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Update 3/2/22: I finally got the audiobook from the library last week and had an opportunity to give it a listen. Alas, the book didn’t get better with age. It’s not a bad book by any means, it’s certainly ambitious, but I 100% stand by my criticisms in my original review below. I’m a little curious about the sequels, and I might check them out sometime when I need something to listen to, but they’re definitely not a priority. Ironically, …
Title: Wicked Saints Author: Emily A. Duncan Series: Something Dark and Holy #1 Wow this is a lot better than I—never mind I would like to thank Emily A. Duncan and Meghan Harrington at St. Martin’s Press for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. I received a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Seriously, if you don’t want major twists spoiled for you, do not read on. *sigh* I avoided reading this book because …
Title: The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan Author: Dayle King Searle Series: N/A A slow burn but still a solid novel My thanks to Dayle King Searle, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review. First and foremost, I want to say this was not a romance. Oddly enough, it’s women’s fiction with a male protagonist. I found the weird clash of tone, perspective, and genre fascinating, and I have to …
I don’t review every book I read. Not nearly. As much as I wish otherwise, I simply don’t have time—or sometimes the brain energy—to write dozens upon dozens of reviews. Plus, sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy a book without having to analyze as I read. But I wanted to talk about some of the books I read recently, so I thought perhaps I could compile a series of brief overall opinions for them. A review roundup, if you will. …
Title: The Earl and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: The Enchantresses #1 A solid, well-written debut with relatable characters Thank you to the author, who asked if I would like to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book quite a bit! I wouldn’t say I was utterly riveted, but I didn’t like having to stop reading, either. I had no major problems with it, but a few small things bothered me. Not enough …
Title: Sunshine Author: Robin McKinley Series: n/a Too much story, left with more questions than answers I wasn’t going to review this one, but it’s haunted me the last couple of days since I finished it. I don’t feel like I have closure on it, so maybe if I get my thoughts down on paper (as it were), I can get it out of my head. I really liked the story! It had SO MUCH potential! But it wasn’t well …
Title: Jilliand Author: Clare Gutierrez Series: n/a Lots of heartbreak, lots of passive voice I would like to thank Clare Gutierrez, River Grove Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I kind of had a minor breakdown while reading this. This is what I wrote at the time: This was a different kind of romance, and not the kind I like. I’m sorry, I didn’t finish it. My heart couldn’t …
Title: Year One Author: Nora Roberts Series: Chronicles of The One #1 a dark, magickal mix of Zombieland and Heroes I was thoroughly impressed with the ingenuity and world-building in this novel. It’s probably been done before, but I’ve never seen the end of the world caused by dark magic. A deadly virus spread with crazy ease and speed, killing billions of people—but also unlocking supernatural abilities in others. And there were also ordinary humans who just seemed to be …
Title: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #12 supernatural Stephanie Plum at first, now so much more I would like to thank Darynda Jones, St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan, and NetGalley for enticing me to check out this series by offering a free copy of First Grave on the Right and allowing me to read an ARC of The Trouble with Twelfth Grave in exchange for an honest review. Here’s a spoiler alert, though I imagine most …
Title: The Dream Keeper’s Daughter Author: Emily Colin Series: n/a A frustrating mess with an identity crisis and unresolved plotlines I would like to thank Emily Colin, Ballantine Books/Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All that follows is only my opinion and how I personally perceived the book. *takes deep breath* I gave myself a day to calm down, because the first time I started to write this review, …