bookishbillijean's Reviews (586)

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson is a novella set in the Stormlight Archive series and can be read after book 2. 

This book focuses on Lift. I love her character so much!! She is so funny, down to earth, and cunning! She speaks her mind and is often stubborn but it works! 

Her love of food is hilarious and is clearly her motivation! I really really hope we get more of her in this series. I hope she ends up becoming a big part of it as she seems to be quite strong! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️
 

Mile High by Liz Tomforde is the first series in the Windy City series. Stevie is a flight attendant who recently took a job for the Chicago NHL team and meets Zanders. Zanders a hot shot bad boy hockey player who can’t stand that Stevie doesn’t fall at his feet. 

Why did I wait so long to read this series?! This was so darn cute! The banter, the spice, and the feelings! I was laughing so hard at some parts that I snorted. 

What an adorably cute contemporary sports romance! It had all of the things I love in this genre. This was an overall great read and I am excited to continue with this series. I didn’t connect as much with the characters but that could have just been me. 

I hope the next book is Indy and Ryan! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson is book two in The Starlight Archive series. This continues right where book one ends. The adventure continues in this epic fantasy following several characters including Kaladin, Shallan, and Dalinar.

I really enjoyed this book even more than the first book. I think because the first book was a lot of world building and introductions while this book is into the nitty gritty of the story. I really found myself drawn to Kaladin’s chapters. He is such an interesting character! However, Shallan’s chapters really captured me too. She had such amazing growth in this book that I found her to maybe be my favorite this book!

There is so much going on in this book that you really have to pay attention and make notes. Well at least I did!

I liked the introductions to new characters and how it intersected with our main characters. The little tidbits of romance was refreshing and unexpected. I honestly have no idea how the author writes these books. There is so much into them! Blows my mind. 

Really excited to continue on! Slowly making my way through the Cosmere!

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Wolves of Adalore by Morgan Gauthier is the first book in the Mark of the Hunter trilogy. Salome and Crispin fight their way to the white throne to defeat their sister but each end  going their own separate way. 

Definitely a nice take on fantasy! I would say this is a high fantasy with a lot of secrets, political intrigue, and shifting perspectives! There are a lot of characters and places to keep track of! While it starts off focusing on Salome and Crispin as the story unfolds more characters are introduced. 

I found myself drawn the most to Niabi’s chapters. She was so complex and really had a lot of depth. The one thing I will say is that I had a hard time remembering who was who but there was a list of characters which was super helpful. 

Definitely am excited to read the rest of the series! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3.5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️

The Predator by RuNyx is the first book in the Dark Verse series. Morana Vitalio genius daughter of a crime family is determined to kill Tristan Caine rival to the Vitalio family. As a twenty-year old mystery resurfaces it changes Mirana’s mind and throws her and Tristan together. 

This is a dark mafia romance. I would say it isn’t super dark like a dip your toes in the water dark. This was not my favorite but I did enjoy it. I did find some grammatical errors in the book which is usually just an annoyance for me to begin with. Also, I wasn’t super invested in the characters or the story. 

The first half was really kind of slow but the second half  picked up. I would say the enemies to reluctant allies back to enemies than maybe enemies to lovers can only go so far before it starts to get redundant! With that being said the tension was palpable! I could feel their animosity, their curiosity, and eventually their infatuation. 

I would recommend this to those who want to ease their way into a dark mafia romance, with some spicy scenes, and enemies to lovers. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 1/5 🌶️

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is the first book in the series. After Laia’s brother is arrested for treason she is forced to become a slave to infiltrate the Empire. Elias is the school’s finest soldier but all he wants is to be free. Soon they realize their destined are connected and their choices will change the fate of the empire. 

Absolutely fantastic! This is a YA fantasy but it did not read that way to me. I loved that the romance took a back burner. It wasn’t the main plot it was just in the background which really let the actual storyline shine which was amazing!

Deadly trials, forbidden romance, love triangle ish, political intrigue, oppressive empire, and so much more. This book really had so much in it but it was easy to follow. I loved the dual POV and getting both their thoughts. The character development, morally gray decisions, and the adventure really kept you hooked. The one thing I will say was that it could be kind of clunky in some areas but it didn’t take away from the book for me. 

I finished it in 6 hours. Didn’t put it down to read another book, I had to finish it. 

I cannot wait to start the next book. I do not know why I do not see more about this book around because it really is under hyped! I actually had not heard of it until it was on a poll for a book club I am in. 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy YA fantasy, romantic subplot, political intrigue, deadly trials, and espionage. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 1/5 🌶️

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames is a whimsical fantasy with slow-burn romance. Foss knows what happens when the magic-workers come to her village, they harvest hearts to use in their spells. Foss never expects anyone would want hers but when a sorcerer steals a piece of her heart she is furious and determined to get it back. 

What a wonderfully whimsical tale! I love Howl’s Moving Castle and this definitely gave me that feeling. A sorcerer who steals women’s hearts, a magical castle, and a talking comedic character! This definitely had some similarities but it also had a lot of differences. A fresh new feel. 

Foss is such a wonderful FMC. I loved her spirit and her drive. She wasn’t overly stubborn which I found refreshing! Cornelius is the best! He is so cute!! I want a talking cat! Sylvester is a lovable character who tries his best but doesn’t have control of his magic. I love them together! Each a half of a whole. 

I loved this book so much! 

I would recommend this to those who love a cozy fantasy, slow-burn romance, magic, and talking cats! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon is a psychological thriller with dark themes and remnants of resilience. This follows a few different POV’s. We have the woman in the shed, Cecilia, Emily, and a few other women POV’s. 

I do not want to give too much about the book and what it is about as I think it is best to go in without quite knowing a lot. I honestly was so sucked into this! The writing was suspenseful and chilling. 

We follow these women and we learn of their horror, their trauma, but also their resilience! They did not give up hope!. 

I would warn to read the trigger warnings and if there is not any just be mindful this is a psychological thriller dealing with, kidnapping, murder, and rape. 

I would recommend this to those who like thrillers with a serial killer, multiple POV, and gripping suspense. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 2/5 🌶️

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is contemporary fiction that blends in some mystery and suspense. When a woman washes ashore on a remote island a family takes her in but they can’t keep their secrets buried forever. Shearwater was once an island filled with researchers as it is the home to the world’s largest seed bank but rising sea levels make the island dangerous. 

I was not sure what to expect going into this book! I am so glad I finally got around to reading it though. It was fantastic. Well-written, vivid imagery, suspense, and emotional. The way the author describes this was so easy to picture. The island sounded so beautiful and the thought process into the nature and importance of nature was spectacular. 

I loved the different POV’s. I thought it was so interesting to see how each member of the family was coping, what they were thinking, and of course input into what has really happened. The little romance subplot was equally as enchanting. This definitely pulled on my heart strings.

We read this for my book club and I honestly loved it so much. 

I would highly recommend to those who enjoy contemporary fiction with a little suspense, romance, and impossible choices. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian is an emotional thriller with elements of the supernatural. Six classmates in a town that seems idyllic witness a horrific tragedy, twenty years later when one of them is found dead they all come back to finish this once and for all. 

This is definitely more character-driven I would say than plot driven. I was so hooked within the first couple of chapters. I loved how it all played out and connected with the dual timelines. It was interesting to see how they had changed but also were still them. 

The suspenseful thriller with some supernatural elements was just the right amount. I thought it was quite brilliant how the author tied everything together. 

I loved how they all came together and had that found family vibe! 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy thrillers with supernatural sprinkles, dual timelines, and a satisfying ending.