The Laughing Listener
August 2020
Format: Ebook ARC

Story Rating: 4 Stars

This book was first described to me as Moulin Rouge meets [b:The Phantom of the Opera|480204|The Phantom of the Opera|Gaston Leroux|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327867727l/480204._SY75_.jpg|2259720] and [b:The Night Circus|9361589|The Night Circus|Erin Morgenstern|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387124618l/9361589._SY75_.jpg|14245059] and I literally needed nothing else. Ummm, yes please. Sign me the heck up. And I’m so happy to report that the rumors are TRUE, this really is an amazing combination of those three while still being in a category all it’s own. I had so much fun reading this!



Have you ever had a moment reading or watching a movie where you realize you can’t trust anything or anyone? Because that’s exactly what happened to me a few chapters into this novel and it BLEW MY FRIGGIN’ MIND. It was like watching Inception when you can’t figure out what’s reality and what’s a dream. Personally I love that kind of stuff and I was LIVING for it in Where Dreams Descend. I loved the mystery of it all and trying to piece everything together.



The world building and writing is spectacular too. The more I learned, the more I loved it and wanted to keep reading. It gave me some major [b:Caraval|27883214|Caraval (Caraval, #1)|Stephanie Garber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465563623l/27883214._SY75_.jpg|45697227] vibes for some reason?? That’s probably just my weird brain because the two books aren’t really that similar. But something about the combination of mystery and magic gave me some serious Legend flashbacks and I mean that as a compliment.

Also, Kallia is the best and I love her?? She was so spunky and confident, which was amazing to see in a female protagonist. Her determination to shatter through the patriarchy and forge her own path was inspiring. I really enjoyed the feminist themes of this book and can’t wait to read more in book two.

Also, THAT CLIFFY AT THE END???? UGGGGGH.

FINAL WORD

This book was so much fun, I loved the mystery and beautiful magic. Two thumbs way up!

** I was graciously given a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review **

The Laughing Listener
May 2019
Format: Hardback
Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

Guess who’s kicking themselves for waiting so long to read this?? That’s right.



This book was just so unexpected?? Since I took so long to read this, I knew going in that the formatting was unconventional and honestly, that was the main draw for me. If it hadn’t been for my curiosity on the unusual way Kaufman and Kristoff wrote this, I probably never would have picked it up. The promise of Kady and Ezra rekindling an old flame sounded so cliche and I was worried this was just going to be an emo teen romance in space. Especially because I wasn’t a huge fan of Kaufman’s other book [b:These Broken Stars|13138635|These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1383578978s/13138635.jpg|18315607]. But Illuminae was so different than what I thought it would be!

THE GOOD

Okay, OBVIOUSLY the biggest pro for this book is the way it’s put together. I’ve heard amazing things about the audiobook too, but I forced myself to read a physical copy because I wanted to experience it all myself. And I’m so happy I did!! There’s just something so special that you wouldn’t get with the audio. All the snarky little notes, the cool doodles, the maps—it’s like reading a work of art. I was pretty much in awe the entire time. It was the perfect compliment to the story, balancing it out super well without being too distracting. Plus, it makes for a surprisingly quick read. Don’t let the size fool you, I got through this pretty fast and I’m a super slow reader.

And speaking of story, I really liked this! We’re thrown right into the action and I was invested almost immediately. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Kaufman and Kristoff throw some major twists in there that had me reeling. This story didn’t go in the direction I thought it would AT ALL (there are basically zombies in this book. ZOMBIES) and I was living for it.



I was also very fond of all the characters. Kady is basically my hero now because she’s so badass and all her friends were so fun to read. Kaufman and Kristoff didn’t shy away from killing off their characters, which I love despite the heartache it caused. At this point, I’m pretty used to Young-adult books washing things out or using the fade-to-black method, but Illuminae didn’t really do that. It was so nice! I mean, this is supposed to be a crisis. People are being attacked. A deadly disease is being spread. People are bound to end up getting hurt and I’m so glad the authors didn’t shy away from that.

