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sydneyalexisreads's reviews
57 reviews
Blink #1 by Christopher Sebela
4.0
The artists’ creative use of the page was honestly so cool. Like it wasn’t just boxes filled with a story. And it all fit in with the theme so well. The art really is incredibly well done. I thought the point of it all was just a little too on the nose for me. The idea of how technology and data sharing have taken over our world. I think it would vibe really well with some people but it just wasn’t for me. I also think that it was all a little confusing at times which honestly may have been intentional. I did appreciate the groupings of people. Like the idea behind the signal and the static was super interesting. I feel like both groups kind of succumbed to it all and didn’t end up being overly different, but again. That may have been the point.
Overall I think it was really well done, but just wasn’t really for me.
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall Feelings: 2/5
Art: 5/5
Total Rating: 4/5
Overall I think it was really well done, but just wasn’t really for me.
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall Feelings: 2/5
Art: 5/5
Total Rating: 4/5
That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon by Kimberly Lemming
4.75
Holy. Sh*t. This was everything I wanted it to be. The hype is absolutely correct. It had me in an absolute chokehold.
Cinnamon’s family life was so wholesome and so incredible and made me so happy. Fallon was the perfect morally grey love interest. And the way her WORSHIPPED her. The world building was so good. All of the side characters made me so happy. The spice? THE SPICE???? And it was so funny! I was constantly laughing. There was one plot point that didn’t really make logical sense for the character that did the thing and it seemed like it was just there to advance the plot. But that was not enough to stop me from being obsessed with this book.
It is not often that one book will make an author an autobuy for me, yet Kimberly Lemming did it.
TW (provided by Storygraph):
Graphic: Sexual Content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Slavery, Death, Child Death
Minor: Rape*
*I do not necessarily agree with this one
Cinnamon’s family life was so wholesome and so incredible and made me so happy. Fallon was the perfect morally grey love interest. And the way her WORSHIPPED her. The world building was so good. All of the side characters made me so happy. The spice? THE SPICE???? And it was so funny! I was constantly laughing. There was one plot point that didn’t really make logical sense for the character that did the thing and it seemed like it was just there to advance the plot. But that was not enough to stop me from being obsessed with this book.
It is not often that one book will make an author an autobuy for me, yet Kimberly Lemming did it.
TW (provided by Storygraph):
Graphic: Sexual Content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Slavery, Death, Child Death
Minor: Rape*
*I do not necessarily agree with this one
A Pirate's Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne
4.75
I don’t think this was as cozy as the first book. However it didn’t stop me from absolutely loving it.
There were for sure some higher stakes and more violence. I think APLfT is splitting the difference between cozy fantasy and fantasy. The storyline was really good, I loved the characters. Kianthe and Reyna did spend an unfortunate amount of time apart, but I think it made sense for the storyline and even for Reyna’s personal growth. I also really appreciate the different kinds of representation Thorne includes. This book does bring up a question of morality: is something wrong just because it is against the law? I don’t think the author was trying to be that serious but it does make you think, even if you don’t realize it.
Overall I definitely recommend. If this isn’t just as good as the first book, it’s pretty dang close. Rebecca Thorne has become an autobuy author for me after these two books and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
There were for sure some higher stakes and more violence. I think APLfT is splitting the difference between cozy fantasy and fantasy. The storyline was really good, I loved the characters. Kianthe and Reyna did spend an unfortunate amount of time apart, but I think it made sense for the storyline and even for Reyna’s personal growth. I also really appreciate the different kinds of representation Thorne includes. This book does bring up a question of morality: is something wrong just because it is against the law? I don’t think the author was trying to be that serious but it does make you think, even if you don’t realize it.
Overall I definitely recommend. If this isn’t just as good as the first book, it’s pretty dang close. Rebecca Thorne has become an autobuy author for me after these two books and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
5.0
The way this book ripped me to shreds and put me back together. It was so beautiful.. so heart wrenching.. so incredible. I do nightly encourage you to check the trigger warnings because it does get heavy.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. The way Yas talks about her body, her stay at home mom friend, the support system she has, the work she does with her therapist… amazing. Josiah had me irritated for quite a bit of the book, but honestly it’s understandable. And he really starts unpacking the reasons why he acts the way he does and starts doing the work to be better. I love the way the author talks about therapy and grief. I just… ugh.
Clearly I loved this book. I cannot recommend it enough and I will absolutely be reading more from Kennedy Ryan
I cannot say enough good things about this book. The way Yas talks about her body, her stay at home mom friend, the support system she has, the work she does with her therapist… amazing. Josiah had me irritated for quite a bit of the book, but honestly it’s understandable. And he really starts unpacking the reasons why he acts the way he does and starts doing the work to be better. I love the way the author talks about therapy and grief. I just… ugh.
Clearly I loved this book. I cannot recommend it enough and I will absolutely be reading more from Kennedy Ryan
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
5.0
What to say about this book???
Reyna and Kianthe’s relationship is honestly enviable. I appreciate the way Kianthe’s anxiety is written how well Reyna is able to deal with it and help her through it. There are dragons, magic, griffons, bookshops, and tea. And lesbians. You can’t forget the lesbians.
