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augustharper's reviews
83 reviews
Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru
adventurous
tense
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
3.0
A fast-paced, thrilling Treasure Island retelling!
After her father is killed in a diving accident, Jin swears off of diving for good. Now, in a world where it constantly rains and very little land is still above water, Jin just wants to live a quiet life with her little sister Thara. But with both their parents dead, the family inn failing, and the Navy to dodge, Jin's life is anything but peaceful. And when a mysterious woman shows up at the inn looking for help with a massive amount of treasure buried at the bottom of what used to be Las Vegas, Jin's dream of a peaceful life is pushed even farther away.
A fast-paced, thrilling Treasure Island retelling, Into the Sunken City is a story fit for adventure lovers!
After her father is killed in a diving accident, Jin swears off of diving for good. Now, in a world where it constantly rains and very little land is still above water, Jin just wants to live a quiet life with her little sister Thara. But with both their parents dead, the family inn failing, and the Navy to dodge, Jin's life is anything but peaceful. And when a mysterious woman shows up at the inn looking for help with a massive amount of treasure buried at the bottom of what used to be Las Vegas, Jin's dream of a peaceful life is pushed even farther away.
A fast-paced, thrilling Treasure Island retelling, Into the Sunken City is a story fit for adventure lovers!
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
A sensual slow-burn romance that will leave you smiling!
Beth Demeroven is anxious about her seasonal debut. Her father has died and left her and her mother with nothing, so Beth has only one season to find a husband that can provide her with security before her family home is turned over to her uncle.
Gwen Havenfort, on the other hand, could care less about the season even though it's her fourth one. With a rich and charming father who ensures she's well cared for, Gwen would rather spend time mocking the eligible bachelors than dancing with them.
When Beth and Gwen meet at the Halyard Ball they become fast friends, and Beth realizes she's having way more fun spending time with Gwen than looking for a husband. And after an awkward exchange between Beth's mother and Gwen's father leads to the discovery that their parents were once in love, Gwen has a marvelous idea: get their parents to fall in love again and get married so Beth and Gwen can spend less time looking for husbands and more time having fun! However, the more Gwen and Beth scheme, the less they believe their parents can rekindle their love. Although, they might just be igniting a love of their own instead.
A sensual slow-burn that will leave you smiling, Don't Want You Like A Best Friend is an impeccable must-read romance!
Beth Demeroven is anxious about her seasonal debut. Her father has died and left her and her mother with nothing, so Beth has only one season to find a husband that can provide her with security before her family home is turned over to her uncle.
Gwen Havenfort, on the other hand, could care less about the season even though it's her fourth one. With a rich and charming father who ensures she's well cared for, Gwen would rather spend time mocking the eligible bachelors than dancing with them.
When Beth and Gwen meet at the Halyard Ball they become fast friends, and Beth realizes she's having way more fun spending time with Gwen than looking for a husband. And after an awkward exchange between Beth's mother and Gwen's father leads to the discovery that their parents were once in love, Gwen has a marvelous idea: get their parents to fall in love again and get married so Beth and Gwen can spend less time looking for husbands and more time having fun! However, the more Gwen and Beth scheme, the less they believe their parents can rekindle their love. Although, they might just be igniting a love of their own instead.
A sensual slow-burn that will leave you smiling, Don't Want You Like A Best Friend is an impeccable must-read romance!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A beautifully poignant graphic novel about the importance of companionship and it being okay to ask for help sometimes.
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
funny
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
I enjoyed the found-family aspect in this one as well as the character descriptions for the international cities. I also loved watching the individual boroughs of New York come into their own.
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
funny
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
This book is incredibly fast-paced and I enjoyed so many of the characters who came to life beautifully through witty dialogue and detailed descriptions.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
I am officially obsessed with this whole series! The multiple POV's, intricate world-building, morally grey complex characters, and symbolism of what can happen when people aren't good stewards of the world or each other made for a hell of a story!
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
I love that this book builds upon the magic system that was established in The Fifth Season. I also enjoyed the additional character perspectives in this one.
The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's for an ARC of this title!
I really enjoyed the found-family aspect of this book and definitely identified with Mar's struggles of being a trans-masculine nonbinary person. However, I would have loved a deeper dive into how Mar's magic worked.
I really enjoyed the found-family aspect of this book and definitely identified with Mar's struggles of being a trans-masculine nonbinary person. However, I would have loved a deeper dive into how Mar's magic worked.
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
Thank you Bloomsbury for an ARC of this title!
A plot heavy, page-turner of a book! Compared to <i>Priory of the Orange Tree</i>, this book is faster paced and has more romance (and yes, spice) due to its focus on characters who are already in loving established relationships. I love that this book reveals the "why" behind key plot points in Priory, and found it interesting to see Inys and Lasia work through personal internal conflicts.
A plot heavy, page-turner of a book! Compared to <i>Priory of the Orange Tree</i>, this book is faster paced and has more romance (and yes, spice) due to its focus on characters who are already in loving established relationships. I love that this book reveals the "why" behind key plot points in Priory, and found it interesting to see Inys and Lasia work through personal internal conflicts.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
5.0
A masterpiece that will make your mouth water, With the Fire on High is a refreshing coming of age tale about family, hard career choices, and young love.