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bookphenomena_micky's reviews
4649 reviews
From Here to Eternity by A.L. Jackson
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Headlines:
Protective male
Single dad
Hiding
Abuse
There were some heavy themes in From Here to Eternity but they were balanced well with a connection that seemed meant to be (please check the content warnings at the end if you need to). Charleigh had been on the run for some time, grieving and just surviving when she turned up at River's tattoo shop hoping to imprint some words on her skin. There was a real fizzle of something between these two.
River found himself inviting Charleigh into his home and family with his son Nolan. Charleigh found so many things she needed in this found family, his sister with similar experiences, his son who she adored and some small sense of safety.
River was a complex, morally grey hero. He gave off dark and dangerous vibes but there was a soft centre. The single dad element was endearing, the cause he and his friends pursued was pretty noble. Charleigh was completely skittish, untrusting but her past gave her reasons to want to be invisible. The revealing of that past was difficult reading.
The reveal that came in the latter part of the read was so unexpected. It made for a tense and exciting end.
Thank you to the author for the review copy.
Protective male
Single dad
Hiding
Abuse
There were some heavy themes in From Here to Eternity but they were balanced well with a connection that seemed meant to be (please check the content warnings at the end if you need to). Charleigh had been on the run for some time, grieving and just surviving when she turned up at River's tattoo shop hoping to imprint some words on her skin. There was a real fizzle of something between these two.
River found himself inviting Charleigh into his home and family with his son Nolan. Charleigh found so many things she needed in this found family, his sister with similar experiences, his son who she adored and some small sense of safety.
River was a complex, morally grey hero. He gave off dark and dangerous vibes but there was a soft centre. The single dad element was endearing, the cause he and his friends pursued was pretty noble. Charleigh was completely skittish, untrusting but her past gave her reasons to want to be invisible. The revealing of that past was difficult reading.
The reveal that came in the latter part of the read was so unexpected. It made for a tense and exciting end.
Thank you to the author for the review copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Grief
Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Headlines:
From Lady to low
Secrets
World building-heavy
A lot happened in this series starter but I've ended very invested in what's to come for the characters in this series. There was a lot of world building and a rather complex plot but I imagine the burden of set-up will be less in the subsequent books. I also feel like the world-building was worth it and I managed to keep up.
It was a interesting world with a coming-of-age-magic ceremony that revealed so much in terms of disappointment for the protagonist Lyr and her family. These women had big secrets to keep and what started as excitment about the start of the adult life and magic capabilities became full of peril and uncertainty.
I liked the diminished Lyr much more than the entitled young women she was initially. The experiences she had built her character and I really enjoyed her time in the sortorion training. The triangle shaped connection between Lyr, Tristan and Rhyen had me invested and I know who I am rooting for.
There were some nasty characters including those in power and some fellow sotorion trainees. All this was offset by the sortorion Lyr was apprenticed to; he was kindness and empowerment. I can't claim to truly understand one aspect of the world but I hope to get clearer about that as the series progresses.
I am looking forward to the next book I have here. There are also some novellas I want to pick up but the blurb says they have spoilers for book two, so I'll hold off reading those for now.
Thank you to Hodderscape for the review copy.
From Lady to low
Secrets
World building-heavy
A lot happened in this series starter but I've ended very invested in what's to come for the characters in this series. There was a lot of world building and a rather complex plot but I imagine the burden of set-up will be less in the subsequent books. I also feel like the world-building was worth it and I managed to keep up.
It was a interesting world with a coming-of-age-magic ceremony that revealed so much in terms of disappointment for the protagonist Lyr and her family. These women had big secrets to keep and what started as excitment about the start of the adult life and magic capabilities became full of peril and uncertainty.
I liked the diminished Lyr much more than the entitled young women she was initially. The experiences she had built her character and I really enjoyed her time in the sortorion training. The triangle shaped connection between Lyr, Tristan and Rhyen had me invested and I know who I am rooting for.
