Anytime a man shows up in this series I get a flight or fight response...... It's mostly fight
STOP MAKING THESE WOMEN INTO OBJECTS!!!! I'LL PERSONALLY ENTER THIS UNIVERSE TO FIGHT YOU!!!
I just need Utena and Anthy to kiss kiss fall in love right MEOW
I really love that Utena actually conforms to societal expectations of femininity in this volume when she falls into despair and it really feels like she is trying to play the part of "what a girl should like/be". And yeah, maybe some women feel empowered by wearing dresses and skirts and feeling like a princess. But not Utena. This volume really shows that.
Even when she was despaired, her mind was still on Anthy. I truly love that she cares so much about her and sees her as the human being she actually is. Utena loves Anthy, there is no doubt about that. ...more
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Feiwel & Friends for the advanced copy.
⭐2.5
A tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel set in an a witch academy whereThanks to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Feiwel & Friends for the advanced copy.
⭐2.5
A tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel set in an a witch academy where our main characters (Eli, James, Daphne, Koko, and Sonny) find out the truth behind the Arcana.
I really love the use of the brown tones in the graphic novel. The art is really charming and unique. You will look at it and feel like it gives you a warm hug. The use of pale coloring really makes the times when they use more black to fill the page to be truly ominous.
This is just the first book in the series so I'm sure there is plenty to explore as it goes on, for me personally; it didn't hook me as much as I would of liked.
The romance between Eli and James felt very fast. Maybe this is coming from a slow-burn lover, but I wish they spent more building it up. I also didn't feel super connected to them as characters which is a bit unfortunate since they are the ones we follow the most.
I do like the mystery of the history of the Arcana and am wondering where Prentice-Jones will take the story!
Favorite character in the whole novel: Daphne. She made me tear up a little bit there....more
May Interest you if you like Reading About: - Multiple Perspectives - Romance - SlowBurn - Politics - High Fantasy - Indian-Inspired Worldbuilding - Plant-Based Magic - Morally Grey Main Characters
Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini spends her days in isolation in the Hirana, an ancient temple that was once the source of the powerful, magical deathless waters - now in ruins due to the burning of the temple children.
However, not all the temple children died that night. Priya, the maidservant, survived and tasked herself to return to the Hirana. Their fates entwine and they find themselves unable to avoid one another.
➤Characters
THE CHARACTERS!!! You love mortally gray characters? This is for you. There was never truly a character in this book that I didn't question slightly about what their gain is in the situation. Are they kind to gaining allies to betray them later and use them?
Are they harsh for the sake of protecting themselves and their loved ones? How far is a human willing to go to do what they believe is right?
To quote Yoko Taro: "You don't have to be evil to kill someone. You just have to think you are right."
The politics in this world ripple through these characters, and they are the product of what the world made them. You can fault their actions, but it's always understandable how they have got to that point.
My absolute favorite character isn't one of the main two, but actually Bhumika. A noble person who takes in a lot of unfortunate people to give them a place to work and live. She is both kind and harsh. She does what she needs to survive and look after so many people. Many may blame her, but I see her as pure strength. I really loved her poem and her thoughts on her husband and her own pregnancy.
One thing I wasn't the biggest fan of was that some chapters were titled after characters we will only see in that chapter because they are going to die. On the one hand, it shows that no matter how small someone's impact is in the fight, they are a person with a name and life. However, from the reader's perspective, it was just so confusing sometimes.
➤Enjoyment
I'm going to be so real.... I was hoping this was 3 stars or below. Something I didn't get super invested in because I already have so many series I have started and have not continued with. I didn't want to add another to that list.
YET HERE I AM!!!
There were many confusing parts where it felt like things were revealed out of nowhere, and I was like "uh... when did we learn this? I'll accept it, but it feels like somehow I got lost in the sauce."
BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH I LOVED. The characters, the politics, the magic system (even if it gets a little confusing sometimes, and you just have to accept it), THE RELIGION??? NEVER THOUGHT I'd SEE THE DAY. The Nameless religion was so amazing and inspired me so much.
It was far too interesting to give it anything below a 4.
