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amandas_reading_nook's Reviews (372)
The sequel I didn't know I needed!
This book picks up immediately after the events of A Study in Drowning. With their findings published, Effy and Preston have to deal with the fallout of accusing one of Llyr's beloved sleepers of being a fraud at a time when the war between Llyr and Argant is reaching a boiling point. While Effy grapples with her new course load and being the only woman in the literature college, Preston is dragged into a dangerous research project by his advisor, Master Goose, and targeted by his peers for being Argantian. As Preston's dreams slowly overtake his reality, Effy seeks the comfort of dreamless sleep. In order to overcome their personal demons they'll have to learn how to exist in a world that isn't always welcoming.
I was so curious what this world was going to look like without the chilling backdrop of Hiraeth, but I am happy to report that I loved being back on campus just as much as the sinking manor. This story was slower paced than I typically go for, but I love Effy and Preston, as well as Reid's beautifully lyrical writing, so much that I was content to follow their personal journeys in this book. I did throughly enjoy learning more lore about their world though. I was fascinated by the sleepers in the first book and I was so glad that the author expanded on them in this one. I also appreciated that we delved deeper into the exploration of women's rights, xenophobia, and, of course, what it means to love someone. The love between Effy and Preston is so poetic it makes my heart ache.
I will say that I wasn't prepared for how sad and dark this book was compared to A Study in Drowning. If we were going to liken them to Taylor Swift albums I would say A Study in Drowning is more Folklore- Illicit Affair, Mad Woman, "stolen lullabies"- and A Theory of Dreaming is more The Tortured Poet's Department- I Hate it Here, Down Bad, "how much tragedy"- which isn't a bad thing, I was just expecting something gothic and suspenseful and instead got something with more dark academia, introspective vibes.
Overall, I think this is a beautiful companion to A Study in Drowning. Reid has created such a unique world, abundant with rich detail and history, it was truly a joy to revisit it. At it's core, A Theory of Dreaming is an exploration into magic, escapism, and what we're willing to give up to save the people we love.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book picks up immediately after the events of A Study in Drowning. With their findings published, Effy and Preston have to deal with the fallout of accusing one of Llyr's beloved sleepers of being a fraud at a time when the war between Llyr and Argant is reaching a boiling point. While Effy grapples with her new course load and being the only woman in the literature college, Preston is dragged into a dangerous research project by his advisor, Master Goose, and targeted by his peers for being Argantian. As Preston's dreams slowly overtake his reality, Effy seeks the comfort of dreamless sleep. In order to overcome their personal demons they'll have to learn how to exist in a world that isn't always welcoming.
I was so curious what this world was going to look like without the chilling backdrop of Hiraeth, but I am happy to report that I loved being back on campus just as much as the sinking manor. This story was slower paced than I typically go for, but I love Effy and Preston, as well as Reid's beautifully lyrical writing, so much that I was content to follow their personal journeys in this book. I did throughly enjoy learning more lore about their world though. I was fascinated by the sleepers in the first book and I was so glad that the author expanded on them in this one. I also appreciated that we delved deeper into the exploration of women's rights, xenophobia, and, of course, what it means to love someone. The love between Effy and Preston is so poetic it makes my heart ache.
I will say that I wasn't prepared for how sad and dark this book was compared to A Study in Drowning. If we were going to liken them to Taylor Swift albums I would say A Study in Drowning is more Folklore- Illicit Affair, Mad Woman, "stolen lullabies"- and A Theory of Dreaming is more The Tortured Poet's Department- I Hate it Here, Down Bad, "how much tragedy"- which isn't a bad thing, I was just expecting something gothic and suspenseful and instead got something with more dark academia, introspective vibes.
Overall, I think this is a beautiful companion to A Study in Drowning. Reid has created such a unique world, abundant with rich detail and history, it was truly a joy to revisit it. At it's core, A Theory of Dreaming is an exploration into magic, escapism, and what we're willing to give up to save the people we love.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Elsie Silver book, and it was a fun one! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I guess I was anticipated more of a "cowboy romance." The MMC in this one was more of a businessman, which I was wary of because I don't often love CEO/billionaire romances- you shouldn't need to fall in love to have basic human empathy. But though the MMC was a little gruff at first, he didn't come across as the type to cut his employee's health insurance, so I'll allow it lol. I actually really enjoyed Billie and Vaughn's story. I thought they had some really great character development, and I loved the ending. I'm excited to read more of this series!
I really enjoyed this retelling! I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author was able to capture the spirit of the original characters in these modern day people, while still managing to give the story new life. This book was funny and dramatic in the best way, I would recommend it even if you've never read the original.
This was such a suspenseful and atmospheric book! I loved the setting of the dilapidated manor sinking into the ocean. I also really loved Effy, I felt very connected to her softer nature and loved her character arc. Reid's writing is so beautiful and poetic, it really makes this gothic fantasy stand out amongst all the others that I've read. My one and only critique is that the ending felt just slightly anticlimactic, but not in a way that ruined the story for me.
What can I even say about this book? I finished this book in 12 hours and have been re-reading it (and the other books in the series) non-stop ever since. I loved basically everything about this: Violet's character growth, seeing the changes in Xaden, learning more about Andarna, exploring the isles, and meeting new characters. Laughs were had and tears were shed. We had so many of our questions answered, and of course had so many new questions raised. It has been a trip to re-read certain scenes in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame and see them in a new light. Don't even get me started on that ending. There is so much to unpack in those last few chapters, every time I read them I find something new to contemplate.
I am so excited for this series to continue, but I am more than happy to wait to the next book to come out because I just love being a part of this community and having so many people to talk about my favorite books with. Plus, for as long as it stays unpublished, all of my favorite characters are still alive.
I am so excited for this series to continue, but I am more than happy to wait to the next book to come out because I just love being a part of this community and having so many people to talk about my favorite books with. Plus, for as long as it stays unpublished, all of my favorite characters are still alive.
I loved all of the mental health rep in this book! I will forever be a fan of how Hannah Bonam-Young's couples are such great examples of healthy relationships. I'm not normally a huge fan of friends-to-lovers, but because our MCs weren't childhood best friends we got to see them have a genuine interest in getting to know each other and I really enjoyed that. I also thought this book was so funny, I was literally laughing out loud at all of Mattheus' interactions with Lane's family. All around a very solid romance.
I loved this book! I, like many others, wanted Teddy and Gus's story the second they were introduced in Done and Dusted, and man did this blow my expectations away. Beyond loving the hate-to-lovers romance and all of that delicious tension, I also really enjoyed how this was kind of a love letters to fathers and the relationships they have with their children. The bonds between Teddy and her father, Gus and his dad, and Gus and his daughter were enough to make me teary eyed, throw in that ridiculously heartfelt Author's Note and I was a goner. This is without a doubt my favorite book of the series (so far).
True to its name, this book was full of lies- some so treacherous they were worth killing over.
When old friends, Cadence, Rowan, and Jocelyn, travel to North Wales for Jocelyn's bachelorette trip, they expected to spend their time sight-seeing and reliving old memories. However, that proves hard to do when they each have memories they can't share with the others. With their relationship already strained, the arrival of a mysterious couple, seemingly intent on stirring up trouble, only widens the gaps forming between them. And when all of their lies are finally brought to light, someone will have to pay the price.
I really enjoyed this twisty thriller! I liked how the author slowly revealed each character's secrets, it kept me guessing the whole book. With every revelation I thought I had the plot figured out, until the next chapter showed me how wrong I was. I also liked that the author told the story through each woman's perspective, because you could really see how each character viewed the dynamic of their relationship a little bit differently. I find the examination of female friendships so fascinating, even if this is obviously an extreme example, because there really is something about the competitiveness between women that can quickly turn a situation toxic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
When old friends, Cadence, Rowan, and Jocelyn, travel to North Wales for Jocelyn's bachelorette trip, they expected to spend their time sight-seeing and reliving old memories. However, that proves hard to do when they each have memories they can't share with the others. With their relationship already strained, the arrival of a mysterious couple, seemingly intent on stirring up trouble, only widens the gaps forming between them. And when all of their lies are finally brought to light, someone will have to pay the price.
I really enjoyed this twisty thriller! I liked how the author slowly revealed each character's secrets, it kept me guessing the whole book. With every revelation I thought I had the plot figured out, until the next chapter showed me how wrong I was. I also liked that the author told the story through each woman's perspective, because you could really see how each character viewed the dynamic of their relationship a little bit differently. I find the examination of female friendships so fascinating, even if this is obviously an extreme example, because there really is something about the competitiveness between women that can quickly turn a situation toxic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book that I’ve read by Hannah Bonam-Young and I really enjoy her writing style! I like how her characters feel very real and well developed. Her couples always have such good and healthy communication, it warms my heart in a way few other romances can.