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emmirosereads's reviews
390 reviews
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.
All of Our Demise by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really did enjoy the first book but this sequel was even better than the first! This really had everything I was looking for in the first one. The emotions. The villainous behavior. The doing whatever it takes to survive and the hard choices that go into making those decisions. I really was far more invested in these characters for the sequel then I was for the first book which made it all the better.
If this entire book could have been about Gavin, Allister, and Henry I think it could have easily been a five star read. I found myself far more invested in their chapters and storyline than any of the others. That's definitely not to say I didn't enjoy or wasn't interested in the others. Just not nearly as much.
I felt like this wrapped up in a really solid way, while not feeling too perfect or too easy. It was also really interesting to get a little more about how this particular world works and all of that stuff.
Over all a really good book and end to a duology! Well worth the read, even if you felt eh about the first one.
If this entire book could have been about Gavin, Allister, and Henry I think it could have easily been a five star read. I found myself far more invested in their chapters and storyline than any of the others. That's definitely not to say I didn't enjoy or wasn't interested in the others. Just not nearly as much.
I felt like this wrapped up in a really solid way, while not feeling too perfect or too easy. It was also really interesting to get a little more about how this particular world works and all of that stuff.
Over all a really good book and end to a duology! Well worth the read, even if you felt eh about the first one.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think I'm having mixed feelings on this book. Overall I think I really enjoyed it! The writing itself was so stunning and lyrical. I wanted to highlight so many quotes. I loved the dynamic of the two sides fighting in this war to alter history and time as we know and these two very different soldiers finding there way to each other throughout time and history and falling in love. It was really sweet. I loved the letters.
At the same time I feel so very confused? I feel like I need to reread this whole book to really grasp and understand everything. I often reread pages to fully understand which is why this took me like a week to finish despite being so short. I also feel like I needed and wanted so much more from this? So much of this is left vague and open ended and I would have loved to know more about these two agencies.
I feel like this is one I need to reread and annotate to fully appreciate and understand.
At the same time I feel so very confused? I feel like I need to reread this whole book to really grasp and understand everything. I often reread pages to fully understand which is why this took me like a week to finish despite being so short. I also feel like I needed and wanted so much more from this? So much of this is left vague and open ended and I would have loved to know more about these two agencies.
I feel like this is one I need to reread and annotate to fully appreciate and understand.
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
This is definitely not a book for everyone. With the heavy topics dealt with (check trigger warnings for sure), and the fact this is so heavy with world building and political intrigue but personally I was left in awe and thought this was an absolutely stunning fantasy novel! I felt like Foz Meadows wrote these characters and their traumas and development with such care and beauty. This ultimately is a story of healing and I could really feel that through out.
The world building is so in depth, and while some might say it's info dumpy I feel like we learn this world at a perfect pace, right along with one of our main characters. It's so intricate and vast, with culture, religion, and politics. It felt so very real which I love in a fantasy novel. It was such an absolute joy to read about a fantasy world where being queer is not just accepted but cherished and celebrated. It was honestly really healing for me to read and see how Vel really overcomes and deals with coming from a place that shamed him for who he was and caused him to hide that.
While this book takes place over a course of a week, somehow Foz makes it not feel like that. So much is happening but it also feels like things are developing with our characters and their relationship at a good and normal pace. This so easily could have felt like insta love but it really didn't feel like it even though some might consider it so. While I loved the plot and mystery they were trying to solve I was really here for the soft moments between Vel and Cae and to see their relationship blossom into something beautiful. It made me warm and fuzzy all over.
Overall so highly recommend if you think it's a book you can handle reading. I'm personally so excited to read the sequel after diving into an excerpt that was in this book.
Literally my only real problem with this book (which I didn't even end up minding after awhile) was the fact that one POV was written in first and then the second character is written in third? Like they each have chunks of chapters together so it didn't end up bothering me too much but I'm still confused by this choice?