THE UGLY

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is Ezra. I just… wasn’t a huge fan? I don’t know, I didn’t HATE him, but I didn’t love him either. He was such a blah character! His sense of humor was great and I thought he was cute sometimes, but I found myself caring more about the characters around him. Like my guy Jimmy! Plus, Ezra’s relationship with Kady seemed kind of one-sided to me? I could feel how much she loved and cared about Ezra, but didn’t get that same depth of emotion from him. It’s probably because

AIDAN was posing as Ezra for over half the book

, but I still wish there could have been… more from him somehow.

FINAL WORD

This was such a fun read!! I loved every second and can’t wait for the next one. Zombies in space people!

#1 ↦ Illuminae ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#2 ↦ [b:Gemina|29236299|Gemina (The Illuminae Files, #2)|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480097137s/29236299.jpg|44560442] ↦ ????
#3 ↦ [b:Obsidio|24909347|Obsidio (The Illuminae Files, #3)|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501704611s/24909347.jpg|44560443] ↦ ????

The Laughing Listener
July + August 2019
Format: eBooks

DAMON’S MOUNTAINS SERIES REVIEW

I wasn’t planning on reviewing these books at all, but given the fact that I’ve been completely OBSESSED with them for the past month, it feels wrong not to write something. So in the end I decided to write a general series-wide review that I’ll put up on each book because that’s how much fun I’ve had reading these.



OKAY listen. These books are straight up trash. They are. Romance drama trash to the max. But there’s no denying how freaking entertaining these things are. They’re hilariously funny, extremely cute, filled with action (some more than others), and packed with grade-A soap opera drama. Some of the novels are better than others, but if you need to go brainless for a while and just read something fun, these are the books you need.

All the characters are out-of-this world awesome, but the real thing that sets this series apart is the world building. Joyce has created such an elaborately rich universe with all these characters and I am 100% here for it. I love love love how everything overlaps and that we get to see all of our favorite characters even long after their books are done.

To help keep everyone straight, I even created a family tree spreadsheet like a NERD (Willa would be so proud) which you can view here. Just beware of spoilers.



FINAL WORD

These books are insane trash and I’ve loved every second. If you’re needing some laughs and romance, look no farther my friends. It’s worth the Amazon Kindle Unlimited free trial just to get your hands on these.

The Laughing Listener
April 2020
Format: Ebook

Story Rating: 5 Stars

What just happened? WHAT just happened?!? I don’t… I don’t… I actually love Damon now and think he’s romantic. DAMON. ROMANTIC. IN THE SAME SENTENCE. What is going ON?!?!



Talk about character development, holy hell. Like the last two installments, this book wasn’t short on plot twists and each new revelation seemed to peel back a layer of the Damon onion. [Insert Shrek joke here] After Hideaway, I felt like I had a pretty decent grasp on who Damon is and the reasoning behind his decisions, but this was so much better than I could have hoped. At the end of the day he’s just a swearing, smoking, cinnamon roll felon with violent tendencies.



Winter was really great too, I loved her, but come on. Damon totally steals the show on this one. And the story was CRAZY as usual. By the end of this book it felt like my head was going to blow off my body. I cannot WAIT for the next book, it’s gonna be bonkers guys.

Oh, and all the sexy fun times?? DAMN.



FINAL WORD

Guys, this was SO GOOD. I know you might be frightened of Damon like I was, but give it a chance.

#1 ↦ [b:Corrupt|21981841|Corrupt (Devil's Night, #1)|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398947518l/21981841._SY75_.jpg|41292505] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#2 ↦ [b:Hideaway|29082755|Hideaway (Devil's Night, #2)|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495731109l/29082755._SX50_.jpg|49314977] ↦ (4.5/5) ✦✦✦✦✦
#3 ↦ [b:Kill Switch|43908024|Kill Switch (Devil's Night, #3)|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549821508l/43908024._SX50_.jpg|51820767] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#3.5 ↦ [b:Conclave|48921239|Conclave (Devil's Night, #3.5)|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574537639l/48921239._SX50_.jpg|74319475] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#4 ↦ [b:Nightfall|53750794|Nightfall (Devil's Night, #4)|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591049482l/53750794._SX50_.jpg|51820772] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧

#Smutathon 2020



Having never read the Eagle Elite series that prequels this, I wasn't sure what to expect out of this short novella when I started it. However, by the end I was completely hooked on the characters, the world, and the promising story of the future books we see beginning at the end of this one.

