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636 reviews by:
kellygillespiewv
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
I love a good thriller! Obscura hit so many right notes & far exceeded my expectations.
Obscura is written by Joe Hart who is no stranger to thrillers and suspense! Visit his website for more information about him and his other works.
Hart has a very easy writing style: smooth yet driving. He paced this book so well! Nearly the entire time, I was compelled forward with the absolute need to find out what would happen next. If you ask me, that’s precisely what a good thriller should do!
I’m not going to lie… I had several misconceptions about this book going into it. I can’t possibly give a better summary of this book than the synopsis because SO MUCH happens! This is certainly more of a page-turner than I anticipated, but at the same time, the plot had some holes and seemed a tiny bit disjointed to me. The lower review rating accounts for that.
For someone who isn’t a huge sci-fi fan, this storyline sat in a good place for me. There was a good balance of science talk and suspense to hold my interest.
The POV and time hops (yes, be warned that the story bounces between different times) were also interesting!
I didn’t necessarily connect with any characters in particular. I feel that a little more development of the characters would have aided that. However, I enjoy characters that you love to hate, and there were a few that fit that category in Obscura. There were also a few, though, that legitimately annoyed me.
Overall, I would recommend Obsura, especially to thriller and sci-fi fans! The pace is by far the best part, so those who are looking for a fast paced, edge of your seat, read, this is a decent one!
*Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
I love a good thriller! Obscura hit so many right notes & far exceeded my expectations.
Obscura is written by Joe Hart who is no stranger to thrillers and suspense! Visit his website for more information about him and his other works.
Hart has a very easy writing style: smooth yet driving. He paced this book so well! Nearly the entire time, I was compelled forward with the absolute need to find out what would happen next. If you ask me, that’s precisely what a good thriller should do!
I’m not going to lie… I had several misconceptions about this book going into it. I can’t possibly give a better summary of this book than the synopsis because SO MUCH happens! This is certainly more of a page-turner than I anticipated, but at the same time, the plot had some holes and seemed a tiny bit disjointed to me. The lower review rating accounts for that.
For someone who isn’t a huge sci-fi fan, this storyline sat in a good place for me. There was a good balance of science talk and suspense to hold my interest.
The POV and time hops (yes, be warned that the story bounces between different times) were also interesting!
I didn’t necessarily connect with any characters in particular. I feel that a little more development of the characters would have aided that. However, I enjoy characters that you love to hate, and there were a few that fit that category in Obscura. There were also a few, though, that legitimately annoyed me.
Overall, I would recommend Obsura, especially to thriller and sci-fi fans! The pace is by far the best part, so those who are looking for a fast paced, edge of your seat, read, this is a decent one!
*Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
My favorite thing about Young Adult Contemporary books is how relatable they are! Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over is a quick, cute read that threw me back to young high school love and how shattered the smallest thing could make me feel then.
Shani Petroff is no stranger to authoring well-loved YA Contemporaries — her lineup includes My New Crush Gave to Me and Romeo & What’s Her Name. Her writing is smooth, easy, and enjoyable. Personally, Petroff is quickly becoming an author I can depend on to deliver in this genre.
Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over follows Sari, a high school Junior trying to make it as a musician, as she experiences the roller coaster of emotions that a breakup triggers. Thanks to her recent split from her boyfriend, Zev, her Spring Break plans don’t turn out quite how she imagined. *Cue swoon-worthy college guy* Sari catches a break that could help make her dreams come true only to run into every obstacle trying to get back to New York to see it through.
It’s been a while since a book has evoked vivid memories! While reading Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over, I recalled similar experiences with family, friends, and exes from my high school years. I also recalled the emotional turmoil that I felt during breakups and when things didn’t go my way; when I swore my whole life was falling apart. My gosh…I do NOT miss high school! Seriously, though, it is so great when books make you feel something, and this book did just that!
If it’s not obvious, I did enjoy the plot of Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over. I felt a little like some scenes were cut short, though, so my only wish is that it was a little bit longer and some things were more fully developed.
