aly36's reviews
2180 reviews

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

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

5.0

Roman is a Black Volhv and serves a God of Destruction. Then a boy shows up on his door step and asked for sanctuary. This book is another great book. It had so much action, new friends, new creatures and magic. I loved every second of this book. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. I loved the Kate Daniels books and this book is from that world. Check it out! 

The Crane Diaries: Creature by Apryl Baker

dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I love this series so much!  In this book,  Master of the City of Chicago reaches out for Emma Crane’s help. But there are problems with helping vampires, one big one is getting The Council of Elders' attention. I love the surprise in this book between Mattie/Emma and her husband Dan but I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book yet.  I love that the author adds new elements to these books and new depth with every creative story. The stories are always so good and keep me reading until the end. I love every book I read with Emma/Mattie Hathaway-Crane-Richards in it.  I also love the stories about Ella Grace the other living reaper. Thank you to Apryl Baker for writing such beautiful books!  

A Fistful of Evil by Rebecca Chastain

adventurous challenging dark inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

 Madison Fox has what she calls soul sight but she learns that is it much more. It’s a weapon for battling evil and a way to see the evil that only a few people have access to see. She must learn how to use it and learn how to battle evil along the way. It all starts with a job hunt but she has no idea what the job would actually be. This book was a good book. I love how the author made all the evil come "things" to life for me. I will have to keep reading this series. I love it! 

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I really enjoyed this audiobook.  I listened to this the most when I wanted a bit something different in my day.  Adeline and her shadow were not a matched pair but things change.  I think this book has harsh language in it and adult content. In chapter 41 the narrator Teddy Hamilton repeats a phase, I think just a part missed in editing but overall a great story.  I like the differences in voices instead of one narrator doing both male and female vocals.  The story itself pulled me in from the beginning.  I wondered who the shadow was and what he wanted with Adeline. I wanted to learn more about the shadow and through the story line we learn more.  I was not disappointed.  This author was a new author, for me, and I think I will see what else H.D. Carlton writes. Great book and good performances.

Demon at My Door by Michelle A. Valentine

dark emotional hopeful 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

I really enjoyed this book.  Natalie Sugarman sold her soul years ago when she was little to save her mom.  Now at 21 years old that debt is coming due. Will she find a way to save her soul?  Does she decide to be one of Satan’s helpers?  I liked that there is more books in this series and I am excited to learn more about these characters as they grow in the series.

Midlife Vampire Hunter by Shannon Mayer

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was just as great as the rest of the series. I really liked the ending but the author did have me concerned for a minute. I am glad Crash and Bree found each other. I was glad to go on another adventure with them. What does this Vampire spell do? Can Bree help make sure it doesn't happen? I love this series and hope the author has more great ideas for more books that are this good. 

The Sandman by Apryl Baker

dark emotional fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

The Sandman was a great book.  I love how the author used something we thought we knew 'The Sandman' and it become something a bit different in this book. I enjoyed catching up with all the characters and following along on the adventure. Ella is such a great person and all her friends and family have a special bond. I know I plan to keep following Apryl Baker anywhere she wants to go with these series!  I love the living reapers Ella and Mattie/Emma Rose and I think all the series including these two great characters, their friends and family is a must read. I hope Apryl Baker has as much fun writing these books as I have reading them!

The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is the second book in a series but lucky for me it could stand on it's own. I did not read the first book. I really enjoyed this book. It was a unique read for me. I really like good mysteries and this book was just that. It grabbed me and kept me wanting to read more. *This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review.*

Free as a Bird by Hailey Edwards

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I really have enjoyed this series!  I love the humor and being a part of the Yard Bird's story.  The characters are great! It is hard when you get older, so I've heard, but these ladies pull it off alright in my book! Ellie and her friends get into a bit of trouble when they accept a case.  They want to try to help find some missing witches.  What a mess that is! I had a fun ride with this book and I hope we get more from this series.

Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book.  I would say it reminds me of an escape room and a Saw movie combined.  I really enjoyed not knowing why the people were invited to the house that was a mystery we had to learn about them.  I enjoyed following along with each room and how they solved it.  The ending for me was a bit of a let down.  I feel it fell a bit flat for me, I think it leaving me wondering about what would happen next but this could be the author's point. Overall I enjoyed this book very much!