417 reviews by:

ravyenreads

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom

Sarah A. Parker

DID NOT FINISH: 14%

I'm just so bored. It's like reading someone's diary and I'm confused and bored. Nothing that's getting introduced is being explained, no one is really being described other than "chiseled jaw" or their hair color. Explain your world to me or give me a better glossary please🙃
dark sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Gallows Hill is a definite 3.5☆ for me. I enjoyed the storyline and the first 96% of the book enough, but I wasn't put in a chokehold like I normally am with Darcy's books. It was a little bit of a letdown. The ending was definitely just as amazing as her others I have read, but to me, it felt like there should have been more to the conclusion. I felt there should have been more to the story/lore of Gallows Hill for sure. It felt a little crammed in and rushed.
challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

I don't know how she does it but I EAT these books up! I was constantly looking over my shoulder and feeling absolutely terrified. This book grabbed me instantly and never let up. There are so many twists and turns you're left questioning what is real, what can actually hurt you, and who is causing all of this? 
challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

I have to start off by saying that this was NOT what I expected to read but in, literally, the best way possible. I went into this book expecting to be terrified and spooked, but was crying from all of the love that Brynn receives after her mother passes. The ending isn't what I would call a "twist". There wasn't a wow or omg. As soon as I read the first sentence from chapter 40, I was balling like a little baby. I just couldn't help it. It was SO goddamn sweet and sad. I absolutely LOVED this book and it will always have a special place in my heart. I'm going to have to sit with this one for a minute guys🥹
dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

I think I found my new favorite author! This book gave me all the feels. I was on the edge of my seat, crying sad AND happy tears, thoroughly freaked tf out and questioning whether I was hearing click, click, click outside of my windows. I loved the small town atmosphere and how quickly Addy made friends with everyone in town. I just really loved this book and would definitely recommend it for a scary, heart-warming(at the end) thriller.
challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is my first Frieda McFadden book, and while I didn't see the "who," I guessed the plot twist pretty early on. The book was okay in a good way. The majority of it kept me intrigued, and I liked how the ending played out with the "big reveals." I liked the book enough, but I don't think this is an author I would read again.
dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Okay. So, this definitely messed me up. I already kind of knew what happened at the end from seeing small spoilers here and there, but I NEVER. Neveeerrrrr would of guessed that twist how it happened. My eyes were bulging out of their sockets when everything clicked into place. For my first thriller/mystery, I'd say I'm hooked on the genre. I loved the ending too. The way Alex doesn't say what happens to Theo or Kathy but you already pretty much know what happens. I know in the acknowledgements he mentions that Theo isn't done with him and I kind of
want to see Theo in the psych ward going to his own therapy sessions with Kathy as the narrator.
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was such a great, easy read! I really loved everything! The world building was enough to make me think it was an epic fantasy but not too much that I was missing parts of the plot. I do wish there would have been more talk on the Creators, magic-thralls, and meeting the King of Hearts, but I knew going into it it would be strictly about Oren and Tanith.
I'll definitely be reading more of Angela's books!