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rachel_faerie's reviews
508 reviews
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
*FIRSTLY I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy*
Lucy Undying is the story that asks “what happened to the women Dracula prayed on? What happened to Lucy Westenra?”
In this story we follow Lucy Westenra in snippets of her past and present as she deals with the life she lost and the un-life she gained.
I found this book gripping from page 1. We get dual POV from Lucy when she’s a young girl facing manipulation at every turn and later when she’s a vampire as well as another POV from a human woman named Iris who’s family is part of a health product cult empire, as she’s on the run from their clutches.
The way this book made the Dracula legend feel so fresh and unique but also felt like a true presentation of the classic legend was so masterfully done. Kiersten White dived into themes of men vs monsters, women’s injustices, sexism, abuse & neglect, as well as finding yourself and learning to love yourself and not hold onto the past.
This book was SO well written, some of the quotes in here had me actually feeling a deep yearning to transport myself into the novel and watch everything first hand. Speaking of, the YEARNING in this book was top notch. Not overly done but so beautiful and felt realistic. (Had me kicking my feet.)
Iris and Lucy (Vampire Lucy and child Lucy) are people you just can’t help but feel so deeply for, and root for them even harder. Every chapter was so intriguing ESPECIALLY the ones where we just learned about them as people. The plot was fantastic as well I thought it was a nice twist on the Dracula lore but the characters were the shining stars for me. I could have read 800 pages of just slice of life about those two in particular. There are also some phenomenal side characters who really emphasize and bring to life the monstrosities taking place in this book.
An instant new fave for me!
Lucy Undying is the story that asks “what happened to the women Dracula prayed on? What happened to Lucy Westenra?”
In this story we follow Lucy Westenra in snippets of her past and present as she deals with the life she lost and the un-life she gained.
I found this book gripping from page 1. We get dual POV from Lucy when she’s a young girl facing manipulation at every turn and later when she’s a vampire as well as another POV from a human woman named Iris who’s family is part of a health product cult empire, as she’s on the run from their clutches.
The way this book made the Dracula legend feel so fresh and unique but also felt like a true presentation of the classic legend was so masterfully done. Kiersten White dived into themes of men vs monsters, women’s injustices, sexism, abuse & neglect, as well as finding yourself and learning to love yourself and not hold onto the past.
This book was SO well written, some of the quotes in here had me actually feeling a deep yearning to transport myself into the novel and watch everything first hand. Speaking of, the YEARNING in this book was top notch. Not overly done but so beautiful and felt realistic. (Had me kicking my feet.)
Iris and Lucy (Vampire Lucy and child Lucy) are people you just can’t help but feel so deeply for, and root for them even harder. Every chapter was so intriguing ESPECIALLY the ones where we just learned about them as people. The plot was fantastic as well I thought it was a nice twist on the Dracula lore but the characters were the shining stars for me. I could have read 800 pages of just slice of life about those two in particular. There are also some phenomenal side characters who really emphasize and bring to life the monstrosities taking place in this book.
An instant new fave for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, and Sexism
Minor: Medical content and Sexual harassment
This has lots of themes of narcissistic parents, child neglect, child manipulation, taking away free will.
The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
First I'd like to thank NetGalley and Orbit for the early arc copy!
This was one of my MOST anticipated releases of this year. And when I tell you, John Gwynne delivered.
This book picks up exactly where book 2 left off, obviously being the third in a series I cannot say much without spoiling. But the characaters continue on their journey through Vigriđ. Each character is not only readying for the battles to come but going through something internally. I think the way John Gwynne combines character inerpersonal struggles or strife with the intense atmosphere of this world and all that it entails is so well done. What an absolutely immersive, emotional, action packed read.
And I really have to commend John Gwynne for the way he writes battle scenes. We follow different characters POV as they oscilate through these battles, getting glimpes and snatches of information about other characters from the POV we are currently in, while that character is also still dealing with their own fight. Glances and moments in time strategically placed so even if youre in a different POV you still get to see the characters you care about most and you are NEVER sure if what youre seeing is real or if the senses are heightened from combat.
I also love the way the combat in this series and this book in particular feels so FLUID. Each scene has so much movement. The descriptions of the sounds, positions, struggling, and strategizing make for an intricate dance that, while intense and grim, also are so masterfully crafted.
IF IT WASNT OBVIOUS, 5 million stars!!! I cant wait for everyone to get the chance to read this emotionally charged ending to The Bloodsworn Saga. And I already cant wait to reread it from the start.
This was one of my MOST anticipated releases of this year. And when I tell you, John Gwynne delivered.
This book picks up exactly where book 2 left off, obviously being the third in a series I cannot say much without spoiling. But the characaters continue on their journey through Vigriđ. Each character is not only readying for the battles to come but going through something internally. I think the way John Gwynne combines character inerpersonal struggles or strife with the intense atmosphere of this world and all that it entails is so well done. What an absolutely immersive, emotional, action packed read.
And I really have to commend John Gwynne for the way he writes battle scenes. We follow different characters POV as they oscilate through these battles, getting glimpes and snatches of information about other characters from the POV we are currently in, while that character is also still dealing with their own fight. Glances and moments in time strategically placed so even if youre in a different POV you still get to see the characters you care about most and you are NEVER sure if what youre seeing is real or if the senses are heightened from combat.
I also love the way the combat in this series and this book in particular feels so FLUID. Each scene has so much movement. The descriptions of the sounds, positions, struggling, and strategizing make for an intricate dance that, while intense and grim, also are so masterfully crafted.
IF IT WASNT OBVIOUS, 5 million stars!!! I cant wait for everyone to get the chance to read this emotionally charged ending to The Bloodsworn Saga. And I already cant wait to reread it from the start.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
So surprised how much I loved this! I’m glad some YA can still knock my socks off and I can’t wait for the sequel whenever that comes out!!
