readerlatte's reviews
236 reviews

My Review: First off I would like to say that I am so happy that I got the chance to read this one. It is another book about witches that made my little witchy heart so happy. You could really tell how much work Ficklin did for this story. The only issue I really had with this one was that at times it was very dialogue heavy and well there were a few times that I was slightly confused on who said what and had to go back and reread small passages. But even with those two things this book hit it so far out of the park.

This one was very fast paced. The world is of course like out own but there are guardian witches that are alive to protect gateways to hell that demons and other things can come and go from. I really liked this idea of portals and their guardians. It gave a fresh new look at the world of the supernatural.

The snark that Aria had made this one a joy to read, it was so funny at times and I swear I spent more time taking photos of quotes than anything else. Aria stands out as a very strong female character. She's a great fighter and determined to find the demon that killed her mom, close all the gates, and then go on with her life. I think that this made her one of the best characters that I've read in a long while. Because, unlike most hunters which it is their life (such as Supernatural) Aria just wants to do what she set out to do then leave this world behind. The side characters in this one shine bright and the connections Aria has with them made this story even better. She's been cut off from letting anyone in and she's been alone and on her own for three years. This change made the story even better.

The few battles we get in this one were great. I would have loved to have seen a few more of them however, what we did see worked. I think this book really was more of a girl meets boy and opens herself to the possibility that she doesn't have to be alone. Versus a full on I am a demon hunter, bad a$$ chick, and I don't need anyone kind of story.

Going forward I hope we get even more battles and I hope that Ficklin jumps a few months or even a year ahead. It would get to see where these characters are after the events of this title and how far other characters have gotten in learning how to fight. I also think and this might just be me. That it would be REALLY interesting to have the POV change to Maddie in the next one.

If you are a fan of shows such as Supernatural and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina then this book is right up your alley. I swear this is the second book this year that I have fallen in love with that deal with demons and hunters.

Overall this was one book that I am glad I picked up.

Go Into This One Knowing: Demons, Friendships, Romance, No Cliffhanger

I am sitting here in front of my computer where I have just finished Girl Made of Stars by Ashely Herring Blake and I have to tell you that I have no clue how I am going to tell you about this book. This book is one of a kind and is one that will be sticking with me for a while. It was emotional, deep, and eye opening to our world that needs to change.

First off there are some trigger warnings that you should know about if you are going to read this one. Please make sure to check those out below in my list of Go into this one knowing. I myself am a survivor of being molested on more than one occasion when I was younger so I fully understand how these topics might be to much for someone who has survived it. So please be aware of those warnings.

This book broke me. That is about what I feel right now. It will open your eyes to a world that you will not be able to unsee.

This book follows Mara whom is bisexual. Who's twin brother gets accused of raping his girlfriend. Mara is then stuck in the middle of this situation of deciding who to trust and who to call out. It was a no win place to be for her. I have to say that the author did a perfect job with this aspect of the book. You could feel Mara's emotions about how much she wanted to trust her brother but knowing something wasn't right. But also still not waiting to believe that he could do something like this. This felt like a story that could have been pulled from the headlines and I believe that it is one that needed to be told. This book was full of true emotional authenticity that I have EVER seen in a story.

Another aspect of this book is a small love triangle between Mara's ex girlfriend Charlie whom is nonbinary. And another boy that she gets with for a short amount of time. You could really see how everyone was just trying to deal with the situation at hand and move on. And Mara and Adam were just trying to find comfort in any place they could.

A major part of this story dealt with Mara and her own secret trama. Early on in the story you learn that something happened to her three years ago. But you don't find out until way later in the book where it is all set before you. I have to say that her entire experience of what happened to her was one that triggered me to no end. When I was 10 to 11 years old I had the same thing happen to me over the course of a year or so. But it was my mother's boyfriend and not a teacher that abused me in that way.

The trauma of rape and having your freedom taken away, of having your trust violated, in a world where girl's bodies are distractions, where society refuses to believe you is what this book is ultimate about. And I have to say that the author did a fantastic job with it.

This is the story that should be in the hands of every teen out there. That even if you believe that no one is going to believe you. Believe in yourself that you know what happened and that you said NO. Don't let anyone take away your right to say that to have your voice heard!


Go Into This One Knowing: Rape Allegations, Rape, Abuse via a Teacher, Nonbinary, Bisexuality, Love Triangle

I was really hoping that I was going to love this one as I have loved Lorie's writing since she and her co author wrote the Doon series. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. I went past my normal 100 pages because of the love I've had for other books from Langdon but at that point I just didn't care about the characters and their insta-love. Yup this is one of those titles that has it and for me it didn't do it well. I understand that Olivia and Jack knew each other but they parted ways at a young age and haven't seen each other since then. I think if a few more chapters would have fleshed out them falling for each other than the romance at least in my eyes would have made more sense.

