smillas_tales's reviews
238 reviews
Anthesis, by Lauren Elizabeth
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I was kindly gifted an ARC of this dark fantasy romance by the author in exchange for an honest review, and I was absolutely stoked to read it as the blurb fit spectacularly with the dark fall vibes!
This novel truly has all the hallmarks of dark fantasy romance: sirens hungry for blood, dark magic, and (of course) a brooding man to fall in love with!! While I enjoyed many of the story’s elements, I unfortunately had a hard time getting invested in both the plot and the characters.
My primary issue was that I found the main character, the siren Aglasia, absolutely insufferable … She isn’t nearly complex enough for my taste and seems to have a problem with absolutely everything and everyone around her! While an annoying character can add to the story, I always struggle with it in romance, and I just couldn’t understand what the love interest saw in her …
While I couldn’t quite get into the romance, I did think the novel had a lot going for it! I was so fascinated by Aglasia’s struggle to accept and deal with her need to kill, as well as the mechanics of the sirens’ powers, but unfortunately these aspects weren’t a large focus of the story.
On the whole, this novel just didn’t nearly live up to my expectations, but If you’re looking for something dark and short this might be the one for you!
Henry Hamlet's Heart, by Rhiannon Wilde
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was THE CUTEST! I was kindly provided an eARC by Netgalley and the publisher, and now I desperately need my own copy!
This novel was everything I wanted, and single-handedly dragged me out of a months-long reading slump. Sure, It doesn’t have the most complex plot or unique characters, but it’s such a great time!!! And the banter between everyone makes this the PERFECT lighthearted romance.
The novel follows Henry Hamlet, who doesn’t know much about love … until he falls in love with his best friend. The friends-to-lovers trope is one of my absolute favorites, and it warmed my heart how realistic the portrayal of first love and coming to terms with yourself as a queer person felt!
I appreciated that homophobia didn’t play a big role in the conflict of the story (although there are a couple of homophobic comments), and that the majority of the focus was on Henry and Len’s personal growth. While there is a lack of communication between them, it only bugged me a little, because it felt relatable rather than frustrating. It just felt like the difficulties most people face when figuring out what it’s like to be in a relationship!
Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a quick read, or a wonderful feel-good romance!
This novel was everything I wanted, and single-handedly dragged me out of a months-long reading slump. Sure, It doesn’t have the most complex plot or unique characters, but it’s such a great time!!! And the banter between everyone makes this the PERFECT lighthearted romance.
The novel follows Henry Hamlet, who doesn’t know much about love … until he falls in love with his best friend. The friends-to-lovers trope is one of my absolute favorites, and it warmed my heart how realistic the portrayal of first love and coming to terms with yourself as a queer person felt!
I appreciated that homophobia didn’t play a big role in the conflict of the story (although there are a couple of homophobic comments), and that the majority of the focus was on Henry and Len’s personal growth. While there is a lack of communication between them, it only bugged me a little, because it felt relatable rather than frustrating. It just felt like the difficulties most people face when figuring out what it’s like to be in a relationship!
Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a quick read, or a wonderful feel-good romance!
The Box in the Woods, by Maureen Johnson
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I have to preface this review by saying that I LOVED being back with Stevie and her friends! That being said, this book just didn’t hit the same for me.
I was hooked by the mystery from the start, but after the first 25% the pacing made it pretty hard to get through. It felt like not much progress happened at all throughout the book, and then everything happened very quickly in the last 50 pages!
To me, the carrying element of the original story is Stevie’s group of friends (not counting David, I am still utterly confused by their relationship?!! ),so part of the reason why the story didn’t grip me as much, might be the smaller role of her friends in this novel.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Stevie herself, but she’s not my favorite. And I DO NOT understand why she’s treated like some master detective! Sure, she’s brilliant at putting together the pieces, but she doesn’t actually looks that much fo clues. She mostly sits around and waits for the clues to fall right into her lap …
Also, the thing that I cannot get past, is that a major part of the solution was something that was never mentioned before the big “Stevie explains what happened and calls out the perpetrator” scene.
All in all, this novel was a fun addition to the original trilogy, but far from a new favorite!
I was hooked by the mystery from the start, but after the first 25% the pacing made it pretty hard to get through. It felt like not much progress happened at all throughout the book, and then everything happened very quickly in the last 50 pages!
To me, the carrying element of the original story is Stevie’s group of friends (
Spoiler
Don’t get me wrong, I like Stevie herself, but she’s not my favorite. And I DO NOT understand why she’s treated like some master detective! Sure, she’s brilliant at putting together the pieces, but she doesn’t actually looks that much fo clues. She mostly sits around and waits for the clues to fall right into her lap …
Also, the thing that I cannot get past, is that a major part of the solution was something that was never mentioned before the big “Stevie explains what happened and calls out the perpetrator” scene.
All in all, this novel was a fun addition to the original trilogy, but far from a new favorite!
