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librarianlayla's Reviews (954)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'll admit that the first half of this book was a pretentious slog with little flavour however due to my interest in the premise I persevered. The second half however really picked up and the characters personalities began to shine through more and the magic-infused murder mystery really kicked off.
I look forward to seeing how this ends.
I look forward to seeing how this ends.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Murder
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4/4.5 stars.
A middle grade story with a really important message.
Based in the 90's, an era I too grew up in, it truly highlights racism and inequality. Especially for those chasing the 'American Dream'. And is an important topic to raise with young minds, it highlights determination to achieve one's goals and the power of friendship.
I wish there had been more light in this book, a lot of it was heavy and it needed more reprieve's interwoven to balance out the book. Hence it not receiving a full five stars. But overall I enjoyed it and it's diversity of characters.
A middle grade story with a really important message.
Based in the 90's, an era I too grew up in, it truly highlights racism and inequality. Especially for those chasing the 'American Dream'. And is an important topic to raise with young minds, it highlights determination to achieve one's goals and the power of friendship.
I wish there had been more light in this book, a lot of it was heavy and it needed more reprieve's interwoven to balance out the book. Hence it not receiving a full five stars. But overall I enjoyed it and it's diversity of characters.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Beautifully written, heartbreaking and immersive.
The story is slow to begin with but as each chapter unfolds it picks up speed until it is an unstoppable force causing the reader to delay putting it down time and again.
For those who enjoy enemies to lovers, secret identities, twisting plots and devastating deceptions - this is for you.
The sequel is now highly anticipated for me!
The story is slow to begin with but as each chapter unfolds it picks up speed until it is an unstoppable force causing the reader to delay putting it down time and again.
For those who enjoy enemies to lovers, secret identities, twisting plots and devastating deceptions - this is for you.
The sequel is now highly anticipated for me!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Magical and heartfelt.
A fantastic twist on the common mythology behind unicorns, a wonderful story of friendship and perseverance.
I could not put this book down, the sequel is much anticipated!
A fantastic twist on the common mythology behind unicorns, a wonderful story of friendship and perseverance.
I could not put this book down, the sequel is much anticipated!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Raw and savage, this book does not let up.
There are a list of trigger warnings at the beginning of this book and for good reason. This story is filled with trauma but was so hard to put down. Compelling and heartbreaking.
I cannot wait for the sequel.
There are a list of trigger warnings at the beginning of this book and for good reason. This story is filled with trauma but was so hard to put down. Compelling and heartbreaking.
I cannot wait for the sequel.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/4 stars.
Although this is a good book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. I found some of the characters frustrating, even with their redemption arcs at the end.
The last quarter of the book was the most compelling and read very quickly. Still a good book but didn't quite live up to the first book for me.
Still would recommend this series though to anyone who enjoys slightly darker books that have strong female characters and meddling deities.
Although this is a good book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. I found some of the characters frustrating, even with their redemption arcs at the end.
The last quarter of the book was the most compelling and read very quickly. Still a good book but didn't quite live up to the first book for me.
Still would recommend this series though to anyone who enjoys slightly darker books that have strong female characters and meddling deities.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
4/4.5 stars.
Beautifully written, heartbreaking and filled with fated bonds.
I adored this book, struggled to put it down. I enjoyed the characters connections, the mystery and the cat and mouse chase.
I very much look forward to reading the sequel.
For those who love dark books with romance, murder and magic - this is for you.
Beautifully written, heartbreaking and filled with fated bonds.
I adored this book, struggled to put it down. I enjoyed the characters connections, the mystery and the cat and mouse chase.
I very much look forward to reading the sequel.
For those who love dark books with romance, murder and magic - this is for you.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
A reimagining of the story between Maleficent and Aurora that really leaves the reader questioning who to trust.
Alyce is a really interesting character, I did wish a little more from Aurora and their interactions. A lot seemed glazed over - as to why it didn't quite reach its full 5 star potential.
But I really enjoyed Alyce's story, the journey she takes and how her character devolves. Looking forward to reading the sequel in the future.
Fans of twisted fairytale retellings that focus on the 'villain' and their lives, sapphic romances and dark betrayals will enjoy this book!
Alyce is a really interesting character, I did wish a little more from Aurora and their interactions. A lot seemed glazed over - as to why it didn't quite reach its full 5 star potential.
But I really enjoyed Alyce's story, the journey she takes and how her character devolves. Looking forward to reading the sequel in the future.
Fans of twisted fairytale retellings that focus on the 'villain' and their lives, sapphic romances and dark betrayals will enjoy this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Torture, Blood
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Heart wrenching and passionate.
Truly a book whereby those perceived as weak see themselves represented. A sci-fi reimagining that clutches the reader from the start, drags them through emotional turmoil and barely let's them go. The sequel cannot come soon enough.
Also - we need more books with poly rep. And this does it so beautifully.
Fans of strong female characters, giant robotic weapons, Chinese history and love triads - this is for you.
Truly a book whereby those perceived as weak see themselves represented. A sci-fi reimagining that clutches the reader from the start, drags them through emotional turmoil and barely let's them go. The sequel cannot come soon enough.
Also - we need more books with poly rep. And this does it so beautifully.
Fans of strong female characters, giant robotic weapons, Chinese history and love triads - this is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, War, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
4/4.5 stars.
Dark, filled with twists and turns, a sweeping fantasy.
There is a lot of world building in this book as well as backstory so at times it can feel as if you've read for an age and yet not got anywhere - hence it not being a full 5 stars for me.
But I loved the dark, high stakes thrill of the story. The characters and their interactions are complex and compelling.
If you are looking for a book filled to the brim with God's, cults, forbidden romance and mystery - then this is for you. I cannot wait for the sequel.
Dark, filled with twists and turns, a sweeping fantasy.
There is a lot of world building in this book as well as backstory so at times it can feel as if you've read for an age and yet not got anywhere - hence it not being a full 5 stars for me.
But I loved the dark, high stakes thrill of the story. The characters and their interactions are complex and compelling.
If you are looking for a book filled to the brim with God's, cults, forbidden romance and mystery - then this is for you. I cannot wait for the sequel.