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marimoreads's reviews
34 reviews
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Murder on the Interstellar Express by Gregory D. Little
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book caught my eye because it was described as a murder mystery in space with a comedic MC, and I agree with this 1 0 0 %.
I had SO MUCH FUN reading this book!! Bell’s inner thoughts and the characters’ dialogues made me laugh out loud, and whenever I read Bell say something I thought, “That’s so on brand for Deadpool”. The novel's cast of characters are memorable because they are unique. As someone interested in psychology and linguistics, I was fascinated by the technology and appreciated how integral it was to the plot, character designs and the mystery. The story explores the exploitation of people for the benefit of the wealthy, and what happens when inventions originally created for the good of many are put in the wrong hands. The fast pace and unexpected twists of this thrilling, high stakes sci-fi novel kept me engaged and wanting to know what could possibly happen next.
Overall, this book was such a fun mix of sci-fi, mystery, thriller, and comedy with a dash of romance! I enjoyed the sense of humor and look forward to the next instalment of Bell's story!! You will enjoy this book if you like:
🌱 books involving advanced tech and space
🌱 funny MCs and equally hilarious side characters
🌱 high stakes and fast-paced murder mysteries
A special thank you to Net Galley, Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing and Gregory D. Little for the opportunity to read this novel ahead of publication!
This book is the first of the series, "Bell Begrudgingly Solves It". Go check it out!!
I had SO MUCH FUN reading this book!! Bell’s inner thoughts and the characters’ dialogues made me laugh out loud, and whenever I read Bell say something I thought, “That’s so on brand for Deadpool”. The novel's cast of characters are memorable because they are unique. As someone interested in psychology and linguistics, I was fascinated by the technology and appreciated how integral it was to the plot, character designs and the mystery. The story explores the exploitation of people for the benefit of the wealthy, and what happens when inventions originally created for the good of many are put in the wrong hands. The fast pace and unexpected twists of this thrilling, high stakes sci-fi novel kept me engaged and wanting to know what could possibly happen next.
Overall, this book was such a fun mix of sci-fi, mystery, thriller, and comedy with a dash of romance! I enjoyed the sense of humor and look forward to the next instalment of Bell's story!! You will enjoy this book if you like:
🌱 books involving advanced tech and space
🌱 funny MCs and equally hilarious side characters
🌱 high stakes and fast-paced murder mysteries
A special thank you to Net Galley, Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing and Gregory D. Little for the opportunity to read this novel ahead of publication!
This book is the first of the series, "Bell Begrudgingly Solves It". Go check it out!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Camp Lanier by Sylvester Barzey
Even though I was reading this during the day, I kept looking up from the book to make sure there were no specters creeping up on me and no ghostly children watching me from afar. The scares made it so much fun to read!! If you like aquatic horror, creepy ghosts, and stories with Black heroes, this book is for you. It is a perfect summer horror read, especially if you’re camping, at the cottage, or on the beach.
Thank you to Net Galley, Sterling and Stone, and most of all Sylvester Barzey for granting me the opportunity to read a copy of this story ahead of publication. It was such a fun read!!
This book was published on July 16, 2024, please check it out!!
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
I was drawn to this book because it's based on a local legend in Georgia and I am a fan of aquatic horror and ghost stories. This novel did not disappoint!
What I loved about this book:
What I loved about this book:
- Creepy ghosts, aquatic horror
- You don't know whether horror is because of ghosts or humans
- Explores racism, grief, and loss in a way that adds depth to the characters and horror
- Funny and believable characters, Barzey captures the perspective of a teenager through their language and humor accurately
- Immersive horror and setting
Even though I was reading this during the day, I kept looking up from the book to make sure there were no specters creeping up on me and no ghostly children watching me from afar. The scares made it so much fun to read!! If you like aquatic horror, creepy ghosts, and stories with Black heroes, this book is for you. It is a perfect summer horror read, especially if you’re camping, at the cottage, or on the beach.
Thank you to Net Galley, Sterling and Stone, and most of all Sylvester Barzey for granting me the opportunity to read a copy of this story ahead of publication. It was such a fun read!!
This book was published on July 16, 2024, please check it out!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
Minor: Police brutality
His to Love by Elena H. Covens
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Emily Underwood is a curious girl who spends all her time in the local library and craves adventure. One night, while re-reading her favorite novel, she is suddenly struck by lightning and transported to her beloved book’s world, where she meets the infamous pirate, Flynn Sawyer. Immediately, he finds her captivating and does everything in his power to resist falling for this strange and unique woman, but it proves to be useless.
I have not read many pirate books or stories where a character gets pulled into a novel, but from the description this book felt like it would be the perfect blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and romance, and it was! My favorite part about this novel was the funny banter between not only the main couple, but between Flynn’s best friends. The quick-witted dialogue in this book had me laughing out loud multiple times and made reading this book so enjoyable. There is open-door spice but I do not view that as a bad thing! I had fun reading about a dominant male love interest, and it was so heart warming to witness his devotion and watch their love blossom.
This book is recommended for readers who enjoy cozy historical fiction/fantasy, pirate-themed romance, books that take place in a book, a devoted and dominant male love interest, open-door romance, found family, and funny banter.