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
These books are so cute 🥹🥹🥹
The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First l’d like to thank NetGalley and Orbit for an early review!
I have been a fan of Andrea Stewart’s since The Bone Shard Daughter. I love the way she writes complex characters and this book proved no different.
In this world there is something called Restoration. Which is a great black wall of magic/ smoke that greatly heals the barren landscape it touches (enacted by a God), however it has consequences for living beings. They either die, or become altered. If you are altered you gain horns or wings or scales or claws. Sometimes multiple things. And you live in the new restored area. But there are those who want to escape restoration, or want justice for what they lost.
As we follow Hakara and Rasha as they navigate their life on different sides of a war, we see the consequences of the actions of both sides. We see both good and bad on either side as well. It’s hard to root for just one!
The magic system is also really cool in this world as well. There are gems infused with magic that lives in the core of the earth. And these gems can help people do special things, depending on size and color.
I found my time reading this flying by. At first I did struggle to get into it JUST because there was so much in scope of the world for me to learn but once I got into the meat of the story I devoured the pages. And I know this is one of those stories that, upon reread, I would see so much foreshadowing I had missed and so many clues and hints that I can’t wait to read this again already.
There was a romance I found that moved a bit too quickly for my taste, but likewise there was a romance that was barely just so. Super slow burn and lots of build up to a barely there romance. So there’s something for everyone in that regard if you like insta love or if you prefer a slow burn.
Also if you love cats, there is a grumpy dark winged guy in here who is essentially a cat hoarder lol he was my favorite character throughout the book for sure!
I can’t wait to see where this story goes!!! The ending was WILD and I had to read the last chapter 4 times because there’s a revelation there that is… heartbreaking and also kind of insane and jaw dropping lol
I have been a fan of Andrea Stewart’s since The Bone Shard Daughter. I love the way she writes complex characters and this book proved no different.
In this world there is something called Restoration. Which is a great black wall of magic/ smoke that greatly heals the barren landscape it touches (enacted by a God), however it has consequences for living beings. They either die, or become altered. If you are altered you gain horns or wings or scales or claws. Sometimes multiple things. And you live in the new restored area. But there are those who want to escape restoration, or want justice for what they lost.
As we follow Hakara and Rasha as they navigate their life on different sides of a war, we see the consequences of the actions of both sides. We see both good and bad on either side as well. It’s hard to root for just one!
The magic system is also really cool in this world as well. There are gems infused with magic that lives in the core of the earth. And these gems can help people do special things, depending on size and color.
I found my time reading this flying by. At first I did struggle to get into it JUST because there was so much in scope of the world for me to learn but once I got into the meat of the story I devoured the pages. And I know this is one of those stories that, upon reread, I would see so much foreshadowing I had missed and so many clues and hints that I can’t wait to read this again already.
There was a romance I found that moved a bit too quickly for my taste, but likewise there was a romance that was barely just so. Super slow burn and lots of build up to a barely there romance. So there’s something for everyone in that regard if you like insta love or if you prefer a slow burn.
Also if you love cats, there is a grumpy dark winged guy in here who is essentially a cat hoarder lol he was my favorite character throughout the book for sure!
I can’t wait to see where this story goes!!! The ending was WILD and I had to read the last chapter 4 times because there’s a revelation there that is… heartbreaking and also kind of insane and jaw dropping lol
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I liked this one more than I liked Vicious 😅 I think you can clearly see how V’s writing has grown since they wrote the first book. I thought this one was paced so well, had lots of extorting scenes but also lots of scenes with character introspections. And it felt like a good mix of character driven story and action packed plot.
Also I loved Marcella lol
Also I loved Marcella lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Domestic abuse
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
*thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review*
This book felt like it was torn out of a corner of my soul and laid bare before me.
Meg Shaffer has crafted an absolutely masterful fairy tale-esque story. This book is for the dreamers, the kids who needed to escape, the adults who still believe in fairy tales. This book feels somehow brand new and nostalgic at the same time.
The way the characters in this book came alive from the start was so impressive. I really found myself rooting for Emilie within 2 chapters of knowing her. And one we knew Jeremy and Rafe I was rooting for them just as hard.
I also can’t believe I’m saying this but somehow, Shaffer made a very mundane West Virginia feel like a far away mysterious fairy tale land and now I want to go there lol.
This story is so whimsical, mysterious, full of yearning, includes found family, and also hits hard. There’s hope and despair, there’s uncertainty and confidence, courage and fear.
I knew within 10% of this book it was going to be a new favorite. Stunning work!! I can’t recommend it enough 🦄
This book felt like it was torn out of a corner of my soul and laid bare before me.
Meg Shaffer has crafted an absolutely masterful fairy tale-esque story. This book is for the dreamers, the kids who needed to escape, the adults who still believe in fairy tales. This book feels somehow brand new and nostalgic at the same time.
The way the characters in this book came alive from the start was so impressive. I really found myself rooting for Emilie within 2 chapters of knowing her. And one we knew Jeremy and Rafe I was rooting for them just as hard.
I also can’t believe I’m saying this but somehow, Shaffer made a very mundane West Virginia feel like a far away mysterious fairy tale land and now I want to go there lol.
This story is so whimsical, mysterious, full of yearning, includes found family, and also hits hard. There’s hope and despair, there’s uncertainty and confidence, courage and fear.
I knew within 10% of this book it was going to be a new favorite. Stunning work!! I can’t recommend it enough 🦄
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, and Gaslighting
The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
The only reason this isn’t getting a 1 is because it was technically written well. Like the prose was nicely done but unfortunately the characters were boring and the plot was boring and way too slow to hold my attention. Only reason I didn’t DNF is because I had the audio from my library lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage