Anita
My first venture into LitRPG and this hasn't been a disappointment.
I'm intrigued with our main character, who has obviously been made bald to give him a sort of selling point to stand out from our generic main leads. However, the reason given is legitimate (but it seems like he could just...cut and dye it instead?). His skills are interesting, one being his dream skill and the other an unknown, but watching him grow and discover what this extra skill actually is is something I look forward to unravelling in the series.
I think what kept me hooked when reading this was because of the unique layout - it's portrayed like a project, with recorded findings, interviews and informative snippets from articles/newspaper clippings/etc.
Pip is clearly an overachiever, with hopes of standing out from the rest of the crowd by basing her final project on something outside the box. With her can-do attitude, she manages to navigate her academic and social life with ease. It seems that she's easy to like, but sometimes puts her nose in places where others would rather she didn't.
The plot is pretty interesting, with some red herrings thrown in (I'm looking at you, HH). I found myself investigating the murder along with Pip, almost like I had some sort of stake in it. There was an obvious interest blooming between herself and Ravi, but it didn't take anything away from the main focus of the story.
Overall, a great read.
POV of a woman who doesn't understand societal norms who just wants to work in a convenience store without judgement from her peers and sister, who all deem her to not be ‘normal'.
A solid debut book, with an introduction into a strongly built world and intriguing magic system.
While it starts off a bit slower than expected, setting up as much as it can before the events take place, this book has some amazingly written scenes in it that left me unable to put it down. There was some struggle in keeping up with the different POVs, but it ended up showing a lot of characters and their viewpoint, some of which I wish we explored more into.
Definite recommendation to try and read a little into the different factions/races/etc. first, using the sections towards the end if you find it difficult to keep up with the amount of information that we end up exploring.
Looking forward to the next book!
The writing style seems very Wattpad, and our main characters are portrayed in a very odd way that I just don't vibe with. It's a shame, because I wanted to see the relationship bloom for our dear Hen.
Many thanks to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for my first eARC.
This was a great novella, with little distractions and surprises. The storyline was very linear and straightforward, exploring the characters more than trying to overcomplicate what works.
Picking this up, I was able to read it in one sitting - the writing flowed well and was broken up into nice satisfying chapters to allow easy reading.
There is definitely a lot in the small novella that could lead to more in the future - and I would gladly read those too! A very interesting world has been introduced, which I would love to see more of.
Overall, the story is more a 4.5 but with everything in mind and potential it is definitely a 5.
An enjoyable read, with an interesting twist on Elizabethan London life with magic and supernatural creatures involved.
While the plot was slow to start, quite a few characters being introduced and some of the interactions being downright comical (any and all interactions with the Hapenny's), the main few were soon solidified and quickly grew with their unique personalities and quirks. I also enjoyed the character interactions within, Nell being a personal favourite. Fang was full of intrigue, his backstory quite saddening and unrevealed under not-so-nice circumstances.
There were a lot of potential for the plot line to go, especially with exploring Tem and the Alchemist, however it felt a tad lacklustre after the big reveal only for nothing much to happen. The book did end on a cliffhanger, though, so perhaps it'll be further explored in the sequel.
I didn't expect the screenplay layout going into this book, but it kind of fits with the message the author is putting across. The main character and other people in INT. CHINATOWN are just playing roles typecast by society which they have then stuck by, not realising that they can be more than that.
Despite almost 200 years since setting foot on America, Asians are still segregated by that phrase - ‘Asian'. It's interesting to consider the truth that when you are asked to describe an American, it is a generalised white person.
A book that everyone should read, despite it's odd format. Understandably, it won't be for everyone but it hit home with me due to my own background and race.
“Who gets to be an American? What does an American look like?”
This was an enjoyable Regency historical mystery to read. The characters were interesting, and the plot had a good enough twist to keep the reader attention. Historical accuracy was portrayed well, with clear research having being given.
A great debut novel for Katherine Schellman.
This was a much needed, cosy and witchy read!
Perfectly Wicked introduces us to a strong female MC who takes no flack from people around her. She just wants to grow her apples and look after her family. Then we add in an attractive show maker who wants to poke his nose around the farm (and our MC) but add in sprinkles of mystery, ghosts and a jerk ex to brew up a lovable story.
I noticed some looks sparking between two of our other characters, plus with the introduced of a big bad, I'm willing to bet more to come...maybe?
As a reader of the previous four books in this (amazing!!) series, this one has not failed to disappoint and was, perhaps in my opinion, the best so far.
All the beloved characters made an appearance in this book, along with my personal fave Jem. The plot had me guessing wrong a few times with all the red herrings, but it tied together in the end and as more was revealed, the more interesting the scheme got.
And finally, the romance between the couple I was rooting for finally blossomed, but since the main themes of this series is murder solving, it left a slightly bittersweet taste since we didn't get as much as I'd hoped for. To the future books!
Fourth instalment to the Lily Adler books and I enjoyed this was immensely. The plot was interesting, the characters with their own distinctions and the interactions between them all well-thought-out. I was kept guessing until the end for the culprit, with a lot of different thoughts until they all added up.
I did miss our friend Ofelia after her big presence in the previous book, however Jack was back as it was evened out. I don't believe we'll see our dear Matthew as much any more, however, I still have hopes for a Jack x Lily romance.
