monarchbooks's reviews
506 reviews

Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire

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adventurous emotional 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

This was such a beautiful story about growing up too fast and I loved all the little Easter eggs referencing the other worlds we've seen. The Moors (again), the candy sword, the bone harp, and oh so many markets. 
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

This book had so much plot armor keeping it together, I'm considering call Duct Tape to let them Elle Cosimano is coming for their job. Despite this, I still loved it. You go Javi. 
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

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Skeleton Song by Seanan McGuire

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I just want Christopher to have his happy ending :(
Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is just so heartwrenching not just with Cora's struggles, but with seeing Regan's name again, and with Sumi's undying belief in her future and her friends, and with the unnamed girl finally finally learning her name. I just hope everyone gets their happy endings. 
Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

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

4.5

This book was just overwhelmingly sad for me; knowing from the beginning that Regan was going to be locked out of the world and family and friends that accepted her wholly, with no question. 
The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a fun book even though I knew the big twist going in and I do wish I had read it before reading Dorothy Must Die because that book makes so many references to this one but I think what I did not really enjoy in this book is that the Scarecrow (brains or not) is meant to be smart yet he seems so stupid in this book. Also Happy Pride Month to Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman.
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved reading from Christopher's point of view but I wish we got to see his happy ending 
The Ghost and the Dead Deb by Cleo Coyle, Alice Kimberly

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If I have to read "gunmetal gray, double-breasted suit" one more time, I might go crazy. Beyond that I really found this installation of the Ghost and the Haunted Bookshop series intriguing and easy to follow. A fun Gossip Girl-esque cast of possible murderers with just enough secrets to keep both Penelope and the reader on their toes. 
Also, after having read one of the later novels, I loved finding out the vackstory behind the Buffalo nickel. 
I'm a little wary of this romance still but the lyrics "my beloved ghost and me, sitting in a tree" keep running through my head during their one-on-one scenes so I guess they're growing on me.
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

I think my one qualm was the Tin Man's obsession with Dorothy, it's just creepy okay

I think the dark twist on the beloved characters made sense in their own ways and I liked the foreshadowing on who Pete really was (which i think was a nod to The Marvelous Land of Oz) and the identity of the handler. The Lion being so courageous that now he has no sympathy for the ones afraid was imo, a perfect twist on his character. The witches were all so interesting and unique, in fact the whole cast of characters was well characterized, despite being large. The intoxicating pull of magic and wickedness was really interesting to read about through Amy's character. I also found each of the character deaths extremely sad, which is a hard task for an author in the first book with a large cast and little time for side character growth.