roseleebooks's reviews
227 reviews

This book offers a window into life in Gaza. It has contributions from multiple writers with a range of essays, stories, and discussion all building a mosaic of what life in Gaza is like now, and what it could be.

It is an anthology which is difficult to describe, and I think others have done a better job of sharing what it is than I can.

This book took me time to read, and I am glad I took that time. Each contribution offers something unique, and is seeking to teach and share. I will be seeking out other writing from several of these authors.

This book had an interesting premise and started strong with a voyage and great cast of characters, but I think my expectations may have been too high.

What I liked: the worldbuilding (at least what we got to see), the setting, the side characters other than the romantic interests, the plot to some degree.

What I didn't like: The actions of the main character became very infuriating a little past halfway through the book. The romantic interest felt forced and I wished it had just been left out entirely.

Also there is a lot of this book that feels derivative of other series in terms of the love interest(s).

The ending did redeem it a bit for me but if the narration of the audiobook hadn't been so well done I probably would have stopped it about 70% in.

This book is a contemporary fantasy told from the POV of Malik, a teenager who is learning about a magical world and his place in it. 

I both read and listened to this book, the audio narration is really good and I recommend it!

I enjoyed the setting and the world building, we learn about everything as Malik does so there are still some aspects of the magic system that are only partially explained. There is a found family aspect to the story which I loved.

The pacing toward the end did begin to feel a little rushed as a lot happens, but I enjoyed the way the story wrapped up. Malik is a teenager and that is how is POV reads. He is not portrayed as perfect or all knowing and I appreciated that there are moments when he acknowledges this.

There are some really beautiful quiet moments in an otherwise fast paced story as well.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

This book has a lot of potential and I enjoy J Bree's writing and plot progression.

For a second book this was ok but was riddled with editing errors and inconsistencies. Hoping that gets updated and resolved. Still deciding how I feel about the pacing. Some things seemed to happen very quickly and others were drawn out. Lots of unresolved plot lines going into the next book. 

I will probably pick up the next one to see where the series goes.

The Sea at the End of Everything by Emily McCosh was an atmospheric and thoughtful fantasy. It is a quick read with under 200 pages and was a perfect book to pick up during a recent thunderstorm.

It is told from the POV of Maren, a woman living in a seaside town where superstition and reality converge. A year before the story takes place, her sister washed up on shore after being thought drowned, but it seems like the sea never gave her back. When a stranger washes ashore, Maren has to seek her sister's help.

I enjoyed the setting and POV of the main character, Maren. Her loneliness and guilt sometimes overwhelm her, but she is willing to move past her own pride to help others.

I did feel that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, but that may have partly been because I didn't want this book to end.

I'll try to make this a spoiler free review!

What I liked: the multiple POV moves the story along really well. I enjoyed the direction the plot went in and thought that the wrap-up made sense. I read this in one day because I could not put it down!

What I didn't like: the events felt a bit rushed to me at the end, however I wonder if that was partly because it seemed like less happened overall in this book.

I do think if I were to reread the whole series all at once this book as a finale would be closer to perfect for me. All that to say I really liked this series and am glad to have read this!

This book was incredible. I knew it was going to be intense due to the blurb, but I underestimated how attached to the characters I would become. 

The story is told in 2nd person POV and rotates between focusing on each of 7 retired Kindlings as they band together to save a town from marauders. 

The story delves into their struggles and emotions as they try to live with the aftermath of what the war forced them into.

I was unable to stop listening to this. The audiobook uses multiple narrators and it was so well done. The story and characters had a hold on me the entire way through. Highly recommend!

I was having to force myself to read, not invested in all.

This was a lovely retelling. I really enjoyed Oliver as a character and the insight into his struggles in 1800s English society. I would qualify this as a cozy read for me due to the comfort of it being a Pride and Prejudice retelling, though it does explore some themes that may be difficult for some readers.

This was an adventurous read and was a lot of fun while still feeling high stakes at times. It has great representation and I loved the setting.

I did feel that some of the characters were a bit one dimensional but that didn't take away too much from the story and how enjoyable I found the book.

The audiobook format was excellent with narration that added to the story. 

Looking forward to the next book!