I enjoyed the mystery/whodunnit element of this book more than I did the first, the author clearly improving in this aspect. However, the introduction of a second love interest (while the first is off collecting her botanical specimens in a dangerous country abroad) felt unnecessary. Then, to top it all off, he returns and immediately admonishes her, despite knowing what she was like and liking that aspect of her?
Third instalment of the Lily Adler series and I enjoyed this one, even though the mystery wasn't an intricate as the other two books.
Like many others, I felt the absence of Jack Hartley, who complimented Lily and the author teased some sort of relationship between the two, only to add another into the mix on a stronger level in this book. I cannot say I dislike the twist in love interest, only I hope it plays out well for Lily.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
A different take on the heavily saturated whodunnit market. The historical elements added to portraying how “unique” the main character was, due to her determination to research Botany rather than marry a man and just attend parties.
I enjoyed the relationship budding between Saffron and Alex, though after reading the entire thing and realising it had all happened in a matter of days, I was a little sceptical.
A well written, well paced historical c-novel revolving around a second chance life and fated partners.
Our MC is meticulous and cunning, thinking ahead of her time as a woman living in Ancient China. She knows the value of women in that time period and thinks selfishly for herself, having been neglected emotionally for many years. She hopes to marry rich and live comfortably, seeking the best match possible for herself with the men presented to her. Her way of thinking is rational and sensible to the point that it's almost machine like, for example, she doesn't consider concubines or other women her future husband may have as a problem, merely additional household items she will need to manage. She knows her place and doesn't hope to step out of it, especially seeing what happened in her previous life.
Our male LI is the hidden Crown Prince, having avoided death early in life, he has to pretend to be much lower than his intended level until he can reclaim his birthright. By a single chance meeting, he and our MCs lives entwine, producing a beautifully written love story.
While some things are set in stone and cannot be altered, the many what ifs and reflection to their past lives show that it only takes a single point in life that could ultimately change the future. If our MC and male LI hadn't interacted in the manner that they did, their lives would never have intersected, and they would never have met each other.
This story speaks a lot about fate, and how it is written in the stars, but there is only so much that it can do in order to guide us on that path.
A decent, fluffy, quick read about a human and dragon shifter. The writing did feel a little basic at times, lots of show instead of tell, but nonetheless it was simple to read.
While the relationship did move very quick, and the plot was rushed, it was nice to read about their relationship. Their sexual relationship was explored in a very open and healthy way, which was nice to see.
Absolutely relaxing and easy to read piece of work, making you reflect on a lot of things you've done to get to the exact point you are in your life right now.
Each character had their own backstory, their own unique thing that made them them, as well as hardships, no matter how small and insignificant they may seem to others.
A brilliant read.
Rating: 5.0 ????????????????????
A very light-hearted take at a topic regarding sometimes too seriously in society today.
Following the POV of a clearly imperfect woman let's us normalise that no one is perfect and being normal isn't a goal to strive for - learn to accept yourself for who you are. There is only so much you can do to try and change to fit societal norms.
A well written, albeit sometimes drawn out, story about an anti-heroine's rise to power. It was interesting to read from a different point of view and the descent/acceptance into the darkness within.
A bit slow to start but once it picked up it was difficult to put down. The clues and connections were done nicely and the loose ends were all tied up as well as possibly could. It could have been simple whodunnit, but it went a step beyond and added a tasteful addition to spice it all up.
Firstly, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved the unique idea of Ancient Gods having a tight control over a dystopian Greece, alongside the brutality and misogyny of the police force.
Virgil is what you would normally expect to be the forgettable comedic relief character. Throwing him into this world shows how out of place he is, along with his personality. Yet somehow, he's the main character and has to discover a murderer, which evolves into something bigger than expected.
I enjoyed this book - it began a bit slow, but about 30% in it picked up and became difficult to put down. It was well-written and easy to read, a definite recommend.
A slow-paced yet good story, building off of an interestingly new magic system called Stitchbinding. I enjoyed learning about this new magic system immensely, with the different weaves and what power they could bring forth. Because of the entire weaving behind it, it was a little difficult to imagine sometimes, yet the author did the best they could.
The beginning felt quite abrupt, with us being thrown right in the thick of it and our character almost setting off as soon as possible across time within the initial few chapters. Keeping in mind her young age, it is clear she is flawed and makes mistakes, despite wanting to try her best. Her relationship with the love interest is enjoyable to watch develop, despite their differences.
While this book is part of a series, there wasn't an open ending, which I was grateful for after all the obscure TO BE CONTINUED in other books.
Firstly, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
TW: abuse, bullying, SA
Despite being a short novella, this book managed to send shivers and leave goosebumps. The sheer fear that the main character, a pregnant 16-year-old girl, has for what she believes to be a vengeance sought by bugs/insects could be strongly felt. As she explores it with a therapist, who then in turn begins to succumb to these delusions herself, left me also second guessing every faint feeling across my own hands and neck.
The downside to this debut would be the open ending, which felt a bit lacklustre. We were fed a lot of attention grabbing events only for the book to be suddenly snapped shut in our faces. It felt a bit mean of the author, though I can understand the approach taken to leave it like it did.
Overall, I decent read.