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, by Adiba Jaigirdar
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’ve known for a while I’m growing out of my love for YA contemporaries, but I can’t help but give them another chance every couple of months anyway. This book is the sign that I should probably just move on, cause while it was lovely and enjoyable and everything I would’ve loved a few years back, it just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to!
I’d heard nothing but incredible things about this one, and as usual I was super excited to pick up a sapphic romance, but it just felt way too young for me to really love it. I’m pretty sad about it tbh, cause it’s got so many amazing elements!
It’s (obviously) got wonderful bi rep, and Hani and Ishu are Bengali and Indian, respectively, and because of it the book focuses heavily on topics of racism, biphobia and discrimination. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book, but there were just too many things I didn’t love for it to shine through.
The one major thing I couldn’t get over, was Hani’s refusal to acknowledge how absolutely awful her so-called friends were throughout the entire book. At first it was understandable, her not wanting to give up a life-long friendship, but the longer it went on the more it bugged me, especially because the friendship was the basis of every major conflict in the book.
In the end, I didn’t love or hate this book!While it’s not a new favorite, it’s got a lot of lovely elements, so if you usually enjoy YA contemporaries, I’d definitely still recommend this!
Vicious, by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Look, I KNOW! I know I’m like at least half a decade late to discovering this masterpiece! And it is a masterpiece!!!
Since I finished this a little over a week ago, I’ve been DYING to scream about it, so here we go!
I don’t know any better than you why I haven’t read this sooner, cause it truly has everything I love: Rivalry, morally grey (or, in this case, borderline psychopathic) characters, found family (-ish) and Schwab’s phenomenal, addictive writing!!!
I read this so so quickly, cause like everything else by the one and only V. E. Schwab this book had me HOOKED from the very first page! The fractured timeline kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time, wanting to know more, to know EVERYTHING!!!
Truly, I just loved everything about this! I loved (and loved to hate) Victor, and I loved he never claimed to be a good person. I loved how everyone’s ExtraOrdinary powers were connected to their near death experiences. I Loved how twisted and self-righteous Eli is, it makes him such a phenomenal villain!! And I loved, more than anything, the ending!
So if you, like me, are awfully late to this series, take this as a sign to get to it!! It’s bloody BRILLIANT!
Since I finished this a little over a week ago, I’ve been DYING to scream about it, so here we go!
I don’t know any better than you why I haven’t read this sooner, cause it truly has everything I love: Rivalry, morally grey (or, in this case, borderline psychopathic) characters, found family (-ish) and Schwab’s phenomenal, addictive writing!!!
I read this so so quickly, cause like everything else by the one and only V. E. Schwab this book had me HOOKED from the very first page! The fractured timeline kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time, wanting to know more, to know EVERYTHING!!!
Truly, I just loved everything about this! I loved (and loved to hate) Victor, and I loved he never claimed to be a good person. I loved how everyone’s ExtraOrdinary powers were connected to their near death experiences. I Loved how twisted and self-righteous Eli is, it makes him such a phenomenal villain!! And I loved, more than anything, the ending!
So if you, like me, are awfully late to this series, take this as a sign to get to it!! It’s bloody BRILLIANT!
The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
I read this novel in verse a couple of weeks ago, and I LOVED IT!! I didn’t know what to expect from it, but it was such a beautifully written coming-of-age story about family, religion and what it means to find your voice!
I have previously read the other novel in verse by Acevedo, but once again I was blown away by how beautiful her writing is, and how well the format works!! You can really feel the raw emotion of the main character Xiomara through the writing, and I had so much sympathy for her struggles.
Xiomara is a phenomenal main character, and she has such a unique voice. She’s strong but she struggles balancing her own wishes against her mother’s, and I loved following her as she learned to stand by what she believes and wants!
When reading this I really loved everything about this! I loved that Xiomara doesn’t always make the right choices, but is still so so lovable. I loved the discussion about religion. I loved the romance between Xiomara and Aman. Every element of the book is just PERFECTLY balanced!
I have previously read the other novel in verse by Acevedo, but once again I was blown away by how beautiful her writing is, and how well the format works!! You can really feel the raw emotion of the main character Xiomara through the writing, and I had so much sympathy for her struggles.
Xiomara is a phenomenal main character, and she has such a unique voice. She’s strong but she struggles balancing her own wishes against her mother’s, and I loved following her as she learned to stand by what she believes and wants!
When reading this I really loved everything about this! I loved that Xiomara doesn’t always make the right choices, but is still so so lovable. I loved the discussion about religion. I loved the romance between Xiomara and Aman. Every element of the book is just PERFECTLY balanced!
Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It’s been ages since I was last really surprised by a book, but this blew my expectations WAY OUT of the water!!!
I only picked this up cause I found it at a secondhand bookshop, and I didn’t actually have super high hopes, but it was INCREDIBLE! I flew through it in two days, and was absolutely hooked from start to end.
Not only is Ng a truly phenomenal writer, it’s also such a heartbreaking and well-plotted story centered around generational trauma, complex family relationships and racism in the 1970s’ small-town America. It really, truly shattered my heart!!
We follow the Lee family through a split timeline, telling the story of everything leading up to and following the death of the oldest daughter, Lydia, and while every character is flawed and hurt one another, I felt deeply for all of them by the end!!
The story unfolds slowly (perfectly) and we get gradual insights into each character and their motivations, and while there aren’t any big tragic reveals, it was still absolutely gut-wrenching!
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this book, cause I just loved it SO SO MUCH! So if you enjoy character centered stories and it sounds even a little like something you’d enjoy, hurry up and give it a shot!!
I only picked this up cause I found it at a secondhand bookshop, and I didn’t actually have super high hopes, but it was INCREDIBLE! I flew through it in two days, and was absolutely hooked from start to end.
Not only is Ng a truly phenomenal writer, it’s also such a heartbreaking and well-plotted story centered around generational trauma, complex family relationships and racism in the 1970s’ small-town America. It really, truly shattered my heart!!
We follow the Lee family through a split timeline, telling the story of everything leading up to and following the death of the oldest daughter, Lydia, and while every character is flawed and hurt one another, I felt deeply for all of them by the end!!
The story unfolds slowly (perfectly) and we get gradual insights into each character and their motivations, and while there aren’t any big tragic reveals, it was still absolutely gut-wrenching!
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this book, cause I just loved it SO SO MUCH! So if you enjoy character centered stories and it sounds even a little like something you’d enjoy, hurry up and give it a shot!!
If We Were Villains, by M.L. Rio
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Look … the thing is, I loved this book!! But, and that’s a big but, there were just a few things I couldn’t look past, so I can’t give it 5 stars.
But before I dive into that, I wanna talk about all the things i loved! And I loved A LOT! I loved the (horribly pretentious) characters with all their (horribly pretentious) conflicts. I loved the atmospheric dark academia vibes, and the Shakespearean structure. I loved the element of mystery and how it slowly unfolds across the split timeline. Really, I loved almost everything!!
I’ve seen mixed opinions about the ending, but I even loved that for the most part! While I wasn’t exactly shocked by the twist (I saw it coming from a mile away), I did love following Oliver as he figured it out.
I loved all these elements, yet the thing I loved most, is something I’m pretty sure I can’t really talk about without spoiling.
Now, the reason I haven’t rated this higher, despite everything I loved, is the development of one particular character! I understand most of the characters’ motivations and actions, but one of them goes completely off the rails without ANY reasoning whatsoever, and it irked me to no end!!
It might have made more sense if my Shakespeare knowledge had been more extensive, but it still frustrates me! I, however, do feel confident that I would’ve loved the book even more if I had known more about Shakespeare’s plays, but despite it, I still highly recommend it!
The Romance Recipe, by Ruby Barrett
medium-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
2.0
This book sounded so so good, and while it didn’t live up to my expectations, I’m still very grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I wanted so badly to love this, and at first I did! It starts out great with tons of mutual pining and a great premise, but unfortunately that’s just about where my enjoyment ended ..
I’m surprised I haven’t read any other negative reviews of this yet, cause honestly I had so many issues with it! Sloppy character work, far too much miscommunication, and a straight up unlikeable main character (yes, I’m referring to you Amy), just to name a few.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a questionable main character as much as the next person, but not in my romance books! One of the first things we learn about Amy, is that she ignored an act of workplace harassment between two employees to make life easier for herself … and throughout the book she continues to make selfish decisions again and again.
Despite the many flaws, this novel’s major downfall is the complete lack of chemistry between Amy and Sophie. They barely talk, so their entire relationship is instead built on constant sexual tension, and even that doesn’t feel truly believable.
It might be that I just prefer a bit less smut in my romance, but it just felt like an easy way out instead of building an actual connection between the two!
Long story short, I really didn’t love this, BUT, if you love sapphic smut and reality tv shows about cooking, this one might be right up your alley!
Smut level: 4/5🌶
I wanted so badly to love this, and at first I did! It starts out great with tons of mutual pining and a great premise, but unfortunately that’s just about where my enjoyment ended ..
I’m surprised I haven’t read any other negative reviews of this yet, cause honestly I had so many issues with it! Sloppy character work, far too much miscommunication, and a straight up unlikeable main character (yes, I’m referring to you Amy), just to name a few.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a questionable main character as much as the next person, but not in my romance books! One of the first things we learn about Amy, is that she ignored an act of workplace harassment between two employees to make life easier for herself … and throughout the book she continues to make selfish decisions again and again.
Despite the many flaws, this novel’s major downfall is the complete lack of chemistry between Amy and Sophie. They barely talk, so their entire relationship is instead built on constant sexual tension, and even that doesn’t feel truly believable.
It might be that I just prefer a bit less smut in my romance, but it just felt like an easy way out instead of building an actual connection between the two!
Long story short, I really didn’t love this, BUT, if you love sapphic smut and reality tv shows about cooking, this one might be right up your alley!
Smut level: 4/5🌶