I have a lot of love for the main characters and Sari’s BFF! Sari is a character I connected with since she induced so many old memories from when I was her age. And, it’s very hard to not like Zev! He’s even described that way, and it’s completely accurate! The side characters play their part well, thus leaving me in a happy place.
Overall, I would recommend Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over to YA Contemporary Romance fans or anyone looking for a fast, breezy read! I’m partial to this genre in the warm months, so its release is perfect timing!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
My favorite thing about Young Adult Contemporary books is how relatable they are! Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over is a quick, cute read that threw me back to young high school love and how shattered the smallest thing could make me feel then.
Shani Petroff is no stranger to authoring well-loved YA Contemporaries — her lineup includes My New Crush Gave to Me and Romeo & What’s Her Name. Her writing is smooth, easy, and enjoyable. Personally, Petroff is quickly becoming an author I can depend on to deliver in this genre.
Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over follows Sari, a high school Junior trying to make it as a musician, as she experiences the roller coaster of emotions that a breakup triggers. Thanks to her recent split from her boyfriend, Zev, her Spring Break plans don’t turn out quite how she imagined. *Cue swoon-worthy college guy* Sari catches a break that could help make her dreams come true only to run into every obstacle trying to get back to New York to see it through.
It’s been a while since a book has evoked vivid memories! While reading Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over, I recalled similar experiences with family, friends, and exes from my high school years. I also recalled the emotional turmoil that I felt during breakups and when things didn’t go my way; when I swore my whole life was falling apart. My gosh…I do NOT miss high school! Seriously, though, it is so great when books make you feel something, and this book did just that!
If it’s not obvious, I did enjoy the plot of Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over. I felt a little like some scenes were cut short, though, so my only wish is that it was a little bit longer and some things were more fully developed.
I have a lot of love for the main characters and Sari’s BFF! Sari is a character I connected with since she induced so many old memories from when I was her age. And, it’s very hard to not like Zev! He’s even described that way, and it’s completely accurate! The side characters play their part well, thus leaving me in a happy place.
Overall, I would recommend Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over to YA Contemporary Romance fans or anyone looking for a fast, breezy read! I’m partial to this genre in the warm months, so its release is perfect timing!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Second chance romances are quickly becoming a favorite literary trope of mine, and Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely is truly a great one!
Blakely is one of my favorite romance authors, so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed her writing in this book. She gives us the perfect blend of humor, sizzle, and passion in this dual POV story that traverses past to present with Elise and Christian.
Our two MCs aren’t total strangers to those who have read Blakely’s Wanderlust. Their development in Part-Time Lover is phenomenal, though! We have two characters who have been hurt in the past and throw up walls whenever anyone tries to get near. Elise is my favorite kind of female lead — smart and caring but loaded with sass. And then we have Christian; a straight shooter with buckets of sex appeal! Even though they’ve been burned before, they both seem to be trying to live life to the fullest now when their paths cross again overseas.
I thoroughly enjoyed Elise and Christian’s relationship. It was completely irresistible and full of fun banter, undeniable chemistry, and swoon-worthy moments! As they tear each other’s walls down, they give us an amazing intensity that makes this an unputdownable read.
Overall, I would recommend Part-Time Lover to fans of rom-coms and second chance romances. I give this book 4.5 stars. I cannot wait for Blakely’s next release!
*I was provided an advanced copy for review. However, please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Second chance romances are quickly becoming a favorite literary trope of mine, and Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely is truly a great one!
Blakely is one of my favorite romance authors, so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed her writing in this book. She gives us the perfect blend of humor, sizzle, and passion in this dual POV story that traverses past to present with Elise and Christian.
Our two MCs aren’t total strangers to those who have read Blakely’s Wanderlust. Their development in Part-Time Lover is phenomenal, though! We have two characters who have been hurt in the past and throw up walls whenever anyone tries to get near. Elise is my favorite kind of female lead — smart and caring but loaded with sass. And then we have Christian; a straight shooter with buckets of sex appeal! Even though they’ve been burned before, they both seem to be trying to live life to the fullest now when their paths cross again overseas.
