laurenleigh's reviews
581 reviews

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

I was personally expecting a much more fantastical tale, but once I got over that slight disappointment, I could enjoy this story for what is was. I loved and identified with the main character, especially enjoying her development as she gained more confidence and expanded her comfort zone. It’s helpful for me to be in an anxious main character’s brain so I can see from the outside how pointless the worrying and catastrophizing is lol. Plot was somewhat predictable, but I didn’t mind it terribly. I’d be very curious to read more from this author in the future, especially if it’s more fantasy than other genres.

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

One of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it did not disappoint! I loveeee these characters and will follow wherever their story takes them. It was so great to watch Diana and Matthew’s relationship years down the line, their kids being almost 7. When I fall in love with a literary couple, I appreciate seeing how they grow and develop through inevitable rough times. Especially as parents, since that’s high on my mind right now! This installment of the series is almost exclusively focused on witches and Diana’s heritage, which was so perfect for budding fall vibes.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

Five stars, no notes. Perfection. I become more and more a BrandoSando fangirl! This would be a delightful foray into his work, especially if you’re new to fantasy. It was fun, light, and whimsical, while still having depth and quality. The Princess Bride inspiration is clear, so I definitely recommend if you’re a fan of that. I didn’t expect there to be so many lines I wish I could have highlighted and tagged, but there were tons of gems in here that I want to return to. I need to buy the hard copy now, which is basically equivalent to a 6 star rating for me!

Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

A perfectly cute palette cleanser. Little did I know that the author lives in Pasadena (my home town) and our main character here lives there too! She even works at a museum that I’m sure is supposed to be a renamed Norton Simon. When we weren’t in Pasadena, I loved the Paris setting. The plot dabbled a bit in contemporary fiction, romance, and mystery, and it was the mystery elements I enjoyed the most. I really liked learning little bits of Paris trivia and Joan of Arc history. The light touch of romance was sweet, and I appreciated that it didn’t take over the whole book.

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

adventurous mysterious relaxing slow-paced

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

4.5

Rebecca Ross is such a wonderful writer, especially if you want to feel strong vibes. She has such a soothing, gentle, atmospheric quality to her fantasy. I feel calmer just thinking about it! Not that there aren’t high stakes and exciting plot lines here, but they’re executed with poetry. The narrator with her thick Scottish accent was fantastic, which was a perfect match to the lyrical prose. Kind of a slow start, but worth the build up. I will be picking up the sequel! 

Flamefall by Rosaria Munda

adventurous challenging reflective 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

Oohhh this series is so good. I can’t believe I found it from a random BookTube video, not even from the regular accounts I follow! Again with the delicious political intrigue, I eat it up. There were so many points in this story that stopped me in my tracks and gave me so much to think about it. No decision is ever simply cut and dry when you’re talking about ruling an entire diverse population, and Munda really leans into that. All the characters make both good and bad choices, and I love following them every step of the way. I am sure the third book will be fantastic!

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

I did NOT expect to love this little mid-series novella so much, but it got me right in the feels. I cried multiple times (happy tears). Though TBH everything makes me tear up these days! I’ve just become really attached to these characters, and I want the best for them. It was nice to read something lighter with the gang, where they’re not knee deep in a bloody war.

Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

Stunning, exciting, and the perfect way to end a trilogy. I feel so complete with this gorgeous series. The political scheming is A++++, balanced by fast paced action scenes. I was screaming at this book more than once, in the best possible way. I don’t necessarily want this to get picked up for TV in case they mess it up, but I couldn’t help but imagine all these scenes, with such good cinematic writing. Roanhorse is so talented, and she doesn’t get nearly enough attention in my opinion. 

She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A thriller can be such a fun palette cleanser! Even if they are often pretty damn dark and creepy, the fast-paced drama is fun. This was maybe a 3.5 star for most of the book, but then the plot twist I totally didn’t see coming, so extra points for that! All of our characters are morally grey (or just plain bad), but I think that’s pretty common for the genre. Slightly open ended, so fair warning if that’s a huge turn off for you.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.5

I think I would have ate this up like 15 years ago. I didn’t dislike it by any means, but it felt too YA for me to connect to. The main character was bordering on “not like other girls,” le sigh. I liked the four brothers though; those characters engaged me. Even if the narrator gave them corny Texan accents. Certain plot points felt predictable, and I also was a bit let down with the ending. I know she wanted to set up for the series to continue, but I was hoping for more resolution.