I always heard this series was confusing because they don't tell you exactly what is going on and you really have to analyze what you do see to see what is going on underneath.
but all this time I was reading I was like "DAMN DOES NO ONE ASK CONSENT BEFORE KISSING A GIRL, HOLY DAMN."
Let Utena and Anthy run away together and get away from all these men.
I will say, even though it is very confusing - there is something really clear in the story: this is a male dominated world/system, Utena is really the only women that is really rising up against that and trying to become the prince. These men are slapping and controlling the women around them, whether they be related to them or not. It's sickening.
And poor Anthy feels like she has no anatomy in this world as the Rose Bride. Saying she will go to whoever wins the duels and hiding all her true feelings. Even though she never says it, she always wants Utena to win because Utena is the single person that really loves her and cares about her, asking to actually learn more about her as Anthy, not the Rose Bride. ...more
A continuation from the previous volume and I would say better written since they added a lot more of the characters and more of the plot so the reader has some intrigue compared to the previous of the volume where it was very confusing for newcomers.
Hell, this was still was confusing because they don't tell you the rules these characters have to play by! It's partly because the dolls didn't tell Alice so they don't want to tell the reader but it makes it very hard to follow. Even for me: someone who played the game until it shut down.
God... I love and miss Cinderella. She is my queen.
you can love a character and still admit when they're wrong. I love Cinderella but can acknowledge her flaws (she has none) & can hold her accountable for her wrongdoings (she’s never done anything wrong in her life) & call her out for her actions (which are always correct)...more
Thank you to NetGalley, Carina Adores, and Lindz McLeod for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
“Sometimes love⭐4.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Carina Adores, and Lindz McLeod for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
“Sometimes love is like a flower. If the seed is planted too deeply, then it may never see sunlight. If too shallowly, it may be eaten by a passing bird. If the conditions are not conducive, if there is not enough sun or rain or if the soil is not fertile enough, or a hundred other reasons, then the seed will not flourish. That is not the fault of the seed. Sometimes conditions are simply not ripe.”
May Interest you if you like: - Sapphic Romance - Friends to Lovers - Secret Dating - Flowers/Flower Language - Bridgerton
The story starts off with death, Charlotte's husband's death, to be exact. Only being married for four years, Charlotte did everything she could to be the perfect wife and hold up her appearance around everyone. Yet, she is now faced with the impossible choice of remarrying to another man after her mourning period is over or moving back with her parents to forever be a widow. She was ready to decide between the two options until Mary Bennet, sister of her best friend, shows up and shows her a new world.
A story about learning to bloom into your happiest self, because it's never too late to turn into your prettiest flower and learn to love with your whole heart.
➤Characters
The characters were absolutely amazing. You follow Charlotte, so you don't really get the thoughts of other characters. However, you understand Charlotte so well and can't help but feel bad. Many times I have been in Charlotte's shoes, especially when figuring out who I am and how scary it can be to say you love someone.
This story strives from how strong Charlotte is as a main character and how absolutely lovely Mary is as a love interest. Honestly, I understand Charlotte. Mary is amazing and knows her ways to sweep someone off their feet. Mary knows who she is, what she wants, and has such a playful aura about her. But she isn't without her faults and fears, which makes her so realistic.
There are many side characters that don't get much page time and one of them is very much an antagonist, only without any redeeming qualities that we see. This story focuses so much on Charlotte and Mary that there didn't need to be a bad guy that was fully fleshed out - they needed someone to sprinkle in some drama here and there to add tension only. It works!
Even if there isn't a lot of time explored with some of the side characters, they have a presence that makes them feel alive in this world. How they interact with the main characters is so great. Yes, we don't see their whole life and know everything about them, but McLeod makes them feel like they have experienced the world and doesn't need to tell you everything about them to feel like they are alive. This whole world feels so alive and realistic.
➤Enjoyment
I adore this book! I kept gushing about it to all my friends, stating: "I can't wait until this release, so everyone can experience this story!"
There aren't any risks. It's a love story of two people who desperately want love in a society that wants to keep them in the shadows. In that aspect, it can be hard to read at times, because it can really reflect both history and the current society for some.
