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aglimpseinto's reviews
184 reviews
The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
The book has grammatical mistakes to imitate the fact that the main character can write and it’s too distracting, it takes me out of the story and makes it hard to focus.
A Jingle Bell Mingle by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Familiar is quite a particular read. I will say that for the majority of the book, I simply didn’t feel engaged with the story and its characters. The story is intriguing and the conclusion actually made the book quite satisfying.
It’s a book that I might reread in the future as I believe that I might not have been in the correct mindset to fully appreciate it.
It’s a book that I might reread in the future as I believe that I might not have been in the correct mindset to fully appreciate it.
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Heather Fawcett does it again. With this book we continue following along Emily and Wendell and the wonderful adventure that they found themselves in.
I have to admit that Emily is not my favourite character as it can be a bit difficult to relate to her ways, however it is quite charming to see her dedication to her study and all the Fae that she encounters.
This book went a bit more dark than the 1st book, but still we continue to see the devotion that Wendell has towards Emily and see that dedication starting to be reciprocated. It was also amazing to see what Emily is capable and how she makes her moves within the fae royalty.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot and can’t wait to see what adventure are waiting on the next instalment. Definitely a recommended read.
Thank you Little Brown Book Group UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I have to admit that Emily is not my favourite character as it can be a bit difficult to relate to her ways, however it is quite charming to see her dedication to her study and all the Fae that she encounters.
This book went a bit more dark than the 1st book, but still we continue to see the devotion that Wendell has towards Emily and see that dedication starting to be reciprocated. It was also amazing to see what Emily is capable and how she makes her moves within the fae royalty.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot and can’t wait to see what adventure are waiting on the next instalment. Definitely a recommended read.
Thank you Little Brown Book Group UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I dived into A Dark and Drowning Tide with certain expectations which was my mistake, however I quite enjoyed this book, it’s a beautiful story with complicated and complex characters that go on this quest by order of their King but all of them have their own motivations and convictions which puts them all at odds.
Lorelei is driven and has high stakes depending on this quest, but what really made an impression is on how little she really understands of herself and especially of her feeling towards Sylvia (Let’s say that denial is quite more than a river in Egypt).
The writing is beautiful, but I would have appreciated more detail to world building as a lot of the time I simply didn’t fully understand the context and the way that magic worked in this world. The mystery of who killed Lorelei mentor did satisfied the mystery/crime fan in me. The climax of Lorelei and Sylvia come together was slightly less satisfying as part of delay was due to misunderstanding which is quite an overused crunch for the romance aspect.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I will probably pick it up to reread it at a later date.
Thank you Daphne Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Lorelei is driven and has high stakes depending on this quest, but what really made an impression is on how little she really understands of herself and especially of her feeling towards Sylvia (Let’s say that denial is quite more than a river in Egypt).
The writing is beautiful, but I would have appreciated more detail to world building as a lot of the time I simply didn’t fully understand the context and the way that magic worked in this world. The mystery of who killed Lorelei mentor did satisfied the mystery/crime fan in me. The climax of Lorelei and Sylvia come together was slightly less satisfying as part of delay was due to misunderstanding which is quite an overused crunch for the romance aspect.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I will probably pick it up to reread it at a later date.
Thank you Daphne Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Tomb of the Sun King by Jacquelyn Benson
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. I picked up Tomb of the Sun King as soon as I finished the 1st book. And it was amazing. We continue to follow this epic narrative of not leaving this group of villains get their hands of this powerful artefacts, but we also are a witness to Adam and Ellie attraction, respect and love for each other and their struggle of coming together without betraying what they believe in.
Also, the addition of Connie and Neil is brilliant plus all the other new characters. I particularly loved to see so many strong female characters (like Connie’s Aida) that make things happen and help or completely save the situation.
This book brought us to Egypt and as a person that loved studying Ancient Egypt it was lovely and super interesting all the tidbits that were dropped by the archaeologists in this book. For fans of the movie The Mummy, there will be little nods or references across the story. Not enough to take me out of the story but little tidbits that made me giggle.
Loving this series, the only sad thing was realising that the 3rd book will only come out in late 2025, so I will have to reread the 2 books that we have in the meantime to make do.
Will be rereading, will be getting a physical copy to annotate and can’t wait to get the new book once it’s available. Definitely recommend it!
Also, the addition of Connie and Neil is brilliant plus all the other new characters. I particularly loved to see so many strong female characters (like Connie’s Aida) that make things happen and help or completely save the situation.
This book brought us to Egypt and as a person that loved studying Ancient Egypt it was lovely and super interesting all the tidbits that were dropped by the archaeologists in this book. For fans of the movie The Mummy, there will be little nods or references across the story. Not enough to take me out of the story but little tidbits that made me giggle.
Loving this series, the only sad thing was realising that the 3rd book will only come out in late 2025, so I will have to reread the 2 books that we have in the meantime to make do.
Will be rereading, will be getting a physical copy to annotate and can’t wait to get the new book once it’s available. Definitely recommend it!
Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
What to say about Empire of Shadows… I absolutely adore this book. It was recommended as a The Mummy movie vibe and the rec was correct. But I don’t love it just because of the mummy vibe. Ellie is a strong female character that strong opinions and convictions but accepts that she still has much to learn, changes and grows as the story/plot develops. Adam is a strong and honourable men that ‘doesn’t want to get involved’ but definitely can’t stay away and stay out of trouble.
It’s a historical tale that shows us the struggles of people, the beauty of different culture and the connection and growing relationship between this two characters.
From Ellie love of archeology and learning about different cultures to Adam’s love of adventure, his lucky rock and beloved knife. Additionally we struggle alongside Ellie to keep our composure whenever Adam loses his shirt.
This is a book that I recommend, will be getting the physical copy to annotate and will definetely be rereading for years to come. I simply jump straight to book 2 as soon as I finished this.
It’s a historical tale that shows us the struggles of people, the beauty of different culture and the connection and growing relationship between this two characters.
From Ellie love of archeology and learning about different cultures to Adam’s love of adventure, his lucky rock and beloved knife. Additionally we struggle alongside Ellie to keep our composure whenever Adam loses his shirt.
This is a book that I recommend, will be getting the physical copy to annotate and will definetely be rereading for years to come. I simply jump straight to book 2 as soon as I finished this.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was epic. People will tell you that its a small town romance, I will tell you that this is the tale of two people slowly learning to work together, communicate and be vulnerable with each other while also learning to grow beyond the things that were holding them back and preventing them from being happy. This is the best type of romance, the story that showed that becoming a Us helped them grown as individuals and becoming better selves.
Beyond being Epic it was genuinely funny. We have some hilarious moment where I LOL quite hard, and had many many moments of giggling over those two. I just want more of Jack and Emily.
I was lucky enough to be given an Arc of this book and let me tell you I started this book at 6pm and didn’t put it down until around 4am, so I devoured this story. I will be getting my own physical copy to reread and annotate as need more of those two and this funny silly town.
The story still retained all the charm that we got with previous walker siblings stories, and of the Rome town. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Thank you Headline and Sarah Adams for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Beyond being Epic it was genuinely funny. We have some hilarious moment where I LOL quite hard, and had many many moments of giggling over those two. I just want more of Jack and Emily.
I was lucky enough to be given an Arc of this book and let me tell you I started this book at 6pm and didn’t put it down until around 4am, so I devoured this story. I will be getting my own physical copy to reread and annotate as need more of those two and this funny silly town.
The story still retained all the charm that we got with previous walker siblings stories, and of the Rome town. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Thank you Headline and Sarah Adams for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent