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a_libra_library's reviews
210 reviews
Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I finished this book and immediately requested book two because that cliff hanger might have ruined me for the entire year.
High stakes balanced beautifully comedy. Heist, puzzles, competitions- It was so much fun! If you loved the inheritance games and the hunger games (book one) you'll eat this book up!
Twelves teens competing to be recognized as the best thief of a new generation and win the prize of one wish, a wish for anything!
High stakes balanced beautifully comedy. Heist, puzzles, competitions- It was so much fun! If you loved the inheritance games and the hunger games (book one) you'll eat this book up!
Twelves teens competing to be recognized as the best thief of a new generation and win the prize of one wish, a wish for anything!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dear Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
You have just become one of my new auto buy authors.
This book is full of suspense, mystery and a true look at what dark academia means in young adult fiction. To critique and comment on educational institutions and the system and structure.
The audiobook was amazing as well, I love when extra production is put into an audiobook to make them more engaging.
If you love a story that keeps you guessing, full of puzzles and anagrams and unreliable narrators then this is the perfect book to recommend. This is so much more than a YA mystery thriller and I hope that anyone picking this title up can see that once they're done.
Also there is a cute animal sidekick so, bonus points.
You have just become one of my new auto buy authors.
This book is full of suspense, mystery and a true look at what dark academia means in young adult fiction. To critique and comment on educational institutions and the system and structure.
The audiobook was amazing as well, I love when extra production is put into an audiobook to make them more engaging.
If you love a story that keeps you guessing, full of puzzles and anagrams and unreliable narrators then this is the perfect book to recommend. This is so much more than a YA mystery thriller and I hope that anyone picking this title up can see that once they're done.
Also there is a cute animal sidekick so, bonus points.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
TW: Drowning
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.5
A fun and refreshing small town romance. I know the "cowboy" part of this cowboy romance is what draws people in but I think the cowgirl really steals the show!
Perfect balance of the two character outside of the relationship and their stories with spice mixed in.
Emmy is coming home to find herself and think about her next phase in life when she sees Luke Brooks, her older brothers best friends and torn in her side her whole life. As Emmy is overcoming huddles that has taken her out of her career with Lukes help they can't help but find comfort in each other.
There is so much that happens in the little romance but I couldn't help loving every moment, The audiobook was STUNNING.
A few tropes
Brother best friends
Hate to like/love
Small town
ADHD and anexity rep
Rediscovering yourself
overcoming family drama
*I will be reading Swift and Saddled - I don't care what anyone says. It cant be that bad.
Perfect balance of the two character outside of the relationship and their stories with spice mixed in.
Emmy is coming home to find herself and think about her next phase in life when she sees Luke Brooks, her older brothers best friends and torn in her side her whole life. As Emmy is overcoming huddles that has taken her out of her career with Lukes help they can't help but find comfort in each other.
There is so much that happens in the little romance but I couldn't help loving every moment, The audiobook was STUNNING.
A few tropes
Brother best friends
Hate to like/love
Small town
ADHD and anexity rep
Rediscovering yourself
overcoming family drama
*I will be reading Swift and Saddled - I don't care what anyone says. It cant be that bad.
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Perfect sequel to Done and Dusted! Better than DND if I may say.
I loved Ada and Wes so much that I read this book in a week!
Audiobook was stunning and I fell in love even more with the town of Meadowlark.
Ada is a big city gal looking for her big break to do more work in her field of interior design and working on a huge project for the Rebel Blue Ranch is the perfect opportunity to flex more of her talent. Only true obstacle is she didn't think her boss to be the charming cowboy she just meet in the local bar and can't stop day dreaming about.
Wes Ryder is the middle Ryder and has spent his entire life looking for his place in the families legacy, he decides that blazing his own path is the only way to do it which means no getting distracted by his heart or the painfully familiar tug Ada seems to have on it.
I think the character were even more fleshed out and brought to life in this book. I related to Ada so much I found myself annotating and crying at times.
Also Wes's relationship with his depression and how he treats and talks about it was BEAUTIFUL.
Tropes:
Small town
forced proximity
work place-ish romance
Big city girl small town boy
Black cat/ golden retriever
Anxiety rep
Depression rep
This is a 10/10 in my book
I loved Ada and Wes so much that I read this book in a week!
Audiobook was stunning and I fell in love even more with the town of Meadowlark.
Ada is a big city gal looking for her big break to do more work in her field of interior design and working on a huge project for the Rebel Blue Ranch is the perfect opportunity to flex more of her talent. Only true obstacle is she didn't think her boss to be the charming cowboy she just meet in the local bar and can't stop day dreaming about.
Wes Ryder is the middle Ryder and has spent his entire life looking for his place in the families legacy, he decides that blazing his own path is the only way to do it which means no getting distracted by his heart or the painfully familiar tug Ada seems to have on it.
I think the character were even more fleshed out and brought to life in this book. I related to Ada so much I found myself annotating and crying at times.
Also Wes's relationship with his depression and how he treats and talks about it was BEAUTIFUL.
Tropes:
Small town
forced proximity
work place-ish romance
Big city girl small town boy
Black cat/ golden retriever
Anxiety rep
Depression rep
This is a 10/10 in my book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
5.0
If I could rate a book 6 ⭐️ I would, absolutely would.
The fact these characters are people outside of their relationships is just *chefs kiss*
The fact these characters are people outside of their relationships is just *chefs kiss*
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
FLICK’S MOM BEING THE RAM!? Why? Who is the Wolf? Has he been there the entire time?? Also Penn shouldn’t have died- at all.
Arthie being a vampire is very much in your face but it makes sense to distract you from other twists.
Jin turning into a vampire?? Trauma on trauma. I just want to give him a huge and find his parents.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First off.
⭐ 5
I loved the story and characters.
⭐ 5
I loved the story and characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and FSG for this audio arc.
Maya Saroya, Thank you for bringing these characters to life.
This feels beautiful and fun and very fresh! Vampires, twists and tea. I love Arthie and I need every main character to be as fiery as she is. I am a huge found family lover and this book DELIVERS!
This is a very character driven book and the heist does take a backseat in act two and three, if you’re here for a heist you might not be happy. IF YOU WANT DRAMA AND PLOT TWIST… You want this book.
Spindrift is not just a tea house, it’s a home for everyone she loves and is afraid to love.
NOW Spoiler
Arthie being a vampire is very much in your face but it makes sense to distract you from other twists.
Jin turning into a vampire?? Trauma on trauma. I just want to give him a huge and find his parents.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Grief, Blood, Child death, Murder, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Not So Best Wishes by Clio Evans
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
The staples.... nope I can't keep going