Ouran High School Host Club but as a book. Really funny, relatable, emotional, plus the audiobook is pretty great!! I was not expecting to like it thiOuran High School Host Club but as a book. Really funny, relatable, emotional, plus the audiobook is pretty great!! I was not expecting to like it this much, but here we are, it really was a delight to listen to. Please pick this up, you won't regret it....more
This book gets extra points for being a sapphic Halloween novella, but I didn't really vibe with it.This book gets extra points for being a sapphic Halloween novella, but I didn't really vibe with it....more
When I tell you I devoured this in one day would you believe me? Well, if you know me you probably would, but despite me logging this as a current reaWhen I tell you I devoured this in one day would you believe me? Well, if you know me you probably would, but despite me logging this as a current read I didn't have time to start it until today and then it gripped me, I kept thinking about it during reading breaks, it occupied my every thought until I could go back and finish it.
I did not expect to be so sucked in, but in a way I also did, because the way to my heart is Arthurian stories/retellings.
The writing is very dreamy at the start, we follow Cass who takes charge of her own destiny, and as we accompany her on her quest to freedom, the dreamy-ness melts into breathtaking tension with each enemy encounter she and the sisterhood face.
I swear I wasn't breathing during any battle scenes, but especially at the end, I didn't want anything bad to happen to Cass. I was also worried about the rest of the girls/women, how they would fare and how the story would conclude because it just didn't seem like there were enough pages left.
LUCKILY, this seems to be a duology, but I didn't know that until I finished it. My breath of relief was probably heard far and wide because I have not had enough of this story.
The build up was so strong, the characters too. I fell in love with them instantly and hated seeing any of them get hurt, Lily most of all. She was my favourite, alongside Cass and Sir Gamelin.
Speaking of Sir Gamelin, I shipped him and Cass from their first meeting. Originally I thought this would be a sapphic story with Lily as the love interest, but it kind of became obvious when Gamelin was introduced that it wouldn't be. We still have a sapphic couple among the main characters though.
In terms of plot not thaaat much happened, basically Cass ran away from home, trained, went to some tournaments and discovered a few things about her past along the way, but this didn't bother me. I really enjoyed reading about her journey, and I'm anticipating I'll be enjoying the sequel just as much because of all the answers we'll get.
If you like stories about strong women, then I recommend this book. I can't wait to get a physical copy to add to my collection while I wait in quiet suffering for the next one.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
The Last Girls Standing did not start off very promising. It was slow, not much was happening and the main event was over before the book even began. The Last Girls Standing did not start off very promising. It was slow, not much was happening and the main event was over before the book even began. So I was starting to think I wouldn't like it, but then the cult storyline got introduced.
If you know me, then you know I love reading about cults and the one here was definitely interesting. That actually helped me to stay focused on the book and make it to the end.
What also helped was the excellent narration, the emotional moments were narrated perfectly.
Something I mind though, is that we didn't get all the answers, or barely any. I'm not a huge fan of books with an open ending, and this did have a partial conclusion, but could've used an epilogue.
(view spoiler)[I just want to know if the cult was right or not. Probably not, but THEY COULD BE. (hide spoiler)]
I still liked the ending, I felt like that was exactly what the whole book was building up towards and it made perfect sense to me. I also guessed that would happen so yay a point for me!! There were twists I didn't guess, and overall this book pulled through.
I would've originally given this 2 stars for the start (I even wanted to dnf), but ended up enjoying it to about a 4 on the scale, so I'll settle on a 3 star rating....more
Okayyyy, we finally got some answers in this one and learned why Quinn needed protection in the first place. I probably should've seen it coming, but Okayyyy, we finally got some answers in this one and learned why Quinn needed protection in the first place. I probably should've seen it coming, but I didn't.
Bloodbath felt very dragged out and slow to me though, I didn't have much of a desire to keep reading, even with the potential reveals hanging over me. I don't feel like the story progressed as much as it was supposed to, except at the very end.
I liked the addition of Omen, and that's about it? I'll still read whatever's next because we've been left on a cliffhanger, but it's definitely going downhill....more
“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” I say. Micah turns back to look at me. “I don’t know about that.” “Okay. Name one thing more beautifu“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” I say. Micah turns back to look at me. “I don’t know about that.” “Okay. Name one thing more beautiful than this.” His hand grips my thigh, just above my knee. “You, Quinn,” he tells me. “You.”
Okay well, compared to the first novella and the full book this was just eh. Almost all smut again, and the rest of it wasn't as interesting.
The fact that Quinn was assaulted sorta came out of nowhere and I didn't like how that was handled. It's almost like the guys have to kill someone in every single book, so hey let's introduce another person who wronged Quinn so we don't forget how they'll do anything for her.
To be clear, by all means, off the rapist, it's the reenactment I'm referencing.
Anyway, I will still read the second full book and see how I feel about that....more
“My heart beats for you, Quinn,” he murmurs, tracing my lips with his thumb. “Without you, I’m nothing but a numb, empty shell of a man, on the brink “My heart beats for you, Quinn,” he murmurs, tracing my lips with his thumb. “Without you, I’m nothing but a numb, empty shell of a man, on the brink of madness.”
I asked for plot and I got it!! The first part of this book follows Ghost, Jason and Michael, aka Damien, Jensen and Micah, as they're growing up and befriending each other. Obviously none of that is sunshine and roses.
We also get to see what led to them following Quinn around, keeping her safe for years.
Then there's the novella section, where several chapters are exactly the same as in Scream For Us, while some have been omitted entirely, and others are told from one of the guys' PoVs instead of Quinn's.
And then the final part is what happened after their one night of shenanigans.
I gotta say, I really had a good time with this. I liked the novella, but this was so much more fun, adding more plot DOES make things better! I'm also a sucker for cult stories, real or fictional, so adding that as an element only made me like the story more.
Of course, we didn't get all the answers as to why Quinn needs protection and who she really is (view spoiler)[and how her mother seems to know Damien?? (hide spoiler)], but I don't mind finding that out down the line.
I do wish that we got some more non-repeat scenes though, because I didn't quite feel like rereading the novella so soon, but I guess it's there so people can just jump into this and still have the full story.
About half of the book was the novella, by the way, so you really don't need to read that before this unless you want to. There is one ending scene that wasn't in this, but was in Scream For Us, a conversation that I thought was kinda important, so maybeeee you should read it anyway, I don't know. I mean, it won't impact you if you just start with this, but y'know.
Anyway, I liked the relationship development we got here, not just between Quinn and the guys, but also Jensen and Michael. I'll definitely be continuing the series....more
Finally finished this and not sure what to do with my life now...cry some more? Yeah, sounds about right.
As much as I loved the first book, this one wFinally finished this and not sure what to do with my life now...cry some more? Yeah, sounds about right.
As much as I loved the first book, this one wasn't on the same level. Maybe it's second book syndrome, but it took me a while to make myself pick it back up each time, even though I was interested in what was going to happen.
The first half was really slow, maybe even the first two thirds, the final third is where things REALLY picked up and it was hard to stop reading. It was also when I cried the most.
I'm still excited for the final book, hopefully it'll go back to a faster pace.
I adored book one, but this one felt like it was from a completely different series. I don't know how that happened, but I'm very disappointed. It wasI adored book one, but this one felt like it was from a completely different series. I don't know how that happened, but I'm very disappointed. It was also too fast paced and felt rushed, it would've worked better as a trilogy.
While the first one was more character focused, this one revolved around the plot, but I can't say I loved the direction it went in, I was expecting something else.
Like the ending specifically, you're telling me that's how this story was meant to finish?? It just...doesn't seem right. But that's me, another reader might feel differently.
So many things I loved in The Daughters of Izdihar weren't present here, but there were things I enjoyed anyway. Like the characters, the world, the magic system.
There was some character development, but even that felt rushed, and practically zero relationship development. And the academy...what academy? Hah.
We lose an important character at the end, but I didn't really feel it, because everything was so fast. They were there, and then the next moment they were gone. Poof.
But I'm glad I finally finished this duology, and I'll be supporting this author's future work....more
I've read a book that's very similar to this in terms of plot and have been looking for something like it ever since. I was hoping I'd found it in HerI've read a book that's very similar to this in terms of plot and have been looking for something like it ever since. I was hoping I'd found it in Here for the Wrong Reasons, but it sadly didn't fully work for me.
I liked the idea (obviously), the setting, the writing, parts of the romance, and the fact that I didn't mix the other girls up despite there being so many of them. The authors really did a good job eliminating them in every chapter, and making sure the ones that were sticking around longer were given recognisable personalities.
What didn't work for me was how dragged out it felt. Both Lauren and Krystin (but especially the former) were in the show for the wrong reasons, like the title says, and after realising there's something there around 40% into the book, I was expecting them to drop out, any moment now, not for both of them to keep making it into the next round until the very end.
Maybe I wouldn't have had such a problem with this if Josh wasn't so nice. He had his heart broken once, and both of these girls ultimately knew they'd break his too. And they were kinda okay with it?
I'm a bit more lenient with Krystin because she wasn't sure what she wanted for most of the book, she'd never been with a girl before and thought she had to be straight to fit in at home, but Lauren was awful. She knew who she was and what she wanted, she just wasn't officially out yet, and from the start she was leading Josh on, just to get more followers and brand deals.
Her saying that she was staying because she wanted more time with Krystin rang hollow to me, because in the next scene she'd act like she wanted to win the whole show to prove she could.
She had a very clear exit point near the end, and instead of taking it, and hoping Krystin follows, she does something that would keep her on the show...
Anyway, her and Krystin had no chemistry that I could sense. I couldn't tell you why they liked each other, it felt really random. But their romantic scenes were cute.
I wish that more time had been spent on developing their relationship, instead of describing what the characters were doing during the episodes, where they went etc, I wanted to be convinced that these two actually liked each other, see them spending more time together.
And there was a huge focus on Josh, which, okay, it IS his show, but I kinda feel like he got more page time than Krystin and Lauren.
Both of them kept going back to him, kissing him, even after getting closer and closer, it just didn't feel right.
There was also some miscommunication, but when I tell you I didn't even care...yeah. The ending made up for all of that though, mostly. Everyone got their happily ever after.
Overall, it wasn't a bad book, and I'm not regretting giving it a chance. Hopefully others will like it more than I did.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
Best one so far, and with the most plot (are you sensing a pattern with me?). The frat bros really stole the show, I love how much they were featured Best one so far, and with the most plot (are you sensing a pattern with me?). The frat bros really stole the show, I love how much they were featured and how cool they were with everything that was going on. Also intrigued by the Constantine x Devon future pairing, it might end up being more interesting than Brad and Raul.
Alsoooo, when's the audiobook for the fifth one coming out?
Finally some plot!!! I liked this one better than the first two, maybe because most of the book was the two of them being apart...oops.
I'm not reallyFinally some plot!!! I liked this one better than the first two, maybe because most of the book was the two of them being apart...oops.
I'm not really feeling the romance tbh, there's not enough development, it's very insta lovey which is what you'd expect from a novella, but yeah. I have to wait for the next audiobook to release in July, so hopefully I won't totally lose interest in continuing, because the cliffhanger was really good....more
Not as gripping as the first one, nor as funny. But I decided to listen to the whole series so hopefully it'll get better.Not as gripping as the first one, nor as funny. But I decided to listen to the whole series so hopefully it'll get better....more
I ended up really liking this, which is no surprise since I loved The Midnight Bargain. But the ending...why is it giving If Supernatural was a book.
