fadingapple's reviews
492 reviews

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

3.5

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5/5 stars

This was dark, sexy, and so atmospheric - excellent for spooky/fall season and wonderful for any Shakespeare lovers. 

That said, I was hooked for most of the story....but I felt more and more disappointed toward the end. I felt like there was a lot of great build up and I was super interested in how she was going to get out of it and what would happen....and it felt very anti-climatic the last 10% or so. 

I love Ava Reid's writing - it's beautiful and luscious and sucks you in, almost in an obsessive way. But I can't say this one felt as fulfilling as I had hoped with all the build up and it felt flat as a result. I felt like we could have added maybe 50 pages and the pacing and climax would have benefited. 

But overall, I did really enjoy it and I think folks will love this as a quick, easy, spooky read!

A Pirate's Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

5.0

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Tor for the Audio ARC!

Narration and production: Jessica Threet can't be beat with this masterful feat of narration! 

Rebecca Thorne does it again with another amazing (somewhat) cozy addition to Key and Rain's story! I say "somewhat" because this sequel definitely had my heart going and my tear-ducts working harder than the first, but the wholesome moments within definitely still make it cozy.

I seriously can't say enough about how much I love these characters and the unique and fun adventures they end up going on. This book has it all - pirates, romance, dragons, griffons, magic, near-death experiences, tea, BOOKS!....it's the perfect combination of all things fantasy and escapism. 

If you're a fan of fantasy, especially cozy fantasy, pick up this series now. It's worth the time!!

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Audio ARC!

4.75/5 stars

First, Narration and Production: There is a reason Natalie Naudus is my favorite narrator...she's incredible. I will listen to pretty much anything she reads!

This book broke my heart in the best way - I love and hate the ending. It was beautiful and poetic and fitting, and I love that Liang didn't shy away from the difficult choice....but god my heart hurts. I'm not crying, you're crying...

The writing was stunning, the voice was clear and positioned perfectly, and the story was wonderful. I loved the characters, even when I hated what they were doing. It didn't dive too deep into every detail but I could still picture what was happening and feel fully invested in every aspect. If I had a complaint, it would have been that I wish the 10 weeks she spends in training could have had a little more time to see her changes, and the romance, blossom a bit more in real-time....but even that is not a big complaint.

I love that she made mistakes and then had to find ways around them - I love that characters died (I mean, I hate it but...) and faced real consequ4eneces for their actions....I love the lyrical writing and the beauty and pain laced together in an elegant and heart-wrenching story. I just loved it, truly.

Tea You at the Altar by Rebecca Thorne

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

Thank you so much Rebecca for allowing me to take part in the Beta Read for this much anticipated sequel!

Rebecca Thorne does it again with another amazing and cozy addition to Key and Rain's story! The action was packed and the tea was hot, but I still left feeling like I had received a warm hug....well....mostly - I need book 4, that cliffhanger will be the death of me!

I seriously can't say enough about how much I love these characters and the unique and fun adventures they end up going on. This series has it all - pirates, romance, dragons, griffons, magic, alchemy, royals, espionage, swordplay, near-death experiences, tea, BOOKS!....it's the perfect combination of all things fantasy and escapism. 

If you're a fan of fantasy, especially cozy fantasy, pick up this series now. It's worth the time!!

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

WOW....talk about an explosive and addictive start to what is sure to become a new favorite adult-fantasy duology! This was phenomenal - the writing quality, the characters and development, the worldbuilding, the plot....Sabaa Tahir is a master of her craft.

I adore multi-POV stories, but I'll also be the first to admit they can sometimes be hard to follow, and keeping all the plots and characters straight can be a chore - Tahir handles several storylines perfectly, leaving me gasping as connections were made and hungry for the next chapter of every POV. Even when I didn't like a character or seriously questioned their decision making skills, I loved reading how their minds worked and still wanted to know what they would do next - I didn't have to like the character to adore their chapters. 

One of my favorite aspects was that Tahir didn't shy away from the big emotions - from the delicious romance and spice to the heart-wrenching trauma and deaths, every emotion was given the space it deserved to be felt by the characters and, in turn, by the reader. I ached, wept, laughed right along with them in their love, grief, and tortured decision making - I was right there with them the whole way because the characters felt real and the stakes personal. 

