can’t help but hope that is enough to pull him out of his depression. 

This book set us up for so much moving forward, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the Chosen and how that’s progresses. 

Phury has been my favourite brother and I was concerned about how his story was going to develop, and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I love how his role as Primale is able to change the trajectory of the whole races future and what it means for them all. 

This world is so complex and constantly growing and developing, and I am eating up every moment of it. 

Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the first set of graphic novels I have ever read and so far I have read parts 1 and 2 in one sitting each. 

These are a Hades and Persephone retelling and I am a fan of anything based on Greek Mythology. I was worried that the visual aspects with impact on my visualisation when reading but I actually found it was the opposite and helped. I love the bright colours in this and how it ties into the storyline. 

Each god has a role to play and appreciate seeing them all involved. Do check trigger warnings before going into these, they are definitely for adults and discuss difficult topics. 

I am really looking forward to reading the rest of them. 

Honeycomb: Seven Days. Six Strangers. One Experimental Drug. by S.B. Caves

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book has left me feeling so conflicted, I have bounced around on a rating and I am still trying to process what happened in the last 25% of the book. 

This was not at all what I expected but I am not mad it. This story follows Amanda, a singer who had a very large fall from fame. She is given the opportunity to claw back that fame, alongside a very healthy pay check. All she has to do is agree to be locked in a house for a week, with strangers, take a pill with no adverse side effect every day, and be watched by cameras 24/7. Feeling like she has so much more to gain than lose she cannot find a reason not to go agree to it. Next thing she knows Amanda is locked in a house with people shes never met at everyone starts to descend into madness, all centred around her. 

I loved the concept of this story, the first half of the book was a lot of getting to know people and understand the characters and the setting, then it all starts to really unravel. I did see the twists in this coming but it didn’t at all take away from enjoying the book, I feel like the end will sit with me for a while. 

I am hoping there might be a sequel coming so I can see what happens following the end. 

Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is the first ever graphic novel I have read, and whilst it took me a little time to adjust to the style I still really enjoyed, I will most definitely be carrying on with the series and hopefully adjust even more to this style with each book. 

I enjoy pretty much anything related to Greek mythology, which was what made me want to read this and it did not disappoint. 

Do check trigger warnings when reading this as there is one coercive consent scene, and I felt really sorry for Persephone after that, especially when it wasn’t what she really wanted. I am looking forward to the aftermath when others find out, mostly Hades, what has happened. 

I really enjoyed Hera’s role in this, and how she seemed to be able to scare all 3 brothers and have a power over them. I enjoyed the relationship with Zeus, Poseidon and Hades and I do hope that in further books that will get elaborated on further, as well as digging deeper into their trauma and pasts which there is obviously an abundance of. 

Overall I really enjoyed this and am glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to read it. 

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I am SO happy to be back in the All Souls world and with Diana and Matthew! I am so grateful that we get to follow even more of their journey. 

This book is such a beautiful magical journey where we learn so much more about the magic in this world, the different types of magic, how different families are connected and what impact this has on Diana, her relationship with Matthew and their twins. 

We thought their journey was over in The Book of Life but that was just the beginning. We get to see Diana discover so much more of her father’s side of her family, the Proctors, and all the literal ghosts they carry! 

Deborah’s understanding of the history of magic, witchcraft, the Salem witch trials and the families involved really shines through in this book. Whilst we have seen Deborah’s detailed knowledge in the previous books this one focuses just on the witchcraft and magic which allows for the exploration of so much more detail. 

The one thing that made me nervous through this whole story was the impact of Diana and Matthew’s relationship, they will forever be one of my favourite fictional couples and I need to see them work through all adversity and stay together no matter what! So I really hope that is what happens. 

This book sets us up perfectly for the next instalments, and I’m so excited they’re are going to me more instalments. I hope we get to see everyone together and being in the new members we have met. I will forever be holding out for Gallowglass’s happy ending, I’m not saying I ship him and Julie but…. 

This world is so rich and beautiful and I cannot wait for more 

Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I need to start off by saying this world is one of my all time favourites, it has taken me so long to pick up this book as I wasn’t ready to move on from Diana and Matthew, had I realised that there would be chapters from Diana’s POV I would of picked this up soon. 

I do need to say that I am not the target audience for this book, which is why I have also put it off for a while. This book is Marcus’s hisotry, his life before and after meeting Matthew and becoming a vampire. I am someone who doesn’t like prequels or reading when I already know what it going to happen, and that is the majority of what this book is. Alongside Marcus and Phoebe being separated for the book, which is something I also don’t enjoy. 