I will warn anyone who picks this up, it's very slow at the start! Even though it starts with death, it's more so warming the reader up to who Charlotte is as a character at the beginning, what the current society and expectations are like, and a lot of rules that may be a bit difficult to understand if you haven't read something similar to this time period. Everything really picks up when Mary comes in and every little detail you can do the dog meme reaction of "I know what you are."
It's heartwarming and I see myself picking this up many more times in the future! Highly recommend. ...more
I cried. But this makes me hopeful for the future arc.
I really like the direction this story is going. From Denji doing whatever people told him and only the bare minimum to live
to now choosing how he lives. He wants steak! He wants romance! He wants to taste good food. And now he is going to try to have a good life with his new family. Big brother Denji arc. ...more
WE FINALLY GOT MORE KISHIBE LORE AND CONTENT - GOD THIS IS SOO GOOD
Aki and Angel - on top still. Cutest duo. Lovers, your honor. Power and D
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WE FINALLY GOT MORE KISHIBE LORE AND CONTENT - GOD THIS IS SOO GOOD
Aki and Angel - on top still. Cutest duo. Lovers, your honor. Power and Denji the bestest of friends
Power still amazing and has my heart
This is becoming a trend of me reading one volume and thinking; "yep this is my new favorite volume", only to read the next and think the exact same thing. It's getting so good now. ...more
Callum lived most of his life in a secluded forest with only his mother for company. Most of Callum's life was caring for the cottage and his mother, who grew sick and soon bedridden over the years. Saying goodbye to his mother left Callum completely alone in the cold winter, with only himself for company.
However, what Callum didn't know was that a fox sparrow visited his mother before she died, and she wanted the little bird to care for her son after she passed away. This bird kept his promise and continued to call and sing to Callum after his mother passed away. It's only when the fox sparrow gets hurt one-day does Callum notice him and takes him in to care for him like he did for his mother.
... So why is it that a naked man with wings is suddenly in the extra bed where the bird was supposed to be?
➤Characters
Sadly because the story is so short, you don't really get to understand the characters and truly care for them. I wanted it to be longer with Callum and his mother, show me their relationship and how badly losing her really affected him. We are /told/ that Callum was really sad and lonely but we don't /see/ it.
Aurear is a bit better in that regard because he is learning about himself as the story goes on and how to be human. It's more interesting.
One things that irked me a little bit was that because the story was so short, the romance felt very insta-love. We are told that months have passed since they started to live together but because we are told, we aren't connected to the characters or feel their relationship is super believable.
➤Enjoyment
It was a fine story but I can't say confidentially that I enjoyed it and was intrigued by it. The main con is the length. If it was longer and had more build up, it would of made for a interesting short story! ...more
May Interest you if you like: - Poly Romance - Sweetheart Popular guy - Brooding Exorcist - Flirty Water Nymph - Supportive text about gender fluidity and sexuality - bi and sapphic representation - Found Family - Slowburn Romance - Enemies to Friends to Lovers
Water nymphs are cursed to forever be stuck where they died until they get revenge for who killed them, learn to accept being a water nymph, or receive a kiss from a human to tie them back into the mortal realm. Gisela has been trying so hard to get a human to kiss her, but either they realize what she is or this pesty exorcist gets in her way before she can get kissed.
Knowing that Kazik, the brooding exorcist, wants her gone - she makes a deal with him: play matchmaker so she can get a kiss and she will forever leave his life.
So... Why did she have to pick the charming guy that Kazik had a crush on?
➤Characters
ALICIA JASINSKA!!! GIVE ME YOUR AMAZING SKILL TO WRITE REALISTIC DIALOGUE!!! I BEG!
But seriously, Jasinka has written these characters so well that I felt like they were an actual friend group. Their dialogue felt so realistic and captured me in right away. The first scene with all three of them made me instantly go - "yep, I'm all on this ship. Let's go"
I am a sucker for slowburn romance and she gave time for each side of the romance to really bloom and make it feel believable.
Gisela is so cute and charming, I want to be her friend. She is so playful and has such a warm personality to her. Which makes Kazik's brooding and more cold demeanor so fun to see, especially when she teases him and actually makes him flustered. Aleksey who is a very charming guy but you quickly realize there is much more than meets the eye to him also completes the trio.
