Mercurial: A Book Review

Mercurial had me hooked from the beginning with its Avatar-esque cover and magic system, interesting plot with oaths and revenge, and the enemies to lovers trope. I was hooked most of the way through, and I truly enjoy Naomi Hughes's writing. However, this book didn't live up to my expectations. First, there wasn't enough room in this book to do the world/politics/magic justice. Second, the enemies to lovers trope rapidly turned into instalove. Third, everything at the end resolved rather quickly and easily. Fourth, I was missing some key character development from the main characters. This book was 412 pages, yet I felt like I needed soooo much more from almost every aspect of the book: characters (main and side), plot, romance, magic, and world building. Because of this, I'd be very interested in seeing more books written in this world. I really did enjoy reading this for the most part. 

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

Thank you, NetGalley and Naomi Hughes, for the review copy!

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

A Captain for Caroline Gray: A Book Review

I liked this book! I especially liked Caroline and her love of learning and knowledge even if it made her unpopular among society. I also loved the enemies-to-lovers romance between Caroline and Captain Scott. It felt pretty believable to me. 

Throughout this book, I felt sure that this book would get five stars from me. I loved the ship setting, the romance, India, and Caroline's character. But then the ending happened. A lot of stuff didn't make sense, the pacing felt off, and it wrapped up way too quickly and easily. It was not satisfying, and it was definitely disappointing. But all in all, I still mostly enjoyed the book and think it deserves four stars.

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

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! 

Real: A Book Review

This book is so powerful and important that I feel insignificant writing a review for it. Real touched my heart in many ways. I loved learning about Charity, who has nonverbal autism, and her journey to find a voice and help others like her. Her story is utterly inspiring and brought me to tears many times through this book. I couldn't help but love all the kind, patient, and believing adults who helped her throughout. This book reminded me of all the sadness and horrible things these kids go through in this harsh world, but it also reminded me that there are kindhearted heroes who can help them, and that each of these kids has a voice and a place in our world. And I loved that it was based on a true story. I think everyone would benefit from reading this book. 

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

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! 

Georgana's Secret: A Book Review

This regency romance is incredibly cute, and it has a different twist to it with Georgana disguised as a boy on her father's ship. I enjoyed the ship and sea setting, the romance, and especially Georgana's character growth. She has a difficult and traumatizing past, and I liked seeing how that plays a role in her growth. There's plenty of tension, action, and secrets that kept me turning pages too. I'd highly recommend it for those who love regency romances! 

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

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! 

Instant Cooking with Six Sisters' Stuff: A Book Review

I don't often use cookbooks. Probably because I don't often cook. But this cookbook made me actually excited to start cooking and using my Instant Pot more! I found this cookbook really beautiful—there are clear, gorgeous images for every single recipe, and the layout of the pages makes it easy to read and understand the recipe. I also love how many different recipes there are: basic foods, main dishes, side dishes, snacks, drinks, and desserts. I think this is the only Instant Pot cookbook I'll ever need. I will say that this cookbook requires you to already be familiar with an Instant Pot and have access to some additional accessories. But overall, this book is perfect for whoever wants to use their Instant Pot to make delicious recipes. 

Overall: 5

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 Wide Starlight: A Book Review

The cover and the whimsical description of the Northern Lights and finding a lost mother immediately drew me to this book, The Wide Starlight. And sure enough, the beautiful descriptions of Norway match the beautiful cover. However, I didn't feel as connected to the story. It boils down to me not loving magical realism. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around it, which regrettably seems to be the point of magical realism. Anyways. I couldn't connect with Eli because I questioned some of her choices and thought processes, and the fairy tale stuff didn't seem to fit in with the world and aesthetic of the book sometimes. I enjoyed the flashback portions because those seemed solidly in place with the story. But everything else just didn't fit. Still engaging though, with beautiful scenery and some interesting characters.

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

Thank you, NetGalley and Razorbill, for the review copy!

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

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!