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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
I love everything that Charlie N. Holmberg has written and this book was no different. A lovely, soft fantasy with just enough magic and a beautiful folktale style story that had me hooked from the very beginning. The plot explores love and family in such a way that wrenched my heart more than once and I was simply in love with the characters.
Charlie mentioned on her Instagram once that if you need a book character to love, you just create one...well, she's gone and done it. I have a definite book crush on Ristriel. To be perfectly fair, I kind of fell in love with The Sun as well.
This book gave me all the feels. It filled my heart and then smashed it to pieces. And I was totally cool with it. Just so much love for this story. Charlie Holmberg can write her grocery list on a piece of paper and I'm sure I would be enthralled by it. She just has a beautiful way of words and I love every world and character she creates. What a magical power she has to create.
I'm very much looking forward to Star Father, the next book in the series...though I am extremely curious how the story will continue. Regardless, I'll just be happy to immerse myself in this world once again.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Charlie mentioned on her Instagram once that if you need a book character to love, you just create one...well, she's gone and done it. I have a definite book crush on Ristriel. To be perfectly fair, I kind of fell in love with The Sun as well.
This book gave me all the feels. It filled my heart and then smashed it to pieces. And I was totally cool with it. Just so much love for this story. Charlie Holmberg can write her grocery list on a piece of paper and I'm sure I would be enthralled by it. She just has a beautiful way of words and I love every world and character she creates. What a magical power she has to create.
I'm very much looking forward to Star Father, the next book in the series...though I am extremely curious how the story will continue. Regardless, I'll just be happy to immerse myself in this world once again.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars.
This was a great end to the series! I have read all of the prequels in addition to the original, Practical Magic, and this ranks up there as one of my favorites of the series. (Oddly, my other favorite is not Practical Magic, but The Rules of Magic and I only actually started the series in the first place because of the movie...which I adore.)
Going in, I wasn't sure what I was going to get. I didn't have exorbitantly high hopes since this series has been a mixed bag, but I really wanted the rest of the story and I have such love for the characters (especially Jet...she's my favorite). So, I was pleasantly surprised by the family drama that unfolded. It is a long story, but there is a lot at work and I felt that each character was given their due. The history of the family plays well into the plot and there are a lot of wrapped up feelings in the story. I still prefer movie Sally to book Sally, but there is a good exploration of each character's history that plays a part in how they individually and as a family move forward in the future. I love the characters and the family structure. Also...I love the witchcraft. It's enough to be witchy without being over-the-top and I just find myself so caught up in it.
The plot can be a little slow in places and there is a lot of background setup, but for me it was just an exploration of those things I was fond of in previous books, so I didn't get dragged down by it much. The Book of Magic was a rewarding end to the series for me and left the characters in a place where I can always be comforted in reminiscences of the whole series.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This was a great end to the series! I have read all of the prequels in addition to the original, Practical Magic, and this ranks up there as one of my favorites of the series. (Oddly, my other favorite is not Practical Magic, but The Rules of Magic and I only actually started the series in the first place because of the movie...which I adore.)
Going in, I wasn't sure what I was going to get. I didn't have exorbitantly high hopes since this series has been a mixed bag, but I really wanted the rest of the story and I have such love for the characters (especially Jet...she's my favorite). So, I was pleasantly surprised by the family drama that unfolded. It is a long story, but there is a lot at work and I felt that each character was given their due. The history of the family plays well into the plot and there are a lot of wrapped up feelings in the story. I still prefer movie Sally to book Sally, but there is a good exploration of each character's history that plays a part in how they individually and as a family move forward in the future. I love the characters and the family structure. Also...I love the witchcraft. It's enough to be witchy without being over-the-top and I just find myself so caught up in it.
The plot can be a little slow in places and there is a lot of background setup, but for me it was just an exploration of those things I was fond of in previous books, so I didn't get dragged down by it much. The Book of Magic was a rewarding end to the series for me and left the characters in a place where I can always be comforted in reminiscences of the whole series.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars.
I am intrigued. Brom can certainly write a fantastic tale. A tale of Puritan New England with a mix of fantastical and dark, this story had me giddy. It's a great read for the fall season, but also perfect anytime of year for those who love tales of witchcraft.
