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breabooks's reviews
172 reviews
Forever Reign by V.B. Lacey
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Duel with the Vampire Lord by Elise Kova
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Only a Portal Away by Akira Varma
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This was an amazing concept but horribly written. I was drawn to this story by the blurb because it was so unique. Your favorite book boyfriend suddenly appears in your living room, which starts a quest to get him back to his world? Come on- that should be an instant five star read. Unfortunately, this read like a really bad fan fiction.
The writing was clipped and disjointed. I’ve never been so upset with the line writing in a story. I understand that what I was given an eARC, but there’s no way the entire book would be so heavily edited by release that every sentence that started with a conjunction would be fixed. Her writing was very repetitive. She’d mention the same thing in the same paragraph, but worded it differently. The author tends to focus on useless things, such as constant back cracking and a whole page about struggling with grocery bags.
The prologue was pointless and confusing. Nothing from the prologue is ever eluded to again.
The characters had so much potential but lacked suitable development. Aliya had the least amount of development. All I know about her is that she’s an engineering student at UGA who lacks the intelligence to understand that what she says to Enzo makes no sense because he is literally from another world. Enzo and Sienna had a decent amount of character building, but Enzo did not come across as likable. There’s even a POV from the villain. I understand him more than I understand the female main character.
I really enjoyed the concept but holy moly, the writing made it an absolute struggle to finish.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
The writing was clipped and disjointed. I’ve never been so upset with the line writing in a story. I understand that what I was given an eARC, but there’s no way the entire book would be so heavily edited by release that every sentence that started with a conjunction would be fixed. Her writing was very repetitive. She’d mention the same thing in the same paragraph, but worded it differently. The author tends to focus on useless things, such as constant back cracking and a whole page about struggling with grocery bags.
The prologue was pointless and confusing. Nothing from the prologue is ever eluded to again.
The characters had so much potential but lacked suitable development. Aliya had the least amount of development. All I know about her is that she’s an engineering student at UGA who lacks the intelligence to understand that what she says to Enzo makes no sense because he is literally from another world. Enzo and Sienna had a decent amount of character building, but Enzo did not come across as likable. There’s even a POV from the villain. I understand him more than I understand the female main character.
I really enjoyed the concept but holy moly, the writing made it an absolute struggle to finish.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
The Fool's Errand by Katherine Carter
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Of Snow and Sapphire by K.C. Silver
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun little break from reality. This fast paced novella follows the story of Ludelle’s battle to prove herself worthy as the next Queen of the Winter Court. She must go through the Undertaking, a yearly challenge to prove herself worthy of the magic from the Weather Gods that sustains her court. She must also choose a consort, but struggles to reconcile her a forbidden love. The world building crammed into a book less than 150 pages was fantastic. The mentions of other courts made me curious to read the next books in the series.
Ludelle is a fierce character that refuses to take orders from anyone. She has claws (literally) and blue blood because of her royal lineage. Ludelle’s loyalty to her court determines all of her actions.
Zimyn is Ludelle’s lifelong friend and Captain of the Guard. He fears his continued presence may hinder Ludelle’s chances of succeeding in the Undertaking. Oh, and he has ICE SCALES, y’all.
There is a pinch of spice which felt a little forced. It contributed to the story, but the pacing leading up to it felt off.
Overall, this was a good read. K. C. Silver created a brutal, ice-encased world in which the heat of forbidden love may be everyone’s undoing.
Thank you Truly Yours PR and K. C. Silver for the eARC.
Veiled in Stars and Silver by J. Ann Curtis
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had to stay up late finishing this one. This Peter Pan retelling where Hook becomes the love interest while Wendy discovers the reality of Neverland through adult eyes was splendid!
Hook was a wonderfully complex character. It was a nice surprise to see that this was a multi POV story. I adored Wendy’s firey determined spirit. She wasn’t helpless, but it was nice to see her growth as she learned truths about Neverland.
Speaking of Neverland- excuse me? Ma’am? I will never be able to watch the movie or play without thinking of this retelling. This book did such a great job of reforming my views on the story. Curtis did not change the original story, but instead revealed how twisted it could have been through the adult (ish) version of the characters. Oh, and there’s a dash of spice.
The book is short - I believe it qualifies as a novella? That is one of my tiny list of issues. So much more could have been explored. There’s potential for so much more character development and world building- especially with Peter.
I enjoyed the book enough that I will be reading the other standalone retellings 🥰
Thanks to J. A. Curtis for the eARC. ❤️
Hook was a wonderfully complex character. It was a nice surprise to see that this was a multi POV story. I adored Wendy’s firey determined spirit. She wasn’t helpless, but it was nice to see her growth as she learned truths about Neverland.
Speaking of Neverland- excuse me? Ma’am? I will never be able to watch the movie or play without thinking of this retelling. This book did such a great job of reforming my views on the story. Curtis did not change the original story, but instead revealed how twisted it could have been through the adult (ish) version of the characters. Oh, and there’s a dash of spice.
The book is short - I believe it qualifies as a novella? That is one of my tiny list of issues. So much more could have been explored. There’s potential for so much more character development and world building- especially with Peter.
I enjoyed the book enough that I will be reading the other standalone retellings 🥰
Thanks to J. A. Curtis for the eARC. ❤️
Long Live by V.B. Lacey
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I am unwell. This has a major cliffhanger and does not end as expected. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Where do I start? The world building? It sucks you in. The world’s magic is held by four mysterious elementals. They look like humans, but hold the power of earth, wind, fire, and water. They are the literal embodiment of their elements. Aidan burns with his fire’s rage. Kai goes with the flow. Jade is solid like the earth. Rynn is flighty and temperamental like the wind. Lacey slowly introduces the characters and the nature of the world, always leaving a little bit of mystery until the right time. The characters are complex, but so human despite being immortal.
I adore Isla. While she marks off a lot of requirements for the typical female main character, Isla takes no crap from any man. She is her own person, not letting anyone tell her what to do. It’s nice to have a female main character who doesn’t blindly follow the love interest.
BUT THAT ENDING!! You think you’ve got it figured out, but I must warn you- YOU DON’T!!
Where do I start? The world building? It sucks you in. The world’s magic is held by four mysterious elementals. They look like humans, but hold the power of earth, wind, fire, and water. They are the literal embodiment of their elements. Aidan burns with his fire’s rage. Kai goes with the flow. Jade is solid like the earth. Rynn is flighty and temperamental like the wind. Lacey slowly introduces the characters and the nature of the world, always leaving a little bit of mystery until the right time. The characters are complex, but so human despite being immortal.
I adore Isla. While she marks off a lot of requirements for the typical female main character, Isla takes no crap from any man. She is her own person, not letting anyone tell her what to do. It’s nice to have a female main character who doesn’t blindly follow the love interest.
BUT THAT ENDING!! You think you’ve got it figured out, but I must warn you- YOU DON’T!!
Bloodfeather Heartsong by Amber L. Werner
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0