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hopecobbledpots's reviews
430 reviews
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, and Murder
The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
Rise by Freya Finch
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Star Rating: πππππ
Scoville Spice Scale: The world's mildest πΆ π
"It's naked, but that doesn't mean much when it looks like a week old scab woke up and chose violence."
This is Freya Finch's debut novel? I don't know whether to say pinch me or pinch her because this reads like a seasoned author wrote it!
Meet Bryn - who thinks she's the worst valkyrie ever. Bryn is having a hard time and you would be to if your half sister you never knew about showed up out of the blue and your older sisters are always telling you that you are out of your depth and there's a new Black Knight at the Renaissance Faire where she lives full time. Bryn's life was already interesting, but then her mom disappeared, and when Juniper, the aforementioned half-sister, showed up with some zombie type of monsters in tow, things got complicated real fast. Especially with that guy, Wyatt, playing the Black Knight!
This norse mythology inspired story absolutely enthralled me. Bryn, our female main character, is a take charge, get it done gal, and she has no fear of jumping in feet first. The only problem is that this gets her in trouble sometimes.
Juniper, half-sister to Bryn and her sister, is a darling yet fierce defender of her family. She and Bryn bond so beautifully. Readers will adore their relationship.
Wyatt. I love how Bryn and Wyatt slowly open up to each other, and it is so pure and good. Wyatt is such a wonderful male character. I don't want to call him main because this book is all Bryn. But Wyatt's character grows so much.
I read this as an adult and enjoyed it so much. This book is geared towards Teens and Young Adults. I give it high recommendations.
Thank you to disneybooks and netgalley for this gifted book in exchange for an honest review.
Scoville Spice Scale: The world's mildest πΆ π
"It's naked, but that doesn't mean much when it looks like a week old scab woke up and chose violence."
This is Freya Finch's debut novel? I don't know whether to say pinch me or pinch her because this reads like a seasoned author wrote it!
Meet Bryn - who thinks she's the worst valkyrie ever. Bryn is having a hard time and you would be to if your half sister you never knew about showed up out of the blue and your older sisters are always telling you that you are out of your depth and there's a new Black Knight at the Renaissance Faire where she lives full time. Bryn's life was already interesting, but then her mom disappeared, and when Juniper, the aforementioned half-sister, showed up with some zombie type of monsters in tow, things got complicated real fast. Especially with that guy, Wyatt, playing the Black Knight!
This norse mythology inspired story absolutely enthralled me. Bryn, our female main character, is a take charge, get it done gal, and she has no fear of jumping in feet first. The only problem is that this gets her in trouble sometimes.
Juniper, half-sister to Bryn and her sister, is a darling yet fierce defender of her family. She and Bryn bond so beautifully. Readers will adore their relationship.
Wyatt. I love how Bryn and Wyatt slowly open up to each other, and it is so pure and good. Wyatt is such a wonderful male character. I don't want to call him main because this book is all Bryn. But Wyatt's character grows so much.
I read this as an adult and enjoyed it so much. This book is geared towards Teens and Young Adults. I give it high recommendations.
Thank you to disneybooks and netgalley for this gifted book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and War
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I was enthralled by this tale that read like a true crime but wasn't. I really wanted to know whodunit.
Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Amethysts & Alchemy by Rachel Rener
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
EDITED 7/30/2024 W/PUB DAY REVIEW
I'm giving a short review of my Alpha review.
Holy FRACK! I loved this book. Delaney is a delight! This book was amazing and I am here for it.
It is Laugh Out Loud Snort Worthy.
Amethysts and Alchemy
Star Rating: ππππ
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆπΆΒ½
QOTD: Have you ever been in a cave?
AOTD: Yes (see comments)
Sometimes you get so engrossed in a book, so entranced by the writing that when you look up to see you aren't in the scene with the characters, it startles you. Amethysts and Alchemy is one of those rare books. I have read this book twice now and it isn't enough. Read this book if you adore:
πͺ¨ Cosy Fantasy with a side of Romance
πͺ¨ Rivals to Lovers
πͺ¨ A FMC who is NeuroSpicy, Badass, and awkward
πͺ¨ An adorable Emotional Support Pig
πͺ¨ A MMC who is patient, kind, tender, dreamy, oh, he's so muchβ¦
πͺ¨ The Chauffeur who is full of mischief
πͺ¨ Lara Croft Meets Lessons in Chemistry vibes
"It was the people who fell in between βfriendβ and βenemyβ that always left me bewildered. Better to shove them in one of two simple categories instead, with enemies being the easiest to avoid. It was a reliable system that, once implemented, had never served me wrong." - Laney
I'm in love with these characters - Laney, Heath, and Topie. Laney, Laney, Laney. You're a much younger version of me if I'd decided to apply myself to my studies. I completely get the germs, people, being overwhelmed at an airport and just losing it. Oh, and I never met a grammatical error I didn't want to correct. And then there is Heath, who took over your dear friend's shop and desecrated it (I can't stand incense, asthma). But he has been trying to get to know you. And maybe, if you'd give him a chance? Talk to Topie, the greatest Emotional Support Pig ever.
Thank you, Rachel, for trusting me with ARC. It is glorious. Laney is definitely vying for top spot in the Reneriverse. ππ I look forward to Book Two. π
#newbook #rachelrener #neurospicy #newbooktuesday #bebookishforbookishsake #bookreview #arcreview
I'm giving a short review of my Alpha review.
Holy FRACK! I loved this book. Delaney is a delight! This book was amazing and I am here for it.
It is Laugh Out Loud Snort Worthy.
Amethysts and Alchemy
Star Rating: ππππ
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆπΆΒ½
QOTD: Have you ever been in a cave?
AOTD: Yes (see comments)
Sometimes you get so engrossed in a book, so entranced by the writing that when you look up to see you aren't in the scene with the characters, it startles you. Amethysts and Alchemy is one of those rare books. I have read this book twice now and it isn't enough. Read this book if you adore:
πͺ¨ Cosy Fantasy with a side of Romance
πͺ¨ Rivals to Lovers
πͺ¨ A FMC who is NeuroSpicy, Badass, and awkward
πͺ¨ An adorable Emotional Support Pig
πͺ¨ A MMC who is patient, kind, tender, dreamy, oh, he's so muchβ¦
πͺ¨ The Chauffeur who is full of mischief
πͺ¨ Lara Croft Meets Lessons in Chemistry vibes
"It was the people who fell in between βfriendβ and βenemyβ that always left me bewildered. Better to shove them in one of two simple categories instead, with enemies being the easiest to avoid. It was a reliable system that, once implemented, had never served me wrong." - Laney
I'm in love with these characters - Laney, Heath, and Topie. Laney, Laney, Laney. You're a much younger version of me if I'd decided to apply myself to my studies. I completely get the germs, people, being overwhelmed at an airport and just losing it. Oh, and I never met a grammatical error I didn't want to correct. And then there is Heath, who took over your dear friend's shop and desecrated it (I can't stand incense, asthma). But he has been trying to get to know you. And maybe, if you'd give him a chance? Talk to Topie, the greatest Emotional Support Pig ever.
Thank you, Rachel, for trusting me with ARC. It is glorious. Laney is definitely vying for top spot in the Reneriverse. ππ I look forward to Book Two. π
#newbook #rachelrener #neurospicy #newbooktuesday #bebookishforbookishsake #bookreview #arcreview
Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Stars β‘οΈβ‘οΈβ‘οΈβ‘οΈβ‘οΈ
Scoville Spice Scale πΆ(really Β½)
This is a look at a Storm I've never seen before. We seem her as a young child with her family and then as a teenager living in the streets of Cairo before she takes a journey to find her mother's people and meets up with a young man named T'Challa of Wakanda! (Yes, Him!) Their adventures, flirtatious, Ororo's struggles to not fall in love with T'Challa because he's a King and she's a street rat shape what she is to become in the future.