I also love that this doesn't just focus on romantic relationships, but also platonic relationships that Gisela has with her other water nymphs and water goblin father figure, Kazik with his cousin and older townfolk that treat him like their adopted grandson, and Aleksey with his sibling like relationship with Roza.
➤Enjoyment
I enjoyed this a lot!! I have a big fasciation with sea creatures (supernatural or not), so having a poly romance with a nymph that's a slow burn? YES PLEASE!!! My only gripe is that it wasn't slightly longer. I wanted a chapter or two more to really round out the ending. Leaves me with wanting more. ...more
“Just because something doesn't last forever doesn't mean it isn't meaningful”
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A sapphic romance all about using common romcom tropes to have fu“Just because something doesn't last forever doesn't mean it isn't meaningful”
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A sapphic romance all about using common romcom tropes to have fun the most. It was simple, do everything in romcoms but don't fall in love. Easy, right?
I adored the characters in this story. They felt real and each one had their own complicated problems. What I liked about the conflict in this story was that it was so easy to understand both sides, even when trapped to one POV. Neither side was entirely wrong or right, just emotionally swayed to make their choices.
I went into this story thinking that it was going to just be a cute romance that I could turn my brain off to. However, it is so much more than that. I found myself invested and cried many parts during this story. I loved the conversation about love and how even if the relationship ends, doesn't mean the love ends. Even if things end, it happened and it matters. Enjoy life in the present, live, cry, love. ...more
We love a knight that is like "oh these clothes are gendered? Yeah, I think not anymore". Excited to see Utena continue and learn her story. I alr⭐3.5
We love a knight that is like "oh these clothes are gendered? Yeah, I think not anymore". Excited to see Utena continue and learn her story. I already see the them talking about gender and sexuality and I love it
Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
“The world is danThank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
“The world is dangerous,” Zhara said softly. “And I don’t want to survive; I want to thrive.”
➤Plot
Magic is forbidden within the Morning Realms, anyone who is found out to be a magician is executed. Zhara's father was killed and she is also a magician. Trying to merely get by each day with taking care of her step mother and blind sister, she became used to that routine. Until she meets a young scholar, and introduces her to an organization called Guardians of Dawn who try to help magicians live and find a cure for magicians turning into monsters.
I have seen a lot of people excited for this book because the summary reads "Sailor Moon meets Cinder" and I was also excited for a story that made me have the same feelings that Sailor moon gave me! Sadly... I did not get those feelings and couldn't really see why Sailor Moon was the pick to compare it to. I did see the Cinder/Cinderella connections but I was expecting way more from the story because of the Sailor Moon mention, which led me a little disappointed.
The story is a fine read! S. Jae-Jones only refers to characters by names until you get to know them as a way to incorporate Korean language structure and culture of the characters. I thought that was a very neat way to go about it.
However, I found myself not truly being able to visualize the characters in action scenes because I didn't know what they looked like. I knew their name and personality but I could not see their face. This made it hard to really get engrossed into the story. I think if they took more time to describe the characters appearance it would of added a lot to the story and helped with scenes.
➤Characters
The characters were the real highlight of this story! The only two that I found myself rolling my eyes slightly at is the two main leads, mostly because they act very childish around each other a lot of times but when they are not together, you get a better idea of their characters. It's understandable since they are young kids crushing on each other.
The side characters! Oh my gosh, they were probably my favorite part of the story. Especially Xu. I adored Xu. I would of paid for a story just following their daily life. Their humor and kindness were so lovable. You could really feel the best friend energy they have with Han. I wish there was more page time with them on moments that weren't humor or action. I wanted to know more of their emotional sides than we got.
Han, our male lead, is a himbo. Like, actually. I love himbos and Han is very lovable. However, he is almost always the butt of the joke. Which is really sad because he is more than just being "dumb". I feel like these lines of jokes really hurt his character in the end because he felt less human and more of a caricature. When you first have a chapter following his POV, I actually was so excited and in love with how he was written. You get a good idea of his character and the wide arrange of his emotional depth. As the story goes on, he turns more into the comedic relief. He can be funny but he is more than just his muscles.
➤Enjoyment
It was a fine read. I can't say I was itching to always read it but it was enjoying when I had time to spare and could really focus in on the story. I think my expectations may of been too high going into this. I am also older than the demographic of the target audience for this book. If I was younger and read this? I would of probably adored it just as much as I liked the other YA books I read in my youth.
I say, if you like Cinder and want some magical girl story... Go for it! However, don't go in expecting it will be just like Sailor Moon. Because it is very different. ...more
“After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden,“After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end—but she’d be damned if she’d let hers finish that way. It was time for something new.”
May Interest you if you like Reading About: - Dungeons and Dragons - Orcs - Cozy Fantasy - Cafes - Slice of Life - WLW Romance
Viv, our main character who is an orc, has decided that she has had enough of bloodshed and adventuring. It is time to hang up her battleaxe and do something new. But is that allowed? All she ever knew was battle. Could she really decide to change her life just like that?
Well, she has the determination to try, and the attempt is to run her very own Café.
A low-stakes fantasy about an orc who wants to do something she loves, no matter how old she is. Because it's never too late to start on your dream.
➤Characters
All these characters are so cute. Viv and Tandri have such an interesting relationship and watching them really grow to be friends is so cute. I wasn't going into this thinking there would be romance, but I'm really glad there was. They both deserve to be happy.
Cal, the old man carpenter that helped Viv build the Café, is another character that has my heart. He really was like a grandfather-like figure to Viv and even made me a little teary-eyed in the last bit of the book.
BUT THE ALL-TIME FAV GOES TO THE BAKER THIMBLE. A rattkin who speaks very little but his mannerisms are so freaking cute. I could vividly see him in my mind every time, and I was slamming my hand on my desk from affectionate aggression.
➤Enjoyment
If you are looking for a cozy read with low stakes, this is for you. Especially if you love the café atmosphere and DND. There is an actual plot and some low moments within the book that can really grip your heart if you're invested, but the majority is Viv learning how to run a café, meeting quirky characters that will steal your heart, and realizing she is more than her outward appearance.
It's never too late to start your dream. You just have to jump in sometimes and give it your all....more
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Caylan MacRae for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
First of all, whThank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Caylan MacRae for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
First of all, what a lovely debut novel! MacRae really knows how to drag in your interest on page one! I was instantly intrigued by our main character, Ezra, and what is going on his life. MacRae really strives in the character department. All the characters were very intriguing to read about and some of them appeared with one sentence and made me go: "Yep, I love them."
This is a vampire romance story. I was interesting in the concept but also a little wary about how they were going to make vampires interesting when it has been done many times before. MacRae steps right up to the plate and gives vampires an interesting rework. Playing on the classic concepts of the night walkers and giving them more depth. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how the vampires work in this world! It was my favorite part besides the characters. You can tell there was a lot of thought put into it to make them more interesting for new-comers and people who already read plenty of vampire stories.
For the romance... I sadly couldn't get completely behind it. It wasn't bad! I wish there was more build up since it was very insta-love and made me not connect as much to their relationship. I was more connected with the friendship of the side characters with the main characters. Especially Mari. Gosh, I love Mari. Her relationship with every character in this story is so well done. I wish there was more downtime between the two main love interests so we can see them more happy and learn about each other, instead of there always being action at every turn preventing them from truly learning about one another.
Also, since I mentioned Mari, I should mention our other main lead. Killian is a charismatic guy and really likable as a character, but he did read very young when he is suppose to be much older. I know they explained it slightly but I feel like since he is been around so long and is old enough to know when he is acting irresponsible, he would make a change. Hopefully in the next book we can see more of him and see more of his depth as a character.
What a lovely story! MacRae set up so many threads throughout the book that there was a point where I was like "huh that is a little predictable" only for a bunch of plot twists to hit me in the face and say "you thought". Found family, cute vampire romance, intriguing plot and characters - Honestly a very amazing debut novel and I would recommend this to anyone who has a soft spot for vampires and found families....more