I thoroughly enjoyed Elise and Christian’s relationship. It was completely irresistible and full of fun banter, undeniable chemistry, and swoon-worthy moments! As they tear each other’s walls down, they give us an amazing intensity that makes this an unputdownable read.
Overall, I would recommend Part-Time Lover to fans of rom-coms and second chance romances. I give this book 4.5 stars. I cannot wait for Blakely’s next release!
*I was provided an advanced copy for review. However, please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Full review can be found on https://wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green was a pleasant surprise! I suspected I would like it, but I did not know just how much I’d love it.
Some may be familiar with author Sally Green from her Half Bad trilogy. However, The Smoke Thieves was my first experience with her writing. I promise you that it won’t be my last! Green’s writing is articulate and fluent and thoroughly enjoyable.
This is a BEAST of a book — the start of an epic medieval fantasy trilogy. I believe it sets up the series nicely, though I do wish that in doing so, there was a little more action. The pacing is a bit on the slower side, but the premise, plotting, and structure give it an “unputdownable” quality, in my opinion. I read this as part of a group with 3 other ladies, and we all agreed that if it wasn’t a group read, we likely would have binged it.
This book has 5 points of view: Tash (a demon smoke hunter), Catherine (a princess), Ambrose (a soldier turned traitor), March (a servant), and Edyon (a thief). The characters each have a unique background and, thus, give the reader a distinctively varied view of the world Green built. 5 POVs may sound overwhelming, but Green did a spectacular job interweaving their stories in a cohesive manner. Characters and story lines slowly converge creating a nice arc.
I liked the female POVs most! Catherine’s character has so much growth and Tash is a spunky little ray of light. Though I loved the main characters, I wish some of the secondary characters got a little more development and attention. Despite that, one of my absolute favorites is a secondary character — Prince Tzsayn. I also found myself loving to hate Boris and Holywell.
The Smoke Thieves is spread out, geographically, to start, which I really enjoyed because it adds more political intrigue and offers a good comparison of cultures. Pitoria was, by far, my favorite setting! I thought Green did a great job with the world-building, but that may also be because she spent so much time and a lot of pages on this. It may seem exhaustive or unnecessary to some, but I found it beneficial and helpful in giving the series a solid foundation.
Overall, I would recommend The Smoke Thieves! YA Fantasy fans should enjoy this unique story with fascinating protagonists. I do think readers need patience to allow everything to fall into place, which requires reading beyond the first 100 pages. So far, this is my favorite read of 2018, and I hope other readers have an equally satisfying experience with it. Needless to say, I am looking forward to book 2!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green was a pleasant surprise! I suspected I would like it, but I did not know just how much I’d love it.
Some may be familiar with author Sally Green from her Half Bad trilogy. However, The Smoke Thieves was my first experience with her writing. I promise you that it won’t be my last! Green’s writing is articulate and fluent and thoroughly enjoyable.
This is a BEAST of a book — the start of an epic medieval fantasy trilogy. I believe it sets up the series nicely, though I do wish that in doing so, there was a little more action. The pacing is a bit on the slower side, but the premise, plotting, and structure give it an “unputdownable” quality, in my opinion. I read this as part of a group with 3 other ladies, and we all agreed that if it wasn’t a group read, we likely would have binged it.
This book has 5 points of view: Tash (a demon smoke hunter), Catherine (a princess), Ambrose (a soldier turned traitor), March (a servant), and Edyon (a thief). The characters each have a unique background and, thus, give the reader a distinctively varied view of the world Green built. 5 POVs may sound overwhelming, but Green did a spectacular job interweaving their stories in a cohesive manner. Characters and story lines slowly converge creating a nice arc.
I liked the female POVs most! Catherine’s character has so much growth and Tash is a spunky little ray of light. Though I loved the main characters, I wish some of the secondary characters got a little more development and attention. Despite that, one of my absolute favorites is a secondary character — Prince Tzsayn. I also found myself loving to hate Boris and Holywell.
