ettaviereads's reviews
294 reviews

Cursed Fates by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Soul Bound by Renate Rowland

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Renate Rowland has crafted another masterpiece in this trilogy and shown how well she can create so much emotional damage in a single book. 

The devastating scenarios between Eve and Kjan start off close to the beginning of the book as the plot unfolds because Kjan’s sire has shown up in Portland ready to wreak havoc.

The book is written in third person dual point of view which adds depth and emotion to the story, completely immersing the reader in the minds of the two main characters. 

Rowland expertly weaves information about the Futhark Runes, Norse Gods, and Norse Mythology into the story to provide context to readers who are unfamiliar with the tales. As a fellow Norse Pagan, I felt that Rowland preserved the tales of the Gods while also creating her own narrative around a son of Iðunn and Hoðr who doesn’t exist in the original myths but is key to her choice to make this series a vampire origin story that occurs post Ragnarök. 

Set mostly in Oregon, the PNW backdrop provides a beautiful setting full of nature and connection with the earth. 

Kjartan is the ultimate morally grey character in this book. He struggles with his own personal vendetta, trauma, and conflicting emotions while trying to assimilate himself into the modern world. His relationship and interactions with Eve are the most conflicting because of his possessive tendencies as well as heartache. 

With regard to spice for this book, Rowland hits the reader right off the bat with an intimate scene in chapter one but the intimacy between characters isn’t the main premise of the plot. 

Overall, this book kept me sucked in through the entire thing as I wondered what would be thrown my way next as a reader. The emotional damage through numerous sections of the book had me shocked, sad, and joyful simultaneously. 

The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

Manacled by SenLinYu

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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The Coven by Harper L. Woods

challenging dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

Dream Walker by Brittany Gossin

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

This story and plot captured my attention immediately! The training academy, hidden identities, plots and friend group made it feel a bit like Hogwarts but make it creepier. 

The way that Ella learns more about herself and her powers through the book while also training to fight the nightmares made for a quick and easy read. 

As a reader, there was some predictable elements but I found that it was still a fun way to get the plot moving when things could have been slow. 

I am so ready for the next book cuz I need to know what will happen!

All the Lies by S.T. Abby

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was devastating in the best and worst ways. I knew that what Victoria and Marcus went through was horrific but learning more about their atrocious treatment by such a large group in the middle of town made my heart break and my blood boil. 

The way that Lana dealt with Kyle was totally warranted and that jerk got exactly what he deserved. 

The fact that Lana’s plan is starting to unravel in front of her eyes with the end game in sight makes me so nervous about how the final book is going to wrap everything up. 

The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea by Melanie Cellier

adventurous funny hopeful 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? No

3.0

Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 1 by Sorata Akiduki

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

A Ship of Bones & Teeth by Karina Halle

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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