alysbookclub's reviews
256 reviews

The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Felt like a light and relatively easy introduction to this series - I have a feeling the next one will get a bit more intense. I still really enjoyed it and find the world interesting. I wished the multi POV was used more in the last quarter of the book - hopefully we get more perspectives in the next one! Alexus is my fave type - devoted and sweet 🥹
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The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alix E. Harrow

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emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.25

A lovely short story set after the future apocalypse. Such an interesting world that Harrow managed to build in less than 40 pages - I was fully immersed immediately. 
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Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake

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dark emotional hopeful 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

4.5

Such a great book. Reflects on the human condition in a really interesting way - loved the way magic was portrayed in this world. Managed to be hopeful while looking at super dark character emotions.
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The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

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challenging dark reflective 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? Yes

4.25

Madness! Such a great premise. I really enjoyed this book and loved following the characters through their many transformations. The insane logic of this world is so interesting and I loved how much crazy sense it actually made. 

Some parts I found a little too confusing and had to re-read a bit, but overall, such a good read. Love Starling's writing.
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Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling

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mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A riveting premise - started slower but really had me hooked by the end. I loved the mystery and suspense and horror - will definitely remember this one. 
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All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

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challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I'm pretty confident that this is the most I've ever cried reading a book. The story and writing are extremely good, the book is immersive, I was hooked and needed to know how things played out. This was a book club pick and so I know I wouldn't have read it on my own and appreciate having something outside my regular books - however I hate getting so emotional while reading so it just wasn't quite 5 stars for me.
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Fourth Wing (Part 2 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation) by Rebecca Yarros

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4.5

Reread - January 2025. Really loved the immersive audio - way more engaging than a regular audiobook
Fourth Wing (Part 1 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation) by Rebecca Yarros

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5.0

Reread - January 2025. Sooo good, love the actors
Fan Service by Rosie Danan

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funny 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? Yes

3.5

So so fun! I loved the plot and the two MCs were both loveable. As close to a contemporary romance as I'll get and I totally enjoyed it 🖤
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A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Still a good entry in the series, but JLA can tend to get repetitive and lost in characters inner worlds and thoughts. I felt that in the middle and definitely at the end of the book. Didn't really end on a strong cliffhanger - I know there's unfinished politics, but it wasn't focused on at the end here and I wish it were. 

Otherwise, I enjoyed it and bawled when the final quarter of the book started. 
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