pan⭐️⭐️
“Spinning Silver” was a big book that occasionally felt like a chore to read. The book is fragmented into so many different character‘s perspectives that it felt a bit unorganized. I also felt like only one of the two storylines/couples had an actual ending and left it feeling a bit unsatisfactory.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Good Spirits” is a cute Christmas read in which my only complaint is that I didn‘t need the spicy scenes as the story itself was romantic and enjoyable.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found Durst‘s previous “The Spellshop” charming, and “The Enchanted Greenhouse” still holds a lot of that charm and coziness, however it wasn‘t my favorite. I unfortunately found the romance lackluster, and the story dragged at times where I was literally falling asleep because I was bored. Still, this remains a cozy winter read and is a must-read for plant lovers.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year” was a super cute Christmas read that was filled with humor, sweet romance, and an engaging mystery. I loved Maggie and Ethan‘s story and I cannot recommend this book enough!
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was hoping for more of a slow-burn in “Seven Deadly Thorns”, and the plot progressed a bit too rapidly when it could have been expanded more. I also felt that it was really weird that Viola was so casually accepting of her true parentage and it left some confusion as to how she came into the care of her previous “parents”, especially when another character was sent by her true parents to tutor her. Side note: Saint Waffles is the best!
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was going to rate “The Wild Huntress” higher, however I wasn‘t a fan of the betrayal, a certain character‘s unnecessary death, and the overall ending of this story. I appreciated the epilogue and the last chapter, however I wish the plot had turned out differently.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Second Death of Locke” was another one of those books that had me unimpressed up until the halfway point, but redeemed itself with the character development and plot progression. One of my biggest complaints during the first half of the book was that Grey was annoyingly oblivious to Kier‘s (completely obvious) affection towards her and it was painfully awkward/frustrating to read. Overall, this was a good story that I enjoyed.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I honestly wasn‘t expecting to give “The Road of Bones” a fourth star, however 2/3rds of the way through the character development and plot took a turn that peaked my interest and has me looking forward to reading its sequel. There were a couple plot twists that I saw coming, however I admit that there were still a couple that caught me by surprise.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To preface, volumes 1-3 of “Soara and the House of Monsters” were abundantly cozy, and volume 4 took a small step aside from the cozy vibes while slowly revealing the dwarves‘ backstory. In comparison, this volume is mostly grim as we truly see and understand Kirik‘s past and the heartbreak that shaped him into the builder he is today. I will say that it became more lighthearted as the book reverted to present day towards the very end.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Wild Reverence” is a prequel to the “Divine Rivals” and “Ruthless Vows”, and it‘s just as lush and vivid as the duology. This book is full of heart, longing, love, and self-discovery and it was a joy to read. “Divine Rivals” remains my favorite of this series, but “Wild Reverence” is a strong entry into this world.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rachel Gillig is 2 for 2 in writing worlds that I could get lost in, and are also very interesting. I really enjoyed the characters (don‘t even get me started on the gargoyle, he‘s the BEST), the story was well written, however that cliffhanger had me raging. The sequel better make that ending worth it though 😭
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an interesting retelling of “The Headless Horseman” that best defines itself as a supernatural thriller and mystery. It‘s a quick read that is fast-paced, however I don‘t see myself reading this one again. Disclaimer that there are a couple scenes regarding animal abuse which I skipped somewhat easily.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Two Twisted Crowns” was an excellent sequel and satisfying conclusion to this duology. The side character‘s perspectives were very well done (big fan of Elm‘s and Ione‘s storyline by the way), and the character development was not disappointing. I really enjoyed this world, and Nightmare‘s snarky humor made this book everything I could hope for. Highly recommend this book and series!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To me, it‘s rare for the second book in a series (or even the latter half of a duology) to be better than the first book. “Rebel Witch” is one instance where I enjoyed the conclusion of a duology WAY more than its predecessor. The enemies-to-lovers progression throughout the entire book was superb, and the character development was enjoyable to see.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Gallant” was a perfect spooky and creepy read for Halloween, but it fell a bit flat for me. I‘m typically a fan of V.E. Schwab‘s books, however I just wasn‘t that into the story and its characters. The illustrations were interesting, but I even had trouble liking the ending of the book. It‘s not a bad book or that it‘s badly written, it just wasn‘t 100% for me.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“First Lie Wins” may be a tad slow to start, however once the suspense starts, it never stops. The twists and turns were highly entertaining, and I couldn‘t ask for a better ending.
