forfictionsake's Reviews (1.18k)

Not enough Anya in this one for me. This is still my all time favorite manga series. I will continue to read and adore this pretend family of spies and assassins.

Writing craft wise this book was a 5 star read.

Enjoyment wise this book was a 3 star read. I think I’be hit the point in realizing that I am just not a thriller/mystery reader. This was written in a way that I should have been engaged and interested in attempting to solve this murder myself. However, I just wasn’t interested in solving the murder. I didn’t really care.

The atmosphere was expertly created. The scene was set so well. This was a situation where the lack of enjoyment wasn’t the book’s fault. It 100% was my fault.

Friends to lovers. Fake dating. Only one bed. Adorable grandma. Spicy Hallmark movie. 

If you’re looking for an adorable holiday novella with lovable characters and the right combination of spice and plot this is a fantastic choice. 

I really wish I read this book back when I was a young adult because I think I would have enjoyed this book so much more. 

I’m excited to see where this story goes. I’m excited to see the progression of the characters through the series. I love the use of tarot signs and magic in this book. 

The writing craft of this book is 100% a 5 star.  But my overall enjoyment was a 3 star.

Let’s talk about the good. The world building in this story was excellent.  I really appreciated the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter that really helped shape the lore and history of the historical and fantastical world in the High Seer. 

I also really adored the magic system in this story. The magic in this book is based off of Tarot cards and fate. Aurienne is a complex chosen one type character who has to live with her gift that allows her to see and know the possible futures. I really like how Alex explores the complexities that come with being a chosen one. Characters who have to live with this trope are 1) not always good guys and 2) do not live easy lives.

As far as why this came out as a middle rating type of book. I thought it was just too long. I started to loose interest during the traveling scenes. The introduction and romance between the two main characters happened so quickly and then the rest of the plot just seemed to drag for me. Also this could be a moment where I was the wrong reader for this book. There were also a lot of very political scenes between Aurienne and the different kingdoms that she was trying to recruit to see her visions. Honestly I wanted more of the romance between Theo and Aurienne.

I listened to the audiobook for Britney’s story first thing this morning. I love the era that we are in. I feel like there is so much media and content coming out that have a very female reclaiming empowerment vibe. This is just the latest addition to the collection of women empowered media.

Anyone who reads celebrity memoirs and novels knows that this book was probably ghost written. From the outside may never truly know how much of this story is fact or fiction. We also might not know how much of this story really happened in the way that it was portrayed in the story or if it was embellished by the nature of reflection and let’s be honest, trying to make a few dollars After reading this story I want to believe that what I listened to was true. 

This story was truly heartbreaking. Time and again we learn about stories of child stars and the repercussions of the lives they built for themselves through fame. Listening to this story I felt like I was witnessing the down fall of a 90’s pop legend. By the end I got some sense that Britney is trying to reclaim her life and her name the best that she can. I really do hope that she finds the opportunity to experience a life worth living.

DNF.
The premise sounded so good. I wanted to enjoy this so much, but unfortunately the plot was just too slow moving and I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I’m hoping this was a situation where the good plot of the story was lost in translation.

I listened to this story on audiobook. The audiobook was very well put together. I liked how each character had a different narrator. That really helped keep the reveal a surprise for me.

If you read Bunny and didn’t like it, but wanted to this book might be a good shout. It had dark academia themes along with very dark themes and plot points, but it was written in a very accessibly and easy to read way.