Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ryan_isreading's Reviews (195)
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ABOUT
Hana is the daughter of a pawnshop owning family and will be taking over the family trade. But in their pawnshop, clients don’t trade in items, they trade in life regrets.
I really loved going in knowing only that, but for those that would like to know a little more…
On Hana’s first day of running the pawnshop, she wakes to a crime scene in the shop. She sets out on a journey to solve the mystery of what happened with an unexpected companion to assist her along the way.
REVIEW
I found myself unable to stop myself from hyping this book up before I was even finished and boy did Samantha land the plane with the ending.
I absolutely adored this book cover to cover. Even though this is magical realism and some would say cozy fantasy, there was intrigue and high stakes. I never wanted to put it down because of her stunning writing and imagination.
I also really love when an author can surprise me and there were many theories I had that were not right and I loved where it did go.
THE HIGHEST YES FROM ME!
Hana is the daughter of a pawnshop owning family and will be taking over the family trade. But in their pawnshop, clients don’t trade in items, they trade in life regrets.
I really loved going in knowing only that, but for those that would like to know a little more…
On Hana’s first day of running the pawnshop, she wakes to a crime scene in the shop. She sets out on a journey to solve the mystery of what happened with an unexpected companion to assist her along the way.
REVIEW
I found myself unable to stop myself from hyping this book up before I was even finished and boy did Samantha land the plane with the ending.
I absolutely adored this book cover to cover. Even though this is magical realism and some would say cozy fantasy, there was intrigue and high stakes. I never wanted to put it down because of her stunning writing and imagination.
I also really love when an author can surprise me and there were many theories I had that were not right and I loved where it did go.
THE HIGHEST YES FROM ME!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ABOUT
Book two picks up right where book one left off. Which is a relief cause that ending! It has the same atmospheric gothic vibes. In addition to continuing the story we are already familiar with, we are introduced to some new subplots, relationships, and most importantly more historical context.
And I really can’t tell you much more 🤣
REVIEW - 3.75
I loved learning more complexities about the magic system and our primary characters. My favorite parts of this book are the character arcs and the deepening of the lore.
I have to admit that in the third act, I did feel like two plot points were let downs to me. I felt there were better ways to get to the same result.
THAT SAID, I was able to cool off and enjoy the ending. I still feel this duology is worth a read.
Book two picks up right where book one left off. Which is a relief cause that ending! It has the same atmospheric gothic vibes. In addition to continuing the story we are already familiar with, we are introduced to some new subplots, relationships, and most importantly more historical context.
And I really can’t tell you much more 🤣
REVIEW - 3.75
I loved learning more complexities about the magic system and our primary characters. My favorite parts of this book are the character arcs and the deepening of the lore.
I have to admit that in the third act, I did feel like two plot points were let downs to me. I felt there were better ways to get to the same result.
THAT SAID, I was able to cool off and enjoy the ending. I still feel this duology is worth a read.
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ABOUT
Viv is an ex mercenary and an Orc swordswoman. She was used to a life of fighting and killing, but has always dreamed of a quieter life - and opening a coffee shop.
This book follows Viv’s journey of letting go of that life and building a new one.
The book is described as high fantasy, LOW stakes and that is very very accurate.
THOUGHTS
I have to be honest with you all, I’m not really certain when I might be in the mood for a book with this level of low stakes, ever.
I didn’t love the high percentage of time spent on details of building renovations. I was less annoyed by the baking and menu testing. I finished it out of curiosity.
The best part of this book was the characters, and the writing is truly good. It’s just the story that isn’t for me. I don’t see myself picking up book two.
Viv is an ex mercenary and an Orc swordswoman. She was used to a life of fighting and killing, but has always dreamed of a quieter life - and opening a coffee shop.
This book follows Viv’s journey of letting go of that life and building a new one.
The book is described as high fantasy, LOW stakes and that is very very accurate.
THOUGHTS
I have to be honest with you all, I’m not really certain when I might be in the mood for a book with this level of low stakes, ever.
I didn’t love the high percentage of time spent on details of building renovations. I was less annoyed by the baking and menu testing. I finished it out of curiosity.
The best part of this book was the characters, and the writing is truly good. It’s just the story that isn’t for me. I don’t see myself picking up book two.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
She is Elspeth Spindle, the daughter of a former Captain of the King’s Guard, who was sent to live with her aunt and uncle for reasons you need to read about.
He is Ravyn Yew, the current captain of the King’s Guard, and it’s his job to do the King’s awful bidding.
I don’t want to say too much, but as you learn the motives of the cast of characters, the stakes only rise higher and higher.
I love this story so far! Elspeth Spindle is a rare FMC in that she is not a caricature of a woman with too much of any one personality trait. I had SO much fun with the feet kicking romantic tension. And I truly loved trying to figure out the mystery and the magic system.
I will say that it’s not going to get all five stars from me because without book two, this isn’t quite satisfying. I have read that book two of the duology is really satisfying in answering the questions we still have, so that is promising.
It’s a pretty brutal cliffhanger, so you’ll probably want to plan to read book two straight away.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ABOUT
She is Marianne, from an affluent but cold family and an outsider at school.
He is Connell, son to a single mother from a family that is the topic of a lot of small town gossip, but he is popular at school.
Connell’s mother cleans Marianne’s families home and when Connell routinely picks up his mom from work, he starts getting to know Marianne. But he doesn’t want people at school to know.
MY THOUGHTS
This is my first Sally Rooney novel and I love her writing style. The dialogue and word choice is understated but impactful.
This is one of those stories where you are so frustrated with so many characters, but can also recognized how masterfully, painfully realistic the storytelling is.
The Irish really know how to pull at my heartstrings, damn.
She is Marianne, from an affluent but cold family and an outsider at school.
He is Connell, son to a single mother from a family that is the topic of a lot of small town gossip, but he is popular at school.
Connell’s mother cleans Marianne’s families home and when Connell routinely picks up his mom from work, he starts getting to know Marianne. But he doesn’t want people at school to know.
MY THOUGHTS
This is my first Sally Rooney novel and I love her writing style. The dialogue and word choice is understated but impactful.
This is one of those stories where you are so frustrated with so many characters, but can also recognized how masterfully, painfully realistic the storytelling is.
The Irish really know how to pull at my heartstrings, damn.
