msrichardsreads89's Reviews (2.64k)

Super cute!

This was such a wonderful surprise! I love Trollope, but I knew nothing about this book, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I loved the setting, the dynamic characters, and the engaging plot. Trollope has his soapboxes, and I think he did a wonderful job of exploring love, pride, obligation, choosing your own path, marriage, having the power to choose your own future, and the plight of women who have little to no money. Clara is a very frustrating protagonist, but she also has her redeeming and relatable qualities. The two love interests are foils of each other and are so interesting to follow. 

This is a book that took me a few chapters to get into, but once I did, I did not want to put it down! This is one of my favorite novels I've read this year, and one of my favorite Trollope novels!

Overall I enjoyed this debut novel. It is heavily inspired by the author's Venezulan roots and includes South American folklore and myths. She really shines when it comes to weaving these elements into the story. I went into this knowing very little about the plot, but I heard such good things, and the cover is stunning. I think that Gabriela Romero Lacruz does have raw talent as a writer, and I am excited to read more of her work. 

That being said, you can tell that this is a debut. I struggled to connect with the characters. Our two protagonists are Eva and Reina, and I feel like I really got to know Eva and only partially got to know Reina because she was held at a distance. While I understood their motivations/goals, it wasn't always clear in their choices or interactions with other characters. They did have some character growth, which was great to see. The supporting characters were good, but not great. They lacked some subtlety and nuance, but that is something that can be improved in future books. 

I don't feel like I have a clear sense of time and place with this book. I know we got a map, which was great, but I struggled to envision the traveling and places in this world. I also don't really know what time period this world is in. The language sometimes felt very modern, which was a bit jarring, especially when used when they didn't have things that are normally associated with that word. 

The pacing was also hard for me. It started off strong, but I felt like it took a long time to move the plot forward. I know a lot of this is set up, but I feel like we got a lot of set up and less of the plot, climax, and falling action. 

That being said, I did enjoy this, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series! 

Thank you to Orbit for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

This book was perfectly fine and did have some interesting sections. Based on the title, I expected a lot of content about witches and their connection to feminism. However, most of it felt like conversations about feminism with  few stories about witches here and there. I absolutely loved the introduction, and if the rest of the book continued like that, I would have loved this more. The writing was really good, and the narrator did a great job. 

Easily one of my favorite reads of this year. Middlemarch is a wonderful exploration of family, love, politics, small town life, and marriage. This is a book that seeps into your soul and never lets go. It is a slow burn that is so rewarding. I loved Eliot's prose. There were some scenes where I highlighted the entire page because of a beautiful quote or vivid imagery. Her writing is stunning, and her authorial voice is powerful. Eliot's character work is masterful, and I felt like I got to know these characters so well. I loved how thought provoking this book is. The characters are flawed and messy, yet so relatable. I feel as though everyone can get something out of Middlemarch no matter where you are in life, and this is a book that I feel like I will get more out of every time I read it. It is just beautiful. 

This is one of my favorite reads this year! The Best of All Possible Worlds is a thought provoking, quiet, reflective science fiction novel that is character driven and anthropological. I loved following our protagonists and exploring different cultures with them. I loved the relationships and their dynamics. This has one of the best love stories I've read. The world building was phenomenal, and I loved the exploration of mental abilities, empathy, and emotions. I cannot wait to reread it. 

This was such a cozy sci-fi mystery! I really enjoyed following our protagonists and their investigation. The world building was excellent, the mystery was well paced, and I loved the Sapphic romance! 

I really enjoyed this entry in the Rain Wild Chronicles! The first half of the book was recap and a bit slow, but when I hit the second half, the plot really picked up and didn't stop until the end. There is a lot of fantastic worldbuilding, and more information is revealed about the Elderlings. I cannot wait to get to the next book!

This was such a fun, entertaining adventure! This has so much heart, and the audiobook narration by the author is spot on. It immediately hooked me and didn't let go until the end. The protagonist, Jack, is a lovable, endearing character, and I loved following him on his journey. This book has magic, pirates, different magical races, and epic battles. The artwork is stunning. I cannot wait to read more by A.R. Witham, and I am so glad I got to experience The Legend of Black Jack! 

This is a book best consumed slowly, and I am so glad I read it that way. Each chapter focuses on a different monster and how the narrator interacted with and learned more about that particular type of monster. I loved the exploration of what makes us human.