This is no subtle and quiet tale of a supposed witch. This is horror with devilry and destruction. It is dark and brutal. There are moments of serious gore. The plot can be a little slow in a few parts, but there is a lot wrapped up in this story and in a morally gray...dark gray...protagonist. It's always a weird feeling to be rooting for a protagonist who so clearly goes against the moral grain, but oh it was a delicious read. I regret nothing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Merged review:
4.5 stars.
I am intrigued. Brom can certainly write a fantastic tale. A tale of Puritan New England with a mix of fantastical and dark, this story had me giddy. It's a great read for the fall season, but also perfect anytime of year for those who love tales of witchcraft.
This is no subtle and quiet tale of a supposed witch. This is horror with devilry and destruction. It is dark and brutal. There are moments of serious gore. The plot can be a little slow in a few parts, but there is a lot wrapped up in this story and in a morally gray...dark gray...protagonist. It's always a weird feeling to be rooting for a protagonist who so clearly goes against the moral grain, but oh it was a delicious read. I regret nothing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
I am intrigued. Brom can certainly write a fantastic tale. A tale of Puritan New England with a mix of fantastical and dark, this story had me giddy. It's a great read for the fall season, but also perfect anytime of year for those who love tales of witchcraft.
This is no subtle and quiet tale of a supposed witch. This is horror with devilry and destruction. It is dark and brutal. There are moments of serious gore. The plot can be a little slow in a few parts, but there is a lot wrapped up in this story and in a morally gray...dark gray...protagonist. It's always a weird feeling to be rooting for a protagonist who so clearly goes against the moral grain, but oh it was a delicious read. I regret nothing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Merged review:
4.5 stars.
I am intrigued. Brom can certainly write a fantastic tale. A tale of Puritan New England with a mix of fantastical and dark, this story had me giddy. It's a great read for the fall season, but also perfect anytime of year for those who love tales of witchcraft.
This is no subtle and quiet tale of a supposed witch. This is horror with devilry and destruction. It is dark and brutal. There are moments of serious gore. The plot can be a little slow in a few parts, but there is a lot wrapped up in this story and in a morally gray...dark gray...protagonist. It's always a weird feeling to be rooting for a protagonist who so clearly goes against the moral grain, but oh it was a delicious read. I regret nothing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eerie, creepy, and mesmerizing. I love weird books that I can totally get lost in. For some it's totally frustrating to not understand what is going on throughout the story, but I love that. Something about that confusion just completely hooks me. This book had suspense, the confusion factor, and a cult setting. I was in heaven. The less you know going into this one, the better.
Everything about this book was mind-bending. The setting was wonderfully atmospheric with a lot of creepy vibes. It was at once a bit post-apocalyptic and a little colonial. It's a perfectly dark read and the plot is incredibly twisty. There is a great mix of genre bits as well. A little bit horror, a little bit scifi, a touch of magical realism, and a lot of suspense.
The writing is fantastic, with a way about it that just gripped me. This was one of those reads that kept me up late as I devoured page after page, not wanting to put it down. A lot of fun and a good, solid ending. I'll be reading more of Shea Ernshaw's work for certain!
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Everything about this book was mind-bending. The setting was wonderfully atmospheric with a lot of creepy vibes. It was at once a bit post-apocalyptic and a little colonial. It's a perfectly dark read and the plot is incredibly twisty. There is a great mix of genre bits as well. A little bit horror, a little bit scifi, a touch of magical realism, and a lot of suspense.
The writing is fantastic, with a way about it that just gripped me. This was one of those reads that kept me up late as I devoured page after page, not wanting to put it down. A lot of fun and a good, solid ending. I'll be reading more of Shea Ernshaw's work for certain!
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book! I'm a big fan of magic and magic school type settings, so this was already earning stars before I had it in my hands. The characters are quirky and fun and the world is interesting...a bit of a Hunger Games flavor added to the magic school trope. AND a good chunk of it takes place in a hotel, which is just another checkbox on the "things I like in my books" list.
Yes, this is going to get compared to Harry Potter. Because apparently any fantasy book published after the 90s with middle grade or YA appropriate characters that involves magic, magical training, or a school gets compared to Harry Potter. But this book totally stands on its own. In fact, for those not wanting to support J.K. Rowling due to her commentary on personal opinions over the past few years, would be well served by jumping into this series instead. And if you have read HP and loved it, then you also should read this.
The characters are a lot of fun and the trials are great both in creativity and suspense. There are a lot of fun little twists and turns that kept the plot moving super fast and I did not want to put the book down. In fact, this was a late night binge read and I'd do it all over again despite the loss of sleep. I'm ready to grab the next in the series and read more.
