emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

I am SUCH a scaredy cat, so you might be thinking... why are you reading a horror book? This anthology is perfect for scaredy cats like me because you get a collection of bite sized stories that are just scary enough. While not all of them were my cup of tea, my personal favorites were Volcano, The Sanguintalist, and Enough for Hunger and Enough for Hate. This book has a variety of tropes from vampires to serial killers, with added elements of dizzying magical realism. Every single story is completely different, so it's a great start for burgeoning horror fans.

*Thank you to Macmillan Tor/Forge for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book is AMAZING! I'd describe it as a combination of When No One Is Watching and Home Before Dark, but definitely greater than the sum of those parts. We follow Mari as she battles addiction, moving to a new town with a new family, and the fact that her house is *definitely* haunted. In a town full of mysteries, what's one more? This book is unputdownable in audio, so I can only imagine how it would be in text. The ending is beautifully foreshadowed but still somehow unexpected until the moment that you're screaming out loud in reaction. Check out other reviews for trigger warnings, as there are MANY, but this book is seriously amazing... just amazing.

*Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review*

This book was devastating. Like a "Don't listen to it at work because you'll be in tears" kind of devastating. Justyce's voice was so powerful and poignant and while this book was written in 2017, it's still relevant in 2021. I listened to the audiobook and the narration just made everything hit harder. This book is brutal, but I'd say without a doubt that it's a must-read.

I waited so long to finally read this book and it was worth the wait. We get the lush setting of New Orleans paired with the desperation of Cassidy as she tries to balance the human world and what lies beyond the veil.. just so much dramatic tension! I think that in this book we really get to see Cassidy come into her own as a character and finally take charge rather than constantly reacting to the various crises. I will say that I'm getting serious 'fourth book' vibes. but I'd also be wholly satisfied if this was the end of the series.

I'm not even really sure how I feel about this book, but I think I liked it? The line between magic and reality was blurred while feeling like literary fiction. But I loved the culture, the integration of spanish casually into conversation, and the botanical themes. When I read the poem aloud to my boyfriend, he initially said it was cute... but it definitely hits a bit different after finishing the book. The only criticism that I have is that it felt a bit rushed at the end... I couldn't get enough.

Y'all, this was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it did *NOT* disappoint!! My book was backordered, so I leapt at the chance to listen to the audiobook while I waited for its arrival. And while I'm not usually an audiobook person when it comes to uber detailed mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised with how it flowed so naturally. Not so pleasantly surprised when my airpods died 90% of the way through the book...

But if you were a fan of The Inheritance Games, you'll absolutely love this one. The romantic tension, the clues, the chase, it's all there. She has a way of writing that reads so quickly but doesn't skimp on the details. There's some weirdness around the romance that just gets ignored, which... Seriously? But I think I missed a few clues too, so a reread of the physical copy that just arrived is a must.

*Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review*

I'll be honest - this book is more like The Ex Sex. I was expecting there to be WAY more tension before they finally did the deed, but it was near immediate and they just kept going at it. And since I was listening to it on audio, it made work veeeeery awkward. I also wish that they actually did Rhys's Welsh accent because *swoooooon*, but alas. With that being said, I loved the kitschy witch concept, the small town vibes, and Percival! Oh how I wish my cat had his talents. I'd also enjoy a book about Gwen if this turns into a series, as y'all know I'm a sucker for a queer love story!

*Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review*

This is a scifi noir novel that reminded me of a strange combination of Repo the Genetic Opera and Moneyball. I can't really put into words the beautiful weirdness that this book is, but if you imagine the world of baseball taken over by GMO corporations like Monsanto... you're halfway there. I got a bit bogged down with keeping all of the modifications and sects straight, like the Neanderthals and Edenists, and I wish that some of the world had been explained more. But I can't say that I've ever read a book like it, and that's a pretty high compliment. This is a great book for sci-fi and dystopian fans, or someone who wants a little more noir in their life.

*Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review*

This book is intricate, thrilling, and oh so readable. I'm a huge fantasy fan and this book doesn't disappoint. Sometimes a book can get bogged down by having so many different points of view, but a good balance was struck here. Xiala and Naranpa were my favorites, but there are so many interesting characters that'll make picking a favorite quite difficult. The representation in this book is also TOP notch - with so many LGBTQIA+ characters and disabilities present. I'm just happy that I didn't read it until now because the sequel comes out in 2022 and MAN that ending kills!!

On the count of 3, I'll summon a well-plotted novel with magic and mystery as its focus... Are you ready?

1, 2, 3!

This book feels like a Nancy Drew mystery melded with Now You See Me and I absolutely loved it! Some have called it "gothic cozy" and I totally agree. With the secret staircases and the small town vibes, this is a cozy mystery in a gothic setting that will leave you gasping. I loved Tempest as a character - she's bold and brash, but also kind and intelligent. You just instantly root for her. Plus the locked door mystery? Such a classic, but this one is done so well. We get to delve into the history of locked door mysteries courtesy of Professor Ivy, but there are still so many magical twists in the story. I cannot WAIT for book 2 and have no doubt that it'll be as spellbinding as the first.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*