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dedicated_reader's reviews
64 reviews
Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake
Thoughts 💭
To fall back into this series and finally finish it was everything I hoped it would be and more. I did listen to this one as an audiobook which I felt kind of took away from the overall feeling of the book.
We get a conclusion to all the crazy things happening to and within Katharine. Mirabella continues to be the devoted eldest sister, doing everything in her power to unite the others and work together to fight off the big bads. It felt like Jules was shifted to the background of this one, unlike the last.
I believe I felt a change in Arsinoe within this book, we've always known she could be an impulsive and stubborn person. But we get to see her allow people in, and build new relationships with other characters. We get to see her strength come out and she builds a confidence within herself that is beyond what she was before.
This was an intense and war driven book. I think it was the ending that needed to be told, although it was devastating at times.
4.0
Liked ✅
- Katharine’s will
- Mirabella’s love
- Arsinoe’s strength
Thoughts 💭
To fall back into this series and finally finish it was everything I hoped it would be and more. I did listen to this one as an audiobook which I felt kind of took away from the overall feeling of the book.
We get a conclusion to all the crazy things happening to and within Katharine. Mirabella continues to be the devoted eldest sister, doing everything in her power to unite the others and work together to fight off the big bads. It felt like Jules was shifted to the background of this one, unlike the last.
I believe I felt a change in Arsinoe within this book, we've always known she could be an impulsive and stubborn person. But we get to see her allow people in, and build new relationships with other characters. We get to see her strength come out and she builds a confidence within herself that is beyond what she was before.
This was an intense and war driven book. I think it was the ending that needed to be told, although it was devastating at times.
A Curse of Breath and Blood by K.W. Foster
Thoughts 💭
Aelia Springborn is the FMC and the main POV that we follow throughout the book. Aelia is the definition of broken and damaged, often turning to means of men or dust to help keep her demons at bay. This brought a unique perspective to the flow of the book as she copes with her traumas.
While reading you will be given glimpses into who/what has caused Aelia to turn into the stone cold mercenary that she is, and how her life ended up on the path it did. The book is quick paced with situations happening often one after another.
I wouldn't consider this a book about a love triangle. As the love is forced to change and evolve because of events that happen. To be honest, I have no idea which guy I would rather her be with anyways! There are a couple open door scenes but I found the romance was more secondary to everything else. The epilogue is a terrifying cliffhanger that made me interested in reading book 2.
3.0
Liked ✅
- Broken, damaged FMC
- Fast paced
- Epilogue cliffhanger
Thoughts 💭
Aelia Springborn is the FMC and the main POV that we follow throughout the book. Aelia is the definition of broken and damaged, often turning to means of men or dust to help keep her demons at bay. This brought a unique perspective to the flow of the book as she copes with her traumas.
While reading you will be given glimpses into who/what has caused Aelia to turn into the stone cold mercenary that she is, and how her life ended up on the path it did. The book is quick paced with situations happening often one after another.
I wouldn't consider this a book about a love triangle. As the love is forced to change and evolve because of events that happen. To be honest, I have no idea which guy I would rather her be with anyways! There are a couple open door scenes but I found the romance was more secondary to everything else. The epilogue is a terrifying cliffhanger that made me interested in reading book 2.
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
Thoughts 💭
I was enamored with the first half of The Invisible Hour. The way Alice Hoffman was able to capture the love of a mother and the struggles of rash teen decisions was perfectly done.
My heart swelled at the idea of Mia leaving the community and building the life that Ivy truly wanted for both of them. Looking back at the way the plot is set up, I didn't expect time travel nor did I feel like it was needed.
From that point on the book lost a lot of its appeal. The time travel felt like it didn't make any sense, there were things happening and the progression of Mia’s character from there that just confused me. Also, the ending should have changed everything and I'm left feeling like I'm not sure if it did or not…
reflective
2.0
Liked ✅
- First 50%
- Ivy’s story
Thoughts 💭
I was enamored with the first half of The Invisible Hour. The way Alice Hoffman was able to capture the love of a mother and the struggles of rash teen decisions was perfectly done.
My heart swelled at the idea of Mia leaving the community and building the life that Ivy truly wanted for both of them. Looking back at the way the plot is set up, I didn't expect time travel nor did I feel like it was needed.
From that point on the book lost a lot of its appeal. The time travel felt like it didn't make any sense, there were things happening and the progression of Mia’s character from there that just confused me. Also, the ending should have changed everything and I'm left feeling like I'm not sure if it did or not…
MEDROMEDA by Lore Wren
Thoughts 💭
I am questioning whether I am currently in a bit of a mythological retelling era.
In the first half of Medromeda readers learn about Medusa, Andromeda and the baseline for all their myths to unfold. Once I hit 50% I got really worried as to how the rest of the book was going to play out, I felt like their stories had been told where else could we go.
The last half is my favourite! Everything gets wrapped up in a way that makes you so thankful you kept reading. There is a bit of the villain getting what they deserve, there's a bit of sticking it to the gods, and a happily ever after. Medusa and Perseus are goals, I really loved their bond and love for each other. It was very interesting to bounce around between the events of the past and how they impacted and changed the events of the present. It was a cool way to bring both stories together and intertwine them.
4.0
Liked ✅
- Myth building
- HEA
- Mortals win
Thoughts 💭
I am questioning whether I am currently in a bit of a mythological retelling era.
In the first half of Medromeda readers learn about Medusa, Andromeda and the baseline for all their myths to unfold. Once I hit 50% I got really worried as to how the rest of the book was going to play out, I felt like their stories had been told where else could we go.
