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hardcover_hazel's reviews
158 reviews
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
tense
slow-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
It’s been 84 years… but I’ve finally finished this book!! This TOME 😂
Going into felt overwhelming - it’s so long, and there’s a million places and characters thrown at you. It is high fantasy after all. And Ms. Shannon definitely knew my weakness (names). Literally ask the people I love how many times a day I say “I forgot the name but” and continue to describe something so obvious 😂
But somehow, the Mother gifted me with enough brainpower to not only remember people (after writing down 7 names) but places too (after writing down 5) and less than a hundred pages in I was remembering everyone and everything and knew exactly what was going on and I was HOOKED.
So, go into it with a mindset of this is your textbook and you’ll be fine 😂
We have dragons, we have magic, we have pirates, we have politics, we have cultures, we have religions, we have POC, we have sapphics, we have gays, we have queers. In a whole ass fantasy world!
And what a world it is.
I understand why this is compared to Game of Thrones. Because I’d be winter if this got turned into a series (coming)
4.5 stars because this was an entire 800 book leading up to this massive battle… that was over in 30 pages. And also because of throwing so many names at me at first that I actually had to write them down without even knowing there was a whole ass glossary of them at the back 😂
Going into felt overwhelming - it’s so long, and there’s a million places and characters thrown at you. It is high fantasy after all. And Ms. Shannon definitely knew my weakness (names). Literally ask the people I love how many times a day I say “I forgot the name but” and continue to describe something so obvious 😂
But somehow, the Mother gifted me with enough brainpower to not only remember people (after writing down 7 names) but places too (after writing down 5) and less than a hundred pages in I was remembering everyone and everything and knew exactly what was going on and I was HOOKED.
So, go into it with a mindset of this is your textbook and you’ll be fine 😂
We have dragons, we have magic, we have pirates, we have politics, we have cultures, we have religions, we have POC, we have sapphics, we have gays, we have queers. In a whole ass fantasy world!
And what a world it is.
I understand why this is compared to Game of Thrones. Because I’d be winter if this got turned into a series (coming)
4.5 stars because this was an entire 800 book leading up to this massive battle… that was over in 30 pages. And also because of throwing so many names at me at first that I actually had to write them down without even knowing there was a whole ass glossary of them at the back 😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
This is a powerful book. We follow the true crime story of serial killer Ted Bundy but told from a fictional perspective. Pamela survives the onslaught left behind in her sorority dorm when he murders and maims two sorority sisters.
We follow a lot of his true crime story here, and see how much praise and credit he got from the press which was definitely not deserved.
I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the feminine take on how things were in the world at this time. I listened to this as an audiobook and the details of the law proceedings and admin details read by this reader was just not for me 😩 I might have enjoyed it more as a physical copy. The reader was perfect though, giving a wonderful voice to Pamela.
The rest of the story was incredible. Pick it up if you:
- love true crime
- want more victim focus than praising the serial killer focus
- are a feminist
- support woman’s rights (and wrongs - not that there are many in the book)
We follow a lot of his true crime story here, and see how much praise and credit he got from the press which was definitely not deserved.
I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the feminine take on how things were in the world at this time. I listened to this as an audiobook and the details of the law proceedings and admin details read by this reader was just not for me 😩 I might have enjoyed it more as a physical copy. The reader was perfect though, giving a wonderful voice to Pamela.
The rest of the story was incredible. Pick it up if you:
- love true crime
- want more victim focus than praising the serial killer focus
- are a feminist
- support woman’s rights (and wrongs - not that there are many in the book)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The final book in the City of Ember series ✨
This book takes us on an adventure back into the heart of ember. The city has been abandoned following the end of book 1, and the Emberites are living in Sparks now.
The world outside the city is harsh and tough. Experiencing a long, cold, hungry winter, Lina and Doon wonder if there’s still useful things left behind in their old city, so they plan an adventure with lots of twists and turns along the way.
The best part of this book was the ending. Getting to hear how Lina and Doon’s lives evolve, and how the world grows along with them 🥹
This book takes us on an adventure back into the heart of ember. The city has been abandoned following the end of book 1, and the Emberites are living in Sparks now.
The world outside the city is harsh and tough. Experiencing a long, cold, hungry winter, Lina and Doon wonder if there’s still useful things left behind in their old city, so they plan an adventure with lots of twists and turns along the way.
The best part of this book was the ending. Getting to hear how Lina and Doon’s lives evolve, and how the world grows along with them 🥹
Seasick by Kristin Cast, Pintip Dunn
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
3.5 ✨
This was a fun read! We follow a group of teens on a luxury yacht at the end of high school. Most of them are well off, and there’s gossip and scandals in the group.
Then someone turns up dead. And another. And another. Will our main characters, two former best friends, be able to survive this night on the murder yacht?
I enjoyed following the antics of the killer and who would end up dead next, and how. It’s basically a good B-list horror movie.
Perfect for almost spooky season 🤭
This was a fun read! We follow a group of teens on a luxury yacht at the end of high school. Most of them are well off, and there’s gossip and scandals in the group.
Then someone turns up dead. And another. And another. Will our main characters, two former best friends, be able to survive this night on the murder yacht?
I enjoyed following the antics of the killer and who would end up dead next, and how. It’s basically a good B-list horror movie.
Perfect for almost spooky season 🤭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
1.0
This book is meant to be a prequel to the City of Ember but, honestly, feels like it should have been a standalone book. At the end, some things tie up and we find out some links back to the City of Ember but most of this book felt very random.
I highly suggest skipping this in the series, or just reading the last chapter of what happens after. Otis was cute (a dog) and I enjoyed the links back to ember at the end and how a couple things tied up but it felt like a completely different book for 99% of the time.
I highly suggest skipping this in the series, or just reading the last chapter of what happens after. Otis was cute (a dog) and I enjoyed the links back to ember at the end and how a couple things tied up but it felt like a completely different book for 99% of the time.
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"By the end of this night, if I have not stabbed Suzette with one of these forks, it will only be because I’m not sure which one to use to do it."
Millie is back! Enzo too. It's been 11 years so jumping from book 2 to this felt like a little bit of whiplash 😂
The authors writing is much better in this one 💃 and the kids sound so adorable! I love hearing about Millie's life and there's a few characters from the previous books that say hi too!
This wasn't as thrilling as previous books and nothing is mentioned in detail but please read the trigger warnings for this 🩷
I still loved this story and really enjoyed the twists and turns the author took us down 🤭 I was reading in bed next to my partner, who had fallen asleep lightly. But she wanted me to wake her for any new developments and she made sure she was fully awake to hear it 😂 which was super cute and made the book an even better experience ✨
I'll miss The Housemaid 🥹
Millie is back! Enzo too. It's been 11 years so jumping from book 2 to this felt like a little bit of whiplash 😂
The authors writing is much better in this one 💃 and the kids sound so adorable! I love hearing about Millie's life and there's a few characters from the previous books that say hi too!
This wasn't as thrilling as previous books and nothing is mentioned in detail but please read the trigger warnings for this 🩷
I still loved this story and really enjoyed the twists and turns the author took us down 🤭 I was reading in bed next to my partner, who had fallen asleep lightly. But she wanted me to wake her for any new developments and she made sure she was fully awake to hear it 😂 which was super cute and made the book an even better experience ✨
I'll miss The Housemaid 🥹
THOSE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR: Quick Reads 2024 by Kia Abdullah
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A quickreads audio book - the first audiobook I've finished from my local e-library 😊
A fued between neighbours turns deadly as things start escalating. I'm sure a lot of detail was cut out from the longer book for this one, so it ends up being more factual.
The twist at the end was surprising! A good, quick little read for the evening.
A fued between neighbours turns deadly as things start escalating. I'm sure a lot of detail was cut out from the longer book for this one, so it ends up being more factual.
The twist at the end was surprising! A good, quick little read for the evening.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Hate crime, and Racism
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”
This book contains abuse and more - please check the trigger warnings before reading or watching the movie 💕 it’s not an easy girls-night-out movie.
I was in a relationship that my therapist has deemed abusive in the past (emotionally not physically) but there are similarities between the two. It definitely brought up feelings as I was reading and I cried a lot over the past version of me. (I’ve done a TON of healing since this relationship, but memories and feelings can be replayed. I cried over past me, I cried for Lily, I cried for others who’ve experienced this).
