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titalindaslibrary's Reviews (687)
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This gives me serious Poppy War vibes, but inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian myths and history. Absolutely stunning and fiery with its anger! Our main character starts off so self righteous but through the colonizers’ war school she’s forced to make impossible choices. Sloane’s descent into revenge is both satisfying and stressful to watch.
While a lot of this felt similar to The Gilded Ones, it was far more brutal and the stakes were constantly elevated. There were some pacing issues at the start, but damn, that conclusion had me in a frenzy to reach the end! I guessed some of the twists, but one reveal had my jaw dropped!
Overall I really liked this one and am anxious for the sequel to release soon!!
While a lot of this felt similar to The Gilded Ones, it was far more brutal and the stakes were constantly elevated. There were some pacing issues at the start, but damn, that conclusion had me in a frenzy to reach the end! I guessed some of the twists, but one reveal had my jaw dropped!
Overall I really liked this one and am anxious for the sequel to release soon!!
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Damn this was…kinda fucked up but I loved it!? One of those “picked it up and couldn’t put it down” type of reads.
As a monster smut girly I was pleasantly surprised lmao!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This was an incredibly validating read. As a FilAm, I know my reading experience is a biased one, but I’m so glad this work exists in the world.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, so for everyone who read Bride and felt something awaken, you already know why I sought out this book. I've heard a lot about Nalini Singh at this point and figured it was time to dive in!
But wow...reading this in 2024 just doesn't hit as it probably did back in 2006. You know, this might be a (slightly) higher rating if our man Lucas didn't describe Sascha in such a fetishy way at the beginning but alas...here we are. If I had to read "exotic" in relation to Sasha's looks one more time I was going to DNF. Luckily after the 30ish% marker that nonsense suddenly stopped and I was able to finish this without getting flashbacks to high school and the weirdo horny boys trying to guess "what I am".
The psy-changeling world is interesting and I think the premise has potential. However this first book just didn't deliver because I was able to guess the villain from the moment we're introduced, and it was almost disappointing to find out I was right. And again...the FETISHIZATION WAS SO GROSS!
But seriously, there were lines like this:
But wow...reading this in 2024 just doesn't hit as it probably did back in 2006. You know, this might be a (slightly) higher rating if our man Lucas didn't describe Sascha in such a fetishy way at the beginning but alas...here we are. If I had to read "exotic" in relation to Sasha's looks one more time I was going to DNF. Luckily after the 30ish% marker that nonsense suddenly stopped and I was able to finish this without getting flashbacks to high school and the weirdo horny boys trying to guess "what I am".
The psy-changeling world is interesting and I think the premise has potential. However this first book just didn't deliver because I was able to guess the villain from the moment we're introduced, and it was almost disappointing to find out I was right. And again...the FETISHIZATION WAS SO GROSS!
But seriously, there were lines like this:
"And your father? What did he add into the exotic mix?"
"He was of Anglo-Indian descent."
...as warm and exotic as her history.
She tasted tarter than last time, as if the spice in her nature had risen to the top.
Ummmm, EXCUSE ME??? The SPICE in her NATURE?????
Anyway, this is your warning because I saw none of this mentioned in recent, previous reviews. Someone did mention the "born sexy yesterday" trope and that's something else that bothered me throughout. I'm curious enough about this world I may try a later book in the series, but otherwise I think I'll be looking to more present-day paranormal romances to satisfy the itch Bride created.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Meh. After enjoying the atmosphere of House of Hollows I was curious how Invocations would deliver.
While full of tense and truly gory scenes, I found myself able to guess all the major twists.
Not only that but this read like peak “white feminism takes on the patriarchy” via a witch story. I’m sorry, but Jude is so wealthy and the lack of intersectional viewpoints just kept rubbing me the wrong way.
While full of tense and truly gory scenes, I found myself able to guess all the major twists.
Not only that but this read like peak “white feminism takes on the patriarchy” via a witch story. I’m sorry, but Jude is so wealthy and the lack of intersectional viewpoints just kept rubbing me the wrong way.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
Excuse me, that ending??? I need book 2 NOW 🥲
Full review to come.
Overall, this was a lovely steampunk fantasy that shined best with its focus on identity, family legacies, and the search for belonging (especially if your people have been subjected to the violence of colonization).
Full review to come.
Overall, this was a lovely steampunk fantasy that shined best with its focus on identity, family legacies, and the search for belonging (especially if your people have been subjected to the violence of colonization).
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
I’m not a huge poetry person, but I want to be! This collection of poetry was beautiful. It’s left me feeling meditative, chewing on certain lines that while not entirely clear in meaning (to me at least), are still impactful.
Definitely be aware that a good portion of this book talks about infertility and miscarriages (especially towards the end!).
Definitely be aware that a good portion of this book talks about infertility and miscarriages (especially towards the end!).
dark
hopeful
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
I was not expecting such an impactful novella, but I should have known there was a reason I put it on my TBR! Whoever influenced me to read this, thank you 🙏🏼
The central theme (the role of death and its responding grief) was executed so well. Not to mention the writing?? Finding out this author also writes poetry made complete sense. There are several quotes I just had to highlight, such as these:
The central theme (the role of death and its responding grief) was executed so well. Not to mention the writing?? Finding out this author also writes poetry made complete sense. There are several quotes I just had to highlight, such as these:
“…drinking its way through her veins, her grief a chlorophyll feeding her and transforming her in the devastation of light.”
“The mental wound, the soul wound, though, was nebulous. An infinite tumbling of brackish water, a rust oxidizing memories. A possession of rot.”
"We fear grief, but grief is just the animal experience of time.”
I really enjoyed this read (and my first buddy read too! Yay!) and look forward to checking out more of Tiffany’s work.
This is a soft DNF for now…
Idk, the whole bet just feels awkward to me. I don’t like it 🥲
Idk, the whole bet just feels awkward to me. I don’t like it 🥲