Alana

Beautiful cover and interesting plot, but as hard as i tried, I could NOT finish it. way too slow moving, felt like nothing was happening, and the plot was weird, but not weird enough to keep me interested. Just not for me. I wont categorize this as “why was this published” because while I do think there are readers out there who may enjoy this one, it's my personal taste and lack of investment in the book that had me not feeling it at all.

This book is cute and romantic, and an easy read for those wanting a quicker read. I loved the characters and definitely felt the romantic part, which is a big ol' plus for me. My qualms come in near the end - the story itself, though quick, got too rushed at the end and left me feeling like it could have gone on a bit longer/not ended as abruptly. That said, I enjoyed the read and would recommend to my fellow romance lovers. That and, as I usually comment on, the cover is beautiful.

This is an absolutely spectacular sci-fi book that, beyond the thrilling plot itself and AMAZING characters + relationships (also, queer rep??? More than that, aro/ace rep?? That's SO RARE!), the social commentary that ties back to our own society and the ills within it is done beautifully. Kornher-Stace, I did not know or read you before, but you've gained a lifelong reader! Absolutely astounding novel.

Cute premise and concept. Even though it missed me in some areas and left me a little less excited than I hoped, the characters were lovable and well written and my gosh that cover is great.

2.5 rounded to 3
A good idea, story, and characters I liked, but what threw me off was the pacing. ‘nough said...though hey, I'd still recommend. A good contemporary read.

I read a lot of books where self-discovery, friendship, etc. are the main themes, but I'll say Matson does a better job than most at conveying a relationship like the one between Kat and Stevie. While at times the plot wound up a little predictable, it was a cute, heart-warming story (and who didn't sing along to that cover...just me?). Maybe it was the fact that Matson didn't force romance to the forefront, like so many novels that tout themes of “friendship” do but it just ends up being romance. And that was a very, very big thing I liked about this...it wasn't pushed to be the main thing when it didn't need to be, which only made the friendship all the more fun to read.

Cute cover, but dnf. The main characters/love interests were just not compatible and so toxic that I couldn't root for them. Look, I'm for toxic characters making toxic choices and suffering in their toxicity...if the characters have some redeeming qualities. But the choices these characters made were just irredeemable at some point. Just couldn't find myself liking the characters, and since characters are h-u-g-e for me in books, i dnf ~a little more than halfway through.

am I in a reading slump? I don't know. I just could not connect with these characters for the life of me, dnf ab. 40% through.

A queer high fantasy with characters I loved from the beginning, though I will be honest - sometimes I wanted to scream at them to TALK IT OUT instead of being angsty and playing games. But the plot and characters drew me in and kept me there. Im excited to read more of Lukens books in the future, especially if they are anything like this.

And for my 200th review, a gem of a book that's filled with unique and vivid world-building, deep characters, and bizarre story-telling mixed with one of the most creative plots I've ever read (definitely gives me Gaiman vibes, which is always a treat). I've also often wondered: what is it about London that makes it the hub for story-telling revolving around magic/supernatural things? Green still manages to bring something fresh and new to the table, making this - my 200th review (yes, I am elated about this) - something of a treat!!

This is a (very recently published) historical fiction that I just finished today - (a lot of the books I review I read a while ago or a few months ago...catching up on all the reviews is hard to do!) But this book made me want to take time off from reviewing old books and instead immersing myself in a new one. And I'm glad I did. It's a HF Cinderella re-telling that deals with revenge, balls, and all that. Perhaps a little cliche in the ideology, but wonderful writing and I love how the SF Earthquake was incorporated. Glad I took the time to read this.

Wow, this book was addicting and insightful all at once. Montell dives deeply into the words used to trap people in cults and keep them there, and she's clearly researched the subject well. Coming out of a nonfic. having learned a lot with a lot of “aha” moments + enjoying the book too is just awesome, and on that front Montell delivers.

This is beautiful, and needs to be on more people's shelves. There's amazing rep, important discussions, beautiful writing, a harrowing, emotional plot...North, you've earned yourself a reader and a fan. If you're looking that this eerie, ubran fantasy, read it! This is your sign!

Once again, mainstream books - step aside! Indie novels are here to challenge your place! A Deal with the Elf King was definitely strong on the B&B retelling vibes, along with Hades/Persephone, etc. Actually, when I saw the cover, the FIRST thing I thought was “omg is that Hades and Persephone???!” I thought the writing style was great and fast-paced, at first I thought things were happening a little too quickly, but I actually ended up really enjoying the pace and nature of the book. Luella is a strong-willed MC - typical in fantasy/YA I guess, but I like it. Her relationship with the Elf King is also very fleshed out and believable given her circumstances and what she's been forced to go through. I would say this was a guilty pleasure romance read, but....there's nothing guilty about it.

This is gonna be unpopular, which is why I think this is more of a not for me kind of book, or more specifically, not for me at this very moment. Will I pick it up again in the future and attempt it, only to see if my rating changed? Maybe, but right now I just felt it was slow and a bit cliched, and I couldn't get through with as much fervor as I usually like.

Yet another example of a superb indie novel. There is perfection in the cover, in the story, in the plot, characters, fantasy, series set up, bonus-bits included at the end...everything. I can think of no better book to've ended my November with, and given that this one is an indie, I'm all the happier to have found it, read it, and loved it!!

The great beginning made the rest of the book feel like a slap in the face. An underdeveloped, at times uninteresting slap in the face. But because of the good beginning and the sheer potential that this book exuded, I'll give it 2 stars.

Oof this story is heartbreaking in a way that made me tear up one too many times! I'm not sure why it is being marketed as suspense/thriller because it's really (maybe minus some minor tones) not - it's the story of an orphan and her desperate attempt to cling to her home and life, and the new family who moves into her old home. Definitely well-written and beautiful, just not a “thriller” I was expecting.

This book, without a shred of doubt, ranks in my top 5 of books so far this year. It's creepy, perfect for a variety of ages, and beyond that it explores the meaning of stories and how they shape the very world we live in. West, you truly wrote a gem - though the MC is 11 (and I'm in my 20s), I connected and related to her just as much as I assume any teen reader would. There's chills, emotional bits, amazing characters, and more. An absolute gem to read!

This is one of those books with such good representation and the potential to be all that, but when it came to the world-building, characters, and entire plot, I just did not find much engagement in it at all. The wb was close to nonexistent and the writing felt too droll to get through, so dnf at around 45%. argh, and i was low-key excited for this one due to the killer rep and sweet cover.

Meh. Big Meh. I am having a serious reading slump, and I cannot help but wonder if it's September, or me, or the books, or all of the above. Come October, perhaps my mindest will change, but this one I just could not get into. dnf.

WOW. I mean literally, WOW. I know I say that about a lot of books, but this one I'd give 6 stars if I could. this isn't a comfort book or a light-hearted read, but if you find you're in the headspace for a deeply written story with so much to offer, Cosby's book should be at the top of your list.

THIS book is what my dreams are made of...gothic feels, great characters with solid rep, eeriness, creepiness, surprises, well-written dialogue. SUCH a good read.

I have read so many books with mother/daughter relationships being explored, and this one was one of the best. I love how Davis writes, how she creates characters, and the relationship between them. Literally just WOW.

Unpopular review here. I know, I know. Don't come at me. While Moreno-Garcia weaves a really eerie, beautiful and fantastical setting in this book with a well written plot, the book as a whole failed to keep me invested. I did like the characters, but the pacing and overall feel of the book just didn't keep me tied in. I'm P-R-A-Y-I-N-G that I haven't fallen into another reading slump, dear God. I just felt my attention flitting elsewhere whilst reading this one.