dianabookends's Reviews (308)

Five Broken Blades is a story about espionage, murder and politics. Five different people are hired and brought together to assassinate the god king. As they all work together to plan out this nearly impossible task they learn a lot about their pasts and what they truly desire out of life.

I was concerned when I first started this book that it would be very difficult to keep track of all the characters or that some of them would blend together but I was very pleasantly surprised to see so many diverse characters! Every character had their own personality, thoughts, flaws and desires without being overwhelming or becoming too lost in translation!

I was also really pleased with the plot of this book and how it developed! I did not see the twist at the end coming and I am excited to get the second book to see what happens next!

Heartless Hunter is about a witch and a witch hunter playing a dangerous game trying to outsmart the other. Rune has had to pretend her whole life to be a witch hater when she is actually a witch that uses her status and abilities to free other witches and help them escape certain death. Gideon is the head of the Blood Guard who hunts down witches and he has his sights on the Crimson Moth who is the one going around freeing witches. He suspects Rune is the Crimson Moth and they begin a dance of intrigue and mystery to get information without revealing their true selves.

I first heard about this book through BookTok and as always was skeptical on how it would be but I absolutely loved this book! I thought all of the characters were loveable and had something to love about them and I especially loved how the relationship between Rune and Gideon felt genuine and flowed easily. I am excited to jump into the next book when it releases!

Thank you to Kristin Cast, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Hannah is having maybe the worst day in her life. A failed job presentation, finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her, it feels like her whole life is falling apart. Before her job presentation she had gone into a fortune shop to get some guidance on how to not be her. There she received The Empress, a tarot card. She is then pulled into an entirely different world where she is expected to be save the reality and restore balance. 

I was concerned when I received this ARC and saw that so many reviewers DNF'd it. I have read some of Kristin Cast's work with other writers before so I was interested in diving in to some of her own fiction. 

For me, The Empress feels like any other romantasy. I did enjoy the magick system alluded to with the tarot cards but we don't see much of that in this book which was a bit disappointing. I also did not particularly care for the romance aspect here because it felt rushed and I am becoming more and more a slow burn romance type of girlie. 

I did enjoy the character's for the most part because they were relatable. Our main character is a little whiny but if I was in this scenario I probably would be too. And I bet everyone's got their own 'Stephanie' to deal with at work. 

I did like how the book wrapped up because it gave a complete feeling but also left a little to continue with the series. I was worried we were about to get a cliffhanger but we didn't thankfully.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy the romantasy genre and a little bit of spice. Books I would compare to this one would be Powerless, Quicksilver and Lore of the Wilds.

The House on Mango Street is a collection of memories from Esperanza as she grows up in 'the ugly house on Mango Street'. We get to see Esperanza make friends, grow up and figure out life through little snapshots of her life.

I found this book hard to follow at first without the use of quotation marks but once I started picturing Esperanza telling me the stories it helped me follow along a little better. 

I think this book was a unique experience and I don't think I understand why this book is banned. The violence is shown through a naive point of view and makes it's point without being too explicit. It really highlights what it feels like to grow up and widen your view of the world and how confusing it can be sometimes. 

I would recommend people to read this book because it is not very long and it's beneficial for everyone to get a taste of what living in a different community and a different lifestyle is like. 

The Haunting of Brynn Wilder is focused around Brynn taking a vacation and learning to cope after the loss of her mother and the end of a relationship. While Brynn is in Wharton she makes new friends that help her heal and learn more about herself. During her stay she discovers the inn she is staying in is known to be haunted and adds solving the mystery of one particular haunt to her vacation schedule. 

I thought this book was okay. I loved the hometown/smalltown vibe and all of the connections the characters had together and how the story was woven together. However, nothing in here excited me and if I hadn't been reading this with a group I might not have continued reading it. I knew a few of the twists early on which normally is fine because there's enough interest in other areas but this one didn't have that for me.

There is a cute romance mixed in but that as well fell flat for me. I wouldn't call this book a thriller in my opinion but a cozy mystery might be more accurate. 

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a smalltown, cozy mystery with a touch of paranormal. 

 Fathomfolk is a story about a civilization called Tiankawi known as a safe haven for those fleeing unrest and sinking civilizations. Unfortunately, all is not as it seems as the humans live above the water looking down in fear at the fathomfolk who live in the depths polluted below.

This story is not for those that want fast action and quick resolutions!

I personally enjoy long journeys to reach destinations so this was not a problem for me but I can see how it would hinder some from enjoying it.

Fathomfolk is full of politics, slow plans and a beautiful world and characters. I found myself wishing it was illustrated so I could see the half submerged city and it's aquatic dwellers.

One of the things I really appreciated in this story was that all of the characters were very real. There was no 'savior' of Tiankawi because they were all just people trying to find ways to live together and survive. Even our water dragon royalty had flaws and separate ambitions which I enjoyed.

I would recommend Fathomfolk to people who enjoy political intrigue, societal issues and beautifully crafted worlds. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Children's for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Love Unmasked follows our main character Evie through a school trip to Venice! They are there to work on an architecture assignment as a final grade before they graduate high school. Evie also has a secret agenda to sneak out at night to attend a fan club for her favorite books that are based around Venice! 

While sneaking out she runs into another masked fan of the fanbase and they instantly connect on their love of the books and the adventure they are sharing. They agree to take off their masks on the last night of the weekend to see who they are and if they can continue their relationship in the 'real world.'

Back in the real world, Evie is matched up with Gabriel on her project. He is a new transfer and a very closed off, untrusting individual that Evie is determined to make friends with. Soon Evie has to make the difficult decision of who she wants: Gabriel the rough and tumble bad boy or Angelo the stranger that she can tell her secrets to.

I think this is such a cute little romance! I enjoyed the characters and I think they are written well and written their age which I appreciate. I absolutely loved how Venice was described and it really made me want to go and see the sights too. 

The complex relationship  Evie has with her mom and the stress she is under to be 'perfect' is relatable and it's nice to see the author approach it from both angles that it is important to advocate for yourself but it is important to be respectful and honest to those in authority. 

I think my favorite part was watching Evie and Gabriel's relationship grow from definitely not friends to growing comfortable and sharing parts of themselves they might not have been able to share before!

Overall I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a sweet little romance with a little bit of slow burn but not too much! 

This was a really interesting dip into Marilyn's life and I'm glad I took time to read it.