The Boy with Fire: A Book Review

This book has everything I could ever want in a YA fantasy. It has an enemies-to-lovers romance between a princess and her guard that's wonderfully slow burn and well written. It has a fascinating POV from the morally-gray king that shows his path to tyranny and madness. And most of all, it has FIRE BENDING. This book basically fulfills my wish of a fire-bending book similar to Avatar: The Last Airbender. The world building, magic system, and religion in this book are so well developed and rich. I don't think I can say enough nice things about this book. I'll definitely be reading its sequel!

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

Thank you, Aparna Verma and NetGalley, for the ARC!

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

Hunt: A Book Review

It's always such a huge pleasure to read Alexandria Warwick's writing. Every sentence is perfection, and this book in particular had so many meaningful and poetic quotes. This series is one of the most underrated series of all time, and I sincerely hope it becomes more and more popular. Everyone needs Alexandria's writing in their life. 

Alexandria has done it again. Her books just keep getting better and better. Hunt is my favorite of the series yet. I can't say too much without spoiling, but we learn so much about Apaay and Ila in this book. They grow so much through their journeys. And the plot just keeps getting thicker with the war and unexpected discoveries. The action is balanced nicely with the character development too. Honestly, this whole book is just perfection. Except the ending was so hard to read. I need the next book. Now. Now. Now. Now. 

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

Thank you, Alexandria Warwick, for the ARC!

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

The Devil Makes Three: A Book Review

This book is a perfect horror story for bibliophiles with its grimoires, a haunted library, and a devil made of ink. The horror was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I still liked reading it and couldn't put it down. The subplots were very well done, and I loved Tess and Eliot as main characters. I didn't fully feel their romance, but it was sweet nonetheless. I liked all the magic, spookiness, and tension too (I think I'll have nightmares about ink and devils for the rest of the week). Some of the plot points and lore about devils seemed a little weak, and I would have loved more characterization and history from the devil to make the ending more meaningful. But overall, I think this book is quite well done. And the cover is gorgeous.

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

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! 

Witchshadow: A Book Review

This book is definitely my favorite of the series so far. So much happened, especially near the end, and I just can't help but be in awe at the world building. It is so incredibly intricate, and totally comparable to Sanderson's world building. Each book just adds more and more fantasy and history and lore, and all of it is deeply connected to the plot. Susan Dennard is truly a master at creating a world that draws you in. 

I will say that this book moves a bit slowly in the beginning, and I think it's because of the five points of view that switches every chapter or within chapters. And sometimes it got frustrating when one POV ended in a cliffhanger and I had to get through a chapter or two or three before I got to that POV again. But it kept me reading. 

Another thing that this book does well is developing Iseult's character. She has a lot to work through in this book, and I loved her journey. I can't wait to see the other characters' final journeys in the last book!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4.5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Tor Teen, for the review copy!

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

Untethered: A Book Review

I loved reading Shielded last year. It was a good, generic YA novel that was pleasant to read. I didn't realize, though, that Untethered would be through completely different characters' points of view while continuing the same storyline! I kinda liked it. It made it more interesting to me. However, I will say that I didn't love Chiara as a main character. I just don't love timid, untalented characters who have to struggle with every challenge they face. And I found the romance pretty lacking. I did like how the story went though, and how it wrapped up all the loose ends from Shielded. Overall, a fine duology; one I think 15-year-olds would enjoy. 

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

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

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

Leaves of Holly: A Book Review

What an enchanting debut from Arnella Hobler! Leaves of Holly has a magical atmosphere to it, with a well-thought-out world and an ending that makes me want the second book right away. I'm very impressed with Arnella's writing. It is clear, melodic, talented, and matches the magic of the book. 

I will say that I did struggle getting into this book for the first half. I personally don't love stories where a modern-day character is transported into a fantasy land. The first half of the book also moves quite slowly, and Ivy, the main character, doesn't have a lot of personality at first. But by the second half of the book, I was enthralled and liking Ivy more. I do wish the character development was a bit more strong in the side characters and the romance (and I wish that there weren't so many characters' names that start with "C"). But overall, I really liked this story with the talented writing, the magical world, and the tense, political plot. And the cover is gorgeous! 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3.7
Character Development: 3
Overall: 4

Thank you, Arnella Hobler, for the review copy!

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

Curses: A Book Review

Curses is my first gender-bent Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I honestly enjoyed it! The world felt very similar to Ella Enchanted, and I loved all the LGBTQ+ rep. Honestly, all the characters were well developed, and there's a fantastic cast of side characters who you learn to love. This was a sweet and cute story with (actual) funny banter. I do wish it had a little more romance, but the slow-burn was definitely there. I'd definitely recommend this book to those who love B&tB retellings!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3.5
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Penguin and NetGalley, for the ARC!

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