pan⭐️⭐️
I found “A Talent For Murder” kind of ‘meh‘. There is some is some suspension, but it seemed a bit disjointed, several of the characters felt superficial, and there were a couple spelling/grammatical errors.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Kill For Me, Kill For You” is a mystery thriller with numerous plot twists that gave you surprises up to the very end. This novel was gripping and entertaining, however I‘m still not sure how I liked the ending.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A Witch‘s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” is a sweet and cozy fall read full of humor, spells, new-found family, and finding your self-worth. I enjoyed all of these characters, however Roo-Roo is probably my personal favorite 🐓
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Teller of Small Fortunes” was a sweet and cozy tale of adventure, friendship, and found-family. The characters were lovable and the ending tied up all loose ends neatly. Also the favorite character award goes to Sister Gravel 🩶
pan⭐️⭐️
I was a big fan of Cosby‘s previous “Razorblade Tears”, however I cannot say the same for “King of Ashes”. This book is dark and graphic, but my issue lies in the fact that there is no satisfying conclusion and the ending felt a bit lackluster. I also wasn‘t a fan of any of the characters, and I ultimately felt disappointed once I reached the end.
pan⭐️⭐️
I did not like “Ace of Shades”. The world was interesting, however there were way too many issues to overcome my dislike. The characters were shallow and boring, the plot was too slow and the story itself felt a bit generic. There is nothing “Six of Crows” about this book, and if the term “missy” was used one more time, I was going to scream.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the first two books of this series, so I was a bit disappointed when I didn‘t enjoy this volume as much in comparison. Because of this, it took me a very long time to finish this book, however I still enjoyed the story and the characters.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)
I am discovering the fact that I enjoy T. Kingfisher‘s writing immensely. I loved “Swordheart”, and it‘s been entirely too long since I have read any of her other books. I will absolutely be continuing this series and look forward to immersing myself into this world again.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A Dangerous Collaboration” is a great mystery that is a solid addition to this series. I will say that the ending of this one has me excited for the future 😬
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What do you MEAN I have to wait a full year for the next book?? This book reminded me of “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” (another of my favorites) and between that, the fantastic world-building, the humor/wit, and the superb slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, I absolutely LOVED this book and am anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this duology. Give it all the stars ⭐️
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)
I really wanted to love this one as I adore books and the thought of living in a town that is a book haven sounded like a dream. The beginning had a strong start, however it got a little confusing in the middle and I was unsure of what was happening. I‘m intrigued to see how the series continues and perhaps another volume might increase my standing for this series.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)
“The Ghostwriter” was a haunting mystery, but it wasn‘t my favorite. The plot itself was intriguing, but I wasn‘t a big fan of Olivia and the plot dragged at times. I found the ending a tad unsatisfactory, though I could see how it technically wrapped up all loose ends.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)
“The Ghostwriter” was a haunting mystery that was intriguing, but it wasn‘t my favorite. I wasn‘t a huge fan of Olivia and the story did drag at times. The ending was a tad unsatisfactory for me, but technically I could see how it wrapped up loose ends.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Tomb of the Sun King” was a fun addition to the “Raiders of the Arcana” series. I enjoyed the characters (Neil was annoying at first but his ongoing character development was promising), and there was plenty of adventure to be found in these pages. I look forward to when the next book comes out in November!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was an emotional rollercoaster as we get a front row seat to Stoker‘s past and it‘s a wild ride. The mystery was superb as always, and the witty banter was top notch.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am not one to read faith-based or themed books, but when my coworker handed me her copy of “The Stranger in the Lifeboat” and told me to read it, I gave it a try. This book is full of tragedy, heartbreak, loss, and, of course, faith. The plot was compelling and I was not expecting the plot twists towards the end. Overall, I see why people love this book so much, and how it sits with you long after you‘ve finished the last page.