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kassielovestoread's reviews
397 reviews
The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
If I thought Six Crimson Cranes was a fantastic read, then I truly have no words to describe The Dragon's Promise. Oh my God, this book is a 6/5 stars for me. It was jam packed with adventure, plot, a too beautiful for words romance/friendship/and familial ties. I sincerely loved everything about this book!!
This YA fantasy is both "worth the hype" and criminally underrated. I cannot fathom how this series has fled under my radar until recently! I simply don't have enough words in the English language to exemplify how meaningful these books mean to me. I cried, I laughed, I squealed with delight, I was clutching the pages in horror and anticipation: just the primary emotions I experienced while reading the conclusion to Shirori's story. I'm already feeling the beginnings of a book hangover and I need Her Radiant Curse like I need food and water! UGH, am I really going to have to wait until August to get my hands on it??
Dont walk, RUNNNN to Barnes and Noble or your local indie store to get your hands on this series. It's so freaking worth it!!
This YA fantasy is both "worth the hype" and criminally underrated. I cannot fathom how this series has fled under my radar until recently! I simply don't have enough words in the English language to exemplify how meaningful these books mean to me. I cried, I laughed, I squealed with delight, I was clutching the pages in horror and anticipation: just the primary emotions I experienced while reading the conclusion to Shirori's story. I'm already feeling the beginnings of a book hangover and I need Her Radiant Curse like I need food and water! UGH, am I really going to have to wait until August to get my hands on it??
Dont walk, RUNNNN to Barnes and Noble or your local indie store to get your hands on this series. It's so freaking worth it!!
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
After crying my way through the last 10 pages of this book, I'm finally dry eyed enough to write this review. I just wanna say that I knew this book was going to be great because of the glowing reviews it regularly receives, but I didn't know that I would end up loving it as much as I did!
Elizabeth Lim's writing style captured me completely. This was a really easy read for me and I honestly don't know how to explain that in a way that doesn't belittles the YA genre writing style with the whole "it reads like a YA/fan-fic blah blah blah". It was an easy read in the sense that I became immersed from page 1 rather than the normal page 100-150 it would normally take to engage me.
I loved the cast of characters so much and I was deeply, DEEPLY invested in Shiori's journey. I rooted for her from page 1!! I wanted so badly to know how the outcome of this story would come about and when it did, just know that my heart shattered into a million pieces, LOL. This novel explores all the ways love can bloom and it exemplifies just how truly cherished Shiori is in all aspects.
I can't WAIT to read book two!!
Elizabeth Lim's writing style captured me completely. This was a really easy read for me and I honestly don't know how to explain that in a way that doesn't belittles the YA genre writing style with the whole "it reads like a YA/fan-fic blah blah blah". It was an easy read in the sense that I became immersed from page 1 rather than the normal page 100-150 it would normally take to engage me.
I loved the cast of characters so much and I was deeply, DEEPLY invested in Shiori's journey. I rooted for her from page 1!! I wanted so badly to know how the outcome of this story would come about and when it did, just know that my heart shattered into a million pieces, LOL. This novel explores all the ways love can bloom and it exemplifies just how truly cherished Shiori is in all aspects.
I can't WAIT to read book two!!
If Only You by Chloe Liese
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
This book was pretty good! I will say though that if you’ve read books 2 and 5, then you’ll notice that If Only You borrows the same tropes (as well as other similarities) in this story. That’s not a bad thing per say, I just would’ve liked a completely original story.
Regardless, you’ll fall in love with Ziggy and Sebastian’s story nonetheless. There are some heartfelt moments in this book that made me tear up! Ziggy wanting to be taken more seriously professionally and socially and Sebastian wanting to save his career and conquer his inner demons. If you love hockey romances, then this is one you don’t wanna miss! I’m excited for Viggo’s story- I hope he’s secretly opening up a bakery/bookstore combo and will meet the match of his life, LOL!
Regardless, you’ll fall in love with Ziggy and Sebastian’s story nonetheless. There are some heartfelt moments in this book that made me tear up! Ziggy wanting to be taken more seriously professionally and socially and Sebastian wanting to save his career and conquer his inner demons. If you love hockey romances, then this is one you don’t wanna miss! I’m excited for Viggo’s story- I hope he’s secretly opening up a bakery/bookstore combo and will meet the match of his life, LOL!
