bookishbillijean's Reviews (586)

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 2/5 🌶️

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff is a high-fantasy novel with treacherous tones of murder. Mia is the daughter of an execute traitor who embarks on a quest to become a skilled assassin and get revenge on those who betrayed them 

I honestly am still up in the air with this. I gave it 4 ⭐️ because the idea of the book was good. I liked the school for assassins, I liked the political intrigue, and the betrayal. I just had a really hard time with the writing. It was a little hard to follow at times and some of the phrasing and wording was making me scream. 

Mia was a decent FMC. Young, determined, and stubborn. Her decisions some of the time made me want to yell at her. She was trying to do the right thing but then would turn around and do a lot of the wrong thing. I don’t know I didn’t really like her at all. I felt for her but I didn’t like her. 

The ending was good. I enjoyed the twists. I will continue with the series but I am not sure it needs to be right away. 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy high-fantasy with a unique writing style, betrayals, a strong female FMC, and deadly trials. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5 ⭐️

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North is a gripping psychological thriller with a small town vibe. Daniel is called back to his home island when his father goes missing and presumed dead. Things from their past come back to haunt them and Daniel follows the trail his father left behind!

So well written! I did have a little trouble getting into it as the beginning seemed a little slow but as it continued on and the story really starts to unfold it definitely pulled me in! Riveting plot, dynamic characters, and the twists! 

I wouldn’t say this was terrifying but it definitely was thrilling. There were a lot of tense moments and scary scenes but it wasn’t terrifying. I enjoyed the serial killer aspect and the criminal profiling moments. It gave this more depth how Daniel turned his trauma into a career where he felt he could do some good. 

I enjoyed the different POVs and how it gave you a look into the characters, timelines, and motivations. It added a lot to the story then just having Daniel’s POV. I cannot wait to read more of Alex’s books! 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy psychological thrillers set in a small town, with a serial killer on the loose, and dysfunctional family ties. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Assassin’s Quest by Robin Hobb is the last book is the Farseer Trilogy. This book continues right where book 2 leaves off. Fitz is adapting to being back in his human body and basically being shown how to be a human again. Eventually he regains his memories and starts on a quest to his King to save his kingdom. 

I would say this was definitely an enjoyable read. The first 600 pages were slower in the sense that you are following Fitz on this quest and all the mishaps that happen along the way. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed. This is a big book and I think it could have been spread out a little but more. 

I wasn’t super happy with how it ended but I guess I can understand that it ended the way it did. Overall definitely a solid series with a lot of action, political intrigue, romance, and adventure. 

I would say it was really well-written and easy to follow for the most part. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 2/5 🌶️
 

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli is the first book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series. For has suffered 12 years in one of the harshest prisons her only wish is to escape and pay back the Aurora King for everything he’s done to her. A surprise release lands Lor in a tournament to become the Sun Queen but in a place she doesn’t belong. 

I was really looking forward to this book as a lot of fellow readers loved it but it just wasn’t something I loved. I enjoyed it. I thought the potential was there. Lor made me so mad. Like girl think before you act. She was either really really stubborn or really really weak. She had no in between and no real character development. 

This is a romance I believe but the romance wasn’t really prevalent, I don’t feel like. I like Nadir and I think he is going to have a big part in book 2 but I just wish there had been more interaction between the two of them. 

Predictability was high in this for me. I am pretty sure I guessed everything within the first 10 chapters. I am glad I continued with the book as it did get better for me the last 5 or so chapters but it was a very slow-paced fantasy which I just generally have a hard time with when I don’t connect to any characters. I may or may not continue with the series. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Tell No One by Harlan Coben is a fast-paced thriller with buried secrets! Dr. David Beck lost his wife eight years ago, everyone tells him it is time to move on but he just cannot let her go. A mysterious message appears on his computer, the cops come sniffing back around, and everyone seems to be hiding something. 

I really enjoy Harlan Coben’s writing! This was exactly what I was looking for. A nice fast-paced thriller that was quick and easy to read. I loved the suspense! I also enjoyed how the characters were not all what they seemed either in a good or bad way! The twists were twisting and the plot was plotting!

Definitely would recommend to those who want a quick fast-paced domestic thriller with buried secrets, deception, and betrayal!  

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3/5 ⭐️

The Sublet by Greer Hendricks is a short story that follows Anne a ghostwriter hired to write a novel for a wellness guru. Her and her husband move into a submitted apartment but things are not what they seem. 

This was a super quick read under 100 pages and it was interesting. I wish there had been a little bit more as I kind of needed some explanation. At one point it just like skipped and I wasn’t even sure what had happened. 

It was enjoyable though. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️
 

Firebird by Juliette Cross is the first book in The Fire That Binds series. Malina is a young dancer who travels with her family to perform under the dictatorship of the dragons. Dragons rule Rome and are spreading carnage through all the lands. Julian a conqueror in the emperor’s army is called to Malina. In a world where dragons rule, where does Malina fit?

This was a highly anticipated read for me this year and it did not disappoint! I loved it so much, like loved it! Romantasy has been such a hit and miss lately for me. I feel like a lot of it is the same plot with different names. This felt different. 

The world building wasn’t over the top. It was just enough to help you understand and I enjoyed the Ancient Rome setting. The integration of dragons, gods, and witches. It all fit. The romance was everything. Julian is everything!

Such an easy book to get into for me. I was hooked just a few chapters in and it was a good time through the whole book. I cannot wait for the next book! Winter 2026 can’t come quick enough. 

Seriously though, read it if you want romance, fantasy, witches, political intrigue, and DRAGONS!. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 1/5 🌶️
 

The Raven Scholar by Antonio Hodgson is the first book in the Eternal Path Trilogy. Neema is a Raven scholar who was chosen to write an Order of Exile and then thrust into a world of political plots and intrigue. In a world where contenders fight for the throne (one from each monastery) Neema is only supposed to be in charge of the planning of the ceremonies but when one contender is murdered she is thrown in a race to find the murderer and to save her kingdom. 

The world building for this is quite fantastic. There is a lot of intricate details that really help develop the story. I enjoyed the monasteries being sacred animals and how those who enter those monasteries take on that animals characters. This felt unique to me and added a fresh feel to the fantasy genre. The writing was interesting. I enjoyed the way the author switched up the perspectives. Made it feel like we had a private look into what others were thinking and seeing. 

There is some romance in here but it is a subplot and not a huge part of the story but it did add a little extra. I enjoyed the investigation and the challenges. If this had been a bit faster-paced I probably would have given it five stars. I didn’t really feel the story pick up for me anyways until over half way through the book. 

I am glad I stayed with it though because I did end up devouring the second half and really enjoyed the story! Book 2 is not out yet so now I wait. 

I would recommend this to those who love high fantasy, challenging trials, and political intrigue!

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3/5 ⭐️
 

The Lake by Natasha Preston is a young adult thriller with some mature themes. Esme and Kayla return to camp after 8 years and a tragic accident to be counselors in training. They are excited to keep the past behind them and return to camp. Secrets never stay secrets for long no matter how hard you try to keep them buried. 

You can definitely tell this was a YA thriller. The writing seemed very juvenile to me. I am not sure if the author meant for it to that way since the main character is a teenager or if that is her writing style. This is the only book I have read so far by this author. 

While this book is YA it does have some mature themes and it did keep me interested enough to see how it all played out. It was pretty predictable and easy to guess but it was still a decent read. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️
 

This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston is a young adult mystery that follows Kate as she investigates a murder as an intern at a law firm. Five boys go hunting and only four come back. The boys won’t say anything but Kate knows something isn’t right and she wants them to pay for what they did, 

Excellent story telling. Really enjoyed the high-stakes feel and the crime procedural as they investigate. Kate is determined and smart. She is quick to do what she believes is right no matter what the cost to herself. 

The guessing I did in this book was ridiculous. Definitely did not have it right. I love when a book can do that. I did listen to this on audible and I had a hard time with the narration but I was interested enough in the story to continue on. 

A short quick read with some definitely suspense. 

I would recommend to those who enjoy fast-paced, high-stakes, young adult mysteries!