Yes, this is going to get compared to Harry Potter. Because apparently any fantasy book published after the 90s with middle grade or YA appropriate characters that involves magic, magical training, or a school gets compared to Harry Potter. But this book totally stands on its own. In fact, for those not wanting to support J.K. Rowling due to her commentary on personal opinions over the past few years, would be well served by jumping into this series instead. And if you have read HP and loved it, then you also should read this.
The characters are a lot of fun and the trials are great both in creativity and suspense. There are a lot of fun little twists and turns that kept the plot moving super fast and I did not want to put the book down. In fact, this was a late night binge read and I'd do it all over again despite the loss of sleep. I'm ready to grab the next in the series and read more.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier has been one of my favorite gothic novels for a very long time, yet I somehow kept putting off reading Jamaica Inn. Another gothic mystery, this one didn't have quite the same punch, but still gave those same fantastic atmospheric vibes. The setting is perfect...come on, when were the moors not great for a literary setting?...and everything is very gray and murky, even the circumstances of the happenings at Jamaica Inn.
I enjoyed du Maurier's clever writing and the way she really brings her characters to life. Joss is a terrible person who I hated right off the bat, but he is incredibly tangible in the writing, which just makes him a character who stands super firmly. Mary is a great female protagonist and I loved her fighting spirit. If you enjoy Austen's brazen heroines, then Mary is the right girl for you.
The plot wasn't quite as much as I expected, but I think that's just because I was in the mood for some extra spooky reads at the time. It is still well-written and follows a logical train of thought. The suspense is high and I truly wasn't sure what to expect. A nice dark, gothic read...perfect for a cold & dreary day or cozy night.
I enjoyed du Maurier's clever writing and the way she really brings her characters to life. Joss is a terrible person who I hated right off the bat, but he is incredibly tangible in the writing, which just makes him a character who stands super firmly. Mary is a great female protagonist and I loved her fighting spirit. If you enjoy Austen's brazen heroines, then Mary is the right girl for you.
The plot wasn't quite as much as I expected, but I think that's just because I was in the mood for some extra spooky reads at the time. It is still well-written and follows a logical train of thought. The suspense is high and I truly wasn't sure what to expect. A nice dark, gothic read...perfect for a cold & dreary day or cozy night.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another example of my love for freaking weird books and it was awesome. Dark academia vibes plus a "what the hell?" plot. Magnificent. Add in some mean girl action and a bit of a fever dream narrative and I am ALL set. It's a little Heathers with a touch of Donnie Darko.
If you like weird books, jump right in. Don't read the synopsis, just go for it. I went in not knowing a whole lot and it was just the way I needed it. If I had known much about where the plot was going it would have taken a lot of the fantastic gut punch out of the plot. As it was, I was in a perpetual state of "did that just happen?" while having a huge smile plastered on my face. Does that say something twisted about me? Because man this was dark and creepy and I loved every second of it.
If you like weird books, jump right in. Don't read the synopsis, just go for it. I went in not knowing a whole lot and it was just the way I needed it. If I had known much about where the plot was going it would have taken a lot of the fantastic gut punch out of the plot. As it was, I was in a perpetual state of "did that just happen?" while having a huge smile plastered on my face. Does that say something twisted about me? Because man this was dark and creepy and I loved every second of it.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good mix of magical realism and mystery. This was a book I didn't want to put down and I would definitely shelve it in the "cozy" category. The atmosphere of the woods and the small towns just hit the spot for me and I loved all of the quirky little characters.
The writing is really good and moves with a fantastic flow. The prose is fairly lyrical and great in description. I was really sucked into the story with the imagery created. The pace is a little slow and there is a lot of setup, but it worked for me. Some readers may get bogged down by this.
I also really enjoyed the cultish element that was mixed in to the narrative. I would've honestly liked more, but that's no surprise. Cults in fiction are kind of my jam.
The plot is a bit of a mystery, but it's fairly predictable, so I would plant it solidly in the magical realism genre. Don't go into this expecting a thriller or a complex whodunit. It's just an enjoyable tale with a little bit of tension and a small town with a good mix of good and evil. Cozy up with a blanket and enjoy.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The writing is really good and moves with a fantastic flow. The prose is fairly lyrical and great in description. I was really sucked into the story with the imagery created. The pace is a little slow and there is a lot of setup, but it worked for me. Some readers may get bogged down by this.
I also really enjoyed the cultish element that was mixed in to the narrative. I would've honestly liked more, but that's no surprise. Cults in fiction are kind of my jam.
The plot is a bit of a mystery, but it's fairly predictable, so I would plant it solidly in the magical realism genre. Don't go into this expecting a thriller or a complex whodunit. It's just an enjoyable tale with a little bit of tension and a small town with a good mix of good and evil. Cozy up with a blanket and enjoy.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a cute and really imaginative middle grade read that took me on quite a ride. The beginning was a little bit of a slow start for me, but once the story gained some speed it became a book I didn't want to put down.
The characters are cute and I loved the little twists and turns with touches of evil. There is a great sense of mystery throughout the narrative and the atmosphere of the world is a lot of fun. There is a lot of action packed into this little story and it was just a great time. I'll be picking up the sequel for sure.
The characters are cute and I loved the little twists and turns with touches of evil. There is a great sense of mystery throughout the narrative and the atmosphere of the world is a lot of fun. There is a lot of action packed into this little story and it was just a great time. I'll be picking up the sequel for sure.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
The Guilt Trip is a mixed bag. The writing is good and the pacing is solid, but the characters are terribly unlikable and the plot seriously jumps the shark. I'd call this one a guilty pleasure. I'm not mad at it, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for either. I enjoyed reading it, but certainly wasn't blown away. That being said, I'd still read another Sandie Jones book in the future.
The setup for the plot in the beginning is a little hazy. Two couples are invited to a wedding. For one couple, the invitation makes sense...the husband is the brother of the groom. The other couple? They're best friends of the first, but barely know the couple getting married. Their reasoning for being invited to (and attending) this destination wedding in Portugal is a bit illogical.
The characters are written and developed well, but nearly all of them are just whiny and entitled. The only one I think I liked at all was Noah, and even then...he wasn't exactly white knight material either. There is just a LOT of dysfunction at play. The narration enhanced this feeling of irritation. The female characters all sounded very similar and the intonation was a bit of a grating pitch. I really didn't have anyone to root for, so it was more just waiting for the implosion and watching the chaos ensue.
The plot does move at a pretty good clip and there are a lot of little setup pieces along the way that make sense, but also provide for some minor twists and turns. I did figure out one of the major twists, but it still had a good bit of tension to it and worked well. And then...the ending. Oh boy. Hold on to your seats because there was suspension of belief working here. Things may have been a little crazy up to this point, but then it went full on left turn. It wasn't believable, but it was fun...I'll give it that.
TLDR: Enjoyable, fast read with unlikable characters and a crazy ending that will have you somewhere between rolling your eyes and rolling on the floor.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel/audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The Guilt Trip is a mixed bag. The writing is good and the pacing is solid, but the characters are terribly unlikable and the plot seriously jumps the shark. I'd call this one a guilty pleasure. I'm not mad at it, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for either. I enjoyed reading it, but certainly wasn't blown away. That being said, I'd still read another Sandie Jones book in the future.
The setup for the plot in the beginning is a little hazy. Two couples are invited to a wedding. For one couple, the invitation makes sense...the husband is the brother of the groom. The other couple? They're best friends of the first, but barely know the couple getting married. Their reasoning for being invited to (and attending) this destination wedding in Portugal is a bit illogical.
The characters are written and developed well, but nearly all of them are just whiny and entitled. The only one I think I liked at all was Noah, and even then...he wasn't exactly white knight material either. There is just a LOT of dysfunction at play. The narration enhanced this feeling of irritation. The female characters all sounded very similar and the intonation was a bit of a grating pitch. I really didn't have anyone to root for, so it was more just waiting for the implosion and watching the chaos ensue.
The plot does move at a pretty good clip and there are a lot of little setup pieces along the way that make sense, but also provide for some minor twists and turns. I did figure out one of the major twists, but it still had a good bit of tension to it and worked well. And then...the ending. Oh boy. Hold on to your seats because there was suspension of belief working here. Things may have been a little crazy up to this point, but then it went full on left turn. It wasn't believable, but it was fun...I'll give it that.
TLDR: Enjoyable, fast read with unlikable characters and a crazy ending that will have you somewhere between rolling your eyes and rolling on the floor.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel/audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *