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er_inreads's reviews
278 reviews
Of Darkness and Ruination by Rachel Fallon
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’ve sat on this review for a few weeks now, and I’m still not sure entirely how to rate it.
Of Darkness and Ruination was a good book, it wasn’t great, but I enjoyed it mostly. The aspect of humans being slaves to fae is unique as far as I am aware, and I enjoyed that. I found that there were some parallels to the SJM ACOTAR series (names, etc), but it didn’t take away from the story itself. I felt at times the story was slow moving and repetitive. It seemed to give more questions than answers. I found the FMC naive, a wanna-be badass. I think she has what it takes to be a great character, she’s just not one to me yet. The broody, dark, MMC, who plays the villain in everyone’s story but is actually the good guy was predictable, but I like that trope so I’m here for it. The plot twists at the end with who her true family is, I both saw and didn’t see coming. I knew that she would be something else, but I thought it would like a god gift or something, I am concerned what her bio-dad’s gonna do though!
Overall, the book was okay, I probably won’t reread it & I’m not sure I’ll read books 2 on. I am grateful to the author for providing me an ARC copy to review.
Of Darkness and Ruination was a good book, it wasn’t great, but I enjoyed it mostly. The aspect of humans being slaves to fae is unique as far as I am aware, and I enjoyed that. I found that there were some parallels to the SJM ACOTAR series (names, etc), but it didn’t take away from the story itself. I felt at times the story was slow moving and repetitive. It seemed to give more questions than answers. I found the FMC naive, a wanna-be badass. I think she has what it takes to be a great character, she’s just not one to me yet. The broody, dark, MMC, who plays the villain in everyone’s story but is actually the good guy was predictable, but I like that trope so I’m here for it. The plot twists at the end with who her true family is, I both saw and didn’t see coming. I knew that she would be something else, but I thought it would like a god gift or something, I am concerned what her bio-dad’s gonna do though!
Overall, the book was okay, I probably won’t reread it & I’m not sure I’ll read books 2 on. I am grateful to the author for providing me an ARC copy to review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Grief, Toxic friendship, Confinement, War, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Infidelity, Death, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Misogyny, Genocide, Cursing, and Blood
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: No
Trauma: No
“All signs point toward your murder”.
I read this book in 1 sitting. I couldn’t put it down. Imagine having your fortune read as a teenager, only to have it control your life until it eventuates? That would drive anyone insane. And great-aunt Frances was dedicated to solving her own murder.
6% into this story I so incredibly confidently announced I had figured it out. Like I was some amazing mystery solving detective. I was wrong. Surprise surprise (although, I would like to say I was not not wrong either).
We follow Annie, who, after being told she was named as a beneficiary in her Great-Aunts will, arrived to a cozy little town only to find out her great aunt was already dead. She is then thrust into a murder-mystery competition, first to solve inherits it all. But the twist? If the police solve it first, the inheritance is sold to property developers and the crown.
There’s (a lot) character plots, plot twists galore, and a lot of oooh I think I got it moments. I was very close to pulling out a notepad and trying to work it out as I went. I did not put it all together and guess the murderer, not until the big reveal and if it was not late at night I would have been squealing.
This story hints at being a series, there’s a romance subplot beginning to develop (I plead to the author not to make this a love-triangle, send the grumpy one off to the BFF please), there’s the suggestion her dad will come crawling back in for her inheritance, but with this book solving both murders, I’m not sure where book 2 would go. It would seem Castle Knoll has more secrets than we know.
Overall, I love a cozy murder mystery. I enjoyed this book and think you will too. It’s quick and easy to read, and while there’s a lot going on it doesn’t take much to understand it. Thank you to Hachette ANZ for sending me this copy to review.
Spice: No
Trauma: No
“All signs point toward your murder”.
I read this book in 1 sitting. I couldn’t put it down. Imagine having your fortune read as a teenager, only to have it control your life until it eventuates? That would drive anyone insane. And great-aunt Frances was dedicated to solving her own murder.
6% into this story I so incredibly confidently announced I had figured it out. Like I was some amazing mystery solving detective. I was wrong. Surprise surprise (although, I would like to say I was not not wrong either).
We follow Annie, who, after being told she was named as a beneficiary in her Great-Aunts will, arrived to a cozy little town only to find out her great aunt was already dead. She is then thrust into a murder-mystery competition, first to solve inherits it all. But the twist? If the police solve it first, the inheritance is sold to property developers and the crown.
There’s (a lot) character plots, plot twists galore, and a lot of oooh I think I got it moments. I was very close to pulling out a notepad and trying to work it out as I went. I did not put it all together and guess the murderer, not until the big reveal and if it was not late at night I would have been squealing.
This story hints at being a series, there’s a romance subplot beginning to develop (I plead to the author not to make this a love-triangle, send the grumpy one off to the BFF please), there’s the suggestion her dad will come crawling back in for her inheritance, but with this book solving both murders, I’m not sure where book 2 would go. It would seem Castle Knoll has more secrets than we know.
