DB

Thank you Nora for adding Exy terms and rules in the back. Just another reason for passionate fans to create teams

There were so many unnecessary sentences and details and I wasn't a fan of them. For me when writers use them they're trying to show how good of a writer they are but it rarely works. I also didn't like any of the characters, their personalities, their dialogue – all played a part in my reason to dnf.

Review coming soon

Just like the previous book, we're not given a time jump, which I was happy about. It was, however, slower-paced than the previous book and I did think some times the chapters could've been condensed. I still liked it. which I'm happy about. I want to keep reading this series and from the author. There were a couple of plot twists and turns throughout the book, I didn't catch all of them before they revealed themselves.

This book is very much a study on Morgan and her power, Fae and otherwise. I liked that it showed that even if you're not wielding magic, you can definitely still be powerful. The events in this book definitely tested her strength and will and I'm glad to say she came out strong as I knew she would. Although her and Draven are physically separated for most of the book, you could see they loved each other and I liked how Draven kept saying “I'll find her anywhere” and lines like that.

This has patches of action here and there but it is largely more of a quieter book and focuses on politics more than the previous books did (though Court of Claws did have a good amount of politics in). I don't mind fantasy politics, so I liked that.

I cried like 3 times. The biggest 5 stars ever

I saw myself a lot in Logan and Rosemary. Their personalities, their ADHD traits (which can and do differ for a lot of ADHDers), how they saw themselves/their traits. I loved how Logan was brash and how she put this air of not caring about what others thought of her – when really, she did. And then Rosemary with her over-preparedness, making sure every little thing is absolutely perfect. Like, wow, Cochrun, how dare you see into my heart like that. But also thank you very much and I love you a lot.

If I begin to think too much about Joe I might start crying and not be able to finish the review. He was my favourite, and such a fun character. He could quite easily have you laughing a ton the one sentence and in the next sentence have you near crying. I felt for him and his story because it is such a difficult time of your life – when you're nearing the end. You might think you didn't do everything, get to know the right people. Have regrets, things you'll miss doing. However, Joe didn't think of those throughout the book. He focused on what was good in his life, what he enjoyed doing, what mattered for him.

Most of the plot is them travelling and sight-seeing (which was very cute and funny) but it's also a lot about Rosemary and Logan trying to come to grips with Joe's death. He's a big part of their lives and not having him physically there anymore – it's a big adjustment for them. And myself too because I was hoping throughout the entirety of me reading the book that he would stay alive.

This wasn't exactly a natural childhood-friends-to-lovers, which is why I liked it all the better. Give me a romance that takes a while to get there, one that's not straightforward, one that takes a while to get to. But most importantly, show me a love that is real. Logan and Rosemary absolutely had that. Even when they were fighting I was thinking “I can't wait to get to when you admit you like/love each other” and still I didn't want to skip a single page because I wanted to see all the steps and stages they had to take.

I have (thankfully) pushed most of this book out of my mind but here I am, reminding myself, so I hope you appreciate it. I've read mixed media books before – like Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall – but this is the first book (that I've read) with no normal narration/dialogue. The story is told solely through Whatsapp messages, emails, and text messages. It's like a musical where they sing all the lines – even the dialogue to each other is lightly singing. Either you like it or you don't. With this one I didn't but that was more the characters.

The book follows two true crime authors, Amanda and Oliver, as they try to work together and against each other to solve the titular case. I was immediately drawn to the book because it mentioned a cult and I love cults (they fascinate me). Both of them annoyed me so much. It's fine that they were rude to each other (though I didn't really get why), I just had no interest in it. It's true that it would be difficult to create/learn their personalities through this type of medium; but it's not impossible. It just wasn't the case here. They had no personality (in my opinion) and I didn't care about anything they did or said.

