brieannamaree's reviews
130 reviews

The Unbroken Queen by Terina Adams

3.5

This book was really hard for me to get into. The first third of the book was world building, which of course makes sense considering it’s the first of a series. However, I he over complicated names of people and places, along with the extensive history background, made it a slog to get through. But!! If you get past that point, it gets so much better. 

Tressya is an illegitimate child of a king who is in the Sistern. In the plainest terms possible, that’s a girls only cult that deals with soul magic. She’s never been very good at it, and the Sistern never lets her forget it. So when she’s sent to a different country for an arranged marriage, no one is more surprised than she. 

After arriving in her new kingdom, absolute madness unfolds. Forbidden love, deep secrets, and the overall questioning of everything she’s ever been taught. Tensions are high, chemistry is great, and the future of the kingdom is in the balance. Her character development is slow, which is upsetting but understandable as it sets up the series well. 

The Devil's Grave: A Collection of Short Crime & Horror Stories by Rena Aliston

3.75

This book was interesting. I haven't read many short stories outside of social media posts, so I was interested in seeing how engaging it would be. Turns out, it is indeed engaging in a more non-committal way. I really appreciated this fact because it allowed me to really sit and enjoy the stories instead of rushing through to find a conclusion.

Most of the stories are less than a page long, but the way they are written still evoked that inner sense of anxiety and dread. Some of the stories left that feeling lingering for far longer than I expected due to the nature of the tales and the foreboding endings.

The lack of a natural conclusion or reveal of what dark thing was lingering really left me on edge at times.

Overall, this book was different than a lot of the books I read, but I was still captivated. I can't wait for the next one to come out.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

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

3.75

This book was great. I really enjoyed it and it kept me more engaged than I was expecting.

The initial plot twist of Tricia killing Dr. Hale came off as unrealistic to me at first. I know we get her POV for the story, so we don’t see all of her issues, but it felt like I was blindsided (and not in a good way). Ethan was made out to be TOO sweet and TOO caring, so it seemed more plausible for it to be him. But then I kept reading and learned they’re both crazy, so it worked out. I do think it’s messed up Luke had to go, though. He was genuinely a good sweet guy. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the culmination of events. Although I don’t think those psychopaths should continue reproducing.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

3.75

This book was good. I was captivated by the overall story line of an assassin behind enemy lines type of deal. However, some of the writing felt a little juvenile at times. While this didn’t damaged my review of the book, it did pull me out of the story so the plot wasn’t as gut-wrenching as some of her other books have been. 

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

4.5

Black Sheep by Brynne Weaver, Alexa Harlowe

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Hot and steamy. But the plot holds up. Loved it 😍

Sorrow and Starlight by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful sad 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? Yes

4.5

Heartless Sky by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The Fabric of our Souls by K.M. Moronova

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book is heartbreakingly beautiful. I loved it from start to finish. As someone who struggles with mental illness, I find the characters to be realistic and relatable. I was overwhelmed with emotion throughout the story. 

A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Good read overall. Really love how the story developed and the steps the main character had to take on her journey. There was enough spice to keep it fun, without being overbearing.