There were some nasty characters including those in power and some fellow sotorion trainees. All this was offset by the sortorion Lyr was apprenticed to; he was kindness and empowerment. I can't claim to truly understand one aspect of the world but I hope to get clearer about that as the series progresses.
I am looking forward to the next book I have here. There are also some novellas I want to pick up but the blurb says they have spoilers for book two, so I'll hold off reading those for now.
Thank you to Hodderscape for the review copy.
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Audio review
This book got off to a good start with a meet cute in the protagonist's bakery/cafe, there was chemistry over coffee. Everything from there was coincidence or was it hexing? I liked Dina initally and her friends and family. It was a cosy world.
BUT, from there, the foot was on the accelerator and insta love ensued. These two did have that inital spark but I would have enjoyed a slower and more realistic build so much more than what we got. I also would have liked more tension and effort to find their way to one another.
I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied and I didn't enjoy the descriptions of intimacy. I know this was a debut, so I'd give the author another go because there was a finesse to the writing itself, just the plotting and characterisation didn't work for me.
Narration-wise, this was dual POV with dual narration. Good narrator choices.
This book got off to a good start with a meet cute in the protagonist's bakery/cafe, there was chemistry over coffee. Everything from there was coincidence or was it hexing? I liked Dina initally and her friends and family. It was a cosy world.
BUT, from there, the foot was on the accelerator and insta love ensued. These two did have that inital spark but I would have enjoyed a slower and more realistic build so much more than what we got. I also would have liked more tension and effort to find their way to one another.
I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied and I didn't enjoy the descriptions of intimacy. I know this was a debut, so I'd give the author another go because there was a finesse to the writing itself, just the plotting and characterisation didn't work for me.
Narration-wise, this was dual POV with dual narration. Good narrator choices.
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Headlines:
Spoopy romance
From different worlds
Amusing misunderstandings
My Vampire Plus-One was highly entertaining, quippy and fun. Between the pages was a real connection but I was allured to this story for the spoopy, vampiric clash with the human world.
Amelia was the straight-laced accountant who literally bumped into Reggie, a real-life bump in the night. These two fake dated their way into misapprehensions about one another and instead of it being frustrating, it was silly-fun. I enjoyed seeing the eventual realisation that Amelia came to, it was hilarious.
I was less keen on the back story of Reggie being on a vampiric wanted list and that whole plot line. I did like seeing the previous couple feature and being able to see their story move on through others' eyes.
Overall, this was fun and engaging but I don't think it will stay with me long. I'd definitely read more from the series/author however.
Thank you to Delrey UK for the review copy.
Spoopy romance
From different worlds
Amusing misunderstandings
My Vampire Plus-One was highly entertaining, quippy and fun. Between the pages was a real connection but I was allured to this story for the spoopy, vampiric clash with the human world.
Amelia was the straight-laced accountant who literally bumped into Reggie, a real-life bump in the night. These two fake dated their way into misapprehensions about one another and instead of it being frustrating, it was silly-fun. I enjoyed seeing the eventual realisation that Amelia came to, it was hilarious.
I was less keen on the back story of Reggie being on a vampiric wanted list and that whole plot line. I did like seeing the previous couple feature and being able to see their story move on through others' eyes.
Overall, this was fun and engaging but I don't think it will stay with me long. I'd definitely read more from the series/author however.
Thank you to Delrey UK for the review copy.
The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Headlines:
Being special
Everyone's expectations
A difficult role in life
This story was as charismatic as it was dark. It was impossible not to be seduced by the writing, the world and it's characters, especially Hazel. Hazel, born a thirteenth child, unwanted by her parents but wanted by a godly godfather. Merrick's long-awaited entrance into Hazel's life was not at all what I expected, he lacked nurture but there was a sense of growth in their relationship.
Hazel's younger childhood was difficult to swallow and the stealing of her later childhood to become a healer, seemed a better outcome than the before. This story had phases, and each phase of Hazel's life was totally absorbing. I loved her early time in the inbetween, her first healing village but the time in the palace was frought with difficult charcters, illness and decisions.
The idea of the deathshead was chilling and Hazel's role was even more sinister. The decisions she had to make led to quite a responsibility to carry. The latter part of this book was rather twisty and I enjoyed having the rug pulled out from my perceptions about the characters in the palace.
The eventual romance was believable and had me cheering for these two. The ending shredded my heart with emotion but it was also beautiful; I literally ended on tears.
The Thirteenth Child was a fantastic dark fantasy standalone. It was grim, chilling but with warm characterisation that saw this reader through the tough bits. I am blown away.
Thank you Rock The Boat for the review copy.
Being special
Everyone's expectations
A difficult role in life
This story was as charismatic as it was dark. It was impossible not to be seduced by the writing, the world and it's characters, especially Hazel. Hazel, born a thirteenth child, unwanted by her parents but wanted by a godly godfather. Merrick's long-awaited entrance into Hazel's life was not at all what I expected, he lacked nurture but there was a sense of growth in their relationship.
Hazel's younger childhood was difficult to swallow and the stealing of her later childhood to become a healer, seemed a better outcome than the before. This story had phases, and each phase of Hazel's life was totally absorbing. I loved her early time in the inbetween, her first healing village but the time in the palace was frought with difficult charcters, illness and decisions.
The idea of the deathshead was chilling and Hazel's role was even more sinister. The decisions she had to make led to quite a responsibility to carry. The latter part of this book was rather twisty and I enjoyed having the rug pulled out from my perceptions about the characters in the palace.
The eventual romance was believable and had me cheering for these two. The ending shredded my heart with emotion but it was also beautiful; I literally ended on tears.
The Thirteenth Child was a fantastic dark fantasy standalone. It was grim, chilling but with warm characterisation that saw this reader through the tough bits. I am blown away.
Thank you Rock The Boat for the review copy.
The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
This was my second attempt at reading this book. The first time, I set it down at about 10%. I managed to get through it this time but I still didn't get much in terms of sparks of interest in the characters and world. It felt long winded and incredibly pacey. Maybe it's a me problem.
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
This audio release might have hit me a bit better through ebook or physical. I didn't feel overly invested in the characters initially and the setting up was a little dull. Once they all got away on retreat and even more, once the two MCs started connecting, I was all ears. Hazelwood can write chemistry and the intimacy so well, that my investment notched up hugely.
I ended on a high with this one. I appreciated there wasn't a lot of communication or third act break up.
Great narration.
I ended on a high with this one. I appreciated there wasn't a lot of communication or third act break up.
Great narration.
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 stars
This story gave me serious Romeo & Juliet vibes without some of the tragedy. It felt upper YA in tone and plot. Sera and Ransom were pitched on different sides of magic ability and so an enemies to more theme emerged. It gave me some angst because of the investment I felt in this couple.
The magic system was really interesting. It rolled out to be quite a complex plot that had a few pacey moments but overall romped along well. It was quite a long read and I would encourage readers to bear with the slower start. The City of Fantome turned out to be darkish and bustling setting.
A lot happened in the final few chapters so there's plenty to feel excited about in the next book. Overall, a promising series starter.
Thank you Simon YA and Nina Douglas for the review copy.
This story gave me serious Romeo & Juliet vibes without some of the tragedy. It felt upper YA in tone and plot. Sera and Ransom were pitched on different sides of magic ability and so an enemies to more theme emerged. It gave me some angst because of the investment I felt in this couple.
The magic system was really interesting. It rolled out to be quite a complex plot that had a few pacey moments but overall romped along well. It was quite a long read and I would encourage readers to bear with the slower start. The City of Fantome turned out to be darkish and bustling setting.
A lot happened in the final few chapters so there's plenty to feel excited about in the next book. Overall, a promising series starter.
Thank you Simon YA and Nina Douglas for the review copy.