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roseleebooks's reviews
227 reviews
The Summer Queen by Rochelle Hassan
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
This second in series picks up a few months after the events at the end of the first book. It did not disappoint and I cannot wait to read the final book in trilogy.
The real strength of this book is the Coven, with an incredibly well-written dynamic. The POV rotates between Aziza, Leo, and Tristan as in the first book. Their interactions were hilarious, heartfelt, tense, or all of those at once, and the best moments in the book are when the three of them are together. Their trust in and love for each other is so tangible.
Aziza continues to be my favorite character. Her cleverness, loyalty, and willingness to learn from mistakes make her confidence well-earned, and it's fun to see her leadership style shift in this book compared to the first as her relationships with Tristan and Leo have evolved.
We get a lot of worldbuilding as the fairies of Elphame and witches from outside Blackthorn are introduced in more detail. This expands the plot and the experiences of the trio broadly. There is a lot set up for the next book but the story arc here has just enough conclusion to not feel unfinished.
Overall this book was excellent. A gripping story, characters who are flawed but lovable, and gorgeous prose. I wish I could immediately start the next one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing group for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
The real strength of this book is the Coven, with an incredibly well-written dynamic. The POV rotates between Aziza, Leo, and Tristan as in the first book. Their interactions were hilarious, heartfelt, tense, or all of those at once, and the best moments in the book are when the three of them are together. Their trust in and love for each other is so tangible.
Aziza continues to be my favorite character. Her cleverness, loyalty, and willingness to learn from mistakes make her confidence well-earned, and it's fun to see her leadership style shift in this book compared to the first as her relationships with Tristan and Leo have evolved.
Overall this book was excellent. A gripping story, characters who are flawed but lovable, and gorgeous prose. I wish I could immediately start the next one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing group for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Just couldn't get into this one, beginning is just the plot copied from Moulin Rouge with a setting change, plus Jamison's POV was annoying to listen to. May pick this up again later as an eBook instead.
Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo
emotional
hopeful
sad
5.0
A beautiful book that tells a compelling story of possibilities, of what a life could be compared to what it is given different choices and different knowledge. This is entirely written in verse, the audiobook was fantastic to listen to. It is tragic and hopeful, absolutely outstanding.
The Assassin in 5F by Nana Malone
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a solidly fun read for me. There is explicit on page spice. The romance was sweet and the plot straightforward but fast paced. I did feel that things were resolved a little too neatly at the end and thought there could have been less skipping over the team getting ready for the action at the end. Overall a solid duology and a lot of fun if you like action centric romance.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book has such an enjoyably dark atmosphere and unique magic system. I read the last 75% in one day because I could not put it down! The ending was an excellent setup for the next book.
The reasons I didn't give 5 stars:Hauth just did not cut it for me as a villain, very one dimensional and predictable. Also, the reveal of the Nightmare's identity was a bit obvious and it seemed like it would have been figured out much earlier by Elspeth. These were fairly minor but annoyed me quite a bit since the rest of the book was so well done.
I immediately picked up the next book, glad I started this after the sequel was released!
The reasons I didn't give 5 stars:
I immediately picked up the next book, glad I started this after the sequel was released!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book is my first read by Chloe Gong and I am impressed. The pace starts out slower, but gradually increases along with the tension throughout. The last 30% of the book was a whirlwind in a good way.
It's a story of love, obsession, and revenge. It will make you question whether anyone can have power and be uncorrupted.
There are almost no likeable characters in this book, but they do feel very real. The world that Gong has written them in shapes who they are very logically. And despite them not being likeable, Calla and Anton and even August are compelling to read about.
The worldbuilding is exceptional and I could clearly picture the atmosphere and streets of the city the characters are in. It was a character on its own which I appreciated.
There is a lot that happens in this bookincluding several reveals toward the end. The setup for the next story is absolutely exceptional and I wish I could pick it up right away!
It's a story of love, obsession, and revenge. It will make you question whether anyone can have power and be uncorrupted.
There are almost no likeable characters in this book, but they do feel very real. The world that Gong has written them in shapes who they are very logically. And despite them not being likeable, Calla and Anton and even August are compelling to read about.
The worldbuilding is exceptional and I could clearly picture the atmosphere and streets of the city the characters are in. It was a character on its own which I appreciated.
There is a lot that happens in this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a sweet and cozy romance. The story is paced quickly but does not feel rushed. The mythological elements are wonderful and I loved the characterizations of the animals! Marco especially was a joy to imagine.
I did get a little distracted occasionally by the writing, which leaned more toward telling than showing or letting us infer.
There is on page spice as well, but it was well integrated.
Looking forward to more reads by Natalia Hernandez.
I did get a little distracted occasionally by the writing, which leaned more toward telling than showing or letting us infer.
There is on page spice as well, but it was well integrated.
Looking forward to more reads by Natalia Hernandez.
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book has a seemingly simple premise: a woman tasked with rescuing two children who have disappeared into an enchanted forest. However, it is not a simple tale by any measure. The depth of the story is built with atmospheric prose and a main character who is absolutely captivating.
Veris is someone who we as readers are slowly drawn in by. Her experience and perception is unveiled with each step of her journey. Her compassion and self-sacrifice is the result of a past which is hidden for most of the book, but has such impact when known. I didn't even realize how connected I felt to her until the end, when the emotional impact of the story truly hit me.
I really enjoy dark fantasy tales because of what they reveal of our world and ourselves. This book went above and beyond all my expectations as it embraced the horror that fairytales represent. The tension and terror is built throughout with small details of the forest and its inhabitants. We are shown that fear is protective, that mistakes have a cost, that lies have unforseen consequences, and that the real world can be far more terrifying than the imagined.
I will be thinking of this book and its ending for some time.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Veris is someone who we as readers are slowly drawn in by. Her experience and perception is unveiled with each step of her journey. Her compassion and self-sacrifice is the result of a past which is hidden for most of the book, but has such impact when known. I didn't even realize how connected I felt to her until the end, when the emotional impact of the story truly hit me.
I really enjoy dark fantasy tales because of what they reveal of our world and ourselves. This book went above and beyond all my expectations as it embraced the horror that fairytales represent. The tension and terror is built throughout with small details of the forest and its inhabitants. We are shown that fear is protective, that mistakes have a cost, that lies have unforseen consequences, and that the real world can be far more terrifying than the imagined.
I will be thinking of this book and its ending for some time.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and War
Babel by R.F. Kuang
5.0
I wrote a review for the audiobook when I read this the first time. I'll simply say that on reread it did not disappoint.
Water & Salt by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Poetry has the power to convey a multitude of emotions and ideas in a small amount of words. This book exemplifies that and then some. Highly recommend. I'll be thinking about this and returning to it again.