I love the this trend of “girl saves herself/each other" type of book (second contender: dragon saves girl, or aids girl in her saving of self and othI love the this trend of “girl saves herself/each other" type of book (second contender: dragon saves girl, or aids girl in her saving of self and others). Obviously not a dragon story here, but the same commentary remains: It is really men who are the true monsters. This book set out to tackle a lot of serious themes and did so well for the most part. You can’t rely too much on time period accuracy here because certain phrases are going to pull you right out of that. I had to suspend my disbelief several times. There’s also only so much a standalone, medium-length book can address while also ensuring the plot moves forward. So while I love the premise and mostly enjoyed the execution, accuracy to time period and overall believability on that front weren’t the book’s strong suits. Had it been a little longer and a little more historically accurate, mannnn oh man, I would’ve 5 starred the shit out of it. For what I got, I was generally pleased, but there also could have been improvements that would honor what is probably my newest favorite trope/story....more
There’s a cool concept here, and boy am I a sucker for those ultra dark horror stories, but this leans on too much action, not enough plot. There wereThere’s a cool concept here, and boy am I a sucker for those ultra dark horror stories, but this leans on too much action, not enough plot. There were parts I immensely liked, others that felt like the gore and violence replaced what could be a story moving forward. Not a bad read, I guess, but for one time. ...more
Lilith is a favorite of mine. This book? Well, it was fine in some places - good at some points even - but any story set in the past, biblical times iLilith is a favorite of mine. This book? Well, it was fine in some places - good at some points even - but any story set in the past, biblical times included, or which incorporate any kind of lore, require at least some changes in dialogue and character actions. The problem here was that if I didn't know what this book was about, it might've been modern day. It left me questioning if I was actually reading about Lilith and made the pages harder to get through. Not impossible, as there were more than enough times where I found myself enjoying the story, but just know what you're getting into (or know what you won't be getting into, more specifically, which is the time period and lore). ...more
There are some books where a star rating doesn't feel adequate. I'm rating this 3 stars because...well, 3 is between 1,2 and 4,5, and I feel incompletThere are some books where a star rating doesn't feel adequate. I'm rating this 3 stars because...well, 3 is between 1,2 and 4,5, and I feel incomplete doing reviews without a rating. So here it goes: I liked this book. Loved some parts. And hated others. Not enough to say "oh, it's trash" (1 star) or "It was ok/average" (2 star) because it wasn't average. In many ways, it was above average... writing style, characterization, and more. And still, I'm utterly torn. Because on one hand, yes, the writing is beautiful, and the story is thought-provoking, albeit disturbing. But on the other, there's places where I feel it romanticizes very inappropriate relationships. And yet, I'm all for characters that aren't "good" and stories that depict uncomfortable, unethical topics in lights that make us think. But the line between portraying said uncomfortable topic and shining more of a romantic, rather than problematic, line on it was one not always carefully walked. So...I guess this is a read at your own risk kind of book. Know what you're getting into, know the problems with the content, and perhaps also understand that morally unsound characters and actions doesn't always make a bad "book," though there's validity in critiques about how said issues are written.
Either way, I'll be thinking about this book for a while, in a way that's neither positive nor negative. I'll just be thinking about it....more
Ugh, I'm a sucker for some villain romance, so obviously I had to read this. It reads like a YA novel, but on the younger side, which is a gray area fUgh, I'm a sucker for some villain romance, so obviously I had to read this. It reads like a YA novel, but on the younger side, which is a gray area for me in high fantasy (or romantasy) reads because the MC was clearly made out to be cunning and manipulative, but she just felt like one of the mean girls I went to high school with. Yeah, there were parts of this book I ate up (need I repeat, villain romance), but it's hard to fully back a romance when 1/2 of said romance is completely insufferable. Which she was. I can't give this lower than a 3 star thought because some parts were done incredibly well, and if it hadn't been for some predictability and my many, many gripes with the MC, I would have given this an automatic 4 or even 5 stars. But alas, shitty characters do not make perfect or near perfect reads....more
I don't have much to say about this book. The romance was fine, if not a tad juvenile, but the Taylor Swift references made this book fun.I don't have much to say about this book. The romance was fine, if not a tad juvenile, but the Taylor Swift references made this book fun....more
K, buckle up friends. Because I am TORN with a capital T with this book. On one hand, I can see why it won GR choice awards. It's well-written, the plK, buckle up friends. Because I am TORN with a capital T with this book. On one hand, I can see why it won GR choice awards. It's well-written, the plot keeps you in its grip, the MC is unique and so is the rest of the cast...and yet there was a lot I didn't enjoy. Now, reading it subjective, ain't it? The hardest books for me to rate are the ones where I LOVE the writing, the ideas, the characters, but there's just that little kernel of *something* that didn't sit right with me. When I reflected, it is because this book is absolutely covered in social commentary - subtle and not so subtle - and while I'm a-okay (hey - MORE than a-okay) reading a book with that kind of commentary, some of it felt forced, like it was put in the book just for the sake of it. Almost...random? And I'm with a lot of other reviewers when I say I am torn (again) about the lack of labeling for Molly. Can a character be awkward and quirky(TM) without being neurodivergent? Yes, totes. But when there is a slew of other very real-world things being discussed, included, and going on, it feels a little...strange...not to include some great rep in a way that makes sense and would add to the story. Was the author shying away from it while shining the light on hosts of other things? I don't know. That's why I'm very on the fence with this book. I think it's a nice rainy day read, but parts didn't sit well with me. Nowhere near a 1 star rating, but it was just okay. 2 stars. Not bad (not horrible). But I'm too torn to say it was good....more
Part of me indulges in the guilty pleasure of stubborn/defiant woman meets dark, mysterious fae prince (ACOTAR anyone?). Another rips my hair out whenPart of me indulges in the guilty pleasure of stubborn/defiant woman meets dark, mysterious fae prince (ACOTAR anyone?). Another rips my hair out when said stubborn/defiant woman is SO stubborn and defiant that it makes no sense, ruins her likability, and that was Reyna. Undoubtedly, there were parts I liked with this book, tropes and all, but if I ever do read the second installation, Reyna better be a little more mature. ...more
I am torn with this one. On one hand it adopts a unique tone, maybe a little of a new author struggling to find their voice, but unique and enticing aI am torn with this one. On one hand it adopts a unique tone, maybe a little of a new author struggling to find their voice, but unique and enticing all the same. The characters are cool, and the book sets up some great questions. But this is where I say: tread carefully. Mental illness - maybe illness of any kind, but mental comes up for me first - is a tricky thing to write (no I am not a writer, but I've read many a book with mental illnesses so I've seen my fair share of good and bad). Some of my favorite books tackle this issue - and they do it well. So well. So well that I'm left sobbing (take a look at my haunted-me and i-cried shelves, seriously, do it). But others...they leave a strange taste in my mouth. I am not saying this author did a bad job, but too often she crosses the line of glamorizing it. This could be a more naive/inexperienced issue, as this is a new author who I am sure will grow. Or maybe these issues only stood out to me, as this book has some awesome reviews (not saying they aren't well-deserved). But when I compare this one to the books that comment on or include mental illness, it falls a little short in eloquence & tact (? right word ? who knows ?). I realize I am in a small group of people here. But hey, my views are my views. I'm just one reviewer of many....more
Unpopular review here. I know, I know. Don't come at me. While Moreno-Garcia weaves a really eerie, beautiful and fantastical setting in this book witUnpopular review here. I know, I know. Don't come at me. While Moreno-Garcia weaves a really eerie, beautiful and fantastical setting in this book with a well written plot, the book as a whole failed to keep me invested. I did like the characters, but the pacing and overall feel of the book just didn't keep me tied in. I'm P-R-A-Y-I-N-G that I haven't fallen into another reading slump, dear God. I just felt my attention flitting elsewhere whilst reading this one....more
