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booksarethenewblack's reviews
1443 reviews
You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
4.0
Anytime there’s a book with anxiety representation, I’m all over it! I didn’t know it was happening with this book, but it was a big focus. Leigh is a character that I saw myself in several times. I have seen some reviews where they couldn’t understand or thought she was annoying. They should count themselves lucky that they have never had the same anxiety-filled life.
I’m going to expand on this a little more. Leigh is in an MFA program because she’s lost in life. Her parents are divorcing, she hates her job, and pining over her High School crush. On top of all these things, Leigh is living with a lot of anxiety. When she gets into this MFA program, it rears its ugly head. She likes to have this persona of what she thinks other people like. People pleasing goes hand in hand with anxiety. If we think others think we are pretty, acceptable, smart, etc, there’s a feeling of belonging. She goes to her first workshop, and her thoughts are so relatable. I remember thinking similar things in a new college class or anywhere that it’s a new experience. You don’t want to talk or give your opinion because you are not confident it would land well. The embarrassment of something like that happening is just debilitating. I’m just pointing out another scope to understand the FMC. The way she acts throughout the book makes a lot of sense if you’ve experienced high levels of anxiety. I’m so glad that we get her therapist sessions because it helps open that up further. There is a lot to unpack with her parents.
Anyway, besides the mental health representation, the romance was great. There are many moments in their life when things don’t pan out. They are both holding onto words and grudges from the past that don’t help them move forward in the present. Regardless, I loved Will and how he saw Leigh. He was patient and way more understanding than a normal person would be. To all the spice lovers, there are a couple of moments, but not a big part of the story.I wish I would have gotten more of Will’s POV. He’s reserved, and we don’t know much about what’s going on with him.
The friendships are amazing! I loved Gen and how she didn’t put up with Leigh’s crap. She is really what a true friend should be. The writing workshop crew was great to get to know and love. I flew through this book in a little over a day. I enjoyed it and all the relationships. If you are looking for an angsty romance with a lot of poetry and mental health awareness, this is for you. I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you, Forever and Netgalley, for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry
5.0
You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black
***What a surprise to find this between my TBR cart and the wall! I had completely forgotten that I received this from Orbit. I am SO sorry that it’s taken me this long! It slipped through the cracks, but I’m glad I found it.*** I adored The Magician’s Daughter by Parry, and now she’s an auto-buy author. The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door was magical and beautifully written.
Initially, the pacing was slow, creating a slow build. It does paint the picture and pays off in the end. I’ve come to learn this is Parry’s bread and butter. She’s very detailed and makes sure her characters have such depth and tie together beautifully. There’s some dark academia for those fans out there. Even though we don’t stay at the school the whole time, it has significance to the story.
The characters in this book are fantastic. Clover tells this story about her life and what happens at school with her friends. The magic was cool and interesting. Like most things, she’s working twice as hard to get anywhere as a poor woman. I rather enjoyed her journey, even if it wasn’t easy. I liked that magic didn’t come easy or natural to her. She had to work hard and figure it out. Unlike many other books, the main MC finds magic, and it’s all powerful and epic. It was not like that for Clover. Her friend group was great and the worst at the same time. There’s a big divide because they are from different classes/wealth. Parry didn’t hold back with all the discrimination, which I respect.
By the time I finished, I was in love with the story. I had all the feels and didn’t see some of the shocking revelations! I was able to respect the slower build. There is not a lot of fae presence in this one, but that’s okay. It was never really the point of the story anyway. I adored this story, and it is beautiful. I cannot wait to jump into Parry’s next book!!
Thank you, Orbit, for a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
***What a surprise to find this between my TBR cart and the wall! I had completely forgotten that I received this from Orbit. I am SO sorry that it’s taken me this long! It slipped through the cracks, but I’m glad I found it.*** I adored The Magician’s Daughter by Parry, and now she’s an auto-buy author. The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door was magical and beautifully written.
Initially, the pacing was slow, creating a slow build. It does paint the picture and pays off in the end. I’ve come to learn this is Parry’s bread and butter. She’s very detailed and makes sure her characters have such depth and tie together beautifully. There’s some dark academia for those fans out there. Even though we don’t stay at the school the whole time, it has significance to the story.
The characters in this book are fantastic. Clover tells this story about her life and what happens at school with her friends. The magic was cool and interesting. Like most things, she’s working twice as hard to get anywhere as a poor woman. I rather enjoyed her journey, even if it wasn’t easy. I liked that magic didn’t come easy or natural to her. She had to work hard and figure it out. Unlike many other books, the main MC finds magic, and it’s all powerful and epic. It was not like that for Clover. Her friend group was great and the worst at the same time. There’s a big divide because they are from different classes/wealth. Parry didn’t hold back with all the discrimination, which I respect.
By the time I finished, I was in love with the story. I had all the feels and didn’t see some of the shocking revelations! I was able to respect the slower build. There is not a lot of fae presence in this one, but that’s okay. It was never really the point of the story anyway. I adored this story, and it is beautiful. I cannot wait to jump into Parry’s next book!!
Thank you, Orbit, for a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
The Outcast Mage by Annabel Campbell
4.0
You can see all my reviews here: <a href="https://booksarethenewblackblog.wordpress.com">Books Are The New Black</a>
The Outcast Mage is a book that I got swept away with quickly. I adore the characters and all the different POVs. This is a heavily political book. I know many fantasies have that going on, but this was on the extra side.
While this was heavy on politics, I enjoyed it. It was brilliant showing the mages vs. non-mages, but the different tiers within the mages themselves. You think you’ve finally made it into the Academy, to find out that it’s not what it seems. Where you came from almost holds more bearing than your power. It feels relevant to things going on today.
Naila is a character that I struggled with at times. I think all the mystery clouded around her took way too long to come to light. I mean, we don’t get much clarification until the end. At the same time, that ending made me crave the second book ASAP. Her journey through this book is slow and takes time to build. I adored her relationships with the other characters in this book. Naila is in for a heck of a time, but I’m glad we see what she is now and not what people think she will be.
On the flip side, Haelis is a character that I adored from the second I met him. He’s your dark, broody, powerful, type of wizard. I love that we learn so much about him in this book. I know he knows more than he’s saying. I love how fiercely he protects the ones he loves. I can’t wait to see what happens with his character in the next book. I loved his relationship with Larinne so much. I adored seeing the depth of their friendship.
We have many POV’s throughout the book and I enjoyed it. There are so many political stances and plays going on and it helps. I will admit, some things get a little muddier, at times. I had to think a little too hard about what was implied. A little more clarity in the magic would have helped so much. I hope we get more of the history in the next book. The ending of this book opens up so many possibilities that I didn’t know what to think. All I know is that I can’t wait to read the next book!!
Overall, this was a great start to a solid fantasy. I read this book quickly and had a hard time putting it down. There are some little things here and there but didn’t change my enjoyment. I have an inkling of where things are headed, and I am so excited. I can’t wait!
Many thanks to Orbit for the finished copy!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Outcast Mage is a book that I got swept away with quickly. I adore the characters and all the different POVs. This is a heavily political book. I know many fantasies have that going on, but this was on the extra side.
While this was heavy on politics, I enjoyed it. It was brilliant showing the mages vs. non-mages, but the different tiers within the mages themselves. You think you’ve finally made it into the Academy, to find out that it’s not what it seems. Where you came from almost holds more bearing than your power. It feels relevant to things going on today.
Naila is a character that I struggled with at times. I think all the mystery clouded around her took way too long to come to light. I mean, we don’t get much clarification until the end. At the same time, that ending made me crave the second book ASAP. Her journey through this book is slow and takes time to build. I adored her relationships with the other characters in this book. Naila is in for a heck of a time, but I’m glad we see what she is now and not what people think she will be.
On the flip side, Haelis is a character that I adored from the second I met him. He’s your dark, broody, powerful, type of wizard. I love that we learn so much about him in this book. I know he knows more than he’s saying. I love how fiercely he protects the ones he loves. I can’t wait to see what happens with his character in the next book. I loved his relationship with Larinne so much. I adored seeing the depth of their friendship.
We have many POV’s throughout the book and I enjoyed it. There are so many political stances and plays going on and it helps. I will admit, some things get a little muddier, at times. I had to think a little too hard about what was implied. A little more clarity in the magic would have helped so much. I hope we get more of the history in the next book. The ending of this book opens up so many possibilities that I didn’t know what to think. All I know is that I can’t wait to read the next book!!
Overall, this was a great start to a solid fantasy. I read this book quickly and had a hard time putting it down. There are some little things here and there but didn’t change my enjoyment. I have an inkling of where things are headed, and I am so excited. I can’t wait!
Many thanks to Orbit for the finished copy!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.