bookishbillijean's Reviews (586)

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3.5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️ 

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi is the first book in the Faebound series. Yeeran is a warrior elf and her sister is trying to make a living as a diviner. When Yeeran is exiled her sister comes to rescue her they are both forced into the land of the fae who haven’t been seen for a millennium. 

I enjoyed the story but it kind of just dragged for me and I ended up losing interest but was interested enough to finish. Does that make sense? I liked both of the main characters but didn’t real much growth from either of them. This is a dual POV so we get both Lettle and Yeeran’s perspectives which I definitely enjoyed. 

I loved the fae and the elves. The romance was present and the tension between the couples was palpable. I can’t tell if it was the pacing or the writing style that was hard for me to connect with. 

I just do not think I am interested enough to continue with the series. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 1/5 🌶️ 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber is the first book in the Caraval series. Scarlett and her sister live with their cruel father and have never been off the island. Scarlett thinks her dream of seeing the Caraval are over when her father arranges a marriage for her. 

I feel like this was kind of slow-paced for me. I had a hard time getting into it but after the first 100 pages or so it picked up for me. I enjoyed the Caraval and how the players don’t know what it real and what is not. I think it definitely gives unreliable narrator vibes. 

The romance between the characters was present but not overwhelming and didn’t even really feel like a main part of the story. I think I was expecting it to be. 

Overall I enjoyed the story and was really rooting for Scarlett and Tella. 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy young adult fantasy with an adventurous and deadly trial. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Survive the Night by @riley.sager is a dark psychological thriller that is fast-paced and twisty. Charlie drowning in grief after the murder of her best friend is wanting to go home and accepts a ride from a complete stranger. 

I loved everything about this book! It might almost be my new favorite book by Riley, a really close tie with The Only One Left.

I even loved the chapter names. Following Charlie as she literally is trying to survive the night! Cat and mouse game, twists, serial killers, and heart pounding suspense! What a thrilling ride. 

I honestly could not put it down. I love when a book enthralls you so much you just have to finish it as soon as possible. Charlie felt like such a real life person. So well developed with flaws and all. I was gasping at the end! Totally surprised!

I definitely would recommend this to those who enjoy fast-paced psychological thrillers with a lot of suspense and keeps you guessing. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due is a historical fiction based horror novel. In the 1950’s Gloria and Robbie Stevens are living on their own while their father is out of town hiding from the law. One day Robbie defends his older sister and is sent to the Gracetown School for Boys. 

This had a slow start for me. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this. I knew I wanted to keep going because I did read it gets scary and creepy which I like. This is definitely haunting not just in a paranormal sense but also in the reality of the setting sense. 

I loved Gloria! Such a protective, strong willed, and smart young girl. She does everything she can to free her brother. Robbie is so young and thrown into such a scary situation with dire consequences to him and to those he cares about. 

I definitely would recommend this to those who enjoy horror with a real world setting and a historical timeline. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️ 

Darker Than the Starless Night by Rebecca Brodkey is book one in the series. Yom hides behind her chemicals, drugs, and coin but when her position is threatened she is forced to investigate. 

Thank you to Rebecca Brodkey for an ARC of this book! 

Now there was a lot that I liked about this. The first half was rich in world building and character introductions, the magic was interesting, and the spin on mythologies was fun. The world building was vivid and expansive. The magic felt fresh and unique. I liked where I thought it was going. 

However, in the second half I started to lose an interest. I didn’t really feel the romantic tension, love triangle, or great character development. I know this book is very plot heavy, high stakes world ending stuff going on but I also wanted to feel like the characters were advancing too as the plot did. I also felt like the writing almost changed a little in the second half. 

Maybe this book just was not for me. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears tells Britney’s story in her own words. Britney shares emotionally raw memories and pressure as she grows up in the limelight. 

After years of being under conservatorship Britney is finally able to speak out and share her story. She blends humor and candor to discuss her life growing up, her rise to fame, and all that followed after. 

This was so heartbreaking. How she was used, hounded, and eventually stripped of her rights, choices, and her children. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️ (not really spicy just explicit)

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the first book in a new fantasy series. When Brother Diaz is summoned to the sacred city he is given a mission which may require some unholy deeds. 

I am still processing this book. The setting is realistic but it is a fantasy. Real world places and fictional characters and plots. I did really enjoy the characters though. The merry band of weirdos was darkly entertaining and somehow endearing. I think they all worked really well together. 

There was a little romance but nothing that overtakes the plot. I guessed some of this early on but was still surprised towards the end of the book. I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book but overall I definitely enjoyed it. 

I would recommend this to who enjoy treacherous quests, dark humor, and morally complex characters. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry is a slow burn fantasy romance with high-stakes. Odessa has spent her life bowing to her father and her kingdom, being unseen and blending in the background. All that changes when she is thrust into a treaty and sailed across the sea to a whole new kingdom. 

Let me just start off saying that I was scared to read this because of all the hype. However, it definitely lived up to the hype for me! It was fantastic! What a story, what an ending, what great characters, and my gosh the romance. 🥵

Odessa is probably one of my very favorite FMC’s. She didn’t annoy me, she was not super stubborn, she was willing to learn, she didn’t drive me absolutely nutty, and she didn’t start off as en excellent fighter but she also wasn’t weak. She was everything you want in an FMC. Smart, huge heart, go with the flow, protective, and fiery. 

Do not get me even started on our MMC. Melting… I melted. EVERYTHING! I won’t say he is my new favorite book boyfriend but I am also not saying he isn’t. “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross” *fans self*

Staying spoiler free here but seriously read it for the writing, the romance, the characters, and the plot. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️
 

Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh is book six in the Boys of Tommen series. This book shows us the story of Lizzie and Hugh in the early years. 

I knew this was going to be an emotional wrecking ball but I did not know how much it was going to hurt. I just cannot with how heavy my heart hurts for these characters. Lizzie was not my favorite character in the other books but this really highlights her struggle with mental health and all of the other horrifying factors she has been subjected too. 

I cannot say enough to read the trigger warnings prior to reading this book as it is very traumatic. 

Hugh is so patient and kind. I just cannot get over how much he tried and how much he cared. 

The way Chloe is able to put so much emotional damage and heaviness while still showcasing these important topics is so crazy to me. Also, Gibsie. We love Gibsie. 

Now we wait for the next book in the series. Chloe did mention that from book 5 and on the books will be released in rotation between characters in line with the storyline. Maybe another Gibsie book next?!

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a nonfiction book exploring the fire in the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986. 

It was so much more than just that though. The author really showcases her lifelong love of books, the importance of reading, literature, and public libraries. I loved how every chapter she showcased some books in the beginning. I also enjoyed the mystery aspect to it as she investigates the fire and the “suspect” from 1986!

This really was such a well done nonfiction book. Of course I loved it because it was all about books but it was also engaging and informative!

Seriously if you like nonfiction give it a shot.