The Smoke Thieves is spread out, geographically, to start, which I really enjoyed because it adds more political intrigue and offers a good comparison of cultures. Pitoria was, by far, my favorite setting! I thought Green did a great job with the world-building, but that may also be because she spent so much time and a lot of pages on this. It may seem exhaustive or unnecessary to some, but I found it beneficial and helpful in giving the series a solid foundation.
Overall, I would recommend The Smoke Thieves! YA Fantasy fans should enjoy this unique story with fascinating protagonists. I do think readers need patience to allow everything to fall into place, which requires reading beyond the first 100 pages. So far, this is my favorite read of 2018, and I hope other readers have an equally satisfying experience with it. Needless to say, I am looking forward to book 2!
Full review at https://wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
I am a huge fan of Steve Berry! I was excited to see Cassiopeia Vitt, a secondary character in his Cotton Malone books, got a story of her own. With that being said, I wish THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES was a full length novel rather than a novella.
Perhaps it’s best that you know, generally, I am not a fan of novellas. They always leave me wanting, simply because they are so short and, thus, lack the pages for a solid arc. This book was no exception.
The premise of THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES is interesting and enchanting. It’s an intriguing mystery with touches of history. Readers get action from page 1 — what begins as a theft of a unique artifact leads to thrilling exploits and political betrayal. This novella has a lot to offer but still had plot holes. As I previously mentioned, I was left feeling that this would have made a better full length novel. Certain elements just needed more explanation, and the story felt rushed at times.
Can I just say, though, that as a fan of mysteries AND romance, I liked the unexpected steaminess!
The star of THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES is definitely the main character, Cassiopeia Vitt. I was no stranger to this character, having gotten to know her in Berry’s other books, and I am excited to see her in the spotlight. She is bold, determined, and fiercely intelligent. She has a lot of compassion, too, which you get to see in this novella. I am very much looking forward to more of her adventures in this series.
Overall, THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES is a good, fast read, that I would recommend to fans of Dan Brown. I’d also recommend that you check out Cassiopeia in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry. Trust me when I say that she is a fabulous character who you should get to know better.
*I was provided a free copy for review in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
I am a huge fan of Steve Berry! I was excited to see Cassiopeia Vitt, a secondary character in his Cotton Malone books, got a story of her own. With that being said, I wish THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES was a full length novel rather than a novella.
Perhaps it’s best that you know, generally, I am not a fan of novellas. They always leave me wanting, simply because they are so short and, thus, lack the pages for a solid arc. This book was no exception.
The premise of THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES is interesting and enchanting. It’s an intriguing mystery with touches of history. Readers get action from page 1 — what begins as a theft of a unique artifact leads to thrilling exploits and political betrayal. This novella has a lot to offer but still had plot holes. As I previously mentioned, I was left feeling that this would have made a better full length novel. Certain elements just needed more explanation, and the story felt rushed at times.
Can I just say, though, that as a fan of mysteries AND romance, I liked the unexpected steaminess!
The star of THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES is definitely the main character, Cassiopeia Vitt. I was no stranger to this character, having gotten to know her in Berry’s other books, and I am excited to see her in the spotlight. She is bold, determined, and fiercely intelligent. She has a lot of compassion, too, which you get to see in this novella. I am very much looking forward to more of her adventures in this series.
Overall, THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES is a good, fast read, that I would recommend to fans of Dan Brown. I’d also recommend that you check out Cassiopeia in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry. Trust me when I say that she is a fabulous character who you should get to know better.
*I was provided a free copy for review in exchange for an honest review.
Full review at https://wildandwonderfulreads.com
MY RATING: 3.75 stars
MY THOUGHTS: I wish books like The Fragile Ordinary existed when I was in high school! Samantha Young delivers a compelling coming-of-age story that’s relatable and gives so many feels.
Young has a very smooth writing style, and she isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. This is a quick read because it’s utterly endearing and should resonate with a wide range of readers. I LOVE when a book elicits memories and emotions from my younger years! I can only imagine that a Young Adult Contemporary like this would be evocative for a teenager of today.