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was not expecting the Animal Crossing: New Horizons references but I‘m 100% here for it! This volume was also heartwarming throughout multiple chapters.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second installment of this series was just as charming and witty as the first! I adore Veronica and Stoker, and cannot wait to read their next adventure.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A Curious Beginning” came highly recommended, so I borrowed a well-loved copy from my local library. This was a fun and easy read that was full of adventure, mystery, and wit. If there was a version of “Bones” set in the Victorian England era, this book (and series) would be it. I really enjoyed both of the main characters and I will absolutely be continuing this series!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A Curse Carved in Bone” was a solid conclusion to this duology, and was not without its plot twists, action, and angst. I doubts, but the ending was better than I expected!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It‘s been a while since I‘ve read a Viking-themed fantasy, and “A Fate Inked in Blood” was one that I found interesting. Bjorn is a heck of a character (in a good way), but Freya was a tad annoying at times. Now onto the sequel!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I adore this series, and let me tell you that I absolutely flew through this book! I really enjoyed the character development in this story, and the reappearance of previous main characters was an added bonus. The ending had a satisfying yet bittersweet conclusion, and I can‘t really think of a better way to end this book.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found the premise of “Famous Last Words” very intriguing, and the way that the plot and mystery came together was something I didn‘t anticipate (except for one plot twist that I saw coming). Overall, a solid mystery and thriller!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Empire of Shadows” was a fun and witty adventure that felt reminiscent of “The Mummy” (insert the confident declaration of “I am a librarian” quote here because I got those vibes as well). I really enjoyed Ellie‘s and Adam‘s characters and their story, and I‘m looking forward to see what the next book holds!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)
I really enjoyed Kyo-kun‘s storyline in this volume, and I‘m a big fan of the found-family vibes as well!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)
I didn‘t like the second volume of “Fruits Basket” as much as I did the first, however this was still a decent read that delved a little more into the characters, and hints at darker themes in the future.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Where The Library Hides” is a solid end to this duology. I wasn‘t the biggest fan of the twist related to both of Inez‘s parents (it was simply okay, slightly interesting but I still feel weird from it). Inez‘s and Whit‘s relationship was probably the best part of this book.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)
Volume 15 introduces Hades‘ and Poseidon‘s brother, Zeus, and I think that he will be a fun addition! Also the kidnapping plot was interesting and I‘m curious to see how that story progresses.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love illustrations in books, however some of the pictures scattered throughout the book caused weird formatting where there would be a blank page before the next. There were also several editing errors and use of AI art that made me regretting the $65 I paid for this edition. The story itself was charming yet short, and I wished it had been a bit more fleshed out.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Fearless” was a solid end to this trilogy that contains several plot twists and an ending that I didn‘t see coming. As someone who preferred Kai in the love triangle, I do feel like Kitt was done dirty in this book, and especially towards the end. I‘m still trying to wrap my head around that ending, but its conclusion is mostly satisfying.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 1” wasn‘t what I was expecting, but I think that it‘s interesting enough that I‘ll end up picking up the next book!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)
It was very interesting to see what it would be like if Iruma joined the student council! The “villain” of this volume was super annoying so hopefully they don‘t show up again anytime soon 😅
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Several years ago, I checked out “Mistborn” from my local library and ended up DNFing it about 240ish pages in. As I‘ve gotten more into Brandon Sanderson‘s books this year, I decided to give “Mistborn” another try and I‘m very glad I did. I appreciated the world-building so much more this time around, and the ‘heist‘ and found-family feels solidified it as a great read. Overall, I‘m so glad I gave this book another chance!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Volume 14 was funny yet heartwarming in several ways! I really enjoyed this volume and the last page (bonus page) had me dying laughing 🤣
