Debbie

Up until now I have 5 starred every In Death book. I guess 47 is it.

Forty seven books in one series is a forking lot. These books follow the same formula. Every book. And didn't care. I loved it every time. While it always began with a murder and then Eve being brought in and then more murders and solving ensued....The murders were always different. And then there's the side stuff going on with whatever side character. I knew what I was getting and I love all the characters. Boom. Okay. Fine. So even though I'm not expecting something new...I'm still expecting something new. Some growth has to happen somewhere. Even if just a little tiny bit. From any of the characters. While the format of the story stays the same...they need to change somewhat.

I didn't find myself getting into this. Which isn't bad for 47 books in..but it's a bit sad for me.

I wanted to find Emily annoying. Her naive thinking had me facepalming alot. I couldn't though. I found her adorable, intelligent and hilarious.

I love an anti-hero. What does that say about me? Quite frankly I don't care... Just give me book 2! This was steamy af. And another cliffhanger! Does Meghan March end all her books this way? Not that it's stopping me, obviously. Excuse me while I start book two and kick my own ass in the morning.

3.5 stars. I've had such a rollercoaster “relationship” with this author. Where I love the story but hate the main characters. It's rough. LoL. But I took a break from her and I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this one. Daniel was likeable...insanely naive..but likeable. I could tell he was very young. His age was confirmed at the end of the book but I could tell. His life was good until it wasn't, but he was still a hard working kid who couldn't catch a break. And it was that naivete that set things in motion really. He took two conflicting stories at face value. Which, of course, can cause a problem if you run off half cocked without asking questions first.
This story actually ended the way I wanted it to end..but i thought it was ridiculous thought..until it did end that way LOL.

I loved it even more than Caraval...and I LOVED Caraval. I thought I had it all figured out...I read Caraval twice...so this time I'd figure out which end is up. NOPE. This book followed Donatella who is nothing like her sister, Scarlett ( who was the MC in Caraval) and she came off as a bit reckless there. But from her point of view...she's not at all. I eagerly await the next ( and last 😭😭) book.

FETCH ME MY INHALER THAT ENDING THOUGH. So clearly cliffhangers are the authors thing AND I AM HERE FOR IT. I'm starting the last book RIGHT NOW, so go ‘way.

Absolutely brilliant sequel to Nevermoor. I'm always afraid of a book two when I love a book one. No need for that here. They are so much fun to read but also really freaking deep, you guys. You find yourself egging Morrigan on. She's a freaking warrior...even if she doesn't know it yet. I may have teared up a bit at the end. Maybe. This series is everything.

But...Dearborn and Murgatroyd...shudder

I received this ARC from the publisher. This does not influence my review.

I wanted to love it. I really did. And I was into it..until about the halfway mark. Where one sentence at the end of a chapter made me be quite done with Emily's shit. When you marry someone, more often than not family comes with. So her constant complaining about how would she ever be rid of his mother was getting on my nerves. She completely ignored all the blatant signs on why you shouldn't marry someone but i'm not judging or hating on her for that....let's be real here...we've either been that person or we know that person. I did like the ending. The twist was good. I did figure it out but that doesn't mean it's bad. I've read a lot of psychological thrillers so i'm not new to twists. Although I'll have to say this didn't read too much like one. That being said I didn't hate it. LOL. I would be up for reading another book of hers to see how her writing changes.

This is great if you're a Twilight Trash such as myself. I just got it a few months ago so it wasn't anything I needed to devour. I read it in between other books here and there. Character profiles, great pictures, maps etc. Something I'd have devoured during Twilight's hay day but it wasn't necessary for me to do so now. However I'm super happy to have read it and add it to my shelves.

I want to finish this book.. But I can't. I don't mind a slow paced book at all. But you've got to keep me intrigued. This did enough to get me to the halfway mark but I'm done. I like Detective Ian. Hell...I like Sergeant Dickerson but it's too long of a book to keep at this pace. It's almost like the author is dragging her heels to stretch it out. Which is a pity because I don't hate the book or the characters and I want to see how it ends....but apparently not enough to keep reading. 400 + pages is too long if you're going to be this wordy.

I normally don't read short stories. Especially ones with less than 20 pages. I'm not interested. I need more than that, because I'm greedy like that. But every so often an author or a book comes across your path and it leaves you wanting more in the best way. What I wouldn't give to read more about the Witch Bride. For more of her story past this one moment. This one haunting moment that left me with my eyes bugged out. Oh yeah I want more of that.

Okay...listen to me... I wanted to come out of this yelling at the top of my lungs saying how much I LURVED this book. Instead I really really liked it.

For what it is ... a novella and backstory....it's really good. We get to find out about the Twelve Paladins. We get to see Ryber and Kullen and the beginning which was sweet and heartbreaking. We get more about the Witchlands and how it began before things are how they are. I like the formatting and the artwork. It added to the feel of the book.

The blurb says it sets up Bloodwitch ( AEDUAN. I'M READY FOR YOU , BABY) so I'm excited to see where this pops up and I like that I'll have that extra bit of knowledge.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Which , of course, doesn't change my opinion of the book as that will help no one. It drops July 17th.

So let's see ....
Suzette- SAHM, Crohn's Disease
Hannah- 7 years old, mute but doctors can't find anything physically wrong.
Alex- delusional AF dad

The story is told from alternating POV between Suzette and Hannah. Which I happen to like. At first I could relate to Suzette because being a parent is hard, a mom harder and a SAHM is fucking bananas. But almost right away I disconnect myself. Not that Hannah is innocent either.
The whole family is grade A dysfunctional.

I'd say the book seems like it will be controversial because of how their relationship is portrayed. I see a lot of people being uncomfortable with a lot of the book. That being said I did enjoy the book. It was well written. I liked the ending because I wasn't really expecting it to end that way. This being Stage's book debut in looking forward to more of her work and definitely another thriller to see if and how she ups her game.

Yet again I stayed up late to finish the second half of this book...same as book 1. I don't know what to say because I suck with the words and I don't want to give an accidental spoiler. I have no idea what the next ( and last? ) is about but I'm ready for it. Pity it's not out until next year.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for that, Bookish First!

This book was not at all what I had built up in my head. The back of the books says MURDER, MYSTERY, MADNESS, MAGIC. So in my head I had this wild ride of a book. And it really wasn't and I'm not mad at that at all, shockingly enough.

Ivy Gamble is a PI and she gets hired by a school to solve a murder. The problem is that she's never solved a murder (Her job is more cheating spouses and insurance scams). It's a high school for young mages. And it's where her estranged twin sister teaches.

What caught me off guard was how much in Ivy's head I would be. She lives in her head a lot and I can really relate to that. Her sister is magic and she is not and that, along with some family trauma, ripped them apart at a young age and they never really mended the rift. She sees herself as less than..almost all the time. When in reality she's not bad at her job.

Since Ivy and her sister Tabitha grew apart in their teens (with Tabitha going away to a magic high school), Ivy wanted to know nothing about magic. So she had no idea what to expect when she arrived at the school. And it wasn't at all what she expected and at times it seemed to make her angry. While there she also built up this double vision...The Now Ivy and the Could Have Been Ivy. The If I Had Magic Too Ivy. This Ivy Is Worth It Ivy. She really did sell herself short.

The author also did a great job with the rest of the characters. Ivy is the center of the story but that doesn't mean the other characters were lacking. Not at all.

This was a great debut. I am definitely going to keep a lookout for this author.

Dystopian novel, heavy on the fantasy and I enjoyed it. The action does go up and down...so it's not fast paced all the way. About halfway when the smoke begins to clear, the story does slow down some..as people begin to settle but it didn't make me want to stop reading. I was invested by this point.
Some things kept me from 5 starring this. There are a lot of characters so it's told from several point of views. I didn't get confused. I got where everyone was in their story but it had several main characters and that can leave a story with one too many holes to fill. I would have also liked just a bit more explanation between the magical races that appear. Such as the differences between them etc etc.
Other than that, I am definitely looking forward to getting my hand on the next book in this trilogy.

Before I get into the book review, I need to talk about the book cover. I have the green softcover version and I LOVE it. I love me some kick ass artwork.

As for the book, it is a yes from me. The first half was slow but not dead or boring. I certainly wanted to continue and see what was up. Maybe it shouldn't have been slow for that much of the book but it was, and I kept reading so I won't take points off for that. After that things really kicked off and it got a bit dark and twisty which is how I like my fairy tales. It also didn't end on a cliffhanger which, being honest, I seem to have gotten used to. So that was refreshing. But there's a second book so clearly some thing more happens.

None of the characters stole my heart and soul...which is fine. I don't go into every book looking to leave with a new book boyfriend or girlfriend so it's okay. That doesn't mean that I hated them. I didn't. They were just okay to me. PLUS I really enjoyed reading some of the Tales from the Hinterland stories!! I don't know why I yelled that. But such is my excitement.

This was such a fun read! Yes it's a middle grade book ( Judge me!). I initially looked at it because I saw Morrigan Crow so no matter the synopsis (or reading level) I was going for it. Great world building, storyline, characters. Very much looking forward to the next one...whenever that comes out :(

If someone had told that I needed a Mozart fantasy historical retelling in my life I'd probably say something intelligent like “ What? Uuhh sure? But why?” And then promptly forget about it because mom brain. So I'm very grateful for 1. The books beautiful cover. 2. The chance to read the First Look on Bookish First that led me to quickly using my points to secure this ARC.
It's my first Marie Lu book (sad, I know), but it certainly won't be my last.
The story was magical but real ( I guess that's where the historical fiction part comes in). Nannerl is a very talented musician with a time where a composing is forbidden for a female. So that means she'll perform until she gets married. She is very hard in herself and wants nothing more than to be really seen by her father and to be immortalized through her music. Insert her little brother, Wolfgang, who is now also showing major talent at a very young age and has the fortune of being a boy.
In between all of this we have Hyacinth and the Kindgom of Back. He comes from a magical land to offer Nannerl her greatest desire. Of course this comes with a price. And it absolutely will begin too.
I thought hard about not giving it four stars and perhaps 3.5 instead. But in the end I didn't. Even though at times the pacing seemed off and I wasn't too big a fan of the ending..it jumped 25 years and to be honest I was caught off guard and I really wanted to be in the Kingdom of Back more...I loved how original the story felt. I loved that Marie made me want to learn more about the real Nannerl. I loved her strength and passion for music but also her and Wolfgang's bond.

This was an easy and quick but good read. It's not fast paced but if done right I'm okay with that. I kept wanting to know what the secret was so the author did her job. I think she did a great job in describing the spooky parts. If you have a good enough imagination you could totally picture it..and then be spooked for a few seconds LoL

I didn't like this one as much as I did King of Wall Street. It was a very steady pace. Very sweet and romantic. The characters weren't the type to cause scenes. And I was fine with all that. It was a nice change of pace ( although i admit to liking madness and mayhem in my contemporary romance. Judge away). I had issue with the book towards the end...the big makeup part. I felt like Grace should have a harder reaction. At least at first. Even though I like Sam very much. I also like how the author makes their past a big part of who they are as adults. Like all of that comes into play.
So I didn't hate the book at all. but I guess it was just missing a little something. I don't know what...just something. So 3 stars it is. I am by no means giving up on the series or the author.

It's over and if somebody could come pick me off of the floor that would be great, thanks.
A book that's almost 1000 pages doesn't scare me. The last book in a series that I'm completely obsessed with scares me. It COULD be too much. Or not enough even. But as per usual SJM did not disappoint.
First of all, let me say I'm glad this book was this big and not split into two books dragging it out because THAT would have upset me. It was exactly like how the endgame of a war should be. Battle here...battle there...battle...regroup. BOOM. WAR. END.
Second of all? Secondly? The character growth in this series in general is BANANAS. I'm looking at you, Dorian.

