I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons is a wild ride once you get almost half through.  It took me that long to start enjoying the story.  Up until then, the characters annoyed me and I couldn't figure why I should care about them.  In the end, I was endeered to Reginald and Cerise and didn't want her to get eaten by a dragon. The unconventional princess was a great characterization; however unbelievable.  This book definitely had lots of quirky characters.  I felt like the book was almost 2 in one: a lead up for a love story, then a dragon quest.  And while you learn a lot about dragons, I felt wasted opportunity for the pet ones that didn't really get a storyline.

Story is told with lots of comedy and definitely has a YA vibe to it.  I'm not a fan of the writing (lots of words to explain something simple) and I had to reread to understand some things.  I read the second to last page 3 times before I truly understood what happened. That said, many of the made up words threw me off too.  Just a lot for my tastes, but def imaginative.  Overall, a cute-ish funny epic fantasy with some mild romantic lead ups.  Dragons, romance, adventure, wizards, oh my... 

"Back when I was Perfect."  Wow, what a statement.  Perfect Peace is an emotional, dramatic read that will make you root for some people and want to claw the eyes out of others.  This book is a nature vs nurture conversation starter and was on the fore front of gender identity and sexuality before it was more main stream.  It is also an example of selfish bad parenting.   I did a whole book discussion on this book on my YouTube channel.  Very enjoyable read and discussion.  Writing style allows you to get into most of the characters and also know their destiny.  Well done.

Five Broken Blades has a great plot that immediately jumped out at me, and it didn't disappoint.  Lots of killing, very simplistic explanations and actions, but also in the interactions between some characters and the almost romance miss scenes. makes me think it read YA.  I guess new adult is the actual term.  There is some intimacy but all closed door or almost.  I would have liked more.  Also one character's speech threw me off.  He was kind of modern whereas I felt this book had an older feel to it.  Although, as the author said it is not historical and not any particular time period. Also he used lots of double negatives.  What's up with that!?

Book had 6 first person POVs with short chapters for each.  I actually didn't mind.  I was able to to keep track because each character was so unique and interesting.  I was rooting for each one as each had good back stories and writing was very heart felt.  They all got something hidden and I kept trying to figure what if was and who would betray.  I was half right on that front.  There was a lot of series themes so check triggers for addiction, sexual assault, violence, animal abuse, etc.  Book has a few.  Book was a quick enjoyable read despite being almost 500 pages.  I didn't realize it was going to be a duology before reading.  No legit cliff hanger, but it does leave open ended and def not resolved and some things were still a mystery.  I would have liked a more satisfying ending for in case I don't read the sequel.  Would I read the next book.  Not sure as I wouldn't mind more spice.  Sequel should be out beginning 2025 I believe.  Overall, I liked it but didn't love it.  Wouldn't mind knowing what happens in the next book though.

I enjoyed Gyo.  It was funny, shocking, adventurous and gorey.  The power mechanisms had me rolling. Very unique and imaginative.  Junji Ito is a trip.  I did enjoy the story; however, I was left with questions at the end that I would have liked answered though.  Artwork was awesome.  Very talented and detail oriented.  This is all around a good time.

Tomie was a horrific funny good time about a narcissistic beautiful monster.  I was surprised by all the comedy, mostly surrounding Tomie's vanity.  The stories were well told, varied, and gorey.  My favorite is the sake and the fingers story.  I do think the book was a bit long, but it is a bind up so understand.  I like how they tied together for a well rounded view of Tomie and to see where she comes from and is capable of.  Artwork was amazingly intricate and descriptive.  Such talent.  Well done.

I did not finish No Longer Human because I lost interest.  All the psychological analyzations and questioning about humanity was annoying.  Other than that Yozo is just going around sleeping with a lot of women, drinking, causing trouble for other people, and seeing ghosts.  I didn't care to continue another 300 pages of the same self destructive behavior.  However, the art work was good.  Very creepy images and lovely naked ladies.  Glad I did not read the original.  

Black Water Sister made me appreciate my grandmother because they all pass on.  That said, this ghost grandmother was a riot and my favorite thing about the book was the banter between Jess and Ah Ma.  Her motivation was wild too.  While the plot in this book was good, and a bit complicated, I think the synopsis on the back of the book is a tag misleading about the serious themes.  You have domestic violence, spirituality, religion, family expectations and drama, queerness, and sexual assault.  Also there is a lot of incorporation of Chinese and other languages words that I couldn't always figure from the context.  It slowed down my reading, but I appreciated the incorporation.  Also the broken English as well.  Very authentic for what is was.  This book is a rich incorporation of Chinese and Malaysia culture and I appreciated that. The ending seemed rushed, like a big buildup of action, then a summarization.  I didn't like that.  Overall, I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I expected to. 

Black Shield Maiden is a great epic historical debut.  The writing was simple, flowed well, and grabbed my attention, with anticipation at every corner.  I will say the ending was not what I expecting, and I don't necessarily agree with how the kingdom will be led, but I still enjoyed the book  I loved how realistic and the final ending was though.  Work in progress. There were several unexpected scenarios that I did not expect.  Action seemed to be quick too. I loved the incorporation of Viking and African cultures.  You get history, religion, heart, drama, violence, women empowerment and a love story.  I was surprised by how emotional it was.  I was rooting for some characters and wishing death at the hands of Alvtir on others. She was my favorite character, and the king was my least favorite.  There is adequate room for a sequel too.  I think this book should be more hype than it has.  Definitely worth checking out for anyone into YA and something different.

Narration was done very well.  Willow Smith has a great voice.  Although one character does sound like Lindsey Lohan.  I will say there was a lost opportunity to so accents for African and Viking characters.  I wouldn't have minded that historical context and it would have enhanced the experience.

I received The Night Guest as a #netgalleyarc and enjoyed it.  The frivolous pink cover seems almost like a joke when you read the book.  The layout with extremely short chapters, including one with one sentence, seemed like a space filler.  I didn't like that.  And the story itself ends at 90% which I don't like either.  Although the ending is odd and the main character could have made better decisions to help herself,  the story was somewhat predictable and I was entertained.  It was eerie, kinda creepy, raunchy at times, and fun.  Definitely unique.  I especially liked the commentary about how female concerns are never taken seriously and females are expected to make others comfortable.  I can relate.

At Night All Blood is Black is a unique story that will make you cringe, but also think of the impact of war on soldiers and the burdens they carry.  PTSD is real and war changes people forever.  Always remember that.  The story itself is spoiled in the synopsis but is enjoyable nonetheless.  The last chapter threw me off a bit so I can't say I completely understood the ending.