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lisashelves's Reviews (976)
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
A Conjuring of Light is the third and final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy. The book picks up seconds after where the second book ended, and it doesn’t slow down.
The beginning of the book was super satisfying to me. beginning right where book two left off made sure I got sucked into the story immediately. Some theories I’ve had since the first book were finally confirmed and I just couldn’t wait to see what the book had in store. The first part of the book is just awesome, and I had so many feelings reading it (truly, most of my annotations are in the first third of the book!). It was wonderful, painful and stressful to read but I loved every second of it.
The series just kept getting better and better. I really enjoyed learning about the worlds in the first book, I loved the build-up we and everything we got in the second plot and the third just blew me away. Even though the book was fast paced, it didn’t seem like it. The pacing worked really well in my opinion and I loved the switching between POV’s which kept me on my toes and unable to put the book down.
I loved the introduction of even more character POV’s and the flashbacks in this book! You could truly see into the minds of all the different characters more and understand them even better. The flashbacks were also really nice as slow moments between the action of the rest of the book.
Lila really grew in this book, just like I had hoped. She is such a witty and badass character and honestly, I was super entertained by her in this book. I still love Rhy and Kell and their brother relationship with each other is just beautiful to read. Alucard keeps being himself and I truly enjoy his bickering with Kell throughout the book! The most unexpected character has to be Holland! I didn’t expect to care so much about him but throughout the book I just fell for him. He’s super selfless and strong and I will fight anyone who hates him!
The romance was just like in the other two books! Wonderful to read but not overpowering the plot and the rest of the story. I seriously ship the couples in this book!
I keep hoping for a spin-off because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this world! There are some little snippets in the book which could be used for this. But even if we never get a spin-off or the answers, I can live with that.
Overall, it was the perfect ending to a beautiful series. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful to read, and I would love to come back to the different worlds someday!
A Conjuring of Light is the third and final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy. The book picks up seconds after where the second book ended, and it doesn’t slow down.
The beginning of the book was super satisfying to me. beginning right where book two left off made sure I got sucked into the story immediately. Some theories I’ve had since the first book were finally confirmed and I just couldn’t wait to see what the book had in store. The first part of the book is just awesome, and I had so many feelings reading it (truly, most of my annotations are in the first third of the book!). It was wonderful, painful and stressful to read but I loved every second of it.
The series just kept getting better and better. I really enjoyed learning about the worlds in the first book, I loved the build-up we and everything we got in the second plot and the third just blew me away. Even though the book was fast paced, it didn’t seem like it. The pacing worked really well in my opinion and I loved the switching between POV’s which kept me on my toes and unable to put the book down.
I loved the introduction of even more character POV’s and the flashbacks in this book! You could truly see into the minds of all the different characters more and understand them even better. The flashbacks were also really nice as slow moments between the action of the rest of the book.
Lila really grew in this book, just like I had hoped. She is such a witty and badass character and honestly, I was super entertained by her in this book. I still love Rhy and Kell and their brother relationship with each other is just beautiful to read. Alucard keeps being himself and I truly enjoy his bickering with Kell throughout the book! The most unexpected character has to be Holland! I didn’t expect to care so much about him but throughout the book I just fell for him. He’s super selfless and strong and I will fight anyone who hates him!
The romance was just like in the other two books! Wonderful to read but not overpowering the plot and the rest of the story. I seriously ship the couples in this book!
I keep hoping for a spin-off because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this world! There are some little snippets in the book which could be used for this. But even if we never get a spin-off or the answers, I can live with that.
Overall, it was the perfect ending to a beautiful series. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful to read, and I would love to come back to the different worlds someday!
⭐️⭐️ / 2 stars
The Initial Insult is a book about two former best friends. Something happened in the past, a long-standing mystery for Tress and she’s convinces Felicity has the answers.
Honestly it was a really weird book for me. I don’t know what to really think of it, but I know I didn’t really like it. It just confused me.
The story in itself is a bit underwhelming. We have to characters who’ve been dancing around each other for years and Tress wants answers to questions she’s had for years. She decides to attack and scare Felicity into telling the truth, from which we read about multiple flashback throughout the years to see both sides of some events that happened. I struggled to see the relation between all these events and the answer Tress wants to get.
I didn’t really like the characters, Tress and Felicity both seem to have serious mental issues and I really couldn’t connect with them or understand their actions. Also, the party people in the book disgusted me with their actions towards others.
The book is written from three POV’s and I just couldn’t understand the third POV. I didn’t understand it, see the point or added value of the POV. Even without reading those chapters, you wouldn’t miss any major points or information in the story. It just made the story that much weirder.
The book also ended with a huge cliffhanger, which was really annoying. The whole point of the story was for Tress to get the answers she wanted, and while she got some, the main answers and/or topics weren’t even discussed. Because of this, I struggle to understand the point of the book and everything that happened it in. Another main topic was a deadly flu which reminded me of Covid, but as it was mentioned a few times, nothing seemed to be done with it. I recon it’s something that’s set up for the second book.
Overall, the book just didn’t work out for me. It confused me and weirded me out and not in a good way. I’m not sure if I’ll be reading the sequel when it releases.
The Initial Insult is a book about two former best friends. Something happened in the past, a long-standing mystery for Tress and she’s convinces Felicity has the answers.
Honestly it was a really weird book for me. I don’t know what to really think of it, but I know I didn’t really like it. It just confused me.
The story in itself is a bit underwhelming. We have to characters who’ve been dancing around each other for years and Tress wants answers to questions she’s had for years. She decides to attack and scare Felicity into telling the truth, from which we read about multiple flashback throughout the years to see both sides of some events that happened. I struggled to see the relation between all these events and the answer Tress wants to get.
I didn’t really like the characters, Tress and Felicity both seem to have serious mental issues and I really couldn’t connect with them or understand their actions. Also, the party people in the book disgusted me with their actions towards others.
The book is written from three POV’s and I just couldn’t understand the third POV. I didn’t understand it, see the point or added value of the POV. Even without reading those chapters, you wouldn’t miss any major points or information in the story. It just made the story that much weirder.
The book also ended with a huge cliffhanger, which was really annoying. The whole point of the story was for Tress to get the answers she wanted, and while she got some, the main answers and/or topics weren’t even discussed. Because of this, I struggle to understand the point of the book and everything that happened it in. Another main topic was a deadly flu which reminded me of Covid, but as it was mentioned a few times, nothing seemed to be done with it. I recon it’s something that’s set up for the second book.
Overall, the book just didn’t work out for me. It confused me and weirded me out and not in a good way. I’m not sure if I’ll be reading the sequel when it releases.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars
Nocturna is a book about the crown prince, who has been looking for a way to get his brother back. In doing so he comes across Fin, a face changing thief, who helps him.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and a very easy read. A truly interesting world was painted, but I felt like the worldbuilding felt a bit short. I loved the way the Latin/South American culture shone through the pages. Also liked the Spanish words used, although I’ve read “maldito” one to many times.
The plot wasn’t really anything new, unique or interesting. I’ve seen multiple similar plots in other YA books, but because it’s still one of the few books about Latin inspired worlds I did enjoy it more.
The magic system used in the book is inventive, unique and really interesting to read. I liked the different types of magic. While using basic elements, there was a distinction to other types of magic I’ve read about. There was a bit of an ‘info dump’ at the beginning, but as the story progressed, I understood everything about the system.
I truly enjoyed reading about the main characters and how they’re complete opposites of each other. They bickered and were sarcastic, but still cared about each other as the story continued. Their partnership didn’t feel forced or tired. Maybe it would’ve been nice if they’d developed a bit more individually.
The story really felt finished to me, so I was quite intrigued when I read it was part of a series. Yes, some questions weren’t answered, but the story still felt complete to me.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and, although the story feels finished, I look forward to starting the second book.
