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emmirosereads's reviews
389 reviews
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.0
This book had a solid base and premise, a lot of potential that I was really excited for but unfortunately it fell pretty flat for me. I think my biggest struggle with this book was the pacing. I can't exactly put my finger on it but right from the start it just felt oddly paced. Picking this up it almost feels like it's a book in a interconnected stand alone series. Like we could get by well enough reading it on it's own but if we read the first book we would have a lot richer experience, except for the fact that there is no other book. It was quite a struggle for me to stay focused and engaged the whole book.
I found I was simply not emotionally invested in these characters and this world as much as I wanted to be. It was definitely fun and enjoyable in a lot of parts but very run of the mill fantasy with nothing really show stopping about it.
I found I was simply not emotionally invested in these characters and this world as much as I wanted to be. It was definitely fun and enjoyable in a lot of parts but very run of the mill fantasy with nothing really show stopping about it.
Trick Shot by Kayla Grosse
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
This was exactly what I expected it would be and what I wanted from it. Just a cheesy, spicy, Christmas novella. There was quite a bit of insta love and there were some parts of the spice that were just a little much more me but overall enjoyable!
The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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'm so glad I was finally able to get to the third and last book in the Montague sibling series. This was everything I wanted it to be and more. It's been a long time since I read the first two books but I remember loving them and it was so good to see some familiar faces again. Especially getting so much of Monty. This was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming and heart wrenching all at the same time.
Obviously everyone experiences anxiety and mental health in different ways but for me this was the most raw, and real anxiety representation I have ever read in a work of fiction. It hits even harder since this is a first person narrative. We get every thought Adrian has and sometimes it just hit me in the gut how much I related to it. I saw so many similarities to Adrian and me in 2019 when I was first getting diagnosed with GAD and the years before when there was something so clearly wrong but I had no idea the words to even describe it. I feel like it's so easy to push aside anxiety disorders and not realize just how debilitating they are unless you have one yourself and it was so refreshing to read a book where it was so clear on how and why an anxiety disorder is so debilitating.
I just absolutely loved the journey Adrian goes on both mentally and literally. The relationship he forms with his long lost siblings and just everything else. The audiobook was also very good for this! I most definitely want to pick up and read the the first two books again.
Obviously everyone experiences anxiety and mental health in different ways but for me this was the most raw, and real anxiety representation I have ever read in a work of fiction. It hits even harder since this is a first person narrative. We get every thought Adrian has and sometimes it just hit me in the gut how much I related to it. I saw so many similarities to Adrian and me in 2019 when I was first getting diagnosed with GAD and the years before when there was something so clearly wrong but I had no idea the words to even describe it. I feel like it's so easy to push aside anxiety disorders and not realize just how debilitating they are unless you have one yourself and it was so refreshing to read a book where it was so clear on how and why an anxiety disorder is so debilitating.
I just absolutely loved the journey Adrian goes on both mentally and literally. The relationship he forms with his long lost siblings and just everything else. The audiobook was also very good for this! I most definitely want to pick up and read the the first two books again.
Icarus by K. Ancrum
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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 will say that I definitely struggled quite a bit with starting this one. I normally love short chapters but these were almost too short it was jarring in a way? Especially when I was starting with the audiobook. I was jumping back and forth between digital and audio with this one. Like I would get into the story and what was going on and then new chapter and new chapter title. So I think my biggest struggle with this was the flow and pacing of the book.
Once I got used to that though I started enjoying this a little more. The best way I can describe K. Ancrum's writing style is whimsical. It's very beautiful and when I started connecting to the story and characters a little more it was very moving and emotional. This is a pretty simple and sweet love story, very loosely inspired by the myth of Icarus and Helios. Icarus's backstory and history was very interesting to learn and discover throughout this book.
I think my favorite thing about this, and why I ended up enjoying it in the end was the depiction of Icarus being such a strong and isolated character and throughout this story becoming so much softer and opening up more with the people he can consider friends. The love he has for his friends and later for Helios feels so soft and warm and I loved that and so atypical from how a lot of relationships and romance is depicted in media. I think it's really worth reading for that alone. I also loved seeing the very difficult relationship he has with his father and how he emotionally handles and deals with that throughout the story.
Overall if you like more character driven and lyrical stories and don't mind a bit of a slower paced story I think this is definitely something you can enjoy as well!
Once I got used to that though I started enjoying this a little more. The best way I can describe K. Ancrum's writing style is whimsical. It's very beautiful and when I started connecting to the story and characters a little more it was very moving and emotional. This is a pretty simple and sweet love story, very loosely inspired by the myth of Icarus and Helios. Icarus's backstory and history was very interesting to learn and discover throughout this book.
I think my favorite thing about this, and why I ended up enjoying it in the end was the depiction of Icarus being such a strong and isolated character and throughout this story becoming so much softer and opening up more with the people he can consider friends. The love he has for his friends and later for Helios feels so soft and warm and I loved that and so atypical from how a lot of relationships and romance is depicted in media. I think it's really worth reading for that alone. I also loved seeing the very difficult relationship he has with his father and how he emotionally handles and deals with that throughout the story.
Overall if you like more character driven and lyrical stories and don't mind a bit of a slower paced story I think this is definitely something you can enjoy as well!
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is going to be a book I think about for a long time and I cannot wait for the sequel. What an absolutely incredible read.
We dive right into the action making this very easy to get sucked into and hooked. The world building is in depth without being too hard to wrap your head around. I was so enthralled by the mechas and the whole piloting system and how they all work.
The feminine rage in this book is to die for. I was rooting for Zentian the entire time with every rule break and monstrous act. I loved every minute of it.
Every typical YA trope being turned on its head was so delightful to read. Particularly the love triangle that's in fact an actual love triangle and not your typical girl must choose between two boys. They all are connected and into each other and fuck yeah that was so refreshing and wonderful to read. My one complaint about this book was that we don't get to see more of that relationship than we do. They feel like very fleeting brief moments but that is purely because this is not a romance heavy book and was never supposed to be so I'm not holding that against the book or knocking off stars for it.
I ate the ending up entirely, even more so anticipating the sequel. This is the first book in awhile that I felt was going to be five stars right at the beginning.
We dive right into the action making this very easy to get sucked into and hooked. The world building is in depth without being too hard to wrap your head around. I was so enthralled by the mechas and the whole piloting system and how they all work.
The feminine rage in this book is to die for. I was rooting for Zentian the entire time with every rule break and monstrous act. I loved every minute of it.
Every typical YA trope being turned on its head was so delightful to read. Particularly the love triangle that's in fact an actual love triangle and not your typical girl must choose between two boys. They all are connected and into each other and fuck yeah that was so refreshing and wonderful to read. My one complaint about this book was that we don't get to see more of that relationship than we do. They feel like very fleeting brief moments but that is purely because this is not a romance heavy book and was never supposed to be so I'm not holding that against the book or knocking off stars for it.
I ate the ending up entirely, even more so anticipating the sequel. This is the first book in awhile that I felt was going to be five stars right at the beginning.
All The Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.0
Did I have problems with this book? Yes. Did I love this as much as the first? No. Will I treasure it as much as the first? Yes I will.
I struggled mostly through the first half of this book. While I adored being back in this world and seeing more of the relationship between our two main characters it was riddled with the miscommunication trope and pages of self deprecation that were slowly getting on my nerves. While it wasn't necessarily intentional I did end up taking a long break from this but when I came back I was enjoying myself a lot more.
I just adore Vel and Cae too damn much to not have loved this book. The beauty in their queer relationship and just how desperately they love each other brought so much emotion in me. Along with just how moving it is to have a book set in a world that's so queer normative. The themes and messages of love, being in a queer relationship, and processing this world after you 'come out' was so special to me.
The story structure felt very similar to book one. A lot of similar things happen and again it's a very political heavy book but I found I was intrigued by a lot it. It's a long book but it never feels like it drags on terribly long? It's fast paced and keeps you hooked the whole time. While I didn't particularly care for how to plot was resolved and what ended up being the big plot twist/reveal, again I was just mainly here for the characters and the relationships between everyone and I'm not ashamed of it.
Also Asrien was an unexpected love in this. I went from liking him, to hating him, to loving him in the span of this book. I think he's such an intriguing character.
I struggled mostly through the first half of this book. While I adored being back in this world and seeing more of the relationship between our two main characters it was riddled with the miscommunication trope and pages of self deprecation that were slowly getting on my nerves. While it wasn't necessarily intentional I did end up taking a long break from this but when I came back I was enjoying myself a lot more.
I just adore Vel and Cae too damn much to not have loved this book. The beauty in their queer relationship and just how desperately they love each other brought so much emotion in me. Along with just how moving it is to have a book set in a world that's so queer normative. The themes and messages of love, being in a queer relationship, and processing this world after you 'come out' was so special to me.
The story structure felt very similar to book one. A lot of similar things happen and again it's a very political heavy book but I found I was intrigued by a lot it. It's a long book but it never feels like it drags on terribly long? It's fast paced and keeps you hooked the whole time. While I didn't particularly care for how to plot was resolved and what ended up being the big plot twist/reveal, again I was just mainly here for the characters and the relationships between everyone and I'm not ashamed of it.
Also Asrien was an unexpected love in this. I went from liking him, to hating him, to loving him in the span of this book. I think he's such an intriguing character.
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
This was another holiday rom com that I was not expecting to love nearly as much as I did. I had so much fun with this one! It was so beautifully queer and messy and just so delightful. I think I loved this one so much because I could see myself so much in Ellie. As a demisexual, bi girl with GAD and mommy issues, she is me and I am her. I also related to a lot of aspects of Jack as well. The raging ADHD, the being terrible at school, never feeling good enough for your family.
I loved the twist this takes with the fake dating trope, as well as the found family trope. Two of my favorites done really well. I just loved all of the side characters in this to. Jack is swoon worthy. Andrew has adorable himbo energy and I love Dylan as well. The dynamic between all of them was just a chef kiss to read.
I love the messiness of the situation, the flaws that are so evident in both Ellie and Jack. While this technically does have a third act break up I think it's done really well.
I also really loved how this was written. The format of bouncing between the present and the past through Ellie's webcomic Snow Day.
I loved the twist this takes with the fake dating trope, as well as the found family trope. Two of my favorites done really well. I just loved all of the side characters in this to. Jack is swoon worthy. Andrew has adorable himbo energy and I love Dylan as well. The dynamic between all of them was just a chef kiss to read.
I love the messiness of the situation, the flaws that are so evident in both Ellie and Jack. While this technically does have a third act break up I think it's done really well.
I also really loved how this was written. The format of bouncing between the present and the past through Ellie's webcomic Snow Day.
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
I went in expecting a lighthearted and fun Christmas novel that I wasn't going to take too seriously and I came out lowkey crying by the end of it? What has this book done to me!? This was so much better than I thought it was going to be.
I adored these characters and the relationship they all had with each other. The real raw emotions, the banter, everything. I also had a lot of fun with this world. Like the concepts of holidays being specific places, having royalty and all that. I thought it was going to just be goofy, but I was actually extremely interested and fascinated by this concept and the world building.
The writing was incredible as well. The way Sara Raasch writes so beautifully without it feeling too over powering and flowery. The way she writes just hits you right in the emotions so well. As someone who was feeling a bit blah about Christmas this year this was honestly such a perfect book to read. As it dealt with the concept of grief during the holidays, and coming to terms with the fact that Christmas is no longer this fun happy bright season like it used to be when we were younger, but also how to bring that back and bring joy into the darkness. I was not expecting to be impacted by this book so much.
It was fun, funny, joyful, emotional, queer, and just overall so beautiful.
I adored these characters and the relationship they all had with each other. The real raw emotions, the banter, everything. I also had a lot of fun with this world. Like the concepts of holidays being specific places, having royalty and all that. I thought it was going to just be goofy, but I was actually extremely interested and fascinated by this concept and the world building.
The writing was incredible as well. The way Sara Raasch writes so beautifully without it feeling too over powering and flowery. The way she writes just hits you right in the emotions so well. As someone who was feeling a bit blah about Christmas this year this was honestly such a perfect book to read. As it dealt with the concept of grief during the holidays, and coming to terms with the fact that Christmas is no longer this fun happy bright season like it used to be when we were younger, but also how to bring that back and bring joy into the darkness. I was not expecting to be impacted by this book so much.
It was fun, funny, joyful, emotional, queer, and just overall so beautiful.