sophs_mood_reading's reviews
386 reviews

The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli

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

5.0

Rune’s living a double life: secret witch vigilante by night, vapid socialite by day. Her latest scheme? Courting Gideon Sharpe, the brooding witch hunter with loyalty to the revolution and a face carved by the gods. Naturally, Gideon’s onto her and starts playing along to catch the Crimson Moth. Spoiler alert: the sparks are very real.

I loved the fresh take on witches in this story. Instead of the usual “falsely accused” narrative, we get a world where witches once ruled, and people genuinely fear their magic. That fear feels justified, adding layers to the tension and making this witchy world stand out.

With sharp banter, high-stakes romance, and a fresh twist on witches in hiding, this book kept me hooked until the very last page. The cliffhanger? Just enough intrigue to leave you dying for the next book without flipping your table. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers with a twist, you need this book in your life.




Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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

4.0

Looking for a rom-com? Perfect, let’s narrow it down. Small town? Single dad? Hockey? Nah. How about rival serial killers serving up Dexter vibes while shamelessly flirting over their body count? Welcome to The Butcher and the Blackbird!

This book flips the romance genre on its head and drags it into the dark with unapologetic glee. Yes, it’s twisted (hello, serial killers), so definitely check those trigger warnings. But Sloane and Rowen? They’re a bloody delight, equal parts chaotic hilarity, sweet moments, and spicy encounters.

And the audiobook? Chef’s kiss. It’s a duet narration, which is already gold, but toss in an Irish accent? Absolute perfection. If you’re ready to root for a love story that shouldn’t work but somehow does, this one’s for you.
The Cursed by Harper L. Woods

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I hate to say it, but this witchy sequel left me hexed… and not in a good way. I had such high hopes after The Coven, but this one felt like an endless loop of sexy times with a pinch of plot thrown in for flavour. Don’t get me wrong (I’m no prude) but I need more story to sink my teeth into, and this just didn’t deliver.

The ending finally gave us some actual action (and no, not just the bedroom kind), but by then, I was already halfway out the door. If you’re here for steam, you’ll be very happy, but if you’re looking for a follow-up that matches the dark academia magic of the first book? Don’t get your hopes too high.

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Iron Flame(Parts 1 & 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging 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? It's complicated

4.5

 Iron Flame ate Fourth Wing for breakfast. The stakes are higher, the twists are wilder, and the action? Nonstop. The story dives deeper into the rebellion, the politics, and some serious betrayals—it makes book one feel like a warm-up. 
 
Yeah, it’s been a year since I read Fourth Wing, and I needed a quick refresher, but once I was back, I couldn’t stop. This could’ve easily been two books, but we got it all in one, and I’m not complaining. The cliffhanger? Less “rip your heart out” and more “buckle up, we’re not done.” Loved every second. Bring on book three! 
Skysong by C.A. Wright

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emotional inspiring medium-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

4.0


Oriane is literally the reason the sun rises—she turns into a bird and sings it awake every morning. NBD, right? Except it’s a little hard to make friends when you’re stuck in a magical routine. One rebellious morning, she ends up at the royal palace, where she’s worshipped like a goddess… and trapped like one too. As political drama heats up, Oriane discovers she’s not the only songbird in town—enter The Nightingale
 
This book is pure magic. The narration? Flawless. The story? Gorgeous. The vibe? All the lush, atmospheric retelling goodness you could want. You’ll practically feel the sunrise and hear the music as Oriane’s world comes alive. It’s haunting, heartwarming, and the perfect escape for audiobook lovers. Highly recommend! 

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

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

4.0

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

Seventeen-year-old Alosa, daughter of the infamous Pirate King, lets herself get captured by her enemies on purpose, because, you know, that’s what confident pirate princesses do when they have a mission. She’s after a legendary treasure map hidden on their ship, and no one’s stopping her. But then there’s Riden, the ship’s clever (and, annoyingly, handsome) first mate, who’s a bit too quick to catch on to Alosa’s schemes. With Alosa’s wit and a few tricks up her sleeve, it’s anyone’s guess who’s outsmarting who.

I needed an escape, and this read was the perfect getaway. This book has everything: razor-sharp banter, a spirited heroine, and a dash of romantic tension that kept me grinning. Alosa and Riden are the ultimate YA duo, balancing each other out with sass and unexpected chemistry. And the twists kept me intrigued and added some fun to the ride. This was a swashbuckling escape into a world of high-seas adventure, and I couldn’t have asked for a better break from reality.
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Elsie’s life motto? Fictional men > real men, because imaginary heartbreak is way less messy. So when her car breaks down and lands her in Eloraton—a town straight out of her favorite romance series—she’s basically living the dream. Eloraton’s got it all: charming locals, cozy vibes, and the bookshop of her dreams. But the grumpy (yet, ahem, swoon-worthy) bookshop owner with mint-green eyes? He’s not playing along, and he definitely doesn’t want her meddling in his town’s story. With a town that feels magical and a bookish mission in sight, Elsie’s got her hands full trying to create her perfect happily-ever-after. 
 
My take? This is basically the fantasy for any romance lover who’s dreamed of stepping into their fave novel’s pages, meeting beloved characters, and strolling through scenes. And this author usually nails the “stories with a touch of magic” vibe, but this time? It felt just a bit shy of the wow factor I wanted. Needed just a little more whimsy, a little more sparkle! Still, if small-town romances are your jam, you’ll be all over this one.
The Coven by Harper L. Woods

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

3.75

Our girl Willow’s been trained as her dad’s weapon against the Coven that unalived his sister, which lands her in the hidden town of Crystal Hollow at Hollow’s Grove University. Think witchy students, secrets darker than a new moon, and a headmaster, Aleric Grayson Thorne, who’s as warm as an ice storm. And, of course, there’s a bloody past no one’s talking about, you know just a massacre, but no biggy.

I devoured this audiobook, dual POV, a deliciously dark MMC (more morally black than grey!), and all the dark academia, paranormal atmospheric vibes an October read should have. Fair warning: the pace is a little slow to start,  it reads like a 400-page prologue setting up the real action of a series. But once things take off in the second half of the book, it’s a wild ride. And that cliffhanger ending? It left me gasping and ready for more. It’s clear this is just the opening act in a much bigger story, but it makes the slow build worth it. Perfect for spooky season—just make sure to check those trigger warnings cause there are plenty and they are dark!