jmcclelland17's reviews
225 reviews

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Trial of the Gods by J. L. Jackola

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
There was no plot other than sex.
The Empress by Kristin Cast

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

📚The Empress by Kristin Cast📚

Overall rating: ⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Oh boy. I was so incredibly excited to read this book, the concept sounded so fascinating. Unfortunately, it was not. This was bad. I really don’t say that lightly and I haven’t said that about many books in my lifetime. I always try to find the positive. I genuinely couldn’t with this book. To say this book is not for me is putting it mildly.
The FMC, Hannah, is not likable. Like at all. There are no redeeming qualities about Hannah. She’s immature, whiny, and not at all well rounded. I have loved many FMCs who don’t have their life together in the beginning, but figure it out along the way. Hannah’s (already one dimensional) character doesn’t evolve at all. The MMC, Kane, also fell extremely flat. He had no real personality and no real purpose except for protector of the land. Remember Ken in the Barbie movie where his job is just Beach? Kane is Ken. He’s “protector.” Whatever that means. I read this book in its entirety and I still don’t know. Hannah and Kane have zero chemistry (how would they, that would require any sort of character development) and the only real thing that brings them together is one bed. 

The pacing of the story is completely off, no one is likable, the dialogue is cringey as hell. The relentless attempts at humor and relatable, modern day jokes were having me physically cringe. There are too many examples of this, but one that especially got me early on in the book is when Hannah calls Kane “Sulky Sulkerton” and Kane (who is not at all familiar with modern day slang) doesn’t bat an eye. Hannah is supposed to be in her mid 20s. She acts and speaks like a teenager.

I think there will be people who will read and actually enjoy this book. I’m not one of them.


Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the gifted copy of this book.
Beasts of Briar by Tee Harlowe

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

📚Beasts of Briar by Tee Harlowe📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️

✨Tropes✨
✨Shadow Daddy
✨Strong FMC
✨Beauty and the Beast x Wild Swan
✨Forced Proximity 
✨Gods x Humans (with Elemental Magic)
✨Curses
✨Identities Revealed
✨Interconnected Standalone 
✨Epic Finale

✨Initial Thoughts✨
Oh. My. Gods. This book was incredible!! Easily my favorite out of the entire series- which is saying something because I loved each and every book in the series in their own way. But this book was the masterpiece that tied the entire series together and gave such a satisfying ending to this fantastic series. 
Bellamy is such a strong FMC and to see the development she goes through to become a better version of herself is amazing. Kairoth, our MMC, is the shadow daddy of my dreams. 

✨Pros✨
  • This is a Beauty and the Beast with a sprinkling of the Wild Swan retelling - it’s a refreshingly unique take on Beauty and the Beast and it’s so much fun to read.
  • Ancient curses and hidden identities- there were some twists and turns I could kind of predict, but there were some shocking moments that I audibly gasped. 
  • The romance between Bellamy and Kairoth is top notch. I loved seeing the development of their relationship which leads to incredible character development for both of them.
  • Kairoth really is a shadow daddy like Driscoll says.
  • Enjoyable side characters. So many “old faces” are back for this last book in the series.
  • Epic finale- of this book and of the series. The last 1/4 of this book is so wonderfully tense, but the last chapter is a beautiful and satisfying ending.
  • Engaging story that I could not put down. I read this in one day. 

✨Cons✨
  • No notes. This was above and beyond my expectations and I loved every second.

Thank you to Tee Harlowe for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📚Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️

✨Tropes✨
🩸Why Choose
🩸Dark Fantasy Romance
🩸Trials/Competition
🩸”Who did this to you?”
🩸Morally Dark Gray/Black Men
🩸Identities Reveals
🩸Dark Humor
🩸Animal Protectors/Companions

✨Initial Thoughts✨
This book was not what I was expecting at all! It was a fun ride that just kept getting better and better. I didn’t want it to end and I need the next book right now! 

✨Pros✨
  • The humor in this book, while sometimes dark, was laugh out loud funny at times. Did it get to be a little much towards the end? Yes. But it was still fun.
  • The trials of a sort were interesting and different from other trials I’ve read before.
  • The twists at the end were genuinely surprising. I didn’t see certain things coming. 
  • I love that this book is why choose!
  • I love the morally dark gray/black men!
  • Alexis, while immature at times, was an enjoyable FMC. 
  • I love how the MMCs HATE Alexis in the beginning and then it develops into obsession. It’s a delicious progression that I can’t wait to see develop in the next book.

✨Cons✨
  • The plot holes- okay, if this story wasn’t as fun as it was, the plot holes would annoy me more - example: the whole Alexis can speak to creatures in their language without knowing it yet she knows when she’s speaking Latin? For me, that’s pushing it. Also, if children are so rare, why is there a massacre? Sure, you can argue that they’re weeding out the “weak” but they genuinely seem upset about their numbers dwindling.
A Promise of Lies by Clare Sager

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

📚A Promise of Lies by Clare Sager📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2

✨Tropes✨
⚔️Feminine Rage
⚔️Morally Gray MMC
⚔️30+ year old FMC
⚔️Intelligent, Capable FMC
⚔️Political Intrigue 
⚔️Shadow Daddy
⚔️Epic Finale
⚔️Identities Revealed
⚔️Top Tier 🌶️

✨Initial Thoughts✨
Oh. My. God. The way this book had me in such a chokehold that I read it in one day. This series was incredible, but this final book was nothing short of perfect (for me). I love to see just how far Katherine and Bastian have progressed throughout this series. There were so many twists and turns throughout this book that it kept me hooked the entire time. The amount of times I gasped while reading was obnoxious (and I fully apologized to my husband for scaring him). I don’t want to say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything. What I will say is that you have to read this immediately!

✨Pros✨
  • Having a more mature FMC who is not only capable, but consistently shows us her intelligence is so refreshing. It’s rare to find an FMC as great as Katherine.
  • Bastian is already the shadow daddy of my dreams, but the way he goes through the physical, mental, and emotional challenges presented is nothing short of incredible.
  • The spice!! OMG!! I haven’t read spice that good in so long!
  • The balance between spice and political intrigue was masterful. It was the perfect balance (for me).
  • The way things were tied up by the end of the book/series was so well done. I won’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil it, but let’s just say that things were hard won and the ending was nicely tied up for the characters in a very satisfying way.
  • The emotions! I laughed, raged, cried, and cheered during this book.

✨Cons✨
  • No notes. 


Thank you to Haus of Fables PR and the author for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.
A Touch of Poison by Clare Sager

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

📚A Touch of Poison by Clare Sager📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨Tropes✨
🧪Feminine Rage
🧪Strong, Mature FMC
🧪Mental Health Rep
🧪”She’s Mine”
🧪Morally Gray MMC
🧪Healing From Abuse
🧪Political Intrigue 
🧪Dual POVs

✨Initial Thoughts✨
Wow. Just wow. This book is incredible! I haven’t loved a series like this in so long. I loved the progression and healing of Katherine. Bastian as well, and especially the progression of their relationship. I’m looking forward to reading the next one, especially after the ending!
A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

📚A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️

✨Tropes✨
💋Romantasy
💋Forbidden Romance
💋Twists and Turns
💋Mental Health Rep
💋Hidden Identities 
💋Mature FMC
💋Fae x Humans
💋Fake Courting
💋Morally Gray MMC

✨Initial Thoughts✨
I loved this book so much! I love that our FMC, Kathrine, is in her 30s and married. I love that she is both strong and vulnerable in the perfect mix. I loved the romance between Kathrine and Bastian. And I loved this story. I can’t wait to read the next book.
The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

📚The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4
Spice Rating:🌶️

✨Tropes✨
👻Gothic House
👻Forbidden Romances
👻Sheltered FMC
👻Strong FMC
👻LGBTQIA+ Rep
👻Mental Health Rep

✨Initial Thoughts✨
I enjoyed this book so much. It reminded me of the Haunting of Hill House, Starling House, and Janene Eyre. It has a very gothic, occult, and spooky vibe. The author has created an immersive story which kept me interested throughout. My only criticism would be that some parts of the book dragged out unnecessarily long in my opinion. Otherwise, I enjoyed reading about the various spirits’ stories, personalities, and how the female main character, Elergy, interacted with them. I really loved Elergy and I found a little of myself in her. This would be a fantastic book to read during October and I would definitely reread it then solely for the vibes.

✨Pros✨
  • The varied dynamics of the spirits.
  • A surprising ending - it really did catch me off guard.
  • Elergy’s character development.
  • The MMC, Atticus, and the way the relationship played out.
  • The spooky, gothic atmosphere. 
  • The immersive atmospheric world building.
  • The attention to detail the author gave, especially to being consistent with the old fashioned way Elergy spoke.

✨Cons✨
  • This book dragged out far too much in certain places. I understand that the author wanted the reader to be fully immersed in the house, but I think it could have been achieved in a more concise manner.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

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funny inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5