averyswann's reviews
73 reviews

The Nightshade's Touch by Pippa DaCosta

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.75

When I thought they're finally getting it on, another problem shows up. At this point, I don't know if I'll fall in love with the author for being a genius or throw a tantrum.

Also, I'm still unsure who belongs with her harem. I initially thought there'll be an enemies-to-lovers trope with Eledan and her but I haven't read that much about the Mad Prince.

Arran and her looked cute too but suddenly he betrayed her.

  On the bright side, I liked their banter. Sota was so hilarious and Talen is... Talen.

Their smexy scene, though, omg!!

I'm loving this series so far and I'm off to book 4!

Just a heads up: this is a reverse harem and book 3 includes extremely low heat/spiciness level.

Game of Lies by Pippa DaCosta

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Book 1 is definitely better but book 2 was still an awesome read. I finished this in a day and all the time I was reading on the edge of my sit. It's action packed and the delicious tension, chemistry, and dynamics between the characters were perfectly written. I swear I was screaming Jusk Kiss!! half the time.

They did kiss!

I'm excited to find out what happens next in book 3!

Just a heads up: this is a reverse harem book and book 2 includes extremely low heat/spicyness level. Yes, it's a delicious slow-burn romance with a fast-paced plot.

Shoot the Messenger by Pippa DaCosta

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

To be honest, I was hesitant to start this series because I'm not really into sci-fi but when I saw that there's fae and magic included, I gave it a go. Thank goodness I did.

I finished reading this book in 1 day and immediately I know it'll be one of my top reads for this year. The plot is mind-blowing, the tension and chemistry between the characters are so delicious, and I love how the story kept me guessing as to who really is the enemy. I won't say too much to avoid spoilers but I'll definitely be reading book 2 right away.

If you're into science fiction mixed in with magic, fae, rebellious group against opressive race, mind games and power plays, then this is definitely for you. Highly recommend!

Just a heads up, this is NOT a love triangle. It's a reverse harem and the first book has extremely low heat/spiciness level.

Chronicles of Madness Box Set, Books 1 - 4 by Crea Reitan

adventurous challenging dark emotional slow-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

4.75

This is the box set of the series "Chronicles of Madness", which contains all 4 books that are the continuation of the story from "Chronicles of Blood". They must be read in order. The box set also includes exclusive bonus stories about the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Ris' time in Steele, and Meddul's side of the story.

Alright, as for the overall review, I must say that I really loved the whole series. Just like what I said in my review from the last books, I'm mostly reading for the character interactions rather than the plot. All of them are extremely lovable. The pace, for me, was really slow but it's fine like that. I find the final fight anticlimactic (the narration did agree as well), but the overall tension and drama from the last chapters leading to the sweetest ending was exquisite. I loved knowing what happened to their family years after.

The only thing I have an issue with is that there were deaths of both major and minor characters (their roles are actually debatable but I'll stick to calling some of them major characters). This is the first series I've read from this author and I wasn't prepared for that. Treat this review as a heads up.

All in all, this was an extremely enjoyable read. The exclusive bonus stories are sweet and amazing. Highly recommended!

Bloody Wonderland by Crea Reitan

adventurous slow-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? It's complicated

4.75

This is just too cute and I love the ending! I'm excited to read the next series after this. I'm kinda disappointed with how the issue between Chesh, Ryph, and Eagy was resolved, though.

I know it was stated that their friendship was intact but it's kinda unfair that Chesh's feelings and how the whole thing impacted him weren't highlighted. It was like all the focus was on Ryph and Eagy.

Other than that, I absolutely enjoyed the book! Wally flexing his power just makes me swoon too.

Dying Wonderland by Crea Reitan

adventurous slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

At this point, I'm reading more for the character interactions than the overall plot. I still like it, though, and I'm enjoying the series so far. I'm kinda confused with Ryph's character development at first.

I feel like his character is being antagonized just for adding more drama to their group dynamic. Then, I realized he is a gryphon, part eagle and part feline, so maybe there is indeed a reason for that conflict. I'm looking forward to how it'll play out.

The cliffhanger at the end was just criminal especially since I finished reading the book at the middle of the night. Thank goodness the series is already completed. At least I can jump to book 4 immediately the next day.

Magical Wonderland by Crea Reitan

adventurous slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

I'm loving the characters so much! The pace for me was really slow but thankfully the characters are so much fun and loveable; I can't stop reading about them.

I'm still confused, though, as to why Ryph doesn't have his own POV. That bit seems ominous or maybe I'm just overthinking it. Also, I'm still confused as to who her love interests really are. At this point, I feel like everyone is counted. I don't know what to feel about it. Anyway, I'm diving right into book 3!

Toxic Wonderland by Crea Reitan

adventurous slow-paced

4.25

The book is... oddly great. I'm actually suprised that I enjoyed it.

I've been putting this off because I've already read an Alice in Wonderland retelling and I felt like the book would just be the same. I finally did pick this up after someone recommended in the group I'm in and described it as an epic fantasy. Cool, I'm in the mood for that genre. To my surprise, the book was not anything I'm expecting at all.

For me, the pace is quite slow, but the way the story was told made it bearable. I'm not really into slow-paced books but the narration and characters made it enjoyable. I haven't read any third pov books lately too so this was a change.

What I really like, though, is how the mc doesn't have a distinctive physical description. Nothing at all except that she's a female. That made the book inclusive 'cause you can picture her put any way you want (unless this is only for book 1).

What I do not like is how the mc doesn't get the characters I want. I don't know if they're simply playing hard-to-get or if they won't be really included in her harem. Either way, it's frustrating me lol. There are also some personality and behavior of the mc that irritates me, plus, she trained for so many years but she seems awfully unprepared.

Anyway, I'd still read book 2 and if you're into alice retellings turned epic fantasy, then this is definitely for you!

And Shatter by Reese Rivers

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

And Shatter is the final book on the Time After Time Series. As a trilogy, I think it's a great read! 

It's kinda sad, though, that the story was wrapped up in this book. It feels kinda rushed but the story was still enjoyable. I still wanna know aunt Adera's story and the history of the mirror since those were only briefly and vaguely explained.

The way Keket's threat was also dismissed by bringing in her brother Kekonan in the picture was too convenient. It would've have been so much better if their dispute was elaborated but I do understand how that's not possible because the series was reduced to become a trilogy. Anyway, that made the main fight kinda anti-climactic.

All in all, despite these shortcomings, I really enjoyed reading the book!  It's definitely highly recommended.

Before I Fall by Reese Rivers

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

I know I quoted a line from book 1 about madness, and I know it is quite foreboding, but what I didn't know is how foreboding it really is. That line? That line perfectly summarized the second half of the book.

I had a hard time reading through the first part because I find it tedious but by the second half, I'm eating up the pages. It's like I can't read fast enough, I had to finish this book. That's just how good it is. The way their slow descent to madness was written was perfect. It captures everything and more. That's my favorite part of the book. I know it got dark and bitter... bittersweet, maybe? but I'm living for it. I can't even get mad by how the story turned out because it was told and written amazingly.

Anyway, just a heads up, the second book will get really dark by the second half of it. Like, dark. Proceed with caution.