This was just a perfectly crafted story and, as is the plight of any reader....I am now left feeling bereft without the next book. Do not sleep on Heir, it will quickly become a favorite!

The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim

funny hopeful mysterious reflective 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

3.75

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

3.75/5 stars

This was a lot of fun - the characters, plot, and world were super interesting and I really loved the whole reluctant buddy-cop vibe. It wasn't quite insta=love but it was close, but it wasn't insufferable (not my favorite trope) - and the banter was actually quite cute and funny. I really enjoyed the the history and how the lore and mythology was woven into the urban setting - I am not usually a fan of Urban Fantasy but honestly this was handled perfectly. 

I can't say I loved or really connected with either main character, and I found the plot fairly predictable...but I had a great time reading it and plan to continue with the series. I do recommend it, but I can't say it's a lifelong favorite. But definitely worth reading!

The Doors of Midnight by R.R. Virdi

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense 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

4.25

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC!

4.25/5 stars

This was magical, absolutely amazing. Was it probably too long? Sure, and it had what I would consider more "fluff" than the first one", - it was long and dense and had a ton of content - but it was exceptionally well written, just like the first, and I was captivated by Ari's stories. Every part of magical and every story important. So much happens and it was all wonderful. 

The writing quality was amazing - my attention was captured from the first moment and the story never let it go. Every character had a distinct voice was it was clear that Virdi knew what he wanted to say and had his voice going in. The worldbuilding was beautiful, the characters amazing, and the plot captivating. He builds wonderfully on The First Binding and sprinkled enough from the first book that I was able to remember the important parts. 

This is one for the major fantasy lovers - it's got everything we love in a long, well-written fantasy with all the depth and detail we could ask for.

Three Little Words by

4.0

Was this easy to read and was it enjoyable? Absolutely not -but not because it was poorly written. It was wonderfully written, and that's what made it so hard to read. What this child went through, what so many of these children go through....it hurts to know that these things happened and still happen. That those adults that are supposed to protect children often fail, either out of negligence, overwork, or ignorance. 

This book is important - for me as a CASA and a parent, and for other adults as members of society. It is all our jobs to protect children and this book highlights how short we often fall. It's an uncomfortable but important read.

The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

4.5/5 stars

A powerful story of ants raising against their giants and the power of choice. A reminder that how you look or dress does not determine your power or your influence or your value - but your impression of yourself most certainly can. A beautiful story of changing how you see yourself, and how doing so can help you change the world.

Jordan Ifueko has a unique talent for writing stories that touch your heart and soul, hit on relevant issues, make you smile and laugh...while creating a magical yet almost real world that makes it feel fantastical yet approachable and timeless. Did that make any sense? Probably not to anyone else...but that's why she's the author and I am not.

But seriously, the Raybearer duology is a personal favorite of mine so getting the opportunity to return to that world excited me - and Ifueko did not disappoint. It's so rare you get to see the impact of the heroes after a series, and this book did that and more. It hit on issues relevant to both a world of fantasy and the world we live in beautifully and with respect, but also without shying away from how critical it is that we all stay informed, engaged, and that we challenge the status quo to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live the life they want. 

I encourage everyone, regardless of your age, to read this book (and the Raybearer duology!). It's YA, but it hits on critical topics to our society and features beautiful writing and storytelling that will capture the heart and mind of readers of all ages. 

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

3.25/5 stars

I wanted to love this, but in the end I just felt underwhelmed. My biggest complaint was Diem - I found her childish and immature and that she had very little character development from beginning to end. I also found the plot predictable and the romance expected but jarring. In general I also didn't find that I was a fan of the female characters, which surprised me because this book is written by a woman.

There were definitely some high points, however. The magic was interesting (if a bit underdeveloped) and I did find the world itself fascinating and would love to learn more. I think the overall concept was fantastic but it turned out to be very formulaic and lacking characters I could feel invested in. 

I will likely continue with the series eventually because, honestly, the mom storyline has my attention....but it's not a high priority for me.