The Fragile Ordinary follows Comet, a unique girl used to blending in despite her loud fashion sense till she strikes a chord with the new American at her school. A blooming relationship with Tobias King makes it all but impossible for Comet to remain invisible. Comet and Tobias experience ups and downs, together and separately. Drama of every variety unfolds, and they are left to tackle their issues or fall apart trying.
The thing I like most about contemporaries is the realism. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize that you’re struggling until you see a similar situation from the outside looking in. Contemporaries are like a window to real life, and The Fragile Ordinary is no exception. Anyone who has ever felt neglected by family or friends, those faced with tough choices, people with self doubt or confidence issues, etc. will be able to look to Comet, Tobias, and the supporting cast of characters to see how certain situations can be handled or how some decisions can affect us.
I loved a lot of the plot, and I thoroughly enjoyed how everything came together in the end. However, at times, I felt like TOO much was being thrown at our characters. A LOT happened in the characters’ lives, and the longer the story went on, the more I questioned if some of that could have been left out. It also took a little away from my enjoyment of the characters themselves, turning them a bit whiny or seemingly over-dramatic.
Comet and Tobias are such great characters! Their development is so good, and I enjoyed seeing their flaws as much as I enjoyed seeing their best traits. Comet is quirky and an introvert. She prefers fictional worlds to reality. I’m pretty sure the book community can easily understand her. Tobias is a tough guy with a heart of gold. He is the type of character that grew on me as the story unfolded. I loved him in the end!
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend The Fragile Ordinary. Is it perfect? No way! Is it worth the read? I think so! Not to mention, this has one of the most stunning covers I have ever seen! YA Contemporary fans will enjoy it, I believe.
*Thanks to the publisher and Inkslinger PR for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
MY RATING: 3.75 stars
MY THOUGHTS: I wish books like The Fragile Ordinary existed when I was in high school! Samantha Young delivers a compelling coming-of-age story that’s relatable and gives so many feels.
Young has a very smooth writing style, and she isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. This is a quick read because it’s utterly endearing and should resonate with a wide range of readers. I LOVE when a book elicits memories and emotions from my younger years! I can only imagine that a Young Adult Contemporary like this would be evocative for a teenager of today.
The Fragile Ordinary follows Comet, a unique girl used to blending in despite her loud fashion sense till she strikes a chord with the new American at her school. A blooming relationship with Tobias King makes it all but impossible for Comet to remain invisible. Comet and Tobias experience ups and downs, together and separately. Drama of every variety unfolds, and they are left to tackle their issues or fall apart trying.
The thing I like most about contemporaries is the realism. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize that you’re struggling until you see a similar situation from the outside looking in. Contemporaries are like a window to real life, and The Fragile Ordinary is no exception. Anyone who has ever felt neglected by family or friends, those faced with tough choices, people with self doubt or confidence issues, etc. will be able to look to Comet, Tobias, and the supporting cast of characters to see how certain situations can be handled or how some decisions can affect us.
I loved a lot of the plot, and I thoroughly enjoyed how everything came together in the end. However, at times, I felt like TOO much was being thrown at our characters. A LOT happened in the characters’ lives, and the longer the story went on, the more I questioned if some of that could have been left out. It also took a little away from my enjoyment of the characters themselves, turning them a bit whiny or seemingly over-dramatic.
Comet and Tobias are such great characters! Their development is so good, and I enjoyed seeing their flaws as much as I enjoyed seeing their best traits. Comet is quirky and an introvert. She prefers fictional worlds to reality. I’m pretty sure the book community can easily understand her. Tobias is a tough guy with a heart of gold. He is the type of character that grew on me as the story unfolded. I loved him in the end!
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend The Fragile Ordinary. Is it perfect? No way! Is it worth the read? I think so! Not to mention, this has one of the most stunning covers I have ever seen! YA Contemporary fans will enjoy it, I believe.
*Thanks to the publisher and Inkslinger PR for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Full review on https://wildandwonderfulreads.com
Have you ever wanted to love something so much that you just keep trying to no avail?! Well, that was my experience with Ink, Iron, and Glass by debut author, Gwendolyn Clare.