Overall, I love a cozy murder mystery. I enjoyed this book and think you will too. It’s quick and easy to read, and while there’s a lot going on it doesn’t take much to understand it. Thank you to Hachette ANZ for sending me this copy to review.
Watch Her Bloom by Emily Klepp
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Watch Her Bend by Emily Klepp
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Betrayal of the Phoenix by Harley Parker
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Because of Her by Devon May
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
Trauma Rating: .5☠️
Because of her is a cute, contemporary second chance romance, built on the teenage love and regrets of our main characters, Cassidy and Callum.
Set in Melbourne, we follow Cassidy while she learns to accept herself and those around her, while battling some serious inner trauma and beliefs about her self and self-worth. We follow Callum as he learns the ropes of being a single dad, and trying to believe in feelings, hope and love for a second time.
Because of Her features mental health and infertility representation, it is important to read trigger warnings before you read as it may be triggering for some.
Over all I really enjoyed this story, it was quick, fun, and light. I loved Callum and Cassidy’s story and I love a cute second chance romance.
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
Trauma Rating: .5☠️
Because of her is a cute, contemporary second chance romance, built on the teenage love and regrets of our main characters, Cassidy and Callum.
Set in Melbourne, we follow Cassidy while she learns to accept herself and those around her, while battling some serious inner trauma and beliefs about her self and self-worth. We follow Callum as he learns the ropes of being a single dad, and trying to believe in feelings, hope and love for a second time.
Because of Her features mental health and infertility representation, it is important to read trigger warnings before you read as it may be triggering for some.
Over all I really enjoyed this story, it was quick, fun, and light. I loved Callum and Cassidy’s story and I love a cute second chance romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Breaker of Fate by R.M. Derrick
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“No more what-ifs, morsel. You can’t what-if everything to death. Being prepared is all well and good, but there is only so much you can anticipate in life.”
Breaker Of Fate captured me from the start. Is a thrilling romantasy, with LGBTQ+ rep, a curvy FMC (and no internalised fat shaming!), a broody MMC and quite possibly my favourite side character ever, Mazolan.
The world/story building is great, and while the story starts of slow, it is so important to the plot to learn the tale of the weaver and the warrior, as well as all the wonderfully, emotionally built story-lives of our MCs. I am DYING to know more about our chaotic, chaos loving side character, Maz will be a character I carry with me everywhere.
We follow Derica & Reid, as they leave their secluded life for the hustle and bustle of castle-city life. Reid & Dericas friendship is so well written, I love how close they are, how they can read each other like a book and how much they care for each other. We don’t seem to see much of our wonderfully growly MMC Justus until the later half of the story, but that makes sense with the plot line, and I can’t wait to see more of him in books 2+.
I can’t wait to read more, to find out the cost of decisions, and how, hopefully, fate will be broken.
Breaker Of Fate captured me from the start. Is a thrilling romantasy, with LGBTQ+ rep, a curvy FMC (and no internalised fat shaming!), a broody MMC and quite possibly my favourite side character ever, Mazolan.
The world/story building is great, and while the story starts of slow, it is so important to the plot to learn the tale of the weaver and the warrior, as well as all the wonderfully, emotionally built story-lives of our MCs. I am DYING to know more about our chaotic, chaos loving side character, Maz will be a character I carry with me everywhere.
We follow Derica & Reid, as they leave their secluded life for the hustle and bustle of castle-city life. Reid & Dericas friendship is so well written, I love how close they are, how they can read each other like a book and how much they care for each other. We don’t seem to see much of our wonderfully growly MMC Justus until the later half of the story, but that makes sense with the plot line, and I can’t wait to see more of him in books 2+.
I can’t wait to read more, to find out the cost of decisions, and how, hopefully, fate will be broken.
Easy Tiger by Ali K. Mulford
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? No
5.0
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trauma Rating: 1/2 ☠️
I LOVED this book. Easy Tiger is fast paced, slow burn romance (figure that one out), set out of Prickle Island Zoo, this time following Hawk and our clumsy, chaotic, FMC Hannah.
We have grumpy x sunshine, secret identities, planted spy’s, confused moral compasses, Walter the cocker spaniel, Colin the cow, lions, penguins and all the other amazing zoo animals.
I love the LGBT+ and the neurodivergence representation in this (and she’s a keeper) book, it’s refreshing to see a contemporary romance shine light on ADHD, and represent it in a way that is positive. I hope we get more stories from Pickle Island, I have loved every minute of this story.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trauma Rating: 1/2 ☠️
I LOVED this book. Easy Tiger is fast paced, slow burn romance (figure that one out), set out of Prickle Island Zoo, this time following Hawk and our clumsy, chaotic, FMC Hannah.
We have grumpy x sunshine, secret identities, planted spy’s, confused moral compasses, Walter the cocker spaniel, Colin the cow, lions, penguins and all the other amazing zoo animals.
I love the LGBT+ and the neurodivergence representation in this (and she’s a keeper) book, it’s refreshing to see a contemporary romance shine light on ADHD, and represent it in a way that is positive. I hope we get more stories from Pickle Island, I have loved every minute of this story.
Conquered: A Highgate Preparatory Academy Compendium by Rosa Lee
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0