Chaos & Flame: A Book Review

This newest YA fantasy book has lots of elements I think people would enjoy:

- Ancient magic with characters having unique powers

- Morally gray leaders

- Politics

- Enemies to lovers

Overall, I liked the story. But I didn't feel especially wowed or interested in what happened. This was a good fantasy, but it has already started fading into the background for me. 

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

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: fighting violence, parent death, poisoning

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

Beyond That, the Sea: A Book Review

My primary emotion after reading this book is ANGER. If you're expecting a heartwarming WWII story, I'm not sure you'll find it. I can't believe what happened. It's truly a soap opera in book form.

The first half of this book is phenomenal. I love stories that have multiple POVs spanning over decades. It makes for fantastic character development, and I grew VERY attached to the characters. Alas, this was my doom, because the second half was quite awful for these characters.

A couple characters made a poor decision together that, luckily, didn't ruin their lives too much (I just couldn't get past their poor moral choice). Then throughout the years, the opposite of what I predicted happened, and the ending left me flabbergasted. I don't want to explain too much because of spoilers, but I wanted to throw the book across the room. The second half was filled with random tragedies mixed with saddening adult choices. 

But overall, it was still beautiful. The writing is magnificent, and the short chapters kept me voraciously reading. There's some beautiful mother-daughter growth in this too. And I loved reading a book that wasn't all about WWII, but rather the aftermath of it. This book is truly unlike any other book I've read, in both a beautiful and an angering way. I literally have no idea if I would recommend it or not. I'm baffled.

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

Thank you, Celadon Books, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parent death, cheating, brief open door, car accident death

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

Flowerheart: A Book Review

Things I loved about Flowerheart:

- The cover is to die for. I love the artistry, the flowers, and the red hair.

- I loved that Clara's magic manifested in flowers, and that she was so in-tune with the flowers' meanings

- Overall a cute, magical read.

Things I didn't love:

- Everything felt underdeveloped: the world building, romance, and especially plot.

- Speaking of plot, it wasn't tense. At all. Even when the stakes were supposed to be high, I was never invested.

- The romance felt like instalove because there wasn't enough development.

This book had potential, but it just didn't deliver for me. I think it would be better as a short story instead.

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

Thank you, Harper Teen and NetGalley, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: depression, parent sickness and wounds

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

Nightbirds: A Book Review

The cover of this book first drew me in, and then the story. I loved diving into this tense, magical world. Here are a few of my favorite things about this book:

- a growing sisterhood bond
- unique and mysterious magic
- politics that drive the tense plot
- multiple POV
- hints of romance
- a lush and vibrant world with ballrooms, slums, secret places, and jazz
- plot twists
- wonderful writing

There's so much potential for this series! I can't wait to see where the story goes and what happens to all the characters I've come to love. And I hope there's lots more romance in the books to come.

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

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: fighting violence and death, near drowning, recounts of torture, poisoning, kisses

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

Miss Newbury's List: A Book Review

What a delightful, touching, witty romance. I loved every chapter, every character interaction, literally everything about this book. The concept of Rosalind's list set up the perfect plot; there were lots of opportunities for her to spend time with Charlie, lots of tension, and the pacing was quick enough to continually capture my attention. 

The romance really shines through in this book. Even though Rosalind is engaged to a duke, you can see her journey in figuring out what she really wants, especially as she spends more time with Charlie. He is the perfect rough-and-tough Regency guy with a cute soft spot, and their conversations melted me into a puddle. 

I also loved how this book wasn't super predictable. It went in directions I did not expect, and I was STRESSED at the end. But it has a beautiful ending that made me feel all warm and fuzzy. This is definitely one of my favorite regency romances now. 

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

Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: kisses, fighting violence, near drowning

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

Well of Eida: A Book Review

This book blew me away. First of all, my jaw literally dropped after reading the first chapter. Right away, I knew this book would hook me and take me on a wild ride. And I was not wrong!!

I loved K.B. Benson's reimagining of the "troll under a bridge" fairytale. This high fantasy was utterly unique, and though it took me some time to grasp the troll world, it was well worth the effort. It's an intricate society, well crafted and provided lots of opportunities for tension. 

Also, the ROMANCE. Loved the enemies-to-lovers/master-slave vibes, and Graeden is the perfect morally-gray guy. I could have done without the love triangle in the second half though. That's basically my only complaint for this book is the guy in the second half and Ari's decisions regarding him. 

I will be recommending this book to literally everyone. It has so many plot twists and has a fast pace. And also, there is a DRAGON. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.

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

Thank you, K.B. Benson, for the review copy!

Trigger/Content Warnings: fighting violence and death, plague death

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

Spice Road: A Book Review

First of all, WHAT a stunning cover. I could stare at it for hours. Second, this book has the beginnings of a fantastic fantasy trilogy. I can't wait to see where Maiya Ibrahim takes it. 

This book has several elements I love to see in YA fantasy:

- rivals to lovers

- travel plot

- great character growth

- politics in the plot

- adventure and tense action 

- magic and djinni

While the book did have little annoyances in the writing and character reactions, I could easily look over it and appreciate the fast-paced story and its caring, determined characters. I would definitely recommend if you liked We Hunt the Flame and The Stardust Thief. 

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

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

Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, torture (off page), animal death, kisses

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