thesaltybibliophile's reviews
148 reviews

Evergreen Academy by Heather Schneider

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-paced

5.0

Evergreen Academy is the perfect dose of cozy fantasy + artsy plant magic + secret academy vibes. Schneider’s descriptive language made it easy to imagine every scene in the book and left me wishing I could attend Evergreen with Briar and her friends! I LOVE that this magic system is built around plants - it feels like a fresh perspective of fantasy magic we haven’t seen before. I also really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the magical world at Evergreen vs the ‘real’ world at Briar’s community college. The gentle sparks of romance were just enough to create intrigue without taking over the story, and the central conflict is perilous enough to draw readers in without immediately introducing a world-ending threat in the first book. I really love how much focus there is on environmental issues & cultural respect, particularly concerning the indigenous people local to the area in the real world. I had so much fun getting to know this world & these characters and I can’t wait to see what comes next! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Dreamteller by K. D. Shade

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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

4.5

The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring slow-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? Yes

3.75

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.0

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0