I tried, guys! I really did! I was really excited about this read because the synopsis sounds amazing and the cover is absolutely gorgeous! This book fell short for me, though.
NOTE: I feel like my review is going to come off a lot more negative than I intend. I am just struggling to express specifics for this book. There were things that I enjoyed, but the bad definitely outweighed the good, in my opinion.
Ink, Iron, and Glass is the first book in a YA Fantasy duology set primarily in 19th century Italy and full of steampunk elements and alternate history. A crime committed in the scripted world of Veldana leads the main character, Elsa, to Earth. There, she enlists the help of others like her, gifted youth, who are skilled in different areas of science — mechanics, alchemy, or scriptology — while trying to save her mother and her home.
The premise held a lot of potential to be creative and enthralling, but it ended up being fairly predictable and boring, unfortunately. There is a twist that I didn’t see coming, but I had to get to the very end before it happened. I feel like a lot more action needed to happen at a much faster pace, especially because this is only a duology and not a larger series. On a positive note, I loved the idea of the world books; that a scriptologist can create and edit a world. It would have been fun to spend a little more time in Veldana!
I found the world-building to be just okay. There are historical inaccuracies, beyond the alt history, and inconsistencies (i.e. the narration weaved modern language into the formal language of 19th century Europe). As I previously mentioned, the scripted worlds fascinated me, and I wish I got to know more about them.
I am a character-driven reader, so to say that I never connected with any of the characters is really disappointing. I loved the idea of the characters having special talents and intriguing backgrounds, but I didn’t think there was much growth or development. It seemed that any time a question or problem arose, someone in the group always had the answer or solution. People learn from mistakes and trial and error, even in fiction. Plus, the main characters are teenagers, so they definitely shouldn’t be full of infinite wisdom.
Overall, I obviously didn’t love Ink, Iron, and Glass. I am positive there are readers who will adore it, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
**To demonstrate how much I wanted to like this book: I was provided a review copy via Netgalley that I struggled to read. I blamed my difficulties on poor formatting of the galley. In my opinion, the format of a book affects the reading experience. Digital ARCs that lack structure make it difficult to enjoy reading. This might just be me, but it’s a big pet peeve. I liked the premise so much, though, and the cover is STUNNING, so I purchased a physical copy when it released. The struggle continued; I was too bored for too much of the beginning. I really had a hard time giving up on this, so finally, I got the audiobook to listen to as I read along. This helped a little, and I was able to make it through the book. The problem with all of this is most readers won’t go through this trouble! And that is perfectly fine. I normally wouldn’t, either, but I try to finish review copies and I truly thought the story would pick up.**
Have you ever wanted to love something so much that you just keep trying to no avail?! Well, that was my experience with Ink, Iron, and Glass by debut author, Gwendolyn Clare.
I tried, guys! I really did! I was really excited about this read because the synopsis sounds amazing and the cover is absolutely gorgeous! This book fell short for me, though.
NOTE: I feel like my review is going to come off a lot more negative than I intend. I am just struggling to express specifics for this book. There were things that I enjoyed, but the bad definitely outweighed the good, in my opinion.
Ink, Iron, and Glass is the first book in a YA Fantasy duology set primarily in 19th century Italy and full of steampunk elements and alternate history. A crime committed in the scripted world of Veldana leads the main character, Elsa, to Earth. There, she enlists the help of others like her, gifted youth, who are skilled in different areas of science — mechanics, alchemy, or scriptology — while trying to save her mother and her home.
The premise held a lot of potential to be creative and enthralling, but it ended up being fairly predictable and boring, unfortunately. There is a twist that I didn’t see coming, but I had to get to the very end before it happened. I feel like a lot more action needed to happen at a much faster pace, especially because this is only a duology and not a larger series. On a positive note, I loved the idea of the world books; that a scriptologist can create and edit a world. It would have been fun to spend a little more time in Veldana!