I appreciate the awareness brought towards abusive relationships in this book and I know Colleen wanted to shed light on those who would always question why they don’t leave their abuser.
However, there’s also a form of romanticising abuse in this book.
The characters didn’t feel like they had a ton of substance, but I did enjoy the story overall.
This book contains abuse and more - please check the trigger warnings before reading or watching the movie 💕 it’s not an easy girls-night-out movie.
I was in a relationship that my therapist has deemed abusive in the past (emotionally not physically) but there are similarities between the two. It definitely brought up feelings as I was reading and I cried a lot over the past version of me. (I’ve done a TON of healing since this relationship, but memories and feelings can be replayed. I cried over past me, I cried for Lily, I cried for others who’ve experienced this).
I appreciate the awareness brought towards abusive relationships in this book and I know Colleen wanted to shed light on those who would always question why they don’t leave their abuser.
However, there’s also a form of romanticising abuse in this book.
The characters didn’t feel like they had a ton of substance, but I did enjoy the story overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This series has been sitting on my shelf for a while and I’ve been too intimidated to start it (until a read along came by 😂). There are so many fans out there and I don’t always like the popular book but this was a pretty good start ✨
For:
-enemies to lovers
-beauty and the beast fantasy retelling
-magic and easy world building
-with a bunch of action (and some gore)
-has its main focus on the romance of the story
read it. ✨
It’s a great introduction into fantasy without having to focus on the world building or characters to understand it. You feel almost compelled to continue reading even though there isn’t much happening. The last few chapters were the best - with challenges and trials and hope.
I have to say Feyre irritated me a bit 😂 I felt exhausted at her trying to fight literally everything, even though I understood why. I do love that she becomes a bit more relaxed and human and we get to see how she views the world and lets out her emotion - through painting.
Though there’s some dubious actions from the males in this series 👀 so check any warnings before reading.
Overall, I loved it and I might just become an ACOTAR fan as I continue this journey 💕
For:
-enemies to lovers
-beauty and the beast fantasy retelling
-magic and easy world building
-with a bunch of action (and some gore)
-has its main focus on the romance of the story
read it. ✨
It’s a great introduction into fantasy without having to focus on the world building or characters to understand it. You feel almost compelled to continue reading even though there isn’t much happening. The last few chapters were the best - with challenges and trials and hope.
I have to say Feyre irritated me a bit 😂 I felt exhausted at her trying to fight literally everything, even though I understood why. I do love that she becomes a bit more relaxed and human and we get to see how she views the world and lets out her emotion - through painting.
Though there’s some dubious actions from the males in this series 👀 so check any warnings before reading.
Overall, I loved it and I might just become an ACOTAR fan as I continue this journey 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.5 ✨
A delicious book! The way Coco makes words melt on your tongue is just magic.
This book made me deeply want a sister. And it also made me find small parts of myself in a variety of characters, based on being human, and being a woman.
This is a story about addiction, about messy (realistic) characters, and about grief.
We follow the Blue sisters - who used to be four, and are now three. A year later, we enter into their lives in time to see their worst mistakes, their lowest lows, their deepest regrets.
And we watch them heal, pull themselves back together, and rebuild their lives.
The metaphors and meaning scattered throughout is just stunning.
(The only thing that disappointed me is one of the stereotypes that bi people struggle with. It’s a bit of a spoiler so I can’t say the word but can we stop the stereotype please).
A delicious book! The way Coco makes words melt on your tongue is just magic.
This book made me deeply want a sister. And it also made me find small parts of myself in a variety of characters, based on being human, and being a woman.
This is a story about addiction, about messy (realistic) characters, and about grief.
We follow the Blue sisters - who used to be four, and are now three. A year later, we enter into their lives in time to see their worst mistakes, their lowest lows, their deepest regrets.
And we watch them heal, pull themselves back together, and rebuild their lives.
The metaphors and meaning scattered throughout is just stunning.
(The only thing that disappointed me is one of the stereotypes that bi people struggle with. It’s a bit of a spoiler so I can’t say the word but can we stop the stereotype please).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Abortion