I ended up really liking this, which is no surprise since I loved The Midnight Bargain. But the ending...why is it giving (view spoiler)[Addie Larue (hide spoiler)] what the hell...It felt like all of that was for nothing.
Everything else was good though, starting with the writing style, then the characters, plot and worldbuilding. I wouldn't have minded if the worldbuilding was a bit heavier, to be honest, but since it's a novella, there was enough of it. The audiobook was nice too, but I think I should've read this myself, mayhaps upon reread I will....more
Had I known that seeing one specific character's name would make my mind loop the Lepa Brena song of the same name (coincidentally my fav song by her)Had I known that seeing one specific character's name would make my mind loop the Lepa Brena song of the same name (coincidentally my fav song by her) every time they showed up, I would've read this a lot sooner.
The character is Janos, by the way and the song Janoš with a š, you're welcome for that masterpiece. Janos is a side character and we don't get to see that much of him, but he's definitely one of my faves because he was kind to Zyntael.
I also really liked Phobos, Karthak, Star-Star, Anra, Lleyden, Mazgar (whose name was funny to me because it means mule/donkey herder in my language) and of course Zyntael. I don't think it took me long to warm up to them.
The book is split up into six parts, the first four with nine chapters each while the last two had eight and seven. They're all fairly short and make for a fast reading pace.
Zyntael starts the story as a ten year old, and we watch her grow into a warrior/raider by the time the book ends. We see her struggle with the idea of accepting her new normal when she's captured by the Vulkari, but as time goes on she becomes ready to embrace her destiny (and sisterhood, awoooo).
I was so curious which Slavic myths and/or creatures would be woven into the story, as a Slavic person, and I was happy to see a number of them made the cut. I was expecting a bit more though, hopefully we'll meet even more creatures in the next two books.
I like that the embroidery was such a big deal to the Vulkari, even more so because it's nearly a forgotten art where I'm from. So few people do it, and it's something I want to learn to keep the tradition alive.
There was a bit of romance in the story, I ship it (for now). I like the way it was handled, it felt realistic for Zyntael & Anra's ages. Their puppy love at the start was sooooo cute, I really hope they can stay together throughout the series and make it out alive.
The ending was a cliffhanger, and a really good one at that. It made me want to jump into the next book immediately, but I gotta wait a few days before I do. Really glad I finally picked this up though, it was about time.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I liked the first half more than the second, it was engaging and interesting, I even thought it would be a five star read. But as it went on, my interI liked the first half more than the second, it was engaging and interesting, I even thought it would be a five star read. But as it went on, my interest in how the story would end diminished.
There's nothing specific wrong with it, it might just be me, so please give this book a chance if you wanted to. But what bugged me was how repetitive it was getting, and how the pace slowed down in the second half.
What I liked was the setting, I think that was very well done and the monstrous things as well. I will always support women's rights and wrongs!!! Also we love a good villain PoV.
If there is a sequel in the future I'm not sure if I'll read it. Maybe? I could see it happening, the found family is cute and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.
Gorgeous gorgeous cover, I love it. It was the main reason why I decided to give this book a try, and I suspect many people will be as drawn to it as Gorgeous gorgeous cover, I love it. It was the main reason why I decided to give this book a try, and I suspect many people will be as drawn to it as I was.
Now, when you read this you'll be able to tell that it's a debut book because it's all over the place. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. There's always room for improvement in book two.
The writing reminded me a lot of Chloe Gong, and the story of Elise Kova's Married to Magic series with a dash of These Hollow Vows. But worry not, it has its own unique spin too.
I have to mention the magical library because this is probably the only book so far with that concept that (partially) worked for me. I found those parts really interesting and wish we got more of them before Lore had to go on the run.
The romance is where this gets tricky, because as a lover of love triangles I can't say I was left satisfied with our two choices, but one is clearly better than the other and I liked him more from his intro than the other guy.