Is it cozy? That entirely depends on your definition. By @MegsTeaRoom’s definition, cozy means low trigger and guaranteed happy endings. And with that definition, I’d say yes it is indeed incredibly cozy. Most chapters end in a way that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I enjoyed reading this book so much that I IMMEDIATELY began reading A Pirate’s Life for Tea (the sequel) because I just couldn’t wait to jump back into their relationship and their world.
Reyna and Kianthe’s relationship is honestly enviable. I appreciate the way Kianthe’s anxiety is written how well Reyna is able to deal with it and help her through it. There are dragons, magic, griffons, bookshops, and tea. And lesbians. You can’t forget the lesbians.
Is it cozy? That entirely depends on your definition. By @MegsTeaRoom’s definition, cozy means low trigger and guaranteed happy endings. And with that definition, I’d say yes it is indeed incredibly cozy. Most chapters end in a way that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I enjoyed reading this book so much that I IMMEDIATELY began reading A Pirate’s Life for Tea (the sequel) because I just couldn’t wait to jump back into their relationship and their world.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
4.0
This book has been absolutely viral in reader spaces and I completely understand why.
The beginning was a bit slow, however things really started to pick up and get interesting about 25% of the way through. It did take me some time to get into it, but once it got going, I couldn’t put it down. The ending was very open which I have a love/hate relationship with.
I don’t necessarily think this is the most profound thing I’ve ever read. It may not be one that sticks with me and lives rent free in my head. However, I will definitely be rereading it at some point and I do recommend it.
The beginning was a bit slow, however things really started to pick up and get interesting about 25% of the way through. It did take me some time to get into it, but once it got going, I couldn’t put it down. The ending was very open which I have a love/hate relationship with.
I don’t necessarily think this is the most profound thing I’ve ever read. It may not be one that sticks with me and lives rent free in my head. However, I will definitely be rereading it at some point and I do recommend it.
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
2.5
I have heard such incredible things about this author and the premise sounded so good. However, I was incredibly disappointed.
I wouldn’t necessarily say there was anything wrong with the writing. There were A LOT of pop culture references, so if that is not something you want in your fantasy novels, look somewhere else for your next read.
Overall I think it just felt too rushed. I really think this story would have benefited from being a novel rather than a novella.
I wouldn’t necessarily say there was anything wrong with the writing. There were A LOT of pop culture references, so if that is not something you want in your fantasy novels, look somewhere else for your next read.
Overall I think it just felt too rushed. I really think this story would have benefited from being a novel rather than a novella.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
5.0
The feminist rage in this book was delicious. The polyamory representation sent me absolutely over the moon. The main protagonists were so morally grey, but rightfully so and I couldn’t help but root for them the entire time. I also loved that there was some disability rep. It was trauma induced disability which definitely has its place, but it is a little disappointing when that’s the only disability rep in the book. I definitely saw the ending coming a mile away, however that didn’t stop me from enjoying the ride. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel.
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
3.5
This was Saara El Arifi’s debut novel and I think it really showed. The story took quite a while to get going and to be completely honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish it. I wasn’t looking forward to reading.
However, once the pacing picked up and we actually started getting to the plot, I really enjoyed it. I think the character development for Sylah and Anoor was so good and the plot and world building was super interesting. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out later this year.
However, once the pacing picked up and we actually started getting to the plot, I really enjoyed it. I think the character development for Sylah and Anoor was so good and the plot and world building was super interesting. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out later this year.
The Night and Its Moon by Piper C.J.
1.0
I had such high hopes for this book and was severely let down. At about 50% of the way through, I got to a chapter that was so painful to get through that I had to put it down. I thought I would pick it back up eventually, but the longer I sat on it, the more I realized I was dreading restarting.
There were some technical concerns that I had with Piper’s writing. One criticism I’ve seen talks about how wordy the novel is and I certainly agree, though that particular aspect doesn’t really bother me. However, it did start to get a bit repetitive. The pacing was all over the place. And there were several major problems that the editor should have caught.
The main concern I personally had with this books was the content. For starters, Amaris’s story line reads more like The Witcher fanfic as opposed to an original idea or something loosely based on the source material. Nox is one of the few, if not the only, black coded character. She get’s whipped as a consequence of white people’s actions and to protect a white girl. She is touted around the orphanage as a shining example of how kind the matrons are to let a black girl live there. She is a succubus who drains the life out of men via sex to manipulate them and drain the life out of them.
Overall, I would absolutely not recommend this book. I unfortunately preordered the sequel and was very thankful that I had the opportunity to cancel it before I was charged.
There were some technical concerns that I had with Piper’s writing. One criticism I’ve seen talks about how wordy the novel is and I certainly agree, though that particular aspect doesn’t really bother me. However, it did start to get a bit repetitive. The pacing was all over the place. And there were several major problems that the editor should have caught.
The main concern I personally had with this books was the content. For starters, Amaris’s story line reads more like The Witcher fanfic as opposed to an original idea or something loosely based on the source material. Nox is one of the few, if not the only, black coded character. She get’s whipped as a consequence of white people’s actions and to protect a white girl. She is touted around the orphanage as a shining example of how kind the matrons are to let a black girl live there. She is a succubus who drains the life out of men via sex to manipulate them and drain the life out of them.
Overall, I would absolutely not recommend this book. I unfortunately preordered the sequel and was very thankful that I had the opportunity to cancel it before I was charged.