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xandriaisreading's reviews
153 reviews
We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an interesting one in that the main character used her relationships with women to escape her grief but at the same time was hesitant to be open or self-accepting of her sexuality. This is especially seen with her neighbor's mother and the woman she has an affair with in college.
You can see why this escape that is subsequently self-isolating is appealing to the main character. However, once the safety of those relationships starts to be pulled away from her, you can really see how damaging they were to her growth as an individual. But at the same time they did make an impact on who she ultimately becomes.
You can see why this escape that is subsequently self-isolating is appealing to the main character. However, once the safety of those relationships starts to be pulled away from her, you can really see how damaging they were to her growth as an individual. But at the same time they did make an impact on who she ultimately becomes.
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
I was excited for this book after the revelation of Rose's power in book two. I wish we got to flush a bit more of it out and how she now has a handle on it, it happened so quickly I just might have to reread it.
The new cast of characters were a hoot. Sometimes I couldn't keep up, especially with the guards but that didn't stop me from getting attached 🥹
The new cast of characters were a hoot. Sometimes I couldn't keep up, especially with the guards but that didn't stop me from getting attached 🥹
Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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 wasn't ready for Lula's story. I wasn't a huge fan of hers in the first book and reading the blurb for this one didn't get me excited to read this book. In the end.... I loved it! More than the first book too!
Picking up a few weeks after the events of the first book, we get to see how the family is dealing with everything. Lula is struggling more than everyone and in a desperate act to hold onto what was, she creates a huge problem that gets the attention of Lady de la Muerte.
Lula's character growth was satisfying and seeing her work through her crisis of faith in the Does felt honest and authentic.
I also loved the way this book opened up the world more with the inclusion of the THA and the Knights and their role within the community. It was also nice seeing more brujas and brujos and learning about their oowers.
Picking up a few weeks after the events of the first book, we get to see how the family is dealing with everything. Lula is struggling more than everyone and in a desperate act to hold onto what was, she creates a huge problem that gets the attention of Lady de la Muerte.
Lula's character growth was satisfying and seeing her work through her crisis of faith in the Does felt honest and authentic.
I also loved the way this book opened up the world more with the inclusion of the THA and the Knights and their role within the community. It was also nice seeing more brujas and brujos and learning about their oowers.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.25
This has been on my TBR for YEARS since I came across the series on Libby. I'm so glad I decided to finally start it.
I love a fantasy and when that fantasy has magic it's pretty much a done deal. What sent this over the top was that's based on a family of brujas. My grandmother was a bruja so getting to see and hear my culture reflected back in this story was amazing.
The audiobook is so well done; each character has their own distinct voice and personality that really shines through.
I love a fantasy and when that fantasy has magic it's pretty much a done deal. What sent this over the top was that's based on a family of brujas. My grandmother was a bruja so getting to see and hear my culture reflected back in this story was amazing.
The audiobook is so well done; each character has their own distinct voice and personality that really shines through.
Vanessa Jared's Got a Man by LaQuette
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
The cover alone made me want to read this book. Decided to audiobook it and I have a feeling I would've enjoyed reading it physically more.
The narration was a bit flat between Vanessa and Michael and it was hard to tell when the viewpoint changed.
The story itself was a good one. It moved quickly and hit all the check boxes for a good romance.
The narration was a bit flat between Vanessa and Michael and it was hard to tell when the viewpoint changed.
The story itself was a good one. It moved quickly and hit all the check boxes for a good romance.
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner
emotional
funny
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
4.25
A contemporary romance with actual adults?! Count me in! A refreshing read where the characters are actual adults who talk things out and are making decisions that make sense for them where they are in their lives. They talk things out. They recognize the impact of their actions and it is just so refreshing. Of course there's like a little miscommunication but then they call themselves out and they have the conversations they need to have.
I truly loved these characters and to see everything come full circle was just it made me giddy and happy and gave me all the feels that you would expect from a romance.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas Nelson for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I truly loved these characters and to see everything come full circle was just it made me giddy and happy and gave me all the feels that you would expect from a romance.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas Nelson for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
What? This should have stayed a duology.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
This was a fun read! First time reading anything from Ali Hazelwood and within this supernatural genre. I enjoyed the characters and the world building.
There were a lot of characters though and I found myself trying to remember who was who.
There were a lot of characters though and I found myself trying to remember who was who.
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
As a communications major, anything involving language is right up my alley. From the infamous and tragic cults we all know to the girl bosses and internet gurus of today, this book covers how language is used to entice and seduce people and prey upon their need for community and belonging.
Overall it's a pretty good book. I like the way that it's structured and many of the examples that it uses, especially the more modern ones. You wouldn't automatically think of them as cults, but as you gain knowledge of previous examples and build upon what makes a cult a cult, you can see the argument for how newer groups could be classified as cults and how they are evolving for the new mediums and channels of communications such as social media.
Overall it's a pretty good book. I like the way that it's structured and many of the examples that it uses, especially the more modern ones. You wouldn't automatically think of them as cults, but as you gain knowledge of previous examples and build upon what makes a cult a cult, you can see the argument for how newer groups could be classified as cults and how they are evolving for the new mediums and channels of communications such as social media.