I would also advise readers that certain topics are included in the story and I encourage them to look into the content warnings before starting the book. The content ranges from being described in moderate detail to being stated in a few sentences: explicit sexual content, gun violence, kidnapping, murder, physical violence, pregnancy, sexual assault, sexual harassment, swearing.
Because of the humorous dialogue, lovable cast of characters and adventurous story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading “His to Love” as my first Covens’ novel, and look forward to the next book in the Second Chance Books series!
This review is now also up on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/179749245-marimoreads?order=d&sort=review&view=reviews), and a variation of this review has also been posted on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TasFzM_B-/?img_index=1).
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Elena H. Covens for the advanced copy and the opportunity to review this wonderful novel!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
I have not read many pirate books or stories where a character gets pulled into a novel, but from the description this book felt like it would be the perfect blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and romance, and it was! My favorite part about this novel was the funny banter between not only the main couple, but between Flynn’s best friends. The quick-witted dialogue in this book had me laughing out loud multiple times and made reading this book so enjoyable. There is open-door spice but I do not view that as a bad thing! I had fun reading about a dominant male love interest, and it was so heart warming to witness his devotion and watch their love blossom.
This book is recommended for readers who enjoy cozy historical fiction/fantasy, pirate-themed romance, books that take place in a book, a devoted and dominant male love interest, open-door romance, found family, and funny banter.
I would also advise readers that certain topics are included in the story and I encourage them to look into the content warnings before starting the book. The content ranges from being described in moderate detail to being stated in a few sentences: explicit sexual content, gun violence, kidnapping, murder, physical violence, pregnancy, sexual assault, sexual harassment, swearing.
Because of the humorous dialogue, lovable cast of characters and adventurous story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading “His to Love” as my first Covens’ novel, and look forward to the next book in the Second Chance Books series!
This review is now also up on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/179749245-marimoreads?order=d&sort=review&view=reviews), and a variation of this review has also been posted on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TasFzM_B-/?img_index=1).
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Elena H. Covens for the advanced copy and the opportunity to review this wonderful novel!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
A beautiful and whimsical story about love and found family, this cozy novel features a unique cast of characters who will charm you, and sweet moments that will warm your heart. To this day I still think about my favourite characters, and I go back to my annotations to relive my favourite quotes and moments. The book tackles the topics of prejudice, discrimination, the pursuit of happiness, and love, and I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, and books about found family.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is a collection of beautiful and hopeful stories about love, loss and communicating even when it seems futile. The stories about these characters will pull at your heart strings and I cried multiple times. I still tear up just thinking about these characters. They feel like real people who you want only the best for, and you hope for their happiness before and after they travel through time.
I love this book because it teaches us that we may not always be able to change the outcome, but it is important to tell our loved ones how we feel, and only then can we heal or move forward together.
I love this book because it teaches us that we may not always be able to change the outcome, but it is important to tell our loved ones how we feel, and only then can we heal or move forward together.
Highly recommended for readers who love emotional stories about interpersonal relationships, loss, and love, with a touch of magical realism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Pregnancy
Minor: Death and Death of parent
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 2 by Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The second installment brings the same sense of mystery and comedy as the first volume, only this time you get to witness how Mao Mao solves an issue at a special party held in the palace. I liked this volume because you get to see how clueless and goofy Mao Mao can be while also being diligent and serious, and you get to see more of how the characters see her. The art style is beautiful, and I love how expressive the characters are.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Vomit
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
5.0
An atmospheric book about time travel, grief, loss, love, and making the right choices, this emotional story of June's quest to stop the curse of the Farrow women is a great read for those who enjoy mystery novels.
I liked this book because of how it approached time travel, how the pieces of the puzzle wove together, how the characters make all of it happen out of the truest form of love, and Young's prose. This is my first time reading a book by this author, and the way that they write brings such vivid images to your mind that you feel as if you yourself are experiencing the characters' visions and memories. And this was the coolest part about reading this book because the immersion is sudden, vivid and jarring, and mirrors June's experience with the curse. I love when books make you feel exactly how the characters feel.
There was also a lot of flower language and animal symbolism woven throughout the story, which I thought was fitting because the family runs a flower farm. It was fun to look up what the plants mean in flower language and interpret what they symbolise within the story.
I liked this book because of how it approached time travel, how the pieces of the puzzle wove together, how the characters make all of it happen out of the truest form of love, and Young's prose. This is my first time reading a book by this author, and the way that they write brings such vivid images to your mind that you feel as if you yourself are experiencing the characters' visions and memories. And this was the coolest part about reading this book because the immersion is sudden, vivid and jarring, and mirrors June's experience with the curse. I love when books make you feel exactly how the characters feel.
There was also a lot of flower language and animal symbolism woven throughout the story, which I thought was fitting because the family runs a flower farm. It was fun to look up what the plants mean in flower language and interpret what they symbolise within the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicide
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
A heartwarming story about first love, self-discovery, and self-acceptance, this novel about a young girl's summer romance will make you laugh and cry at all the wonderful moments they share together. Highly recommended for readers of LGBTQ+, fantasy and romance.