Find Me in Havana: A Book Review

I loved Serena Burdick's novel last year, The Girls with No Names, so I was excited to pick up Find Me in Havana. Unfortunately, I just didn't love it. My biggest critique is the second person, switching points of view format. It did serve the story by giving us an adult perspective and a child perspective, especially when adult content was happening. But it was rather confusing at times, and I didn't feel as connect to the characters as I otherwise would have. I also didn't like the pacing of the book. We get snippets of the future while the story is told in the past, but then when we get caught up to the future, everything is rushed. It deflated the ending a little, and it failed at inspiring me. So while this book is dramatic and has some good history in it, it just didn't work for me. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Trigger Warnings: suicide, drug overdose, sexual abuse, rape, domestic abuse, kidnapping 

Thank you, NetGalley and Park Row Books, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

The Camelot Betrayal: A Book Review

I really enjoyed the first book to this series, The Guinevere Deception, so I was excited to read The Camelot Betrayal too. The second book continued with the unique magic system, epic quests, mystery surrounding Guinevere's origins, and Guinevere's complicated relationships with Arthur, Mordred, and Lancelot. However, I was surprised that almost all the conflicts in this book were continuations of the first book's subplots. This sequel had almost nothing to do with the Dark Queen, and it didn't really answer any questions about the main plot and Guinevere's identity. Because of this, I was a little annoyed at parts. But I'm still really looking forward to the last book so I can get my questions answered and continue with all the characters I love. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, NetGalley and Delacorte Press, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

The Arctic Fury: A Book Review

I was pleasantly surprised with The Arctic Fury. The premise drew me in: in 1853, a party of twelve women brave the arctic to lead an expedition to find the lost Franklin Expedition. The story is told in alternating timelines though. The second timeline follows the leader of the group, Virginia, during her trial where she's accused of murdering one of the women. I found both timelines fascinating and engaging, and the way Greer Macallister weaves them together is impressive. I could barely put this book down. I'd highly recommend if you're into historical fiction!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

Written in Starlight: A Book Review

First off, love the cover. Isabel Ibañez is extremely talented. Second, my high hopes were a little dashed with this one. I loved Woven in Moonlight, but Written in Starlight felt too conventional, too frustrating at times, and too boring. I struggled most with the romance (or really lack thereof). Manuel and Catalina reminded me of Alina and Mal from the Grishaverse trilogy . . . and I didn't especially love both of their romances. The reasons keeping Manuel and Catalina apart weren't enough for me, and I was never really rooting for them in the first place. 

Overall, I'm disappointed in this book. But there was some good character development with Catalina, and I really enjoy Isabel Ibañez's writing style. I'll definitely give her future books another chance. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Page Street Publishing, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

The Gentleman and the Thief: A Book Review

It's been a long time since I've read a 19th century romance, and I forgot how fun and innocent they can be. The premise of The Gentleman and the Thief is fun: a gentleman who secretly writes stories to support himself falls in love with a music teacher who secretly steals back her family treasures. There's also a secret society and a suspicious gambling den. What could go wrong? 

I enjoyed reading this for the most part. The two main characters, Hollis and Ana, are lovable and the plot progresses well. But if I'm being honest, everything was simply lackluster. The romance wasn't thrilling, the plot wasn't tense enough, and sometimes I got confused with all the little details with the society and the criminals' backstories. I think this is the second in a companion novel series though, so that could be my fault coming in late. 

Overall, it was cute. It was fine. I don't think I'd recommend it to just anyone, but people who enjoy "proper romances" would probably enjoy this one as well!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

The Children of Ash and Elm: A Book Review

I read this book as a person fascinated by Vikings but knowing little about them. And I must say that after reading The Children of Ash and Elm, I see little need to read any other Viking book! This book is full of Viking history. I especially loved the chapters about how Vikings really lived—their day-to-day activities, their relationships, and their social and economic systems. I didn't care much for the history of the raids and Christianity, but it was still interesting. I'd definitely use this book as research for my Viking fiction novel, and I'd recommend it to people who want an in-depth, accurate read of Vikings. My one complaint of this book is the chapter titles didn't quite match the content in the chapters, but that's easily overlooked. I'm very glad I read this and very grateful to Hachette Book Group for gifting me a review copy.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Into the Heartless Wood: A Book Review

This is the third Joanna Ruth Meyer novel I've read. I loved Echo North, disliked Beyond the Shadowed Earth, and was unimpressed with this one. I think the greatest complaint I have for Into the Heartless Wood is that there's a lot of torture and abuse in this book. Normally, that creates tension. But it happened so much in this book that by the end, I was just frustrated and disgusted with it. Additionally, the characters felt removed from me as a reader, and I didn't connect with them at all. It's a weak gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast retelling at best, and I honestly was a bit disappointed. I also got tired of all the random line breaks in some chapters. All in all, this one wasn't for me. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Thank you, Page Street, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!