I then hoped that if I didn't like the authors, I might like the case – it is mysterious, cults, possibly paranormal? It wasn't so mysterious as just utterly confusing. I don't mind mysteries where you have to think but I also want to enjoy them. I couldn't make heads or tails of this and I could definitely tell that I didn't want to try to understand and possibly solve it.

The cult members also didn't seem like they had any personalities; which is sad because cult leaders are basically always charismatic and charming – that's how they lure people in. This cult leader wasn't at all charming. I was so annoyed that there wasn't a paranormal twist to it. It would've improved the book, if only a bit. Perhaps explained why they were drawn to the cult leader even if he had no personality.

Review coming soon.

Absolutely wonderful read. Amazing. Read it. Give it to everyone.

I really did try with this one so I pushed myself to 28% even though I should've dnfed earlier – because I could tell I wasn't enjoying myself. The book sounded like something I would enjoy but ultimately I realised I wasn't going to.

There were random capitalisations and I think it made sense for military terms – but every time it did it just seemed to pull me out of the story; making it harder for me to enjoy. This was also a First Person pov and I couldn't get into the main character's voice. The plot was okay but not enough to make me overlook the other things.

PLOT TWIST!!!!

I won't say anything about the plot twist, but it was a huge enough one that had me staring into the distance for a few seconds, pick up my e-reader, put it down, stare into the distance, repeat the process a few times.

I loved the book. Although she could have changed the ending a bit.

I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to everyone. It had me smiling the entire way through.

I was interested in this book – it wasn't one of my most anticipated books but I did have my eye on it. Unfortunately the interest fizzled out quickly. I liked the book but not enough to give it a higher rating. I was bored, but not enough to stop reading it. I'm glad that I was speed reading it and reading the ebook and audio because if I were just reading one and at a slower pace – a definite dnf, that I can tell you.

I had various issues but a big one was that it was Adult but the writing seesawed from feeling Adult to feeling YA. The characters were Adult and their experiences were Adult, but the writing, quite a couple of times, felt like any other YA book. I actually thought it was YA at first because the cover looked YA to me and the synopsis could be a YA book as well.

For the first 10 or 20% I couldn't tell the sisters apart in their chapters. The sentence would say Esther and I had to remind myself of which one she was. Their voices and personalities did start to become more visibly/easier to tell apart as I carried on. I really liked Nicholas and Collins – more than I did the sisters. They felt like they had more personality right off the bat whereas it (for me) took a while for the sisters to grow on me.

I, and I know a bunch of other readers felt the same, did not see Joanna and Collins' romance coming at all. It was extremely out of the blue and I didn't see any chemistry between them. All throughout I'm thinking “cool when are Collins and Nicholas getting together? Nice, a bodyguard romance.”

My other issues were the pacing and worldbuilding. The pacing was so extremely slow. It only really picked up in the last few chapters but even then it still felt a bit slow. The world building was ok but I wanted more? I wanted to know more about everything. More about the world and the spells and the magic system. The characters exploring all the books and the magic. But I also wouldn't want a sequel because this book didn't interest me enough (to want for a sequel).

I think The Distance Between Us is one of the first YA romance books that I have read. It is also the first book written by Kasie West that I have read. I immediately shared this book with my best friend, knowing that she would love it.

The Distance Between Us is sweet, filled with charming moments that captured my heart. From the first paragraph until the last sentence, I was glad that I chose to read the book.

Caymen's sarcasm is refreshing and makes one laugh when reading. She is a character who is realistic and not materialistic like most female characters tend to be. She's bright, but doesn't want to study after school, rather choosing to help her mother out in the doll store. She can sniff out a rich customer in the first few moments and doesn't want to become friends with Xander, knowing that he'll become bored with her and leave, as her mother told her.

Xander is one of my favourite book boys. He's cute and funny. He doesn't brag about how much money he has, which is good, as it is rather irritating (I know that from first-hand experience). He doesn't seem to live up to his father's expectations, which is why he and Caymen spend their Saturdays on ‘career days', to find each other's dream job. I loved his scenes with Caymen, as he seems to be somebody who understands her.

This book is meant for anybody who is looking for that sweet teenage romance book. I strongly recommend this YA novel for any reader wanting to read a light romance novel.

http://www.katyasmind.blogspot.com/2014/03/monday-1.html

Unfortunately the cover and synopsis deceived me. I thought it would be a high fantasy because it had the dragons and quests so my first thought with those are usually high fantasy books. And then when modern words and ideas appeared – trains, the word underwear (which can be used but sort of isn't) I was fine because “oh it's just a modern fantasy world”. I then grew more confused because formal words were used for family and then the grandmother... gets a granny? And on and on it went. If you want your fantasy world to be a modern one, that's all good and well, but make it consistent?

The writing style was very difficult – both from a writer's perspective and a reader's. It also made it more confusing to figure out what kind of a fantasy it was because the way it was written would change regularly. The sentences, way the characters looked and spoke about things – went from a modern way to a “normal” fantasy way constantly. That sort of back and forth is difficult for readers to receive.

Ultimately, I think the author should've spent more time writing the book and working on improving his writing. I could see Dickson's passionate about writing and the story he wanted to tell but unfortunately it was hard to see. Also, while I'm very fine with issues – real world ones – being in books but there's... almost an acceptable amount and then there was what is included in this book? Which can either help or hinder a book – depending on the author and how they manage to write it/write it into the book.

As per usual – all you have to tell me is there's dragons in a book and I'm there. This was a good amount of dragons, they felt like proper characters and not just plot devices or there for the sake of saying “hey there's dragons in here”. I do prefer it when the dragons are able to talk to the humans – like they do in here.

I always like it (and I mention it often) when a book is atmospheric – in its writing and description and that was the case here so I was glad to see that. I want to read a book and not want to stop reading because I'm so invested in the story. I want to feel like I'm in the story myself – experiencing the plot alongside the characters. This is Cole's debut so we'll see how she fares either in this sequel or another book she puts out. I am definitely interested in seeing them both (as she has both scheduled).

It's a dual pov as the book follows 2 sisters as they end up in different places facing different issues. That way we got to experience separate locations and get to know them separately. I think I liked Elara (she bonded with a dragon) more at the start and then Faron more at the end so I definitely want to see how that changes, and how they change, in the sequel. They're both strong and independent characters but they remain close to each other but physically apart. They felt like they were sisters and not just written to be sisters, something I'm always happy to see, as I've said it multiple times.

Faron and Elara use different kinds of magic and they're both explored and explained in their respective chapters. I do think the magic system could have been explained a bit more/better but seeing as it's the first in a duology, plus Cole's debut, I'm fine with being a bit confused. But I am hoping I'll understand more in the second book (and hoping it gets explained more/better).

The plot was full and rich and thankfully didn't fall apart when moving from one sister's chapter to the other. I think it helped that most of their plot points linked to each other so that made it easier to understand the plot. I suppose that made it okay for the magic system to be confusing if I understood the characters and plot (does that makes sense? Only for me, I think). The plot's also very linked to the sisters' magic – how it works, how they used their magic to further the plot.

I'll admit – Detective Richard Zuraw didn't give me a lot to root for – and he's a main character. I mean he automatically assumes that because Jack is a Black Mage and is able to to suck life energy out of people – that Jack's bad. Like, the Mages that can wield fire can just as easily set people on fire – and kill them – just as easily as Jack could suck their life out? But, you know, no – Jack's bad because he deals with life.

Then the Detective tries to stop Jack from carrying a book in his (Jack's bookstore) bookstore because it's banned – promotes dangerous ideas about magic. So that really pushed my liking of him down. By the end of the book I liked him a bit more (not by a lot though). Hopefully the next book has him more fighting against his employers (the magic police, unfortunately). Or maybe even just rebelling entirely and not being a magic cop anymore. Who knows!

