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cortanasreadingnook's reviews
368 reviews
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. The first installment of the Fate’s Thread Duology from the author of Last of the Talons is officially out! This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
Kim’s new book is a contemporary fantasy book deeply rooted in South Korean folklore. In this reluctant allies-to-lovers story perfect for fans of My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, See You In My 19th Life, and Devil No. 4, a fallen god and a gumiho will have to team up to save the mortal realm of Iseung from a powerful demon set on wreaking havoc and darkness. Read at your own risk! (I am so serious)
I truly loved this. It reads like the classic, cliché k-dramas of the late 2000s. It doesn’t have one of the strongest writing styles, but there’s room for improvement in the storytelling. I stayed purely for the vibes. The writer managed to send a sentimental sort of style to Hani and Seokga’s story. I adore romantasy manhwas, so this was perfect, especially when it’s cold and raining. The angst and the yearning were chef’s kiss! I’ve binged lots of k-dramas and if you also like Goblin, then just read this. It’s worth your time, I promise. It’s so nostalgic to read a book with a story alike to the ones I used to binge from a hard drive plugged into my laptop till 3 am. For some reason, I didn’t exactly expect the ending, but it was full of hope enough that I know we’ll get that sequel soon. I highly recommend it!
Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku, Volume 5 by 三香見サカ, Saka Mikami
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Hoping that the anime adaptation for this will give justice to the story and the characters! I really love how the story revolves on all of them and not just on the romance-comedy aspect. You can truly see how the creator loves their work. What an amazing coming-of-age manga.
The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a complimentary copy from Zando – Gillian Flynn Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
The Dark We Know will be out on August 13, 2024. This is a YA lyrical horror standalone perfect for fans of She is A Haunting & Nestlings. I am someone who doesn’t read the synopsis before going in, so the turn of events was unexpected. Small towns and thrillers are my thing, and yet I never expected how dark this would be.
This was a perfect read for Pride Month as TDWK has a bisexual Chinese FMC and is moreover a book that allowed the characters to explore their sexual identity. The journey into reading this book is similar to spiraling into a certain darkness, with its creepy atmosphere and deep writing that analyzes grief and specifically depicts religious trauma. Wen Yi-Lee was able to write a book about innocence and childhood with a deliciously sinister turn. I highly recommend for others to add this to their TBR and read it in the future!
The Dark We Know will be out on August 13, 2024. This is a YA lyrical horror standalone perfect for fans of She is A Haunting & Nestlings. I am someone who doesn’t read the synopsis before going in, so the turn of events was unexpected. Small towns and thrillers are my thing, and yet I never expected how dark this would be.
This was a perfect read for Pride Month as TDWK has a bisexual Chinese FMC and is moreover a book that allowed the characters to explore their sexual identity. The journey into reading this book is similar to spiraling into a certain darkness, with its creepy atmosphere and deep writing that analyzes grief and specifically depicts religious trauma. Wen Yi-Lee was able to write a book about innocence and childhood with a deliciously sinister turn. I highly recommend for others to add this to their TBR and read it in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Child abuse
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity, Volume 2 by Saka Mikami
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity just gets better and better! Rintaro and Waguri’s story is the very definition of sweet, highschool love. The characterization in this manga is reflective of teenage angst and friendship and is exactly what you’d find in a shoujo manga. I love how this volume gives insight into Subaru’s persona and that I found her relatable. I highly recommend reading this!
Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku, Volume 1 by Saka Mikami
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Perfect for fans of Fruits Basket and Skip & Loafer, this manga is another one of those coming-of-age romcom stories that I absolutely adore! The rival schools trope reminds me a lot of Boarding School Juliet and the art style is both very nostalgic and sweet that I couldn’t put it down. I’m glad all of the volumes are available up to 11 because I’ll definitely binge this :D
Dead Girls Talking by Megan Cooley Peterson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Holiday House for sending me a review copy via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts in any way. Dead Girls Talking will be out on 06/18/24!
Growing up in the small town of Wolf Ridge, North Carolina, daughter of the “Smiley Face Killer” Bettina Holland was always the subject of murder podcasts, murder tours, and even an upcoming docuseries. But ten years after her father’s conviction, a copycat serial killer suddenly starts recreating the string of murders, making Bettina question the truth: did Trapper McGrath really kill his wife? As she goes to investigate alongside “goth kid” Eugenia Cline, they soon uncover the secrets buried by everyone close to her, and maybe the fact that the killer has always been watching her.
This story certainly had potential to be a really good thriller, if not for the fact that it was vaguely underdeveloped in terms of characterization, especially Bette’s dynamic with Eugenia, considering both of them were likely main characters. The execution also lacked in thrill and build-up which led to an anticlimactic conclusion. The ending was underwhelming, and I feel that some of the issues could have been addressed in the epilogue. However, I didn’t read this with the lights off so I would still recommend this book.
Also, I wish there was actually a TW that Bette would throw up a LOT because it actually made me nauseous. Other CWs include Domestic/Physical and Emotional Abuse, Vomit, & Panic Attacks/Disorders
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Alcohol
The Emperor by RuNyx
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Finally got to Dante & Amara’s story! I had high expectations for them, and they didn’t disappoint. The Emperor takes us to the past and how they grew up around each other. I’ve been curious about Amara since I first met her and since Runyx gave us a glimpse of the scar on her throat. With Dante, I wanted to know who he really was besides being the overprotective older brother he became for Morana. He had a particular dark appeal to his character and this book served that well.
The writing also handled Amara’s trauma very well and I appreciate how it didn’t have to romanticize her fears to further the story. I don’t read a lot of dark romance books, so DV is now very special to me. I know other readers have said the pregnancy trope ruined them, but I disagree because it was bound to happen anyway. Dante was to inherit and rebuild his father’s fucked up legacy with Amara at his side. All the pieces are finally falling into place, and the introduction to Alpha’s character just hypes me up to read The Finisher.
The writing also handled Amara’s trauma very well and I appreciate how it didn’t have to romanticize her fears to further the story. I don’t read a lot of dark romance books, so DV is now very special to me. I know other readers have said the pregnancy trope ruined them, but I disagree because it was bound to happen anyway. Dante was to inherit and rebuild his father’s fucked up legacy with Amara at his side. All the pieces are finally falling into place, and the introduction to Alpha’s character just hypes me up to read The Finisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Miscarriage
The Reaper by RuNyx
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was truly wondering why Tristan and Morana needed two books and now I know. They definitely deserve more. The plot of this series was finally laid out and I understood more of it. They deserve each other but I just wish this book focused on their relationship and the plot equally, but The Reaper gave more attention to unearthing the Syndicate. Not that I mind, I’m actually looking forward to him meeting Luna again (I know very well that girl is alive) and she’s the key to her brother finally being at peace (not me talking about Tristan like he’s dead lmao but I know what I mean).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual harassment