paradisebibliophile's reviews
134 reviews

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Queen of Quintessence by Tessa Hale

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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

3.5

This series had so much potential. Overall, I liked it. But I had some issues. I thought it was too fast. Like the world was pretty cool with cool concepts but it all wrapped up super quick and I felt like it could’ve gone on for a lot longer. Also, this book specifically, the FMC was bothering me lol. Every other chapter ended with her passing out or blacking out. Like girl. Get up. I also wanted to know more about the MMCs lives prior to meeting the FMC. Another issue I had, the FMC just started getting magically good at mastering her affinities. seemed unrealistic. And the way she handled her family and interpersonal relationships seemed off to me. 

The idea for the series was good. But I wished there was more to it. 
The Last Aether by Tessa Hale

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

I really like this series. If anything, I feel like it’s moving a bit too fast. I could read about this world for five more books. I don’t like how the FMC just left her human family and friends and has barely spoken to them in place of her new world. But I can understand why it’s written the way it is. Just something that bothered me a bit. I’m looking forward to the last book to see how it wraps up. 
The Lost Elemental by Tessa Hale

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

This reminds me of zodiac academy or the bonds series by J Bree. It’s a quick and cute read and I’m excited for the rest of the series. I really like the characters and feel excited to learn more about this world 
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

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

3.0

This book didn’t pick up until the end. I had a hard time getting through the first half of the book honestly. I had to adapt to the writing style as it felt like it was written the way someone would talk or think (i.e. a lot of run on sentences and jumbled thoughts). I also felt like the story read somewhat juvenile. It’s supposed to be about young adults but it comes off like the MCs are teenagers. The MCs relationships are also very toxic. To the point that you can get annoyed reading about it after awhile. This book series is so hyped up. I hope it gets better. 
Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

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emotional funny 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

3.75

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

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challenging emotional funny 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

3.5

This book is such a cute concept. I wanted to rate it a bit higher but felt like I needed to know more about the MCs histories for that. It kind of felt like the book just picked up in a world I should have been familiar with already but obviously wasn’t. I really liked the characters and plot. A bit more backstory and history about why the MCs are the way they are would’ve done it for me. But it was a good book. I’m excited to read the rest of the series. 
Thirsty by Jas Hammonds

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challenging emotional 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

4.5

I loved so many things about this book. It was really raw. Emotional. And real. Even if you don’t struggle with the exact same things as the MC it resonates. The only thing I didn’t love was how it flashed back and forth. Sometimes I caught myself having to flip back a few pages and reorient myself to what period of time we were in. But besides that I loved this book. I’d recommend. 
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

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

3.75

I liked the book. I personally thought it was a bit slow to start. I also thought there were still some questions I wanted answered when it all was over. I liked it overall. If it had rounded out better in the end I’d have given it four stars. 
This Is My America by Kim Johnson

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challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Very powerful read.