Both of those romances developed too fast, but the one with Finn made a lot more sense than the one with Asher. I feel like they had more chemistry and more time to properly get to know each other, even if most of that time was spent with Finn being broody.
Still, they had some cute moments together and I'd love to see where it'll go in the next book.
Asher on the other hand...knowing what we do about him, I'm wondering why that one steamy scene that happened included him. It felt out of character, based on what he was like at the end of the book.
I agree with the reviewers saying that the whole scene was unnecessary and that this should've been marketed as YA because the vibes are absolutely there. It doesn't feel like an adult romantasy. It's okay to write YA romantasies too, I promise.
Character wise I liked Lore, Finn, Isla and Grey, they were the most developed, though they could use a bit more polishing. Also, need someone to tell me if Grey is on the ace/aro spectrum, pretty please.
The ending surprised me, I wasn't expecting that at all (though I was wondering where that character disappeared off too and when we'd see them again). Those final few chapters were the best part of the book all around, and upped the rating by half a star. That's how I know book two will surely break four stars if not more. The story's just getting started.
3.5
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
This book gave me The Lot Lands series vibes, as well as The Demon Cycle vibes, with a dash of Skyrim so if you like those, then you might want to picThis book gave me The Lot Lands series vibes, as well as The Demon Cycle vibes, with a dash of Skyrim so if you like those, then you might want to pick this up.
The first comparison is because, well, there's orcs in both series, but it's mostly the language used here and there. Or rather the jokes, it's a similar type of humour.
I do have a slight complaint about that, I think said jokes could've flown better, and I trust they will in the next book(s).
The second comp is purely vibes, don't ask me why, they just match.
The third comp, is because the universities reminded me of Winterhold, and, of course, "The Lonely Nights of the Milkmaid" which instantly reminded me of "The Lusty Argonian Maid. I'M SORRY, IT'S JUST MY BRAIN.
But it was also unique, and I had fun following these characters on their own journeys.
We had several PoVs, and my favourite was Alysha's. I wish we got more of her because she was probably the strongest character of them all. Also, a female blacksmith who isn't a dwarf? Extra points.
Her brother, Runt, got a lot more page time and I grew to love him too (but not as much as Alysha, sorry Runt!). Both he and Alysha end up in found-family situations, even if they didn't really start off that way (Alysha's in particular).
Their oldest brother Benjamin is who we know least about, and I'm not sure if he can be redeemed after that ending...but we'll see.
Speaking of, THAT WAS AN UNFAIR PLACE TO END THE BOOK!!!! What am I supposed to do now? Wait???? So rude.
I'm curious to see where the story will go from here, and if Judith will be more ~involved~, based on the title of the sequel. I'd love to see more mentions of Stribog as well, but that's because I'm Slavic and biased.
ALSO, Sorella Silvercrow is an epic name, just putting that out there.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
A basketball player and a cheerleader fall in love in this cute book. I've been meaning to read it since it came out, but only got around to doing it A basketball player and a cheerleader fall in love in this cute book. I've been meaning to read it since it came out, but only got around to doing it now. It's also my last book for Sports Romance September on Storygraph.
It was a super fast read, I blinked and I was halfway through. There's more dialogue than descriptions which is why it moves so fast. I wish more things happened though, because outside of these two dancing around each other, not much else was going on.
There was the anonymous troll thing, and I really didn't see the reveal coming so bonus points for that. But I think June and Inobe had enough things to work through even without the added pressure of that account.
I liked the writing, although I agree with the other reviews saying more edits were needed. I spotted several typos or missed words in sentences that didn't take me out of the story, but my brain did take a few seconds to rearrange or add in the missing words.
The romance itself was sweet and I wish we got even more of it. There were a few scenes where I wanted to scream at June for avoiding defining their relationship. I knew she had her reasons because of her ex, but before learning that I was just like "CALL INOBE YOUR GIRLFRIEND COME ONNN".
All in all this was a fun read and I'll be following Jillian Amena to see what she puts out next....more