Whilst there are so many elements to this story that aren’t things I enjoy I do still feel like this book had a lot of valuable information and really helped toward the growth of the world and storyline. 

I am so excited to read what is next and see more of how all these characters grow moving forward. 

A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair

adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. 

This is exactly how I feel about this whole series, I am so sad it has finished but I loved so much of this. 

A Touch of Chaos is the final book in Hades and Persephone’s story, and this book has so much to it. Epic battles, secrets, lore, relationships, friendships, angst, torture, labyrinths, murdered gods, developed powers, rivals and just so so much more. To me this book was such a wonderful ending, however I would liked to have seen a little more of everyone all together in the end, but the ending did bring a tear to my eye. 

I have loved all of the characters in this world and how well researched this series is and you can tell how much Scarlett really enjoys researching the myths. I love the summaries at the end of the books that teach us the background to them all. 

I haven’t felt this way about a series in a very long time, I loved it so much more than I ever thought I would. 

The premise was fanastic with the Olympian Gods having emerged into the mortal world and blending in, owning businesses and adjusting to modern times. This story emoted so many feelings from me, there were times I cried, times I gasped and times I was filled with anger. 

I came to love each of the characters within their own right, and when I found out that we would be getting books for Hephaestus and Aphrodite I could not of been happier. I really hope we get stories for all of them as I feel like there is so much potential, and it would mean we didn’t have to leave this world. 

The spice in this book was just as good as previous books, whilst not a frequent it was still so good, Hades has become a top book Husband along with this whole series becoming a new top series. 

A Game of Gods by Scarlett St. Clair

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I tandem read this with A Game of Malice and I do highly recommend reading them in this way. I have read the last two tandem as well. The only thing is I did find there was a lot more repetition in these two than there was in the previous two so I found there was a lot of repeat scenes that I skim read. 

I really did not think I would enjoy the other POVs in this but I really did, and I found they were integral to the storyline and also how I felt towards the characters. I always hated Thesus but reading his perspective and how truly evil he was make me hate him even more. I also reallly enjoyed watching Diyonusus and Ariadne’s relationship grow. I love their back story and the development between them, I really hope we get to see more of them moving forward. 

The spice is really good in all the books, and I feel like Hades perspective is slightly more descriptive and it’s really interesting seeing the spicy scenes from the different perspectives. 

Hades really grows to accept love and Persephone place within his life, and who doesn’t love a morally grey king of the dead! 

This world is so rich and intricately developed, I love the different layers and worlds and lore that has gone into it. Scarlett has such a good way of being able to break down these myths and legends and how she fed them into this world. 

The ending of this had me audibly gasping, I really need this situation to get rectified fast in the next book, and hope that we get some justice for what has been done to them. 

I cannot wait to see how they face what is coming next but I am so not ready for this to all be over. I would really like some more books in this world regarding all the other gods so I don’t really have to say goodbye! 

A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I tandem read this with A Game of Gods as I did with the previous two books. I really recommend doing it that way aa I found it highly enjoyable. The only reason these did not receive 5 stars from me is that I found there was a lot more repetition between the two books than the previous tandem read, which lead to me skimming over some of the repeated scenes, but I really enjoyed reading the different perspectives. 

I love the development of all of Persephone’s friendships and the character development that comes along with that. We see the positive impact she is already having on the world and those around her, and the potential that she has to change the world into such a more positive place and overthrow the old ways of the Gods. 

I also found it really painful to read through her grief regarding Lexa, I am still holding onto a tiny bit of hope that she will come back as she was, not reincarnate and get to live in the underworld and be happy with Thanatos, but I do worry that hope is completely misplaced and there is going to be a moment where my heart is ripped out and I am very sad! 

Whilst Hades and Persephone are the ‘main’ characters within this I feel like there are so many more characters who play such a pivotal role that without them the story just wouldn’t be the same. I adore the banter and find that the scenes where they are all together and going back and forth between each other are some of my favourite scenes. 

The development and growth of Persephone as a goddess is so noticable within this book. We start to see her really unlock her potential and flourish. I cannot wait to see her true power and how she is going to use in the war with the gods. It’s been so obvious that she is the biggest weapon against the Gods and that she is the one to stop it all and change it all, and whilst I will be so sad to see it end I am really looking forward to seeing what happens in the end.