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mariah_readssometimes's reviews
357 reviews
Crown of Slumber by R.L. Perez
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
5.0
Something really neat and unique about this book is that it is a sleeping beauty retelling, so you know the major plot points. BUT even though you know what's coming, you don't really know the magnitude of what's coming. That's good writing.
Think Disney meets Game of Thrones. You get dragons, you get magic and witches, you get court politics, you get unseelie creatures, you get the sleeping beauty curse, you get a love story.
Honestly, it felt like a really good mashup of everything, and I wanted to keep reading more every time I picked it up.
I love love LOVED that the FMC was very strong and independent. We need more of that in our lives.
I really enjoyed that there was some dabbles of spice. It wasn't the plot, but it was tastefully sprinkled in and written in a way that didn't make me roll my eyes, lol.
Some of the tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Fake engagement
One room/one bed
Think Disney meets Game of Thrones. You get dragons, you get magic and witches, you get court politics, you get unseelie creatures, you get the sleeping beauty curse, you get a love story.
Honestly, it felt like a really good mashup of everything, and I wanted to keep reading more every time I picked it up.
I love love LOVED that the FMC was very strong and independent. We need more of that in our lives.
I really enjoyed that there was some dabbles of spice. It wasn't the plot, but it was tastefully sprinkled in and written in a way that didn't make me roll my eyes, lol.
Some of the tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Fake engagement
One room/one bed
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
These stories range from horror folklore to psychological thrill to humanitarian issues. I liked the range, but sometimes going from a spooky story to one that enraged me was not
the route I wanted to take.
Each story is written well, but depending on the subject matter I liked some more than others and wished their stories were longer.
A handful of my favorite stories:
Kushtuka
Quantum
Hunger
Snakes are Born in the Dark
Collections
Limbs
Something that I like to do while reading is listen to music or other sounds. This book read well with a fire sounds playlist playing in the
background.
As a dark fiction collection, be in a good headspace before reading. There are themes of:
Murder
Gore
Abuse (physical and sexual, both for adults and children)
Misogyny and sexism
Racism
Kidnapping
Miscarriage
Drug use and foul language
This is just the surface. Please be in a good headspace or look up individual story's warnings. No need to upset yourself ❤️
the route I wanted to take.
Each story is written well, but depending on the subject matter I liked some more than others and wished their stories were longer.
A handful of my favorite stories:
Kushtuka
Quantum
Hunger
Snakes are Born in the Dark
Collections
Limbs
Something that I like to do while reading is listen to music or other sounds. This book read well with a fire sounds playlist playing in the
background.
As a dark fiction collection, be in a good headspace before reading. There are themes of:
Murder
Gore
Abuse (physical and sexual, both for adults and children)
Misogyny and sexism
Racism
Kidnapping
Miscarriage
Drug use and foul language
This is just the surface. Please be in a good headspace or look up individual story's warnings. No need to upset yourself ❤️
If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin
3.0
I liked this book more than I liked the "first" or "original" or whatever you want to call it.
There felt to be more development of the characters. Seeing the aftermath and emotion of how those closest to Finn really added a realness to the story. The growth each character has bring a young adult. How people react to grief.
There are a lot of really good, really profound things said that I think could truly help a lot of people get through (or at least get comfortable with) their own grief.
I still think that I'm a little mature for the story. If I read it 10-15 years ago I'd probably have liked it much more.
There felt to be more development of the characters. Seeing the aftermath and emotion of how those closest to Finn really added a realness to the story. The growth each character has bring a young adult. How people react to grief.
There are a lot of really good, really profound things said that I think could truly help a lot of people get through (or at least get comfortable with) their own grief.
I still think that I'm a little mature for the story. If I read it 10-15 years ago I'd probably have liked it much more.
Zodiac Academy: Origins of an Academy Bully by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
4.0
This novella is not imperative to read for new information in the series. But it is a good read for further insight into Darius' & Orion's guardian bond.
The best time (imo) to read this is after book #2, when you have been given the background of the events that are covered in this novella.
I hate that I want to like Darius. But I guess I kinda like Darius, lol.
The best time (imo) to read this is after book #2, when you have been given the background of the events that are covered in this novella.
I hate that I want to like Darius. But I guess I kinda like Darius, lol.
Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
3.0
The cheesiness I love is still there.
I don't feel as connected to these characters as I did ZA. I am reading in the order suggested, so this is #4 for me. And I just miss my twins and my heirs (oddly?)
I'm sorry, but the boys need to go to horny jail. I was so annoyed reading their povs because all of them wanted to bone Elise. She's awesome, I get it. But let's take a step back lol.
I still really like the magic, I really like the magic school atmosphere. The plot is decent.
I don't feel as connected to these characters as I did ZA. I am reading in the order suggested, so this is #4 for me. And I just miss my twins and my heirs (oddly?)
I'm sorry, but the boys need to go to horny jail. I was so annoyed reading their povs because all of them wanted to bone Elise. She's awesome, I get it. But let's take a step back lol.
I still really like the magic, I really like the magic school atmosphere. The plot is decent.
The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
3.5
The reckoning happens in this book. And I have been patiently awaiting it.
We get a lot of answers, but now I have more questions. They sure know how to keep my interest.
The romance is getting messy. Keeping politics and relationships separate is pricing too be very hard.
The smut is appearing. Which, meh. I personally don't care for it but it doesn't take away from the story.
Daddy Acrux can s my d.
Orders? I'm still thinking elysian mates. I need answers!
We get a lot of answers, but now I have more questions. They sure know how to keep my interest.
The romance is getting messy. Keeping politics and relationships separate is pricing too be very hard.
The smut is appearing. Which, meh. I personally don't care for it but it doesn't take away from the story.
Daddy Acrux can s my d.
Orders? I'm still thinking elysian mates. I need answers!
Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
4.0
I still have more questions than answers for this series. I'm going to be reading it forever, it seems 😅
What I liked: the girls are finding more of their power. They're proving themselves worthy. The romance felt less icky and forced. There's a lot more mutual feeling this time around instead of the boys using it to get what they want. Also, pacing is very very fast.
What I didn't like: I know we don't need to see every second of their days, but sometimes the timing seems off. Gives small plot holes. I also just don't like the boys, but that's a personal choice.
Also do we possibly have some elysian mates going on here???
What I liked: the girls are finding more of their power. They're proving themselves worthy. The romance felt less icky and forced. There's a lot more mutual feeling this time around instead of the boys using it to get what they want. Also, pacing is very very fast.
What I didn't like: I know we don't need to see every second of their days, but sometimes the timing seems off. Gives small plot holes. I also just don't like the boys, but that's a personal choice.
Also do we possibly have some elysian mates going on here???
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
This book was just as cringey (fire professor named Pyro. Water professor named washer?) as I was told it would be.
BUT I ate it up. This is the type of series I would have eaten up in high school, and the nostalgia is 100% part of why I liked it more than I thought I would.
The writing is a bit juvenile in comparison to other romantasy books I've read. But it just makes it that much quicker to read.
I am so invested in the story, I want to know more. Yesterday.
I hate the heirs.
I love the twins.
I have so many questions.
I NEED more.
BUT I ate it up. This is the type of series I would have eaten up in high school, and the nostalgia is 100% part of why I liked it more than I thought I would.
The writing is a bit juvenile in comparison to other romantasy books I've read. But it just makes it that much quicker to read.
I am so invested in the story, I want to know more. Yesterday.
I hate the heirs.
I love the twins.
I have so many questions.
I NEED more.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The storytelling in this book is marvelous. Reminds me why contemporary literature can be so important. When you start reading, there's no way you would guess where it is going nor the outcome. As the book progressed, I made the connections and knew what was going on, but I kept reading because I wanted to know how it affected or characters.
I have to admit, I absolutely hated Cameron's character, but I still wanted his happiness. He was dealt a crappy hand, and Sowell Bay is more than just answers for him. It's proof that he can change and grow.
I know that he was just the glue, but I wanted more Marcellus. His insights were refreshing, and it was a reminder that animals are more than just cute creatures.
I also want to admit, I was scared at the beginning that this was going to be a Tova-falls-in-love-with-the-octopus story.. I was pretty close to putting it down. But after a bit, I realised fascination doesn't have to mean infatuation. I've been reading too much romance, lol.
I have to admit, I absolutely hated Cameron's character, but I still wanted his happiness. He was dealt a crappy hand, and Sowell Bay is more than just answers for him. It's proof that he can change and grow.
I know that he was just the glue, but I wanted more Marcellus. His insights were refreshing, and it was a reminder that animals are more than just cute creatures.
I also want to admit, I was scared at the beginning that this was going to be a Tova-falls-in-love-with-the-octopus story.. I was pretty close to putting it down. But after a bit, I realised fascination doesn't have to mean infatuation. I've been reading too much romance, lol.