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
Wow. I mean....just, Wow. This book was fantastic! The prose and tone of this novel was simply decadent. Despite the difficult topics explored in this story, I just loved Isabel Cañas writing style. The author's stylistic wording also perfectly depicted what 1860's Mexico would've been like and I pictured it quite well in my head. The pacing of the novel was at times slow, but you have to bear with it. When the mystery quickly unwinds itself, you will be wishing for the book to slow down so you can catch your breath! I was left on the edge of my seat the entire time, eagerly awaiting what will happen next. If you loved Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia just as much as I did, then you absolutely need to read this book!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
Mile High by Liz Tomforde
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it overall, but there were a lot of things featured in this book that I disliked.
What I liked: Stevie and Zanders were really good characters. They dealt with some major parental issues as well as self-identity + worth conflicts. I valued the discussions this book would bring up in me about those things! I think Stevie's plot would be cathartic to a lot of people struggling with body acceptance. This story places a lot of emphasis on their development and growth, so if you're looking for more of an emotional read with good characters, this book is the one for you.
With that being said, this book is far from perfect. This book has nooooooo business being as long as it is. It felt like a slow march to get to that ending! I felt the conflict was too drawn out and could've resolved a lot earlier in the book. Contemporary romance books should never be more than 400 pages MAX! Secondly, I didn't like the power imbalance between Zanders and Stevie in the beginning of the book. I got the major ick from him bothering her on her job just to have an excuse to talk to her. Only because men think that shit really is romantic in real life and it's honestly not. Lastly, I did not vibe with Liz Tomforde's writing style at all. Not to be rude, but you can definitely tell this book was indie published. I encountered a lot of spelling/grammatical errors and a lot of dialogue/phrasing/scenes were repeated too often for my liking.
I'm not eager to read the rest of this series, though my best friend swears book two is better. Maybe one day I'll get to it!
What I liked: Stevie and Zanders were really good characters. They dealt with some major parental issues as well as self-identity + worth conflicts. I valued the discussions this book would bring up in me about those things! I think Stevie's plot would be cathartic to a lot of people struggling with body acceptance. This story places a lot of emphasis on their development and growth, so if you're looking for more of an emotional read with good characters, this book is the one for you.
With that being said, this book is far from perfect. This book has nooooooo business being as long as it is. It felt like a slow march to get to that ending! I felt the conflict was too drawn out and could've resolved a lot earlier in the book. Contemporary romance books should never be more than 400 pages MAX! Secondly, I didn't like the power imbalance between Zanders and Stevie in the beginning of the book. I got the major ick from him bothering her on her job just to have an excuse to talk to her. Only because men think that shit really is romantic in real life and it's honestly not. Lastly, I did not vibe with Liz Tomforde's writing style at all. Not to be rude, but you can definitely tell this book was indie published. I encountered a lot of spelling/grammatical errors and a lot of dialogue/phrasing/scenes were repeated too often for my liking.
I'm not eager to read the rest of this series, though my best friend swears book two is better. Maybe one day I'll get to it!
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my Goodness I freaking LOVED this book!! I finished it just a few minutes ago but it's easily one of the best, most entertaining books I've ever read. I think if you're a lover of fantasy romance then you can't go wrong with The North Wind. There's something for everyone to love in this story!
The blurb to this book is exactly right. This novel is part Beauty and the Beast, part Hades and Persephone. Wren, our main character, is a woman not to be fucked with. She's got one goal: to survive so she can provide for her sister. A Nobel cause, one I felt kinship with immediately. Wren is far from perfect though- she's an alcoholic with a violent tendency to self destruct. Alls said and done, I thoroughly enjoyed her as she was. She's deeply flawed but thats what makes her development so satisfying to read. You can literally track how she becomes a better person and comes to certain terms with the wrongness in her life. But does she lay down and accept that things can't be better, so why bother trying? NO! She fights hard for every possible solution and earns the deeply satisfying ending she got.
Listen, I loved the Frost King too! Buuuuuuut, it did take a while for him to grow on me, which I'm sure was exactly the intention the author intended.His love for Wren was very quiet, only that it materialized (at first) in stolen glances and sometimes stilted conversations. It felt a little frustrating to read, just because I was eager for him to showcase how deserving him and Wren are for a better life. However, it's a slow burn for a reason! And when the walls around their hearts come tumbling down, the resolution is sooooo worth it. The spice was excellent and aplenty, which I always think is the perfect addition to any story. His backstory with his deceased wife and child broke my heart :( especially considering the Gray + Deadlands decaying environment was timed to his never-ending grief.
I'm not sure how I feel about book two though. I loved The North Wind so much that I'll likely pick up The West Wind anyway- however, Zephyrus is on my shit list and I'm not sure that little weasel deserves a HEA of his own! Definitely need to get my hands on the matching edition so I can get into the story sooner rather than later.
The blurb to this book is exactly right. This novel is part Beauty and the Beast, part Hades and Persephone. Wren, our main character, is a woman not to be fucked with. She's got one goal: to survive so she can provide for her sister. A Nobel cause, one I felt kinship with immediately. Wren is far from perfect though- she's an alcoholic with a violent tendency to self destruct. Alls said and done, I thoroughly enjoyed her as she was. She's deeply flawed but thats what makes her development so satisfying to read. You can literally track how she becomes a better person and comes to certain terms with the wrongness in her life. But does she lay down and accept that things can't be better, so why bother trying? NO! She fights hard for every possible solution and earns the deeply satisfying ending she got.
Listen, I loved the Frost King too! Buuuuuuut, it did take a while for him to grow on me, which I'm sure was exactly the intention the author intended.
I'm not sure how I feel about book two though. I loved The North Wind so much that I'll likely pick up The West Wind anyway- however, Zephyrus is on my shit list and I'm not sure that little weasel deserves a HEA of his own! Definitely need to get my hands on the matching edition so I can get into the story sooner rather than later.
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-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
3.5
I think Portrait of a Thief has a little something that everyone can love about this book. This was a deeply reflective novel about the ramifications of art theft and the lasting impact of colonialism. This story was about a group of college students reclaiming their ancestral ties to a country they don't know enough of through art. Makes me wanna go rob the various museums for Latin America's stolen treasures (Ha-Ha, just kidding FBI)!
What I liked about this book: first and foremost, Irene and Alex. When I tell you I was sat for them and them only, I mean it! I looooove a great sapphic relationship and when you mix reluctant allies to all that tension and want, best believe you're in for a good time. Even though I loved their relationship and rooted so hard for them to get together, I was left with wanting more out of their story. But for what it was, I enjoyed it a lot!
Was this book a perfect 5 star read? No, it's not without its faults. A lot of aspects of it were very repetitive and I often found myself re-reading the same information about these characters too deep into the story. There were also a few lulls throughout the book that I found difficult to power through. I think the author wanted to prioritize character development in those moments, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. But, I did find that the overall novel doesn't flow quite right as a result. Nonetheless, this was a decent book from a debut author! I would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
What I liked about this book: first and foremost, Irene and Alex. When I tell you I was sat for them and them only, I mean it! I looooove a great sapphic relationship and when you mix reluctant allies to all that tension and want, best believe you're in for a good time. Even though I loved their relationship and rooted so hard for them to get together, I was left with wanting more out of their story. But for what it was, I enjoyed it a lot!
Was this book a perfect 5 star read? No, it's not without its faults. A lot of aspects of it were very repetitive and I often found myself re-reading the same information about these characters too deep into the story. There were also a few lulls throughout the book that I found difficult to power through. I think the author wanted to prioritize character development in those moments, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. But, I did find that the overall novel doesn't flow quite right as a result. Nonetheless, this was a decent book from a debut author! I would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
Everything for You by Chloe Liese
emotional
hopeful
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
Oh man, I looooved this book. This novel put me in my fucking feels!
I felt so deeply for Gavin </3 his back story is revealed very late into the book, but it's worth the wait. I was really concerned at the state of his and Oliver's relationship, to be honest. Can they make it when Gavin seems hellbent on self-destruction? Will he be able to look at his partner's thriving career and feel joy or will he grow to be resentful? The author makes it very clear that though Gavin is in a rough place mentally, one thing he'll never sacrifice is Oliver's happiness. I loved the way Chloe Liese approached that aha moment for Gavin. He knew that if wanted Oliver for real, he'd have to put in the work. Going to therapy, taking care of his body..etc. I appreciated that so much!!
I've said this before, I'll say it again. This is a series that gets better and better! The first two novels aren't the best- but once you get past those you can enjoy really great rom-com's with fantastic disability representation. Everyone's gotta hop on the Bergman Brothers series!
I felt so deeply for Gavin </3 his back story is revealed very late into the book, but it's worth the wait. I was really concerned at the state of his and Oliver's relationship, to be honest. Can they make it when Gavin seems hellbent on self-destruction? Will he be able to look at his partner's thriving career and feel joy or will he grow to be resentful? The author makes it very clear that though Gavin is in a rough place mentally, one thing he'll never sacrifice is Oliver's happiness. I loved the way Chloe Liese approached that aha moment for Gavin. He knew that if wanted Oliver for real, he'd have to put in the work. Going to therapy, taking care of his body..etc. I appreciated that so much!!
I've said this before, I'll say it again. This is a series that gets better and better! The first two novels aren't the best- but once you get past those you can enjoy really great rom-com's with fantastic disability representation. Everyone's gotta hop on the Bergman Brothers series!
The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante
emotional
sad
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
4.5
I think The Grief Keeper was such an important story for me to read. It was a difficult read- the themes explored in this novel are heartbreaking. Nevertheless I'm glad to have read this book!
Marisol has one plan: survive. So she and Gabi can live a better life in the United States. Her strength was unparalleled! She survived a horrible, would-be tragic fate by fleeing her country to arrive in the US. Throughout the novel I rooted the hardest for Marisol. I can't imagine what it must be like, to leave your country with absolute fear that your life is in jeopardy, with a small child when you yourself are also a child! It's unimaginable to me but that doesn't mean it has not/is not happening to innumerable immigrants. This is the type of novel that schools need to introduce to their students as required reading.
Marisol has one plan: survive. So she and Gabi can live a better life in the United States. Her strength was unparalleled! She survived a horrible, would-be tragic fate by fleeing her country to arrive in the US. Throughout the novel I rooted the hardest for Marisol. I can't imagine what it must be like, to leave your country with absolute fear that your life is in jeopardy, with a small child when you yourself are also a child! It's unimaginable to me but that doesn't mean it has not/is not happening to innumerable immigrants. This is the type of novel that schools need to introduce to their students as required reading.
King of Pride by Ana Huang
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
Kai is the definition of a gentleman in the streets, a freak in the sheets. The sexy nerd of my dreams LMAO! I think his character was a much needed addition to Ana Huang's fictional universe. He offered a pleasant contrast to the harsher tones that the author tends to follow with her male leads. Don't get me wrong, I love all the morally grey/alphas of the twisted series, but Kai just brings something entirely different to the table! I genuinely don't know which hero is my favorite now, Kai or Josh??
TBH, I wasn't too sure about Isabella when we were first introduced to her in King of Wrath. I thought her character was a little too out there and I jumped to the conclusion that she was going to be a pick me girl through and through. BUT! I was wrong! Isabella was an amazing character. She was the perfect contrast to Kai's stringent, uptight-ness. She was the best encapsulation of the perfect storm. I related soooo much to Isabella- especially her struggles with finding her footing in the world amongst successful friends and family. I genuinely rooted for her development and was absolutely pleased with the epilogue. That's my queen fr!!
I loved this story so, so much. I can't WAIT for the rest of the series because I just *know* that book 3 is gonna eat as much as this one did. Can King of Greed release date come now please????
TBH, I wasn't too sure about Isabella when we were first introduced to her in King of Wrath. I thought her character was a little too out there and I jumped to the conclusion that she was going to be a pick me girl through and through. BUT! I was wrong! Isabella was an amazing character. She was the perfect contrast to Kai's stringent, uptight-ness. She was the best encapsulation of the perfect storm. I related soooo much to Isabella- especially her struggles with finding her footing in the world amongst successful friends and family. I genuinely rooted for her development and was absolutely pleased with the epilogue. That's my queen fr!!
I loved this story so, so much. I can't WAIT for the rest of the series because I just *know* that book 3 is gonna eat as much as this one did. Can King of Greed release date come now please????