Honestly, I didn't find the two main characters Asher and Claire that intriguing because we just don't have enough time to get to know them. But I'm so stoked for Junior and Serena's story! I'm 100% here for the angsty drama that we only get a quick glimpse at.

I definitely feel like you NEED to read this novella if you plan on reading [b:Ruthless Princess|52060404|Ruthless Princess|Rachel Van Dyken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1583505050l/52060404._SY75_.jpg|76815421], especially if—like me—you've never read the Eagle Elite books. It's a great way to get a feeling for the characters and how the mafia group is structured. Plus, this book shows the beginning of Junior and Serena's intense feud, which plays a super important role in the next novel.

#0.5 ↦ Royal Bully ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#1 ↦ [b:Ruthless Princess|52060404|Ruthless Princess|Rachel Van Dyken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1583505050l/52060404._SY75_.jpg|76815421] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#2 ↦ [b:Scandalous Prince|52060336|Scandalous Prince|Rachel Van Dyken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1583273827l/52060336._SY75_.jpg|76815310] ↦ ????
#3 ↦ ???????? ↦ ????

#Smutathon 2020



Before this #Smutathon, I hadn't even heard of this book before and given how short it was, I went in with little to no expectations. I thought it would be smut and done, which it kind of was, but I'm so intrigued by these characters! Their dynamic was great and I'm actually kind of dying to continue the series now. So happy this readathon helped me discover it!

The Laughing Listener
April 2020
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld & Holter Graham
Length: 14 hours & 13 minutes

Story Rating: 5 Stars
Performance Rating: 5 Stars
Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Wow! Wow wow wow!! This book was so much fun?? You’re going to see that word in this review a lot because I just can’t think of a better way to describe this delightful book without using the word fun.



I went into this book with no expectations. A bunch of my book friends told me to read it and at this point in our friendship, I just read whatever they tell me to with no questions asked. I didn’t look at the summary or any reviews, just dove straight in and was IMMEDIATELY enchanted with these characters and this world.

It feels important to note that this is a romance novel more than anything else. I mean, let’s be honest. Very [b:Romeo and Juliet|18135|Romeo and Juliet|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572098085l/18135._SY75_.jpg|3349450], but with witches and magic. It was done in such a fun way though, I didn’t even mind the use of such an old trope. If that’s not your cup of tea, however, you’re going to HATE this. Most of the reviews I’ve read have been stellar, but the negative reviews are BAD and I feel like that might be the reason why.



That being said, if you hear the words “forbidden romance” and “witches” used together and perk up, then you definitely need to get your hands on this. Lou is a free spirited witch who’s running from her past and Reid is a religious man, part of a group of soldiers tasked with bringing witches down. When they’re forced to marry CHAOS ENSUES. Watching Lou fluster Reid in various ways was HILARIOUS and I loved her for it. I will never stop singing Big Titty Liddy ever.

“Big Titty Liddy was not very pretty, but her bosom was big as a barn. Her creamery knockers drove men off their rockers, but she was blind to their charms—”

Reid was a frustrating character to say the least, but he had a great character arc over the course of the book that I loved. And ANSEL AND BEAU AND COCO!!! I demand more of them in the next book.

The world building and magic system was super intriguing to me, but we never really get a full explanation of how the magic works?? I’m really hoping this is explored more in the sequel because I’d really like to learn more about the magic "patterns."

FINAL WORD

FUN!! Fun fun fun! If you’re a fantasy romance lover, then LOOK NO FARTHER.

#1 ↦ [b:Serpent & Dove|40024139|Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1)|Shelby Mahurin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549476128l/40024139._SY75_.jpg|61991324] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#2 ↦ [b:Blood & Honey|40550366|Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)|Shelby Mahurin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580922495l/40550366._SY75_.jpg|62967372] ↦ ????
#3 ↦ [b:Untitled|52535769|Untitled (Serpent & Dove #3)|Shelby Mahurin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|78127328] ↦ ????