The last half is my favourite! Everything gets wrapped up in a way that makes you so thankful you kept reading. There is a bit of the villain getting what they deserve, there's a bit of sticking it to the gods, and a happily ever after. Medusa and Perseus are goals, I really loved their bond and love for each other. It was very interesting to bounce around between the events of the past and how they impacted and changed the events of the present. It was a cool way to bring both stories together and intertwine them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Island: A Wastelander Novella by E.S. Luck
4.0
I have always enjoyed a well written post- apocalyptic story, and this novella definitely fits in that category.
I loved the dual POV of Isla and Noah. I thought there was the perfect amount of detail to setup their friendship and bond, as well as describing their post-apocalyptic world. The novella does focus heavily on Isla and Noah’s relationship, especially how it evolves. There are a couple open-door scenes within this book.
With how well I enjoyed the novella, I'm super excited to see what Wasteland has to offer. I'm hoping for more detailed encounters with the maneaters!
I loved the dual POV of Isla and Noah. I thought there was the perfect amount of detail to setup their friendship and bond, as well as describing their post-apocalyptic world. The novella does focus heavily on Isla and Noah’s relationship, especially how it evolves. There are a couple open-door scenes within this book.
With how well I enjoyed the novella, I'm super excited to see what Wasteland has to offer. I'm hoping for more detailed encounters with the maneaters!
Unbreak Me by Sophia Belle
4.0
Liked ✅
- Second Chance Romance
- Fated Love
- Eve’s strength
- Ryder’s love & protectiveness
Thoughts 💭
There is something about a well written second chance romance that makes my heart want to explode out of my chest!
Unbreak Me can be read as a standalone. However, I have read all of Sophia Belle’s books, so I had the privilege of first meeting Ryder and hearing of his great love during Connected By Love.
Ryder and Eve’s love is one that should be documented in history books. They protect each other at all costs, they are determined and after everything they've been through they still hold so much love for one another. They are everything to each other and more. Words would never be able to do their love justice.
This is not a book for readers that prefer closed-door or fade to black romance. This book is very spicy, with basically every scene explicitly written. However, for readers where this is your cup of tea, I highly recommend this book!
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
4.0
Liked ✅
- Unique stories
- Women driven
- Multiple POV’s
Thoughts 💭
I don’t have a lot of experience with reading books with mythological retellings, I have heard of the war of Troy and my husband is currently obsessed with the EPIC: The Musical Soundtrack.
Having a basic knowledge of the events of the Trojan war made reading A Thousand Ships a lot easier. The book holds many unique stories all from the perspectives of the women within that time. We get to read about how some women went from queens to slaves, how others managed for a decade or longer without their men, how mother’s mourned and lived with the loss of their children. These are stories of courage, determination, revenge and gratitude.
The book does feature a character list. Every chapter features a new POV, giving readers a real time account of different experiences and perspectives. I enjoyed how intricate the story is, it is not always told chronologically. I found it sometimes difficult to remember each character's impact and at times struggled to keep track of the order of events, taking a lot of brain power. I do recommend anyone wanting to read this book to make notes, use the character list to your advantage and to allow time to give the book your undivided attention.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
The Girl In The Fire by Sarah K. Stephens
fast-paced
3.5
TW ⚠️ Child Abuse
Liked ✅
- Dual POV/Timeline
- Thrilling
- Unexpected
Thoughts 💭
The Girl In The Fire pulls you into a thrilling dual POV and dual timeline story right off the start. There were many unexpected twists and turns, I was left guessing right up until the very end.
We get to read from Leanne’s POV as a teenager, where we get an understanding of the lead up to the fire and some of the aftermath. While also experiencing Damien’s POV in the present and how he’s handling and investigating Grace’s disappearance.
Sarah K. Stephens is not afraid to kill off characters and cause huge amounts of trauma to those still alive. With all the present day events happening in 4 days and short chapters it’s the perfect recipe for a face paced thriller.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
The Cottage on Pelican Bay by Brenda Jackson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
I don't know what it was about the happenings of this book, but I struggled to read it. I got as far as 29%, and it felt like I was forcing my way through it, instead of enjoying it.
I didn't feel like it would be fair to force my attention and time into this book, and then rate it a lot worse because I was resentful for all that time wasted.
However, I did read enough to understand that it was a very fluffy, and light romance read. It was on the spicier side. The characters seemed compatible enough to work, and there was a lot of sexual chemistry.
I just don't think it was my cup of tea.
I didn't feel like it would be fair to force my attention and time into this book, and then rate it a lot worse because I was resentful for all that time wasted.
However, I did read enough to understand that it was a very fluffy, and light romance read. It was on the spicier side. The characters seemed compatible enough to work, and there was a lot of sexual chemistry.
I just don't think it was my cup of tea.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
This book has been everywhere and recommended by so many other readers. I can say my unprofessional, unrequested book reviewer opinion is that I thought it was so good!
Pip is my favourite thing about this book. Her quirky personality and funny Pip-isms! I was chuckling quite often throughout her conversations. Ravi is runner up, coming in as my second favourite. His jokes and how he always put Pip’s safety first makes him a high class gentleman.
I enjoyed the quick pace, how invested I was in learning the truth about Andie Bell. The mysteries unraveling, the thrilling aspect to the ending was a perfect way to wrap up the book, and I thought it answered the majority of the questions I had about the potential suspects.
Pip is my favourite thing about this book. Her quirky personality and funny Pip-isms! I was chuckling quite often throughout her conversations. Ravi is runner up, coming in as my second favourite. His jokes and how he always put Pip’s safety first makes him a high class gentleman.
I enjoyed the quick pace, how invested I was in learning the truth about Andie Bell. The mysteries unraveling, the thrilling aspect to the ending was a perfect way to wrap up the book, and I thought it answered the majority of the questions I had about the potential suspects.