The world building is so in depth, and while some might say it's info dumpy I feel like we learn this world at a perfect pace, right along with one of our main characters. It's so intricate and vast, with culture, religion, and politics. It felt so very real which I love in a fantasy novel. It was such an absolute joy to read about a fantasy world where being queer is not just accepted but cherished and celebrated. It was honestly really healing for me to read and see how Vel really overcomes and deals with coming from a place that shamed him for who he was and caused him to hide that.
While this book takes place over a course of a week, somehow Foz makes it not feel like that. So much is happening but it also feels like things are developing with our characters and their relationship at a good and normal pace. This so easily could have felt like insta love but it really didn't feel like it even though some might consider it so. While I loved the plot and mystery they were trying to solve I was really here for the soft moments between Vel and Cae and to see their relationship blossom into something beautiful. It made me warm and fuzzy all over.
Overall so highly recommend if you think it's a book you can handle reading. I'm personally so excited to read the sequel after diving into an excerpt that was in this book.
Literally my only real problem with this book (which I didn't even end up minding after awhile) was the fact that one POV was written in first and then the second character is written in third? Like they each have chunks of chapters together so it didn't end up bothering me too much but I'm still confused by this choice?
All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mostly listened to this on audio and really enjoyed it! A little bit of a slow start as we're setting up all the characters but things get really interesting, especially towards the end!
I think this is a really interesting set up being set in a seemingly modern world with the trial. I loved learning about the history of the trial throughout the book, and the families and where each of our characters are coming from and what each of their motives are. Didn't particularly connect with any one character which is more of why it's a 4 versus a 5 star read but really interested in the sequel since we're left on a cliffhanger in this one.
A pretty quick and easy read I would recommend.
I think this is a really interesting set up being set in a seemingly modern world with the trial. I loved learning about the history of the trial throughout the book, and the families and where each of our characters are coming from and what each of their motives are. Didn't particularly connect with any one character which is more of why it's a 4 versus a 5 star read but really interested in the sequel since we're left on a cliffhanger in this one.
A pretty quick and easy read I would recommend.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay, so I think I'm a little upset that this was marketed as a cozy fantasy when yes the vibes were there but this really didn't have the low stakes of what I love about this growing cozy fantasy genre. If it had been marketed otherwise I think I would have had proper expectations and would have loved this as much as I wanted to but it just wasn't what I was expecting or really what I was wanting. Despite there being far more high stakes than an average cozy fantasy I was bored and didn't necessarily care about that which made me just slug through a good chunk of the book. I wanted far more time with the characters actually building and running the shop and developing their relationship through that and just cozy vibes with them and the side characters. It felt like the shop and that storyline was really second place and background which sucked because that's what I really wanted? While there was a lot that I did love it felt like the plot was very disjointed and didn't flow as well as it should, flopping between sub genres.
While their relationship at times did annoy me at the beginning of the book, with their seeming ability to not trust each other and get mad when they put themselves in danger, I did really enjoy it towards the second half and end of the book! I think they're cute and had a lot of cutes moments which I loved to see. I loved Reyna's get shit done attitude, and Kianthe's humor and puns. I loved all of our side characters to and would have loved to see more of them. I also did enjoy what world building we got. With the queendom, and the magicary and everything else. There's a lot of good interesting stuff there.
With the right expectations I think I can love book two as this book sets it up really nicely but unsure if I really want to read it or not.
While their relationship at times did annoy me at the beginning of the book, with their seeming ability to not trust each other and get mad when they put themselves in danger, I did really enjoy it towards the second half and end of the book! I think they're cute and had a lot of cutes moments which I loved to see. I loved Reyna's get shit done attitude, and Kianthe's humor and puns. I loved all of our side characters to and would have loved to see more of them. I also did enjoy what world building we got. With the queendom, and the magicary and everything else. There's a lot of good interesting stuff there.
With the right expectations I think I can love book two as this book sets it up really nicely but unsure if I really want to read it or not.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-arc of this book for my honest review!
I finished this book and in the best way possible I just sat there wondering what the hell I just read? That ending was... something and I'm still a little confused about it but the vibes were emaculent so im going with it.
The writing in this book was absolutely incredible and probably my favorite part of this. It was lyrical and horrifying and so hauntingly beautiful. The vibes and setting of this book were perfect and I'm so glad I decided to wait till October to read it. It's the perfect time to do so.
I also love the characters in this book and their relationship. It was messy and beautiful and just so wonderfully fitting for the vibe of this book. I was also so excited to see well done asexual representation! It was so unexpected because I didn't know much about this book before diving in but it was so fantastic to see myself in these pages in a way.
Overall absolutely loved this book and highly recommend if this is your kind of read.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-arc of this book for my honest review!
I finished this book and in the best way possible I just sat there wondering what the hell I just read? That ending was... something and I'm still a little confused about it but the vibes were emaculent so im going with it.
The writing in this book was absolutely incredible and probably my favorite part of this. It was lyrical and horrifying and so hauntingly beautiful. The vibes and setting of this book were perfect and I'm so glad I decided to wait till October to read it. It's the perfect time to do so.
I also love the characters in this book and their relationship. It was messy and beautiful and just so wonderfully fitting for the vibe of this book. I was also so excited to see well done asexual representation! It was so unexpected because I didn't know much about this book before diving in but it was so fantastic to see myself in these pages in a way.
Overall absolutely loved this book and highly recommend if this is your kind of read.
The Wicked Remain by Laura Pohl
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
3.5
While objectively this is definitely better than book one I didn't quite enjoy it as much? Half way through I was just getting kind of bored. It feels like it could have definitely been condensed into one longer book. A lot of this just felt like the same thing as book one but regardless I still enjoyed getting the end result, reading more about these characters, etc. I think this duology had a lot going for it.
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
While it took me a few chapters to really get into I absolutely fell in love with it after the fact. Was it full of tropes and a little predictable? It most certainly was but I would argue that's the point. It was lighthearted and funny, while still being emotional and heartwarming in a lot of areas.
I think this books biggest strength is the characters and the relationships with each other. It's a very basic world, and pretty basic plot but if you love the characters you'll have just as much fun with it as I did. I love the take on the chosen one trope and the concept of what happens after the good guys win. I don't think this would technically be considered cozy fantasy but if you love that genre, and love romcoms this would be a perfect book for you.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author now!
I think this books biggest strength is the characters and the relationships with each other. It's a very basic world, and pretty basic plot but if you love the characters you'll have just as much fun with it as I did. I love the take on the chosen one trope and the concept of what happens after the good guys win. I don't think this would technically be considered cozy fantasy but if you love that genre, and love romcoms this would be a perfect book for you.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author now!
The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
I can definitely understand the criticisms people have about this book after reading reviews and I will say that if I hadn't decided to pick this up via the audiobook version it likely would have taken me much longer to finish/I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. It is quite slow for a good half of the book, and the mystery could be considered a bit lack luster, and not make a lot of sense for a few reasons.
With that being said I'm an absolute sucker for anything fairytale related and I loved the concept of this book. It was fun to try and connect which character was which fairytale story throughout the book. Some where much easier to figure out than others. I also really enjoyed reading about these characters, flaws and all. It was great to see a lot of different representation in all of these characters and it just be a normal part of the book and their story. Their identity wasn't some huge fanfare or the main plot of the book, they were just existing. I also loved the vibes and setting of this being a boarding school.
While I can definitely see why this wouldn't be a lot of people's favorite book I had fun with it, and definitely very interesting in diving into the sequel to see where it goes and how it improves. If you're looking for a new audiobook to dive into and not take too seriously I would definitely recommend this one.
With that being said I'm an absolute sucker for anything fairytale related and I loved the concept of this book. It was fun to try and connect which character was which fairytale story throughout the book. Some where much easier to figure out than others. I also really enjoyed reading about these characters, flaws and all. It was great to see a lot of different representation in all of these characters and it just be a normal part of the book and their story. Their identity wasn't some huge fanfare or the main plot of the book, they were just existing. I also loved the vibes and setting of this being a boarding school.
While I can definitely see why this wouldn't be a lot of people's favorite book I had fun with it, and definitely very interesting in diving into the sequel to see where it goes and how it improves. If you're looking for a new audiobook to dive into and not take too seriously I would definitely recommend this one.