Also he just up and asked Jack “where he's from... ethnically”. And then followed up with “you don't look exactly white”. What is that even supposed to mean? Jack does tell him off but that question shouldn't have been asked? Like if Jack had told him on his own accord – that's ok – because Jack chose it (to share his ethnicity). He better do a lot in the next book to make up for it – because this... wasn't a good look for him at all. Please note that I have no idea of the author's nationality, race, or ethnicity. All I know is that Lily C. Strauss is a pen name for this series. Meaning I don't know if the author perhaps shares Jack's ethnicity – I'm criticising Zuraw, the characer; not Strauss, the author.

I'm glad we had Jack as a main character because I liked him almost immediately. I mean, he owns a bookstore so boom? Also he's very “rage against the machine” compared to Richard. Other people too, not just Richard, harbour a stigma against Black Mages that they're bad because of the type of magic they wield and I didn't like reading that at all. Another thing I hope happens in the next books – that the stigma lessens and/or Jack doesn't feel like he has to explain himself all the time.

I think as a first book in a series (I have no idea if Strauss has written before – only has a Tumblr and apparently Lily C. Strauss is a new pen name?), it works. You can see it's a first book in a series – there's a lot of room to grow – for the plot, story line, characters, author's writing as well – I hope Strauss manages to take that opportunity.

There's a big secret surrounding Jack that comes out in the book (it's not his sexuality, don't worry – I would've added outing in the Content Warnings). He refers to the secret a bit before it's revealed but I didn't really understand why he was keeping it a secret? The reasons he gave felt, I don't know, not good enough? It felt like he was the only one who acted like it was a big deal? Maybe the secret will be told to more people in the sequel and there will be a bigger reaction then? As usual, I'll have to wait and see.

I'm a big fan of magic systems in books – I think you have to be if you grew up with fantasy books like me. I don't think there's a lot of fantasy books without magic? Or at least I don't read those so I don't really know

I really enjoyed this a ton! I finished this in one sitting because I didn't want to stop reading! It was thrilling, excellent, really well done all over.

The artwork was stunning. I liked seeing ASL and the one character has a leg brace when she rides her broom – so cool. There were a lot of blues and cool tones in the panels which I liked. But there were also warm colours as well, which was great to see.

I definitely need to make a note of the illustrator because I would love to see this type of artwork soon again. I connected to the characters quickly, not just because of the story and dialogue, but because of how they were drawn. I could tell their personalities, if they were friendly, if they would even make you a cup of tea if you were down – just from what they looked like on the page (screen).

Something I'm doing more often and something I have to constantly remind myself is just to enjoy reading, you know? Even if it's for a review – there's no sense in not enjoying a book. You're only going to hurt yourself. So that's the thought I had when I went into reading this – that I maybe wouldn't like it. But I was wrong, I did, and I'm glad.

I think a mark of a good writer – fantasy or otherwise – is that you're able to lose yourself in the story and just read a ton without actually realising that you're reading a ton. With this book I went from like 2 something percent and then finishing the book

I was waiting for this arc to arrive on BookSirens because I loved Reforged and I'm glad that Haddon has another book! He deserves it. It felt like this had more politics and world-building than the first book – even though the first book literally follows a King. Both books are set in the same world but are standalones. If Haddon planned on writing another book in the same universe, I wouldn't mind one bit.

I think he really shines in his world-building. It's his strong suit and something I can tell he enjoys. Not saying that his character and plots aren't good – they definitely are. To me, creating and maintaining a world is what he's best at. It's really difficult not only to create such an immense fantasy world but to ensure that it doesn't fall through. Or break apart in a later chapter because you didn't build the right foundation for it.

The plot did have standard fantasy vibes to it, if I'm being honest. There's betrayal, there's plans, there's plots from both sides. Characters wonder if they can do it; what will it take etc. But I'm not complaining at all

I encountered this book by extreme chance. I was in the library looking for something to read and I saw this. I read the first few pages, and just knew I had to get my hands on it.

This is a book that changes lives. It changes your way of thinking about daily things as well as how you view children. Children are amazing individuals who have the ability to imagine many things and so many people take them for granted.

The diction in the book is absolutely exquisite. Budo, the narrator, speaks likes he's way beyond his years, but his language and phrasing is that of a child. Somehow it works, it's beautiful and you wish you could write even a smidge as well as Matthew Green.

The characters are so well-written that sometimes you forget the main characters are actually children. They are well-rounded and mature wonderfully over the novel that you can't help but love them. Each character has a personality and story to tell.

It was interesting to see that Max has Asperger's Syndrome (if I read the symptoms correctly.). These kinds of disorders are rarely found in novels, and if they are, it's not approached in the right manner. In Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, it's approached in a personal manner, which is always pleasant to read as I can relate to the autistic spectrum.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is not just a story about a boy and his imaginary friend. It's a story about sacrifice and commitment and friendship and bravery. It's all the little things that shine through moments that make you wipe your eyes and thrust your fist in the air and everything in between.

This book is filled with good and bad parts. It's filled with parts that touch your heart and parts that make you shiver when you realise how smart kids actually are. This book is not about a child. It's about how a person can be brave.

dnf at 26%

I almost immediately noticed the ableism in the book and I wasn't a fan. The one main character has a cleft palate and it's constantly being referred to as a “deformity”. There's another character named Simon, but the whole town calls him “Simple Simon” because he's... mentally disabled? And apparently later on he wields a chainsaw? I was reaching close to the dnf button but decided to carry on.

I had dnfed this author's other book so I was interested in seeing if my feelings would change in this one – I think I lasted longer in the other book. The plot wasn't much to write about and according to spoiler reviews, it carries on being confusing until the end of the book, ending on a sort of a cliffhanger and not much being explained.

I've said this multiple times but I'll say it again – I don't mind long sentences. What I mind is when they're too long and they don't work as long sentences, that's where I have an issue. Mister Lullaby doesn't have well-written long sentences, unfortunately.

This book is amazing! Can't wait to read the others. I read this book in one night. If you are looking for a faerie/gothic novel, read this novel and suggest it to your friends.

Profound book. Makes you think about how fruitless success can be and the fact that parents push their expectations onto their children.

This was definitely longer than Queen of Roses – both in its pacing and the pages (nearly 300 pages longer haha) so this took a bit longer to read than the first book. But once I properly got into the book I really liked it and can't wait to carry on with the other books. I like that it picks up immediately after the end of the first book. It allows us to easily remember what all happening in the previous book while introducing new plot points to the reader early on. I much prefer it when a sequel is set almost immediately after the previous book.

The character progression was great to see! As I've said multiple times (and will continue to) I love banter so so much and it only improves in here. Their relationship changes a lot and I liked it. They're pushed to spend even more time together and I liked how that developed their personalities and relationship.

Morgan and Draven are both strong characters and I really love that he doesn't push her down or act like he's stronger than her. He loves that she's strong. I really like it when the male main character, typically seen as “macho” and “the most powerful”, is fine and likes it when the female main character is stronger than the male.

We're treated to a lot of Morgan's background – finding out where Morgan's from, what her power looks like. I do prefer characters who have to fully learn their magic, and don't have those “instinctual magic” scenes. But I don't mind it if the character, like in here, doesn't really know they have magic – then I'm more okay with instinctual magic. We did get quite a good amount of that in here, so I'm happy but I can't wait until she really digs deep into her power.

Her powers fit in a lot with the plot and I was happy to see that one didn't overshadow the other one. That could always easily happen. I like it when the character really digs deep into their magic (especially when it's tied to their emotions, like Morgan's is).

The plot was a bit confusing here and there, I'll admit, but I'm happy to see where the next book will take us! I'm 'bout halfway through the third book and it's good! I think this will be a completed quartet this year I definitely recommend this series.