1.84k reviews by:

caseythereader

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Thanks to Seven Queens Press for the free copy of this book.

 - SON OF THE DROWNED EMPIRE takes us backward in the story of the Drowned Empire series, serving as a prequel of sorts that shows us exactly how Rhyan became forsworn while we were with Lyriana during the first book of the series.
- It was quite exciting to finally get Rhyan's point of view on these events and to learn more about the inner workings and power struggles in Glemaria, interspersed with some fantastic angst and longing.
- I don't want to go too much into plot this far into the story, but if you are a reader who has discovered romantasy this year, this is absolutely a series to check out. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thanks to Random House for the free copy of this book.

 - A SHOT IN THE DARK is a book that blends a romcom premise with the heavy internal exploration of a literary fiction novel.
- I don't always enjoy a novel as plotless as this one, but I found Ely and Wyatt to be such magnetic characters and I flew right through it.
- This book is so queer and so messy. It's also loving and thoughtful, and hopeful without promising that everything will work out perfectly. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thanks to Tor Books for the free copy of this book.

 - I'm not sure how to review HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD beyond simply some incoherent screaming. It's somehow better than the first book? It left me completely shattered? I could have kept reading it forever?
- I won't go into too much plot detail because 1) so much happens and 2) a lot of it would constitute huge spoilers. But know that I was gripped from beginning to end, gasped out loud at several points, and once my spouse asked if I was okay and the answer was a wailing, "Noooo!"
- Simply put, this duology is a masterpiece. I can't wait to see what Parker-Chan does next. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thanks to Macmillan for the free copy of this book.

 - I FEED HER TO THE BEAST AND THE BEAST IS ME might be described as a villain origin story. It's a book about rage and revenge and pouring your body and soul into something only to be kicked aside.
- Absolutely everyone in this book is unlikable in some way, and I love that, especially for Laure, who has every reason to be sharp and bitter.
- I have some issues with the storytelling - I wish the underworld had been better explained, there was a lot of telling us what relationships were like instead of demonstrating it, etc. However, Shea's writing style absolutely drew me in and I'm looking forward to where this series and their writing career as a whole goes. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny reflective fast-paced

Thanks to Random House for the free copy of this book.

 - There's no sophomore slump for R. Eric Thomas with CONGRATULATIONS, THE BEST IS OVER! Thomas continues to be over the top funny while maintaining heart and thoughtfulness.
- I think this collection shows that Thomas is not just a gimmicky columnist, but an essayist with staying power. His ruminations on trying to build the life you want while reckoning with your past are so personal and still widely relatable.
- Honestly, where else are you going to find essays about being Black in America and about inadvertently hosting gay frogs in your yard in the same book? Nowhere else, that's where.
- I do also recommend the audiobook (thanks @prhaudio!) if you read via audio. Thomas does the narration and it's a delight. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings