Take a photo of a barcode or cover
chronicallybookish's Reviews (1.53k)
Quick Stats
Overall: 4 stars
Characters:4/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:3/5
All in all, I loved this book. It’s an amazing, diverse fantasy with African folklore and immersing magic. It’s a great read for fans of Children of Blood and Bone or Three Dark Crowns. The world was lush and swept me away in its history, culture, and magic. The characters were, for the most part, well rounded and likeable.
I absolutely adored Eva, Aketo, Mira, and Anali. I wasn’t a fan of Bacchas, but that’s just because I didn’t like his personality. I think he was a well-written character and played his part well, something about him just irked me. Eva was a great narrator, and I felt fully swept into her head, and even when I didn’t think she was making the right decisions, I was still rooting for her. Aketo is just a sweet innocent…deadly guy. His banter and chemistry with Eva felt natural and well done (mostly). I also really liked his feelings about his magic and how he discussed that with Eva. I think those conversations gave him a lot of depth as a character and made me like him all the more. Mira and Anali had smaller parts, but they both just had such motherly personalities and whenever I read their interactions with Eva it felt like a warm hug.
On the other hand, Isadore, the Queen, and Falun’s characters just… didn’t feel like they had enough back story. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what Falun’s point was other than being LGBTQ+ rep. He really just felt like a token gay best friend thrown in every couple of scenes for diversity’s sake. I know he had more to his personality. Mainly his protectiveness of Eva… actually, only his protectiveness of Eva. But he could have been taken out of the story and it would have worked just as well. His character had no point. Isa and the Queen obviously had a point, but they lacked motivation. I mean, they were motivated by power, sure, but it just didn’t feel like enough. The ‘big reveal’ at the end may have explained their distaste for Eva that seemed to go past the whole rival heir thing, but because we don’t know that reasoning throughout, I was left feeling like their characters were just underdeveloped.
The plot and setting were amazing. There were one or two places that things seemed to drag, but never too badly. Amanda Joy built this incredible world that swept me up from the start. The idea of “Rival Heirs” reminds me a lot of Three Dark Crowns, but the books aren’t similar otherwise. I’m honestly the worst at talking about plots, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
The biggest issue I had with this book, and the thing that kept it from being five stars, is the writing. Every once in a while, things would be worded in a way that just felt awkward. The dialogue, especially, felt stilted at times. However, the narrative aspects did feel poorly written at times too. It just made me feel like the book needed one more go through of edits.
Despite this, I still HIGHLY recommend this book! If it sounds interesting to you, definitely check it out!
Overall: 4 stars
Characters:4/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:3/5
All in all, I loved this book. It’s an amazing, diverse fantasy with African folklore and immersing magic. It’s a great read for fans of Children of Blood and Bone or Three Dark Crowns. The world was lush and swept me away in its history, culture, and magic. The characters were, for the most part, well rounded and likeable.
I absolutely adored Eva, Aketo, Mira, and Anali. I wasn’t a fan of Bacchas, but that’s just because I didn’t like his personality. I think he was a well-written character and played his part well, something about him just irked me. Eva was a great narrator, and I felt fully swept into her head, and even when I didn’t think she was making the right decisions, I was still rooting for her. Aketo is just a sweet innocent…deadly guy. His banter and chemistry with Eva felt natural and well done (mostly). I also really liked his feelings about his magic and how he discussed that with Eva. I think those conversations gave him a lot of depth as a character and made me like him all the more. Mira and Anali had smaller parts, but they both just had such motherly personalities and whenever I read their interactions with Eva it felt like a warm hug.
On the other hand, Isadore, the Queen, and Falun’s characters just… didn’t feel like they had enough back story. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what Falun’s point was other than being LGBTQ+ rep. He really just felt like a token gay best friend thrown in every couple of scenes for diversity’s sake. I know he had more to his personality. Mainly his protectiveness of Eva… actually, only his protectiveness of Eva. But he could have been taken out of the story and it would have worked just as well. His character had no point. Isa and the Queen obviously had a point, but they lacked motivation. I mean, they were motivated by power, sure, but it just didn’t feel like enough. The ‘big reveal’ at the end may have explained their distaste for Eva that seemed to go past the whole rival heir thing, but because we don’t know that reasoning throughout, I was left feeling like their characters were just underdeveloped.
The plot and setting were amazing. There were one or two places that things seemed to drag, but never too badly. Amanda Joy built this incredible world that swept me up from the start. The idea of “Rival Heirs” reminds me a lot of Three Dark Crowns, but the books aren’t similar otherwise. I’m honestly the worst at talking about plots, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
The biggest issue I had with this book, and the thing that kept it from being five stars, is the writing. Every once in a while, things would be worded in a way that just felt awkward. The dialogue, especially, felt stilted at times. However, the narrative aspects did feel poorly written at times too. It just made me feel like the book needed one more go through of edits.
Despite this, I still HIGHLY recommend this book! If it sounds interesting to you, definitely check it out!
3.5 stars
5 stars for amazing chronic illness rep by an #ownvoices author
2 stars for the book itself.
5 stars for amazing chronic illness rep by an #ownvoices author
2 stars for the book itself.
Quick Stats
Overall: 5 stars
Characters:5/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:5/5
Oh. My. Gosh. I thought this was a duology? It’s not a duology. Which means I need to wait 365 days for the next book. I CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG! I seriously don’t know how I’ll manage because this series has quickly made its way to the very top of my favorites. It has DRAGONS!
If you’re a fan of Seraphina, Throne of Glass, or Red Queen, pick up the first book in this series—Fireborne—right now.
On to the actual review:
Flamefall picks up right where Fireborne left off, but we get an additional, new narrator—someone we’ve never met before—Griff. I was a bit concerned when the book opened to Griff’s POV, but don’t worry, we still get Annie and Lee’s POVs too. Griff is a “humble rider” for New Pythos. When the survivors of the triarchy went to New Pythos and took twenty odd dragon eggs with them, they didn’t have enough dragonborn riders, so they were forced to accept some peasants into their dragonriding program. However, these lowborn riders are treated like scum. If you thought Annie was treated poorly? You haven’t seen anything yet.
I loved Griff as a character as well as getting to see what was going on behind enemy lines. That added a whole new layer too the book—actually, there were several new layers added to the book, each twistier than the last, and each masterfully executed. I adored Fireborne, but Rosaria Munda has really outdone herself with Flamefall.
The plot was complex, twisty, and really well developed. Every twist and turn—and there were a lot!—caught me off guard in the best way. And when I say that ending has me FREAKING OUT—oh my gosh. I need the next book. I need it.
I’m kind of the worst at writing reviews for books I liked. I can’t think critically. There were no flaws—I mean, Annie and Lee’s crappy communication did drive me crazy for a got third of the book. That was annoying. And Cor. Like, I get it, but he still pissed me off.
Anywayyyyyyyyyyyy please please please read this book! Now! Thank you!
Overall: 5 stars
Characters:5/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:5/5
Oh. My. Gosh. I thought this was a duology? It’s not a duology. Which means I need to wait 365 days for the next book. I CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG! I seriously don’t know how I’ll manage because this series has quickly made its way to the very top of my favorites. It has DRAGONS!
If you’re a fan of Seraphina, Throne of Glass, or Red Queen, pick up the first book in this series—Fireborne—right now.
On to the actual review:
Flamefall picks up right where Fireborne left off, but we get an additional, new narrator—someone we’ve never met before—Griff. I was a bit concerned when the book opened to Griff’s POV, but don’t worry, we still get Annie and Lee’s POVs too. Griff is a “humble rider” for New Pythos. When the survivors of the triarchy went to New Pythos and took twenty odd dragon eggs with them, they didn’t have enough dragonborn riders, so they were forced to accept some peasants into their dragonriding program. However, these lowborn riders are treated like scum. If you thought Annie was treated poorly? You haven’t seen anything yet.
I loved Griff as a character as well as getting to see what was going on behind enemy lines. That added a whole new layer too the book—actually, there were several new layers added to the book, each twistier than the last, and each masterfully executed. I adored Fireborne, but Rosaria Munda has really outdone herself with Flamefall.
The plot was complex, twisty, and really well developed. Every twist and turn—and there were a lot!—caught me off guard in the best way. And when I say that ending has me FREAKING OUT—oh my gosh. I need the next book. I need it.
I’m kind of the worst at writing reviews for books I liked. I can’t think critically. There were no flaws—I mean, Annie and Lee’s crappy communication did drive me crazy for a got third of the book. That was annoying. And Cor. Like, I get it, but he still pissed me off.
Anywayyyyyyyyyyyy please please please read this book! Now! Thank you!
Quick Stats
Overall: 4.5 stars
Characters:5/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:5/5
First things first, you’re probably looking at those stats and thinking… Kaley, how does all five out of five add up to 4.5 stars? The answer is… I don’t know. Five stars isn’t a statistical rating; it’s a feeling, and though I loved this book, it just didn’t quite feel five stars.
That’s not to say I don’t love the book. I very much do. This is only my second ever JLB mystery/thriller, but I can definitely see why she—and this book—are so popular. Wow.
Every single character was unique, amazingly written, and likeable. Even the characters I hated—I somehow liked them at the same time. The mystery was twisty, confusing, and enticing. I had no idea what was coming next at any given point, but I was fully invested in watching it unfold. The backdrop of Hawthorne House was interesting. Very gauche. I quite enjoyed the descriptions of lush wealth and the overall puzzle of the house.
This book was such a fun, intriguing read. I highly recommend it to fans of Knives Out and anyone who liked 39 Clues as a child.
Overall: 4.5 stars
Characters:5/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:5/5
First things first, you’re probably looking at those stats and thinking… Kaley, how does all five out of five add up to 4.5 stars? The answer is… I don’t know. Five stars isn’t a statistical rating; it’s a feeling, and though I loved this book, it just didn’t quite feel five stars.
That’s not to say I don’t love the book. I very much do. This is only my second ever JLB mystery/thriller, but I can definitely see why she—and this book—are so popular. Wow.
Every single character was unique, amazingly written, and likeable. Even the characters I hated—I somehow liked them at the same time. The mystery was twisty, confusing, and enticing. I had no idea what was coming next at any given point, but I was fully invested in watching it unfold. The backdrop of Hawthorne House was interesting. Very gauche. I quite enjoyed the descriptions of lush wealth and the overall puzzle of the house.
This book was such a fun, intriguing read. I highly recommend it to fans of Knives Out and anyone who liked 39 Clues as a child.
Quick Stats
Overall: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Well. Wibbroka have done it again.
In the past I have enjoyed their books, more and more with each new release, feeling rather neutrally towards Always Never Yours and thoroughly enjoying Time of Our Lives, and What’s Not to Love has cemented that pattern, because I ADORED THIS BOOK. Maybe I’m biased, because the rivalry between Ethan and Alison reminded me of the rivalry between me and my boyfriend years ago. I may or may not have ruined a project we were partners on, just to spite him. As Alison says… Mutually insured destruction.
I’m a sucker for rivals to lovers romances, and I’m a sucker for high school contemporaries, so this book was my drug of choice. I liked Alison and Ethan as individuals and as a couple, and I think they, by far, had the best chemistry of any Wibbroka couple yet.
I only have two complaints, and one is a minor spoiler.
Let’s start with the NON-spoilery complaint.
I don’t think either of the authors have a clue how drivers’ ed and getting your license works. I went through drivers’ ed two years ago, and my brother is going through the process of getting his license literally this week… and it is nothing like the book? There are actual classes with a book and homework and tests as well as a written exam. That just made me feel a little disconnected from the book in places, but it’s not really a big deal.
***SPOILERS***
The second complaint, again, not a big deal, is the whole “break up” for a couple chapters. I hate that trope with a passion. And I get it. It’s basically a necessity in YA Contemporary, you need to add tension, but it’s so cliche and always so stupid. I just really feel like the book would have been better without it.
***END SPOILERS***
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love Wibbroka’s writing style, and they are the masters of banter—and Ethan and Alison’s banter is next level. Everything in this book left me desperate for more. I also adore the cameos from previous couples in each book. Juniper and Fitz were perfect and it just gives me an instant rush of serotonin to see them again. I cannot wait to catch a glimpse of Alison and Ethan in whatever Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka come out with next.
Thank you PenguinTeen for an early eARC!
Overall: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Well. Wibbroka have done it again.
In the past I have enjoyed their books, more and more with each new release, feeling rather neutrally towards Always Never Yours and thoroughly enjoying Time of Our Lives, and What’s Not to Love has cemented that pattern, because I ADORED THIS BOOK. Maybe I’m biased, because the rivalry between Ethan and Alison reminded me of the rivalry between me and my boyfriend years ago. I may or may not have ruined a project we were partners on, just to spite him. As Alison says… Mutually insured destruction.
I’m a sucker for rivals to lovers romances, and I’m a sucker for high school contemporaries, so this book was my drug of choice. I liked Alison and Ethan as individuals and as a couple, and I think they, by far, had the best chemistry of any Wibbroka couple yet.
I only have two complaints, and one is a minor spoiler.
Let’s start with the NON-spoilery complaint.
I don’t think either of the authors have a clue how drivers’ ed and getting your license works. I went through drivers’ ed two years ago, and my brother is going through the process of getting his license literally this week… and it is nothing like the book? There are actual classes with a book and homework and tests as well as a written exam. That just made me feel a little disconnected from the book in places, but it’s not really a big deal.
***SPOILERS***
The second complaint, again, not a big deal, is the whole “break up” for a couple chapters. I hate that trope with a passion. And I get it. It’s basically a necessity in YA Contemporary, you need to add tension, but it’s so cliche and always so stupid. I just really feel like the book would have been better without it.
***END SPOILERS***
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love Wibbroka’s writing style, and they are the masters of banter—and Ethan and Alison’s banter is next level. Everything in this book left me desperate for more. I also adore the cameos from previous couples in each book. Juniper and Fitz were perfect and it just gives me an instant rush of serotonin to see them again. I cannot wait to catch a glimpse of Alison and Ethan in whatever Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka come out with next.
Thank you PenguinTeen for an early eARC!