I found the world-building to be just okay. There are historical inaccuracies, beyond the alt history, and inconsistencies (i.e. the narration weaved modern language into the formal language of 19th century Europe). As I previously mentioned, the scripted worlds fascinated me, and I wish I got to know more about them.
I am a character-driven reader, so to say that I never connected with any of the characters is really disappointing. I loved the idea of the characters having special talents and intriguing backgrounds, but I didn’t think there was much growth or development. It seemed that any time a question or problem arose, someone in the group always had the answer or solution. People learn from mistakes and trial and error, even in fiction. Plus, the main characters are teenagers, so they definitely shouldn’t be full of infinite wisdom.
Overall, I obviously didn’t love Ink, Iron, and Glass. I am positive there are readers who will adore it, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
**To demonstrate how much I wanted to like this book: I was provided a review copy via Netgalley that I struggled to read. I blamed my difficulties on poor formatting of the galley. In my opinion, the format of a book affects the reading experience. Digital ARCs that lack structure make it difficult to enjoy reading. This might just be me, but it’s a big pet peeve. I liked the premise so much, though, and the cover is STUNNING, so I purchased a physical copy when it released. The struggle continued; I was too bored for too much of the beginning. I really had a hard time giving up on this, so finally, I got the audiobook to listen to as I read along. This helped a little, and I was able to make it through the book. The problem with all of this is most readers won’t go through this trouble! And that is perfectly fine. I normally wouldn’t, either, but I try to finish review copies and I truly thought the story would pick up.**
***For a full review, check out https://wildandwonderfulreads.com
Have you ever started a series and just known you could count on it to make you smile and laugh?! When I was looking for rom-com recommendations, a book buddy suggested The Naughty Princess Club. I went for it and haven’t looked back since!
Kiss the Girl was exactly the book I had hoped for from this series of comical, sexy standalones with a twist on fairytales. Tara Sivec won me over quickly in the first book, and now, she has a fan! I love her easy going style, and her humor is totally natural.
This is a contemporary romance that has touches of The Little Mermaid. That’s one of the things I enjoy about this series — seeing how the plot parallels that of the fairytales that inspire them. I adore romantic comedies and fairytales, so this is truly “my cup of tea.”
I never quite got enough of Ariel in the first two books of The Naughty Princess Club; she’s always been my favorite of the “princesses.” I love how feisty and quirky she is! She is smart and fierce, despite a less-than-ideal situation.
Not going to lie, I’m a massive sucker for a good hate-to-love romance, and that’s exactly what we got here! Gah Eric is just a doll, even though he annoys Ariel. Like any trope, it needs to be done right, and Sivec does this justice!
Overall, I would absolutely recommend Kiss the Girl (and the rest of The Naughty Princess Club series)! Fans of contemporary romance, rom-coms, and retellings will especially love this one!
*I was gifted a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever started a series and just known you could count on it to make you smile and laugh?! When I was looking for rom-com recommendations, a book buddy suggested The Naughty Princess Club. I went for it and haven’t looked back since!
Kiss the Girl was exactly the book I had hoped for from this series of comical, sexy standalones with a twist on fairytales. Tara Sivec won me over quickly in the first book, and now, she has a fan! I love her easy going style, and her humor is totally natural.
This is a contemporary romance that has touches of The Little Mermaid. That’s one of the things I enjoy about this series — seeing how the plot parallels that of the fairytales that inspire them. I adore romantic comedies and fairytales, so this is truly “my cup of tea.”
I never quite got enough of Ariel in the first two books of The Naughty Princess Club; she’s always been my favorite of the “princesses.” I love how feisty and quirky she is! She is smart and fierce, despite a less-than-ideal situation.
Not going to lie, I’m a massive sucker for a good hate-to-love romance, and that’s exactly what we got here! Gah Eric is just a doll, even though he annoys Ariel. Like any trope, it needs to be done right, and Sivec does this justice!
Overall, I would absolutely recommend Kiss the Girl (and the rest of The Naughty Princess Club series)! Fans of contemporary romance, rom-coms, and retellings will especially love this one!
*I was gifted a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.