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b_morganbooks's reviews
330 reviews
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
4.5
I read this in May 23, and although I enjoyed it, I struggled with the world building for some reason. It just wasn’t going in my head. I haven’t read the sequels yet, but it is on my mind a lot so I decided to give it another chance and write notes/annotate. I found it so much more consumable this time around and I’m so glad I decided to try again!
Much like on my first read, the setting is by far my favourite part of the book. I felt like the descriptions were so vivid, they made me feel like I was in the desert (helped by the fact that it’s been a lovely warm weekend). I think the history of the world is so interesting and layered. I’m sure this will only continue to improve in the rest of the series too.
I don’t quite know where the relationships between Nahri and Dara/Ali are going, I can’t work out if they’re both romantic or I’m just hoping for a love triangle. I’ll have to keep going and find out!
Much like on my first read, the setting is by far my favourite part of the book. I felt like the descriptions were so vivid, they made me feel like I was in the desert (helped by the fact that it’s been a lovely warm weekend). I think the history of the world is so interesting and layered. I’m sure this will only continue to improve in the rest of the series too.
I don’t quite know where the relationships between Nahri and Dara/Ali are going, I can’t work out if they’re both romantic or I’m just hoping for a love triangle. I’ll have to keep going and find out!
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
4.5
In my opinion, this has a YA nostalgic plot, but with the grit and complexity of adult fantasy. I absolutely loved it. From the very first page, I knew I was going to enjoy it. Although the lowest class were mutilated, I really liked how they communicated with each other without tongues or hands. It added a layer to the book that will make the whole trilogy very memorable, I would think.
The idea of there being different classes in a fantasy book is nothing new but the author made it feel fresh and exciting. I haven’t read another book that handles addiction (joba seeds) in such a way, other than maybe the Greenbone Saga. I also love waiting for big reveals in books, especially when we know but the characters don’t, so I was really excited for the ending and it delivered! I fell in love with the relationship between Sylah and Anoor, they had my favourite moments in the book. I really hope they keep it up as they both deserve the world.
The ending came as a shock to me, and I have no idea where it’s going to go from here. The first book in the series definitely has a whole lot of trauma, but I think it’s one that most fantasy fans would enjoy.
The idea of there being different classes in a fantasy book is nothing new but the author made it feel fresh and exciting. I haven’t read another book that handles addiction (joba seeds) in such a way, other than maybe the Greenbone Saga. I also love waiting for big reveals in books, especially when we know but the characters don’t, so I was really excited for the ending and it delivered! I fell in love with the relationship between Sylah and Anoor, they had my favourite moments in the book. I really hope they keep it up as they both deserve the world.
The ending came as a shock to me, and I have no idea where it’s going to go from here. The first book in the series definitely has a whole lot of trauma, but I think it’s one that most fantasy fans would enjoy.
Jaded by Ela Lee
4.5
I went into this one pretty much completely blind so everything that happened came as a shock! I didn’t realise it focused on SA, but I thought the way that the author handled it was superb. I’m talking with zero knowledge, but I can imagine that it would be quite relatable. I really liked how the author gave us little snippets as the book went on, rather than showing us what happened and then studying the after effects.
The relationships that Jade had with her boyfriend and parents were so flawed and felt all the more realistic. There were so many red flags that Kit was dishing out right from the start but the fact that Jade was blind to them for so long was frustrating but also highly relatable. Even the workplace situation made me angry because unfortunately, I can imagine that it happens and would happen to me if I was in Jade’s position.
This is one of the most emotional and eye opening books focused around SA that I have ever read and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the author’s future releases.
The relationships that Jade had with her boyfriend and parents were so flawed and felt all the more realistic. There were so many red flags that Kit was dishing out right from the start but the fact that Jade was blind to them for so long was frustrating but also highly relatable. Even the workplace situation made me angry because unfortunately, I can imagine that it happens and would happen to me if I was in Jade’s position.
This is one of the most emotional and eye opening books focused around SA that I have ever read and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the author’s future releases.
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
5.0
Ah, this was so good! It was the ultimate classic tropey fantasy book, with enough twists and turns to make it feel unique. There were aspects that felt cozy fantasy like, but in an epic, high fantasy setting. I’m not a cozy fantasy fan, but this kind of setting was perfect for me. It felt like a refreshing change from all of the torture and gore that make up the majority of my other reads, whilst also having pretty high stakes and keeping me interested.
I really loved the characters (particularly Suri) and the relationships that they had with each other. The whole reading experience was just a delight and it is clear that the author is a natural story teller. I’m really looking forward to continuing the series and then delving into his other work.
I really loved the characters (particularly Suri) and the relationships that they had with each other. The whole reading experience was just a delight and it is clear that the author is a natural story teller. I’m really looking forward to continuing the series and then delving into his other work.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
5.0
I was starting to fall into a slump, and although I wanted to read fantasy, I didn’t have the brain power to get to know a new world. I decided to read this as I’ve seen parts of the TV series and it was absolutely the right decision. It’s a fantasy lover must read, but I don’t tend to read books that I have already seen the adaptation of.
There is nothing that I can say that is going to be new information. The world is so insanely rich, the characters are so layered and complex, and the writing style is just second to none. I personally really enjoy the grim dark aspects of this series. They’re so gritty and it’s so compelling to read.
It’s a world that I feel like I can return to whenever I want to feel familiarity, but I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series because I know they have more and more differences to the TV series. As long as Tyrion is there, I’m there.
There is nothing that I can say that is going to be new information. The world is so insanely rich, the characters are so layered and complex, and the writing style is just second to none. I personally really enjoy the grim dark aspects of this series. They’re so gritty and it’s so compelling to read.
It’s a world that I feel like I can return to whenever I want to feel familiarity, but I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series because I know they have more and more differences to the TV series. As long as Tyrion is there, I’m there.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
4.5
Abby Jiminez is a favourite romance author for me, so I’ve been waiting for this one for a while! I kind of wish I’d saved it for a hot, summer weekend to get the full effect, but hey ho.
I am at that point in life where I can’t deal with too much fluff. I consumed way too much in my teenage years and now I am looking for all the depth and layered characters and trauma (upbeat, I know). Abby never fails to deliver. There were times that had me giggling and other times that nearly had me crying. I really enjoyed reading about the characters backgrounds as it made them feel more relatable and human.
This book was just about my least favourite of the books set in this universe, but that may be because the previous two featured topics that I could heavily relate to, and this didn’t. However, I absolutely loved every second and I’m already looking forward to hearing about Abby’s next release.
I am at that point in life where I can’t deal with too much fluff. I consumed way too much in my teenage years and now I am looking for all the depth and layered characters and trauma (upbeat, I know). Abby never fails to deliver. There were times that had me giggling and other times that nearly had me crying. I really enjoyed reading about the characters backgrounds as it made them feel more relatable and human.
This book was just about my least favourite of the books set in this universe, but that may be because the previous two featured topics that I could heavily relate to, and this didn’t. However, I absolutely loved every second and I’m already looking forward to hearing about Abby’s next release.
The Liar's Knot by M.A. Carrick
4.5
The world building and overall vibes of the book continued into this instalment, thankfully! This book really felt like it flowed on from the previous book, which makes me so happy as there are far too many second books that feel like they are written by a different author. The plot continued to be as intricate, and although there wasn’t as much at stake as there was in the first book because personally, I was just waiting for the Rook reveal, I still thoroughly enjoyed delving deeper into the world and I’m looking forward to reading the third and final book.
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
4.0
Things I liked:
- The dual timeline - it is very rare that I don’t enjoy a book with a dual timeline. Especially when the same characters are popping up in both.
- The reveals of who certain characters were and how they played a part in the past.
- I enjoyed the modern timeline more so than the past, which is not usually the case.
- The fact that it had more depth and layers than your standard thriller. I didn’t know much about the scope project previously so this was really eye opening and I’m eager to learn more now.
Things I disliked:
- I started to lose interest in the second half. I can’t even pinpoint why, maybe it was the speed at which I was listening and should’ve consumed it in less sittings.
- I didn’t feel fully connected to the characters, they all seemed quite flat and they haven’t stayed with me at all.
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
Things I disliked:
3.5
Things I liked:
- The first half was super cute and I thought I was going to thoroughly enjoy the entire story because it was setup really well.
- I don’t usually enjoy reading about children but the parental relationship was written so well and in a lighthearted but touching way.
- Cora’s character was really funny and I found that I could relate to her, even though she’s only a teenager.
Things I disliked:
- The second half had way too many sex scenes for my liking. I had to keep skipping huge chunks of the audio and it ended up taking me out of the story.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
5.0
How are Holly Jackson’s YA thriller/mystery books better than any adult ones that I’ve read?! I was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy this when it came out because Five Survive was a huge disappointment for me. However, this was AGGGTM level, luckily!
I was fully hooked throughout the entire book, but I do tend to reserve judgement on thrillers before the ending because imo it’s so easy to get it wrong. The ‘reveal’ in this had me SCREAMING and I couldn’t have guessed it (although I never try bc who wants to ruin the ending for themselves?!). There were so many layers to the story and I’d recommend this to anyone on the hunt for a page turner.
I was fully hooked throughout the entire book, but I do tend to reserve judgement on thrillers before the ending because imo it’s so easy to get it wrong. The ‘reveal’ in this had me SCREAMING and I couldn’t have guessed it (although I never try bc who wants to ruin the ending for themselves?!). There were so many layers to the story and I’d recommend this to anyone on the hunt for a page turner.