Nocturna is a book about the crown prince, who has been looking for a way to get his brother back. In doing so he comes across Fin, a face changing thief, who helps him.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and a very easy read. A truly interesting world was painted, but I felt like the worldbuilding felt a bit short. I loved the way the Latin/South American culture shone through the pages. Also liked the Spanish words used, although I’ve read “maldito” one to many times.
The plot wasn’t really anything new, unique or interesting. I’ve seen multiple similar plots in other YA books, but because it’s still one of the few books about Latin inspired worlds I did enjoy it more.
The magic system used in the book is inventive, unique and really interesting to read. I liked the different types of magic. While using basic elements, there was a distinction to other types of magic I’ve read about. There was a bit of an ‘info dump’ at the beginning, but as the story progressed, I understood everything about the system.
I truly enjoyed reading about the main characters and how they’re complete opposites of each other. They bickered and were sarcastic, but still cared about each other as the story continued. Their partnership didn’t feel forced or tired. Maybe it would’ve been nice if they’d developed a bit more individually.
The story really felt finished to me, so I was quite intrigued when I read it was part of a series. Yes, some questions weren’t answered, but the story still felt complete to me.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and, although the story feels finished, I look forward to starting the second book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars
Sweet & Bitter Magic is about a witch who has been cursed with the inability to love and a girl who is a source of magic for others. Together they form a bargain to exchange love for working to end a plague taking over the lands.
I really liked the story. It’s a story about love, but not perse about romance. Everything in this book, every action and everything the characters did was out of love. I loved the way love was explored outside a romantic scene, how too much love can be dangerous and too little a curse.
There wasn’t much action in the book, but because of the theme I didn’t miss the action as much as I would’ve thought. I did find myself waiting for a bit of a “bang” towards the end, but it didn’t quite come. I felt like it could have been a bit grander than the way it is now. The plot is exciting and twisty. I loved the little references to classic fairytales hidden in the book. It made the book more fun to read, and the twist took me by surprise, which I enjoyed!
The romance between both girls was beautiful. It was very slow burn, where both girls truly grew closer and bonded over their inner battles. They healed together and it was beautiful to read.
The characters are really nice to read about. I would’ve liked for Wren to be a little less naïve throughout the beginning, but she was adorable and full of life still! Also, the diary entries and Tamsin’s context where repeated over and over again, which sometimes killed the tension a bit. Tamsin was a really unique character who I enjoyed reading about the most and her dynamic with Marlena really pulled me in. I loved how all the characters are complete opposite and their personalities never blur.
Overall, it was a really fun read and perfect for someone whose looking for a fresh, exciting fantasy standalone full of witches and magic!
Sweet & Bitter Magic is about a witch who has been cursed with the inability to love and a girl who is a source of magic for others. Together they form a bargain to exchange love for working to end a plague taking over the lands.
I really liked the story. It’s a story about love, but not perse about romance. Everything in this book, every action and everything the characters did was out of love. I loved the way love was explored outside a romantic scene, how too much love can be dangerous and too little a curse.
There wasn’t much action in the book, but because of the theme I didn’t miss the action as much as I would’ve thought. I did find myself waiting for a bit of a “bang” towards the end, but it didn’t quite come. I felt like it could have been a bit grander than the way it is now. The plot is exciting and twisty. I loved the little references to classic fairytales hidden in the book. It made the book more fun to read, and the twist took me by surprise, which I enjoyed!
The romance between both girls was beautiful. It was very slow burn, where both girls truly grew closer and bonded over their inner battles. They healed together and it was beautiful to read.
The characters are really nice to read about. I would’ve liked for Wren to be a little less naïve throughout the beginning, but she was adorable and full of life still! Also, the diary entries and Tamsin’s context where repeated over and over again, which sometimes killed the tension a bit. Tamsin was a really unique character who I enjoyed reading about the most and her dynamic with Marlena really pulled me in. I loved how all the characters are complete opposite and their personalities never blur.
Overall, it was a really fun read and perfect for someone whose looking for a fresh, exciting fantasy standalone full of witches and magic!
