airxsouls's Reviews (771)

This book transports us to a transformative world unlike our own. We’ve been thrusted into magic, fantasy, and through stunning dark academia lenses. Alexia, our protagonist, has the otherworldly gift of shooting stars through her very veins. We’re taken along on a hard earned quest on the run from those who learned of her abilities. This book has a dystopian world, found family, chosen one, secret societies, and a magical academy! The author did a fantastic job touching on mental health and that our characters are more than enough even without abilities and importantly being needed!

Thank you to the author and tbrandbeyond tours!

This was such a beautiful read, I’m still thinking about it! The magical realism vibes are always IT for me, it really never seems to fail. I don’t want to spoil anything at all so this review is pretty quick. If you’re a lover of found family, only one bed, romcoms, fake dating, and a London setting this will be just the book you’re looking for! There’s quite a few more tropes too, be on the lookout once you start it. This was just so stunning with how it handled the grief of it all but also kept it very light and airy!

Thank you Berkley pub!

I am so serious when I say this book was such a breath of fresh air when it comes to fantasy recently. The darkly grotesque yet clinical view of the monsters and horrors was so fun. I loved the Slavic folklore inspiration, it absolutely added a certain element to take it to the top. Kosara is surprisingly such an enjoyable protagonist, her mind is flawed, witty, selfless, yet distinctly the opposite of all of those at certain times.

Not to mention Asen who I equally rooted for! Plus the atmosphere of eery winter finished setting the scene of such a shining book. I would most definitely recommend this one!! A dark mystery with a relatable main character, fast-paced action, and a richly built world.

Thank you to the author, tbrandbeyondtours, and Tor!

THIS IS SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOD

Definitely pay attention to content warnings when it comes to this book. I think this was a very emotionally fraught read, not in a bad way, but it takes its toll. It was beautifully sad listening to Ariel’s thoughts and how subconsciously afraid she sounds when dealing with her own inner turmoil. She doesn’t feel normal, like she fits into any space, like she’s uniquely different. What she has yet to realize is that OCD plays a gigantic factor. Along with unsupportive parents and many other things, she’s riding this roller coaster alone. This book also reads in verses and its refreshingly different and I think eased the darkness. I absolutely loved it yet need time to recover from it.

Thank you to the publisher and the author!

This was really something else in its entirety. You get to experience this glorious book not just through the characters but through Doctors notes as well that further the unreliable narration and make us doubt every single thing we’re reading. It’s a great twist to not know who to believe, from a readers perspective. I really like the main characters and the authors descriptions were so beautifully horrific and unsettling. It was every gothic vibe lovers dream. Not only that but it was incredibly spooky and I think it’s a great read to get lost in.

Thank you to the author and Poisoned Pen Press!

This was the perfect twisted novella of my dreams and it could most definitely cause you to never wanna leave your house again! Or not be so chronically online. The twist was fantastic and I hadn’t even predicted it, it came so naturally yet abruptly. You should definitely give this a try!

Thank you NetGalley!

This is a gripping retelling of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, offering a fresh perspective and feminist take. The author continues with psychological depth and beautiful historical detail yet if you’re expecting a story true to manuscript, this wouldn’t be for you. You have to throw everything out the window you think you know. But true to theme for Ava Reid she leaves us deep within our thoughts and her gorgeous dark academia writing. I absolutely enjoyed it and definitely recommend it!

Thank you so much for my early copy Del Rey!