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thelibraryskeeper's reviews
615 reviews
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about the plot or the author. This book is a gorgeously told story of acceptance, found family, and coming into ourselves. It left me feeling all warm and fuzzy. The writing was so effortless and the story was original and an absolute joy to read.
Priest by Sierra Simone
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
I didn't know I had a limit on how spicy I could take but I found it. This was basically reading porn. It just felt plotless to me. Idk what I expected but I am glad I at least gave it a go. It's okay that it's just not for me.
The Tournament of Heirs by Amilea Perez
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Every 25 years The Tournament of Heirs is held and two heirs from each kingdom are sent to compete to the death. For Metztli and Acalan Amos, training and preparing for the Tournament has been their entire lives purpose. But even being prepared isn't enough for what the gods have in store for them.
The Tournament of Heirs is set in the rich culture of the Aztec people. Amilea has crafted this world to be so immersive that I often struggled to put the book down the more I read. There is beautifully written, complex sibling relationships, forbidden romance, bloodshed, and one very good dog (don't worry he's okay at least for now).
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel with not only how well it's written but also how well developed the world and mythos is. Amilea has crafted a novel that beautifully reflects her culture and should be incredibly proud of that.
The Tournament of Heirs is set in the rich culture of the Aztec people. Amilea has crafted this world to be so immersive that I often struggled to put the book down the more I read. There is beautifully written, complex sibling relationships, forbidden romance, bloodshed, and one very good dog (don't worry he's okay at least for now).
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel with not only how well it's written but also how well developed the world and mythos is. Amilea has crafted a novel that beautifully reflects her culture and should be incredibly proud of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Mistress of Hours by Emma Elizabeth
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I am withholding my rating for the time being as I did not enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped and I'd like the author to have a fair go on release day.
I loved the concept of blood magic and how well explained it was. I don't think I've read something quite like this before.
The dialogue However, is very poorly written. All interactions in the book are not well done. The writing in these instances feels juvenile. It was so odd that the magic system and the world were generally so well written and then the general conversations between characters weren't.
The sex scenes were not well written in the sense that the language used was overly consensual if possible? The characters were so busy asking permission barely anything got done and it's over in like 2.5 seconds. I love a good breeding kink and knotting so I was totally fine with those subjects. Be aware that these are present in detail.
I loved the concept of blood magic and how well explained it was. I don't think I've read something quite like this before.
The dialogue However, is very poorly written. All interactions in the book are not well done. The writing in these instances feels juvenile. It was so odd that the magic system and the world were generally so well written and then the general conversations between characters weren't.
The sex scenes were not well written in the sense that the language used was overly consensual if possible? The characters were so busy asking permission barely anything got done and it's over in like 2.5 seconds. I love a good breeding kink and knotting so I was totally fine with those subjects. Be aware that these are present in detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really struggled to get through this one. I didn't like the writing style or the FMC. The book is written as though El is simply rattling off every single thought she has. It was overwhelming at first and then I realized so much of it was utterly unnecessary. I finished it just to see if there would be any twists or anything to hold my interest. Even in the scenes with perceived high stakes I was not enjoying this. I will not be back for book two.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"From the moment he'd met her, he thought of her like the sun. Bright and vibrant, untouchable.
This was a super fun and quick read. I love that we get both Evie and the Villans perspective. Plus their attraction to each other while trying to hate each other was absolutely hilarious. I thought the romance aspect would be more prominent but it wasn't. I also felt like it was a tad anticlimactic. I'm glad I read it and it was quite funny, but I'm probably good with just reading book one and done.
This was a super fun and quick read. I love that we get both Evie and the Villans perspective. Plus their attraction to each other while trying to hate each other was absolutely hilarious. I thought the romance aspect would be more prominent but it wasn't. I also felt like it was a tad anticlimactic. I'm glad I read it and it was quite funny, but I'm probably good with just reading book one and done.
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After finishing Butcher and Blackbird I immediately put myself on the waitlist for Leather and Lark. But admittedly I was nervous about this one as lots of reviewers didn't like it as much as book one.
I shouldn't have worried at all as I actually enjoyed this one even more than book one. I LOVE Lachlan Kane beyond reason and holy god that epilogue 🥵
"Geallaim duit a bheith i mo fhear céile dílis duit, fad a mhairimid le chéile"
I shouldn't have worried at all as I actually enjoyed this one even more than book one. I LOVE Lachlan Kane beyond reason and holy god that epilogue 🥵
"Geallaim duit a bheith i mo fhear céile dílis duit, fad a mhairimid le chéile"
The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Lana is undoubtedly the queen of smut. Like ma'am I'm alone in my apartment blushing at some of these scenes. The primal play 👏👏👏👏 consider me well fed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Finally Ours by Lucy Harper
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Lucy has done it again. This time we get the second chance romance between two introverts (Angela and Carter) who drifted apart after sharing a passionate summer together. She hates him, but he's carried a torch for her ever since he was a kid. As romance novel luck would have it they end up stranded together during a storm in a tiny birdwatching cabin and are forced to spend time together. During this time and the days that follow, they realize that maybe they are exactly what each other needs.
This book has perfect mental health representation and it was SPICEY y'all! There are multiple very well written sex scenes. The quiet ones are always the dirtiest!!!
If all of that isn't enough to convince you to read Finally Ours, there's no third act breakup AND there's puffins.
This book has perfect mental health representation and it was SPICEY y'all! There are multiple very well written sex scenes. The quiet ones are always the dirtiest!!!
If all of that isn't enough to convince you to read Finally Ours, there's no third act breakup AND there's puffins.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The world building in this book was insanely well done. I felt fully immersed in the world and the magic system. I also really appreciated the style in which the book is presented. As the main character doing an interview essentially. The only reason I tool off 0.5 was because I found somewhere between 50%-75% the book felt like it was dragging before it immediately picked back up. I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to checking out book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and War