The women. THE WOMEN. Bad asses all the way. They are the illest of the ill.
Aelin- A Queen all the way. And until this book I forgot she was only 19. NINETEEN.
Lysandra- Literally clawed her way up from nothing. Abandoned as a child....to becoming essentially one of the Queen's right hand. I see you, boo.
Manon- I want to be her when I grow up. That is all.
The Thirteen- I can't even talk about this right now. Maybe not ever. Unless you want to see me ugly cry.
Elide- Human, abused, left crippled by her piece of shit uncle and still held her own against magical beings. Especially Lorcan. Ha!
Yrene-..... I WANT TO SAY SOME THINGS BUT IT'S HARD BECAUSE I'M TRYING NOT TO GIVE SPOILERS..but yea...definite bad ass.

I'd like to point out that being a bad ass (at least to me) isn't just being able to wield a sword or magic. Some of the aforementioned women are not warriors , per se. What makes them bad ass is how they stare down the crap life throws their way and even when they fall they still manage to get back up. That is all.

The men are no less bad ass. But the women stole my heart. Well..save for Rowan. I'd punch threw them all to get to Rowan LOL. At the beginning of the series I couldn't even stand Dorian or Chaol. But now..we homies.
Also..anyone not mentioned doesn't mean i didn't care about them or they didn't matter to the story...But as you can imagine seven books in ...there are a lot of characters. lol
SJM still managed to surprise me a few times with things I didn't see coming. So kudos for that.
I can't believe it's over. I'm still on the floor sobbing if anyone wants to help me up.

I should not have stayed up last night to finish the last half of this book. Yes, half. I regret nothing. So good. So so good. I couldn't put it down. I NEEDED to get to the end. I wouldn't have been able to sleep otherwise.

As for Gina/Gwen.....I have no idea what I would do if i find out my husband is a FUCKING SERIAL KILLER...and on top of all that people don't believe me innocent and set out to harm not just me but also my children. It's not a situation nobody ever thinks they'd be in. And I think that with the shit storm she was handed, after living what she thought was a damn near perfect life.... she did a great job in trying to keep her kids safe. The whole situation is fucked up but I can't imagine she could have done better......................except for one thing.......Her trusting Absalom. I don't get it. She doesn't trust ANYONE after the fact...but she does a complete and total stranger..I don't care how much it seems like he's helping you. I couldn't wrap my head around that. Maybe that comes into play in the book. Which I plan on reading. ASAP.

This book was bananas and I loved every minute of it. I don't know if I was supposed to hate Evelyn....but I didn't. She did what she had to get the hell out of poverty and to a dream her late mother left her with. I understood her every move, every mistake, every choice. Although at the end, she made me mad. Which made me madder because right before that i was crying ( in the dark, trying not to wake my bf sleeping right next to me lest I freak him out. I mean he's seen my cry plenty when reading....but that's a messed up way to wake up..especially at 1 am LOL)

I also liked the way the story read. With some newspaper articles in between. And going from the past to the present. It all read well.

My love for SJM grows with every book. I wasn't looking forward to reading this book..not because I'm over the series (I'm totally NOT)..but because the main character for this one is Chaol and not Aelin. And I don't really care for Chaol. That being said I wasn't going to skip a whole book in a series (Who does that??). I trust SJM so I dove in like I do with all her books since ACOTAR. I wasn't disappointed at all. Especially the second half where I had to put the book down several times to just OMG! WHAAAAAT! (out loud) while simultaneously texting my bff and sister (both of whom haven't read it yet) so I couldn't say anything really to spewing madness at my bf because I needed to tell someone what I just read. I'm not saying I love Chaol now. He still made me suck my teeth and roll my eyes several times. But SJM fleshed him out to where I can be in the same room with him LOL
Spoiler Alert??-
This books takes place at the same time as the previous where Aelin is doing what Aelin does and what happened here is so crucial to whatever madness is coming next that I'm glad to have had it fleshed out lest the next book be 5000 pages (which I'd be okay with).