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booksamongstfriends's reviews
738 reviews
The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie by Freida McFadden
3.0
No, because WTF did I just read & listen to? Lmao. While I would usually sit on a read and better organize my thoughts, I figured it’d be best to match the chaotic energy of the book. While I initially had this at two stars, it got bumped up to three. I’d be lying if I said this book didn’t have certain moments that made me chuckle or laugh. The kind of laugh you’re mad someone actually gets out of you. I don’t think I’ve rolled my eyes or shook my head this much. AND SUCH A SHORT READ
The Devourer by Alison Ames
4.0
“An eye for an eye doesn’t make your vision any better”
What a ride. Growing up on movies like Treasure Planet, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Sinbad, this book felt like a perfect blend of all those adventurous, magical, and daring tales I loved. It transported me entirely—there were so many moments where I could feel the rocking of the ship, smell the salt in the air, and see the endless, mysterious horizon.
At its core, this is Adra’s story. A determined captain shaped by a lifetime of expectations, she’s driven by revenge against her adopted brother Cameron, who stole her father’s prized map to the largest treasure of the seas. Adra has spent the past year on his trail, building a loyal crew and hunting him down. But things take a dark turn when she stumbles upon a string of abandoned ships and discovers something far more sinister than just her brother’s betrayal. With the help of a lone survivor, Adra embarks on a dangerous journey filled with magical curses, lurking sea creatures, and the enigmatic Devourer—a force as alluring as it is terrifying.
I loved how this story didn’t shy away from exploring the burdens of leadership and the complexities of revenge. Adra’s crew—her found family—brings warmth and loyalty, while the Devourer serves as a haunting reminder of what vengeance can cost. There’s something so captivating about the layers of paranormal and magical elements woven into this book, from cursed women to creatures of the deep. It made the story feel textured and alive, much like the sea itself.
The Devourer, in particular, stood out to me. A Calypso-like figure scorned by a pirate lover, she’s a physical embodiment of the destructive path Adra could find herself on. Her presence heightened the stakes and deepened the story’s emotional core, showing that revenge isn’t always as fulfilling as it seems.
This book also has its share of humor, warmth, and even romance, balanced perfectly with the danger and magic. The ending, while not what some might expect, felt absolutely right to me. It better aligns with Adra’s journey and focuses around the larger questions at hand in regards to loyalty, vengeance, sacrifice, and forgiven.
While there are aspects of this book that could be better explored, darker, or given more backstory, like her crew, I was happily along for the ride. If you’re looking for an adventurous, paranormal young adult read that dives deep into the unknown, I highly recommend The Devourer. It’s a thrilling journey from the bottom of the ocean floor to pirate coves and distant lands—and one you won’t forget.
Thank you to @PageStreetYA, @alisonames, and @coloredpagesbt for my copy.
What a ride. Growing up on movies like Treasure Planet, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Sinbad, this book felt like a perfect blend of all those adventurous, magical, and daring tales I loved. It transported me entirely—there were so many moments where I could feel the rocking of the ship, smell the salt in the air, and see the endless, mysterious horizon.
At its core, this is Adra’s story. A determined captain shaped by a lifetime of expectations, she’s driven by revenge against her adopted brother Cameron, who stole her father’s prized map to the largest treasure of the seas. Adra has spent the past year on his trail, building a loyal crew and hunting him down. But things take a dark turn when she stumbles upon a string of abandoned ships and discovers something far more sinister than just her brother’s betrayal. With the help of a lone survivor, Adra embarks on a dangerous journey filled with magical curses, lurking sea creatures, and the enigmatic Devourer—a force as alluring as it is terrifying.
I loved how this story didn’t shy away from exploring the burdens of leadership and the complexities of revenge. Adra’s crew—her found family—brings warmth and loyalty, while the Devourer serves as a haunting reminder of what vengeance can cost. There’s something so captivating about the layers of paranormal and magical elements woven into this book, from cursed women to creatures of the deep. It made the story feel textured and alive, much like the sea itself.
The Devourer, in particular, stood out to me. A Calypso-like figure scorned by a pirate lover, she’s a physical embodiment of the destructive path Adra could find herself on. Her presence heightened the stakes and deepened the story’s emotional core, showing that revenge isn’t always as fulfilling as it seems.
This book also has its share of humor, warmth, and even romance, balanced perfectly with the danger and magic. The ending, while not what some might expect, felt absolutely right to me. It better aligns with Adra’s journey and focuses around the larger questions at hand in regards to loyalty, vengeance, sacrifice, and forgiven.
While there are aspects of this book that could be better explored, darker, or given more backstory, like her crew, I was happily along for the ride. If you’re looking for an adventurous, paranormal young adult read that dives deep into the unknown, I highly recommend The Devourer. It’s a thrilling journey from the bottom of the ocean floor to pirate coves and distant lands—and one you won’t forget.
Thank you to @PageStreetYA, @alisonames, and @coloredpagesbt for my copy.
The Thinking Heart: Essays on Israel and Palestine by David Grossman, David Grossman
2.0
I was honestly debating on writing a review for this book or not. It’s more flowery than I hoped it would be and often lacked factual information. While the author attempts a level of neutrality, it frequently misses the mark. It felt like the reader should be applauding the author for questioning the Israeli government and the death of innocent people simply because the author himself is Israeli. While simultaneously repeating already disproved headlines surrounding the events of October 7. For me, many of the statements made felt hollow and repetitive. I gave this two stars because I see the value in the books larger questions at hand though it read like a collection of backhanded commentary.
Phases: Poems by Tramaine Suubi
3.0
This was a great debut collection that will have me on the lookout for more from this poet. There were plenty of standout selections that resonated with me personally, though some felt they were capturing a general feeling. I would recommend this book for anyone looking to read more poetry or just starting to explore the genre. There’s so many pieces here that I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy this collection fully.
savings time: Poems by Roya Marsh
5.0
I can’t fully encapsulate the emotions I had reading this collection and how thankful I am to FSG, MCD, Netgalley, and most importantly Roya Marsh.
When I say I want authenticity, this is what I mean. When I say I want something bold, this is what I mean. Marsh doesn’t hold back and doesn’t expect the reader to either. It’s a collection that has just as much bark as it does bite and demands you listen. The level of lyricism is insane. Truly encompassing all things black. Black existence, black pain, black women, black pride, black identity, black reckoning! This is one of those collections you just simply need to pick up and then tell a friend to get a copy too.
I felt rage, I felt community, I felt liberation, and I felt seen. These poems are both a call out to violence against the black body and spirit, as well as an homage to culture, to hip hop, to black women, to black joy, to revolution, to collective action! I’m truly excited to see more readers pick this one up.
When I say I want authenticity, this is what I mean. When I say I want something bold, this is what I mean. Marsh doesn’t hold back and doesn’t expect the reader to either. It’s a collection that has just as much bark as it does bite and demands you listen. The level of lyricism is insane. Truly encompassing all things black. Black existence, black pain, black women, black pride, black identity, black reckoning! This is one of those collections you just simply need to pick up and then tell a friend to get a copy too.
I felt rage, I felt community, I felt liberation, and I felt seen. These poems are both a call out to violence against the black body and spirit, as well as an homage to culture, to hip hop, to black women, to black joy, to revolution, to collective action! I’m truly excited to see more readers pick this one up.
Where He Can't Find You by Darcy Coates
3.0
I doubt I’ll be doing a full review for this one. I enjoyed it enough and there’s always something interesting about horror told from a teen/childlike perspective. This book has a great plot/premise and overall was an okay read. It could’ve definitely been shorter! This is a solid read for those who enjoy a YA thriller and small town lore stories.
Snow Drowned by Jennifer Lyle
3.0
2.5 rounded up. I postponed reading this book to save it for my next reading slump. I thought it would be a strong pick that would pull me out of the after effects of a bad read. Boy was I wrong.
This book was okay at best. I think it wanted to be many things but unfortunately didn’t wear all of its layers successfully. While I finished the book, there were too many moments that I lost interest in how the story played out. What I found most interesting in the beginning was washed away by the middle. The turns in the middle became more and more predictable. Then by the end we get a random insert as if to gain the readers attention again while making no sense or connection to the overall themes of the book.
I should’ve just read this when I initially picked it up. It had the opposite effect than what I intended.
This book was okay at best. I think it wanted to be many things but unfortunately didn’t wear all of its layers successfully. While I finished the book, there were too many moments that I lost interest in how the story played out. What I found most interesting in the beginning was washed away by the middle. The turns in the middle became more and more predictable. Then by the end we get a random insert as if to gain the readers attention again while making no sense or connection to the overall themes of the book.
I should’ve just read this when I initially picked it up. It had the opposite effect than what I intended.