The flow of this one was pretty fast for the most part. But with the multiple storylines it just felt like this book didn't know what it wanted to be. Was it about Olivia trying to save the other street kids? Was it her and the marriage she didn't want? Or was it about keeping her Uncle safe and not out on the street? Or was it finding Jack and falling in love? It just seemed at times that the story was being pulled in so many directions. And then add a murder into the mix and a villain and I just didn't know what to do with it.

Which comes to my next issue with this one. There were SO many side characters that I was so confused and really just stopped caring about them or really reading about them. I just kept the names of the Jack, Olivia, and a few others in my head and everyone else was just kind of there. I will say that Lorie did a wonderful job bringing each character to life as they all felt well rounded. But with the Ms. this and the Mr. that etc. It was all very tedious on keeping track of who was whom. I wished that the side characters would have been cut WAY down as most of them I don't think were even needed as they didn't bring anything to the story overall.

In the end this one with the characters, the bad romance, and the story that just didn't know what it wanted to do just kind of overwhelmed me a little. And after 100 pages it just started to go downhill and I started to get bored.



Go Into This One Knowing: Dual POV, Insta-Love, Multiple storylines, Multiple Characters

My Review: This book was very good. I love Emily's writing and the world's she creates. This one takes us on the tale of a girl on a mission to avenge her family's murder as well as living with a clockwork heart. I have to say that this one would classified as a light retelling of Pinocchio. I mean it even has an evil whale in it. The fantasy elements in this one brings to life the world that Everly lives in and I could not put it down.

The story was well paced and although I do think that the sea voyage took a little longer than I had hoped it did allow Everly to really connect with the love interest. The only real issue I had by the end of this one was that the bad guy and well one other person that I can't really talk about because its a spoiler. They just seemed off just a little. But I still loved this story.

I can not wait until the next one!

Spooky & Wonderful!

What drew me in for this book was the cover. It was creepy and interesting and I have to say that the book didn’t disappoint at all. This one really reminded me of mashed up episode of Supernatural, The Conjuring, and Mean Girls with Hoarders tossed in for good measure. And I have to say that IT WORKED!! I have have been in the pahanmoral field for over 20 years and I have to say that this author did a very good job with the ghosty demon aspect of this story. I felt like she did justice to those who cleanse objects etc. And I loved every second of it.

The characters in this one were great. I loved Anna and really enjoyed that she was just a normal teenager. She had her faults and well she acted her age! How many young adult novels can say that? I know that I have seen some people say that this reads for younger teens and I would have to disagree. Her being 16 in this she sounded just right. I know that my 14 almost 15 year old acts a lot like Anna in some aspects. And over the course of the story she grows and learns that its ok to make mistakes. And its also ok to just let things go. Because in the end no one can make you feel bad unless you let them. Her friends were perfect for this story as well. I do wish we would have gotten a little more romance in this one but I could see that happening in a book two. Her dad although a hoarder was also great. He was understanding for the most part and his new partner was so adorable!! I love her so much!!

I think that I would love to see a book two that centers around the house being cleaned up. Her dad going forward with healing after his wife's death. And some romance blooming between some characters. As well as maybe then going on the hunt to start ridding the world of bad spirits etc. Esp. with how this one ended with Anna having a certain connection.


Go Into This One Knowing: Bullies, Pedophile (old teacher), Ghosts, Death of a Parent, No Cliffhanger

Reading this book was HARD being the mom of two girls in school with all of the shootings that have plagued the states the last few years made this book even harder to read. But I’m glad I did. This story gives a great message about perception, forgiveness, compassion, moving on, and acceptance.

The characters were wonderful and you could tell how much the author wanted you to really feel what Jesse and Skye went through. From the perspectives of one teen losing a brother to a shooter. And other loosing a brother because he was a shooter. It was two sides of the same coin and I felt so bad for both of these kids and their situation. It was an in-depth look at what families of both the shooting victims and the shooters family, whom are also victims, go through in the aftermath of such an event. And although this is a story of fiction it felt all too real.

Overall, this is a romance story but also one where a girl is just trying to move on with her life after a tragedy. Where she’s forced to face those who blame her for her brothers actions. Even though she isn’t to blame in any way. It’s about a boy who needs to stop living for his parents and start living for himself as well.

I did love ALL of the parts with Jesse’s mom was she is a force to be reckoned with and I love her so much!!

If you looking for a coming of age story as well as one with grief, love, and forgiveness with some major twists and turns. Check this one out.




Go Into This One Knowing: School Shooting, Death of Siblings, Bullies, Romance

I loved Mary Weber's first series Storm Siren, but since that one it seems that I haven't enjoyed anything else she's written. This one was way slower than I thought it was going to be and well I just got bored. The story was very slow and the characters just weren't people that I was rooting for. So this one unfortunately I ended up not lot liking at all.