I’ve heard a lot about Reid, which makes sense: I’m the target audience, genre-wise. I think she writes well and her stories, at least from what I canI’ve heard a lot about Reid, which makes sense: I’m the target audience, genre-wise. I think she writes well and her stories, at least from what I can tell here, contain all the darkness I love in fantasy. I was a tidbit uncomfortable with some of the content in this book, which doesn’t necessarily turn me off from the author, but turns me off from the broader story. When I think “dark,” I think more in line with dystopian or horror themes: not necessarily abuse, over-sexualization, and so on. Those things aren’t inherently wrong, and I’m not one to shy away from a story with those factors in it, but the way they played out here within the context of abuse didn’t quite sit with me. I’m as a result undecided on this one. Will I read more Reid? Heck yeah. I like to think of myself as a reader who returns once I’ve read an author I’m anywhere from lukewarm to avid fan of. I’m on the lukewarm side with Reid right now, but this is one book, and I’m curious to see how her others line up. ...more
This book had its moments...and its failures. In the beginning, I was expecting it to play out into a 1 or 2 star story, at its worst a dnf. But thankThis book had its moments...and its failures. In the beginning, I was expecting it to play out into a 1 or 2 star story, at its worst a dnf. But thankfully it evolved into something more enjoyable, and only got stronger until the end. But since first impressions are so vital, I'd settle on a 3 star at the highest. Still a good book, but not perfect (and thus I'll leave my thoughts at ~undecided~ because while I liked the read, I won't say I'll read it again, and I'm something of a chronic re-reader). ...more
I think this book could have been a solid 4 stars had the characters had more....depth...to them. While the setting and plot are interesting enough, II think this book could have been a solid 4 stars had the characters had more....depth...to them. While the setting and plot are interesting enough, I'm a character-oriented reader, which means if I dont connect to the characters, the story is at best a "meh" for me. For people more into the plot itself, maybe ya'll will disagree, but for me, I didn't feel as engaged as I hoped I would. ...more
This was a sweet idea, and there was a lot of goodness to this book. The sisters particularly. Writing got a little repetitive, and there was a lot ofThis was a sweet idea, and there was a lot of goodness to this book. The sisters particularly. Writing got a little repetitive, and there was a lot of thinking, not a lot of doing, so I don't have too much to comment on. As I sit here wondering what I write, well, I'm not sure. I enjoyed it for a one-off read. That's good enough....more
This isn't what I expected, but it's not bad. It's simple, perhaps, but evocative. Lyrical, but younger. Give it a try. It might not be 5 stars, but iThis isn't what I expected, but it's not bad. It's simple, perhaps, but evocative. Lyrical, but younger. Give it a try. It might not be 5 stars, but it's not something I regret. I'm undecided... leaning towards positive....more
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I just felt very "meh" about this book. It's great on the surface - a good plot, a cool world, and a solid cast This may be an unpopular opinion, but I just felt very "meh" about this book. It's great on the surface - a good plot, a cool world, and a solid cast of characters. But considering that this book isn't rooted in "our" world, the world-building is almost nonexistent and the plot is pretty dang predictable. I'm sure there are some readers who will devour this one, but I wasn't one of them. Not right now, at least. Maybe I'll re-visit it later and see if my opinions have changed. ...more
I'd give this book a solid 3 stars (maybe even 3.5) if it weren't for the questions that went unanswered, which left the book not feeling as completedI'd give this book a solid 3 stars (maybe even 3.5) if it weren't for the questions that went unanswered, which left the book not feeling as completed as I hoped. Still a mysterious and creepy read, certainly some hooking parts, but the lack of answers bugged me. That said...I can still appreciate a damn good cover when I see it. ...more
This is gonna be unpopular, which is why I think this is more of a not for me kind of book, or more specifically, not for me at this very moment. WillThis is gonna be unpopular, which is why I think this is more of a not for me kind of book, or more specifically, not for me at this very moment. Will I pick it up again in the future and attempt it, only to see if my rating changed? Maybe, but right now I just felt it was slow and a bit cliched, and I couldn't get through with as much fervor as I usually like....more
am I in a reading slump? I don't know. I just could not connect with these characters for the life of me, dnf ab. 40% through.am I in a reading slump? I don't know. I just could not connect with these characters for the life of me, dnf ab. 40% through....more
Since seeing this cover, I knew I'd have to read this book. I leave it undecided but not regretful, because while the story was short and fast-paced, Since seeing this cover, I knew I'd have to read this book. I leave it undecided but not regretful, because while the story was short and fast-paced, it did have important and inclusive topics. Some depth lacked in what could have been included, but what Douglass did include was done well. ...more