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632 reviews by:
takarakeireads
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Glad I can finally post my review since the HC strike is over and a fair contract has been voted on!
Feminine Rage. F the Patriarchy in every way.
Nehal is an amazing protagonist - I love her (she gave me minor Rin from The Poppy War flashbacks). Her rage is so palpable to read. Georgina and Nehal both become involved with the Daughters of Izdihar which is a women's rights/suffragette group, and things get interesting. I hope we get to see more of the very cool magic system in the next book, and more of the school or characters learning how to use their power.
FYI: There is a lot of misogyny/sexism throughout this book. It is very severe and almost constant. I don't discount the book for that as it is unfortunately still a reflection of the world we live in today, and I believe we need books like this to bring that fact to the forefront. Just know that going into this book don't expect to be escaping the harsh realities of patriarchal oppression while reading. Refer again to the title of my review!
I look forward to reading the sequel (this is supposed to be a duology)!
2/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Police brutality
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief
Minor: Animal death, Abortion, Classism
*animal death - butchers of animals mentioned very briefly
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really unique plot line and magic system. Can’t say I’ve read anything quite like it. Almost like a tarot card based magic. There’s definitely a mysterious element to the storyline as it unfolds which was done well.
The romance is “fake courtship” (aka fake dating) and despite that was a little bit charged with just physical attraction at first, but I did like the way it develops into a deeper connection.
Definitely looking forward to the next book
The romance is “fake courtship” (aka fake dating) and despite that was a little bit charged with just physical attraction at first, but I did like the way it develops into a deeper connection.
Definitely looking forward to the next book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity
adventurous
medium-paced
I unfortunately feel like I might need to reread a physical copy of this cause I didn’t enjoy the audiobook narration (specifically of them doing the male voice characters). So I don’t really think I can give it a fair review or rating yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Sexual content
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
What an absolute wild ride. Definitely a unique 'romance' book, but be sure to prepare yourself for pain. This one is not all sunshine and rainbows. I thoroughly enjoyed the mysterious reveal of the plot. I related to all the characters on different levels. It broke me, but in the best way possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident
Moderate: Miscarriage, Dementia, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very dark book. Oddly it fits as a Christmas read since a lot of it happens during that time, there is a lot of reference to Christmas. I did enjoy it for the most part while reading it, but after finishing it and sitting with it a bit I'm still not sure how I really feel. The concept of Book Eaters is very cool, but I expected that cool idea to be a bigger part of the book. Ultimately this story is about a woman and mother who is brought up in a horrible patriarchal society (separate from ours) and is basically a comment on how far a mother will go to protect her children. It's told in multiple timelines (the past of her whole life for background and present).
Jarrow is the best character. Protect Jarrow.
There is also a minor romance subplot which feels... very underdeveloped. Hella insta-lovey and I just didn't really understand why it needed to be there if it was so underdeveloped. It does have LGBTQIA+ rep.
I'd say this is maybe give it a try if this is your genre cause it's short, but borrow it from your library.
Jarrow is the best character. Protect Jarrow.
There is also a minor romance subplot which feels... very underdeveloped. Hella insta-lovey and I just didn't really understand why it needed to be there if it was so underdeveloped. It does have LGBTQIA+ rep.
I'd say this is maybe give it a try if this is your genre cause it's short, but borrow it from your library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Blood, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence
Minor: Infertility, Trafficking
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Portland themed Christmas LGBTQIA+ romance. The Portland bits were mostly spot on, a bit exaggerated or unrealistic in parts (like how Jack's truck doesn't have heat... you need heat if you live in Portland, this isn't SoCal). Overall the Portland bits added some humor.
Interesting base concept - a fake/marriage of convenience made messy by a literal love trapezoid. Told in two timelines, a flashback of 1 year ago and present time.
Jack is an angel and should be protected. I didn't love the main POV character Ellie. I mean she's been through some shit, but also she is just a mess. I personally related a lot more to Jack who has some wonderful lines and sage advice.
The romance was pretty good, but the ending was very fast and abrupt andthere is no epilogue or definitive HEA so it felt honestly a bit unfinished. I read the last chapter and turned the page expecting more...
3.5 🌶️
Interesting base concept - a fake/marriage of convenience made messy by a literal love trapezoid. Told in two timelines, a flashback of 1 year ago and present time.
Jack is an angel and should be protected. I didn't love the main POV character Ellie. I mean she's been through some shit, but also she is just a mess. I personally related a lot more to Jack who has some wonderful lines and sage advice.
The romance was pretty good, but the ending was very fast and abrupt and
3.5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia, Infidelity, Abandonment
Minor: Transphobia
TW: the main character has fairly severe anxiety, and has dealt with horrible manipulative parents her whole life - basically abandonment, extorting money.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this book and series. I am so in love with it I think it might be my new life goal to get everyone in my book club to read it.
3🌶️
3🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Grief
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed the main message behind this book, where a woman is on a fitness journey and not one solely aimed at weight loss. I think that was done really well and the struggles with following an exercise program were spot on.
However, I didn’t enjoy the other aspect of this book which was the romance. Personally I didn’t really believe the two main characters falling for each other, and their relationship seemed a bit superficial and not based on a whole lot of depth. Spice was alright, but nothing mind blowing.
I can also accept that as someone who is petite this book just wasn’t written for me and that’s ok. I do understand why a lot of people seem to like it but the romance just didn’t do it for me *shrug*
3/5 🌶️
However, I didn’t enjoy the other aspect of this book which was the romance. Personally I didn’t really believe the two main characters falling for each other, and their relationship seemed a bit superficial and not based on a whole lot of depth. Spice was alright, but nothing mind blowing.
I can also accept that as someone who is petite this book just wasn’t written for me and that’s ok. I do understand why a lot of people seem to like it but the romance just didn’t do it for me *shrug*
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Medical content
The male main character has a mother who has struggled with addiction his whole life. And an estranged sister who has a past history of eating disorder.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely loved this, even more than the first book!
This one is much more character driven but there is some plot, just not as much as the first book. Really loved the character development, the romance(!!!!!), and how the story plays out was interesting. There were definitely some tears. This series has some great sibling love - Alistair & Hendry are just a beautiful family. Just as dark if actually not more so than the first book. These people are gonna need some serious therapy.
One of the best enemies to lovers romances I’ve read -fucking Alistair and Gavin ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love them so much!!!
I was so afraid one of them would die in the end (I mean I’m glad they didn’t). I think Briony was kinda the easy choice and a bit of a cop out. I was prepared for serious pain. But of course even tho we all knew Hendry would have to go eventually but doesn’t make it any easier.
This one is much more character driven but there is some plot, just not as much as the first book. Really loved the character development, the romance(!!!!!), and how the story plays out was interesting. There were definitely some tears. This series has some great sibling love - Alistair & Hendry are just a beautiful family. Just as dark if actually not more so than the first book. These people are gonna need some serious therapy.
One of the best enemies to lovers romances I’ve read -
I was so afraid one of them would die in the end (I mean I’m glad they didn’t). I think Briony was kinda the easy choice and a bit of a cop out. I was prepared for serious pain. But of course even tho we all knew Hendry would have to go eventually but doesn’t make it any easier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit
These kids all pretty much have horrible parents and have been treated awful and manipulated their whole lives. So lots of family trauma