I so enjoyed this book. What a wonderful background story on Ororo and how she became Storm and her friendship with T'Challa and her run in with The Shadow King. I had only heard of the Shadow King once before and knew him to be a very powerful mutant. I'm very glad Professor Xavier offered her a place with the X-Men.
I highly recommend this book especially to middle grade and high school fans of X-Men. As a lifelong fan, I adored it.
Scoville Spice Scale πΆ(really Β½)
This is a look at a Storm I've never seen before. We seem her as a young child with her family and then as a teenager living in the streets of Cairo before she takes a journey to find her mother's people and meets up with a young man named T'Challa of Wakanda! (Yes, Him!) Their adventures, flirtatious, Ororo's struggles to not fall in love with T'Challa because he's a King and she's a street rat shape what she is to become in the future.
I so enjoyed this book. What a wonderful background story on Ororo and how she became Storm and her friendship with T'Challa and her run in with The Shadow King. I had only heard of the Shadow King once before and knew him to be a very powerful mutant. I'm very glad Professor Xavier offered her a place with the X-Men.
I highly recommend this book especially to middle grade and high school fans of X-Men. As a lifelong fan, I adored it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Death of parent
The Stars Couldn't Break Us by Valerie Rivers
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
The Stars Couldn't Break Us
Authors:Valerie Rivers and Stephanie Combs
Publisher: Silverflame Publishing
Pub Date: July 11, 2024
π π π π π
Scoville Spice ScaleπΆ
"You're absolutely rightβ¦Stars forbide I make a bad impression on the strange male I'm about to spend my entire life with."
We met Arianwen in The Star Would Curse Us. Now it's time for more of her story and Oh Ho! What a story it is! We get to see some more amazing worldbuilding in the land of Iveria and the many differences between those who dwell below the water and above (and how snobbish they can be!). Arianwen is just a fiesty and spicy as ever and wanting to make a difference with her healing ability. And she is sent into the most interesting places by The Hospitium. You'll see. Her relationship with her husband is quite the tale. It is very endearing to read their story. This is a novella so it is a quick read. Get ready for:
- dancing on the beach
- a heist
- one seahorse
- sexy tattoos
- sacrifices (not of humans or animals)
- pining (not cones)
- unexpected friendships
- πͺΏ
This book is such an awesome interlude to The Star Would Curse Us. There are pre-order incentives!
25 Pre-orders - Bookmark/Sticker - DONE!
50 Pre-orders - Character Art Print
100 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub with spicier version of TSCBU scene
150 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub Bonus scene/Reader's choice
200 Pre-orders - Vellum Page Overlay
300 Pre-orders - Bonus Artwork
Authors:Valerie Rivers and Stephanie Combs
Publisher: Silverflame Publishing
Pub Date: July 11, 2024
π π π π π
Scoville Spice ScaleπΆ
"You're absolutely rightβ¦Stars forbide I make a bad impression on the strange male I'm about to spend my entire life with."
We met Arianwen in The Star Would Curse Us. Now it's time for more of her story and Oh Ho! What a story it is! We get to see some more amazing worldbuilding in the land of Iveria and the many differences between those who dwell below the water and above (and how snobbish they can be!). Arianwen is just a fiesty and spicy as ever and wanting to make a difference with her healing ability. And she is sent into the most interesting places by The Hospitium. You'll see. Her relationship with her husband is quite the tale. It is very endearing to read their story. This is a novella so it is a quick read. Get ready for:
- dancing on the beach
- a heist
- one seahorse
- sexy tattoos
- sacrifices (not of humans or animals)
- pining (not cones)
- unexpected friendships
- πͺΏ
This book is such an awesome interlude to The Star Would Curse Us. There are pre-order incentives!
25 Pre-orders - Bookmark/Sticker - DONE!
50 Pre-orders - Character Art Print
100 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub with spicier version of TSCBU scene
150 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub Bonus scene/Reader's choice
200 Pre-orders - Vellum Page Overlay
300 Pre-orders - Bonus Artwork
When We Lied by Claire Contreras
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol