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buffyreads's Reviews (575)
I received this title as an ARC on Net-galley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Teen for the copy!
The Good
I adore all things sapphic and dragon so I was so excited to read this book! Lotte is an decent lead. I found the concept of a dragon-tongue to be very interesting as well as her complex relationship with her mother. I liked how Lotte and Maryse's relationship developed. They both were adultified at a young age and had their own complex family issues. They understood and cared for each other and slowly let their guards down. I loved that these dragons lived off of gold. Most modern dragon books don't feature their connection to gold hoards so I really appreciated it. I liked the concept of different species of dragons and their subtle differences. The plot itself was fun once the twist and subsequent secrets were revealed. It didn't know how it was going to be resolved which was fun.
The Bad
Though Lottie is a teenager, often wished she had more strength to her character. I wanted to like Maryse individually more than I actually did. I understand her and where she was coming from and the motivation behind some of her actions but ultimately it was all her own selfishness. I think overall this book lacked emotional depth and making me truly care and feel attached to these characters and therefore the biggest emotional parts of this book felt surface level. I just found some of their reasoning and through processes were a bit naive and silly. Like yes, killing is bad but does that mean a dragon gets to harm anyone it wants and hold a whole city hostage? The book does try to discuss this internal struggle but doesn't do it too well. I also guessed the mystery around Ker'kachin super early on so when it was revealed it had no impact.
Format:
Ebook — Netgalley
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
The Good
I adore all things sapphic and dragon so I was so excited to read this book! Lotte is an decent lead. I found the concept of a dragon-tongue to be very interesting as well as her complex relationship with her mother. I liked how Lotte and Maryse's relationship developed. They both were adultified at a young age and had their own complex family issues. They understood and cared for each other and slowly let their guards down. I loved that these dragons lived off of gold. Most modern dragon books don't feature their connection to gold hoards so I really appreciated it. I liked the concept of different species of dragons and their subtle differences. The plot itself was fun once the twist and subsequent secrets were revealed. It didn't know how it was going to be resolved which was fun.
The Bad
Though Lottie is a teenager, often wished she had more strength to her character. I wanted to like Maryse individually more than I actually did. I understand her and where she was coming from and the motivation behind some of her actions but ultimately it was all her own selfishness. I think overall this book lacked emotional depth and making me truly care and feel attached to these characters and therefore the biggest emotional parts of this book felt surface level. I just found some of their reasoning and through processes were a bit naive and silly. Like yes, killing is bad but does that mean a dragon gets to harm anyone it wants and hold a whole city hostage? The book does try to discuss this internal struggle but doesn't do it too well. I also guessed the mystery around Ker'kachin super early on so when it was revealed it had no impact.
Format:
Ebook — Netgalley
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
Highlights:
Elliya and Falthyris were an interesting couple. I really liked the concept of this post-apocalyptic world and a falling make to female ratio. Elliya was awesome and I loved Falthyris's growth.
Lowlights:
I wish we got some explanation on what the comet/dragonsbane curse was. I didn't
Horn Level: 4/5
Elliya and Falthyris were an interesting couple. I really liked the concept of this post-apocalyptic world and a falling make to female ratio. Elliya was awesome and I loved Falthyris's growth.
Lowlights:
I wish we got some explanation on what the comet/dragonsbane curse was. I didn't
Horn Level: 4/5
Highlights:
Nadine and Thrand were an interesting pairing. I found Thrand's competitivines and teasing very fun. His banter with Nadine was good as well. The plot bored me at times until we got the big action at 80%.
Lowlights:
I really disliked how Nadine set a boundary but also wanted him to steam over it. It gave me "women say no but really mean yes" vibes. She kept being like "Oh I said no but I really wish he would anyways." Which icked me out. I also found myself bored with the story by 50% into it, their relationship conflicts didn't keep me interested as it was the same thoughts said over and over. An event does pick the story up in the third act but it wasn't enough to make me love the story.
Horn Level: 3/5
Nadine and Thrand were an interesting pairing. I found Thrand's competitivines and teasing very fun. His banter with Nadine was good as well. The plot bored me at times until we got the big action at 80%.
Lowlights:
I really disliked how Nadine set a boundary but also wanted him to steam over it. It gave me "women say no but really mean yes" vibes. She kept being like "Oh I said no but I really wish he would anyways." Which icked me out. I also found myself bored with the story by 50% into it, their relationship conflicts didn't keep me interested as it was the same thoughts said over and over. An event does pick the story up in the third act but it wasn't enough to make me love the story.
Horn Level: 3/5
My Talia Hibbert binge continues!
The Good
I love friends to lover and forced proximity so much! Jasmine is a complex mess but I love her. Rahul was so sweet and caring and DOWN TERRIBLY! Their dynamic was so interesting and full of angst and pinning! I'm also so glad this wasn't a "love heals all" type story and work and effort had to be put in for growth.
The Bad
I found the flipping timeline to be confusing at times. I was listening to this as an audiobook so I sometimes got lost where in the timeline events were taking place since I couldn't quickly flip and look. And while I love how Hibbert writes complex characters, Jas began to exhaust me. I understood her and her trauma and deep rooted insecurities so it's not as though the character annoyed me or didn't make sense but the story felt so draining as Rahul constantly had to be on alert of her moods and spirals.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
The Good
I love friends to lover and forced proximity so much! Jasmine is a complex mess but I love her. Rahul was so sweet and caring and DOWN TERRIBLY! Their dynamic was so interesting and full of angst and pinning! I'm also so glad this wasn't a "love heals all" type story and work and effort had to be put in for growth.
The Bad
I found the flipping timeline to be confusing at times. I was listening to this as an audiobook so I sometimes got lost where in the timeline events were taking place since I couldn't quickly flip and look. And while I love how Hibbert writes complex characters, Jas began to exhaust me. I understood her and her trauma and deep rooted insecurities so it's not as though the character annoyed me or didn't make sense but the story felt so draining as Rahul constantly had to be on alert of her moods and spirals.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
The Good
Lila is great! I loved her relationship with her sister and her journey to standing up to herself. Rokan is sweet and quiet. He really tries to make sure Lila understands him and is super patient. Lila and Rokan are so delightful! It was a nice change from the previous book because this one has them being so understanding and liking each other immediately even without the resonance. He really wanted to be there for her and supported her wishes and she thrived with him. I'm glad the kidnapping plot wasn't the love interest this time. I was tired of that plot and needed a nice mmc this time. Some people don't like Maddie but I felt like she is a great example of a "glass child", she spent so much of her life taking care of and accommodating for her sister it becomes a integral part of her being and that's hard to change in one conversation.
The Bad
I hate how creepy the alien men are getting in this series but it makes sense as they are often rewarded with mates and not punished when they behave grossly.
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
Lila is great! I loved her relationship with her sister and her journey to standing up to herself. Rokan is sweet and quiet. He really tries to make sure Lila understands him and is super patient. Lila and Rokan are so delightful! It was a nice change from the previous book because this one has them being so understanding and liking each other immediately even without the resonance. He really wanted to be there for her and supported her wishes and she thrived with him. I'm glad the kidnapping plot wasn't the love interest this time. I was tired of that plot and needed a nice mmc this time. Some people don't like Maddie but I felt like she is a great example of a "glass child", she spent so much of her life taking care of and accommodating for her sister it becomes a integral part of her being and that's hard to change in one conversation.
The Bad
I hate how creepy the alien men are getting in this series but it makes sense as they are often rewarded with mates and not punished when they behave grossly.
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
After a few major stints of bad luck, Eddy finds herself abandoned in the Nevada desert on her way to California to begin her dream of owning a restaurant. She is found half-dead by Rhine, who saves her life. Eddy begins working in the town to earn some money before getting back to her dream and fights against her attraction with Rhine who appears to her to be an wealthy, engaged white man. Little does she know that he hiding his real race...
The Good
I loved the main characters in this novel. They felt fleshed out and real. They felt very realistic and never did things out of character just to move the plot forward. The relationship between Eddy and Rhine also felt natural. They were attracted to each other from the get go but the build up to them learning more about each other and truly falling in love was really good. I also loved the setting. I haven't read many westerns but this caught my eye and was lovely. The look into what communities black people built post-civil war was wonderful. I also loved that the racism wasn't over the top. Some authors like to add graphic depictions to be "raw" or "real" when featuring black characters in historical fiction but this novel felt safe from that. I fave racism in real life I don't need it graphically depicted in my romance novels.
The Bad
The only con I have was the climax of the story. While it felt like something that character would do, it felt a little cartoon villain-esque and ridiculous. It was resolved quickly though and there was a need for something big to happen at that point of the story but it felt meaningless.
The Rating
I gave this novel 4/5 stars sns would definitely recommend it to other historical romance lovers. I'm excited to read Jenkins other works with black leads.
The Good
I love fake dating! It will always EAT! Gemma is so flirty and bold she had me giggling and kicking my feet. I related to Tansy a lot and loved her so much.Tansy and Gemma were so cute. Once they got together I really felt their connection and how felt chemistry between them. They loved each other so much and it almost made me cry with its earnestness. The conflict was done well and felt realistic.
The Bad
The family characters stressed me out so bad on both sides. I didn't realize how much family angst there was going to be. This wasn't done badly but it triggered me a lot and made me enjoy the book less.
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
I love fake dating! It will always EAT! Gemma is so flirty and bold she had me giggling and kicking my feet. I related to Tansy a lot and loved her so much.Tansy and Gemma were so cute. Once they got together I really felt their connection and how felt chemistry between them. They loved each other so much and it almost made me cry with its earnestness. The conflict was done well and felt realistic.
The Bad
The family characters stressed me out so bad on both sides. I didn't realize how much family angst there was going to be. This wasn't done badly but it triggered me a lot and made me enjoy the book less.
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
This manga was so cute and I loved how sweet the relationship was. Nomoto and Kasuga both compliment each other well and make me giggle and kick my feet. I give this book a 3/5
Highlights:
Angie and Vordis are incredibly sweet. I liked how much Angie longed for a friend and her conflict with being pregnant. I found Vordis thoughts interesting because he wants to be more than a clone but still has a that ingrained in him.
Lowlights:
Those who follow my reviews know I am a female character defender but Bridget and Hannah were incredibly annoying. An issue I find with this series is that sometimes side characters are written as mean, brash, and insensitive from other characters point of views and it's not really addressed. Perhaps it's supposed to be comedic but I find that it makes readers dread read that characters story more than anything. However, I also wanted Angie to be less wallowing and make an effort herself. She felt isolated and left out but never tried to really put herself out there with the other girls. They also have their own stuff going on and cannot telepathically know you feel left out and lonely when you don't tell them. A lot of her hang up weren't even based on her personal trauma or experiences but insecurities she had about herself and didn't want to work on. Pregnant people can get into relationships and kiss people. The alien man will not care if you have an alien baby... He is an alien too!
Horn Level: 2/5
Angie and Vordis are incredibly sweet. I liked how much Angie longed for a friend and her conflict with being pregnant. I found Vordis thoughts interesting because he wants to be more than a clone but still has a that ingrained in him.
Lowlights:
Those who follow my reviews know I am a female character defender but Bridget and Hannah were incredibly annoying. An issue I find with this series is that sometimes side characters are written as mean, brash, and insensitive from other characters point of views and it's not really addressed. Perhaps it's supposed to be comedic but I find that it makes readers dread read that characters story more than anything. However, I also wanted Angie to be less wallowing and make an effort herself. She felt isolated and left out but never tried to really put herself out there with the other girls. They also have their own stuff going on and cannot telepathically know you feel left out and lonely when you don't tell them. A lot of her hang up weren't even based on her personal trauma or experiences but insecurities she had about herself and didn't want to work on. Pregnant people can get into relationships and kiss people. The alien man will not care if you have an alien baby... He is an alien too!
Horn Level: 2/5