tatjanabluchel's reviews
175 reviews

Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m typically not a romance or spice reader, so diving into Fourth Wing was definitely venturing outside my usual comfort zone—but I’m so glad I did. As a lifelong fantasy lover, I was immediately hooked by the incredible world-building, the elite war college setting, and of course... the dragons.

Violet is everything I want in a strong FMC—resilient, smart, and deeply human. Her friendship with Rhi is one of the emotional anchors of the story, and then there’s Ridoc, the comedic relief goofball I didn’t know I needed. But the true stars for me? The dragons. Especially Tairn. His sarcastic, dry humor paired with epic power? Absolute perfection. The banter between characters, especially human-dragon interactions, is one of this book’s secret weapons.

Violet’s relationship with Xaden is electric, complicated, and layered with so much unspoken tension and history—it’s clear their story is only just beginning, and I can't wait to see how it evolves as the series continues.

While this is often labeled as "romantasy," don’t let that turn you away if you're not typically into romance-heavy stories. The fantasy elements are rich and well-developed. Honestly, the romantic subplot is just one layer of a much larger, immersive epic. The spice is consensual, respectful, and never overshadows the real meat of the story.

Let’s stop dismissing epic fantasy stories just because they’re penned by non-cis-male authors. Fourth Wing easily holds its own next to sagas like Game of Thrones. I’m all in for the long haul now.

Content Warnings

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Still processing this one, but WOW—what a ride! Nick Medina delivers a masterclass in storytelling with Indian Burial Ground, expertly weaving together multiple POVs and timelines into a gripping, dark narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

I absolutely love stories that shift between the past and present, and Medina handles it beautifully. The perspectives of the two main characters felt so authentic and compelling, and the way their journeys intertwined was nothing short of brilliant.

The overarching Native mythology was a standout for me—rich, haunting, and deeply rooted in cultural significance. But what truly sets this story apart is Medina’s ability to weave in the real-world struggles of alcoholism and suicide, grounding the supernatural elements in raw, human emotion. It’s a story that leaves you feeling sad yet hopeful, which is no small feat.

This book is as thought-provoking as it is chilling, and it’s one I know will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves layered, impactful storytelling!

Content Warnings