beccaannekent's reviews
634 reviews

Mean One by Ab. Cynthe

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I don’t think I have words for what I’ve just read…yet I also enjoyed it? My flabbers are all gasted.

The Stockings Were Hung by Vera Valentine, J.L. Logosz

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Completely absurd, yet incredibly sweet

All the Sacrifice of Shadows by Hillary Raymer

adventurous challenging dark funny sad tense 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

5.0

Is there anything that Hilary writes that I absolutely will not devour?? 

I’ve been excited for this book since meeting Drake - I’m absolutely a sucker for a broken shadow daddy and he is so beautifully written! 

Once again, I was honoured to get this as an arc. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons I didn’t get to read it as quickly as I wanted…but trust me it was worth the wait. 

THAT EPILOGUE - I’m already excited for book 3!! 

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

adventurous funny mysterious tense 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

The beginning of this book was complete confusion, however once the story got going I was completely hooked. The snarky, sarcastic internal monologue was super relatable and Nyx genuinely might be my favourite ever character in a book. 

Do not go into this thinking that it is a Greek mythology retelling, it’s absolutely a dark romance. It just has Greek influences. 

The Half King by Melissa Landers

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

If you want something easy to read, with lore that is interesting but not overwhelmingly complex, characters who become easy to love (and hate) and which sits in the Romantasy genre then this is the book for you. 

Personally, I found it slightly underwhelming. Everything was just a little bit too easy for the characters to solve. Secrets were discovered just a little bit too quickly and relationships were formed just a little bit too fast. 

As I was reading, I had a feeling that this was a standalone with how rushed the writing was to get to the finale - and honestly I really think it would’ve done well as a standalone if the book had been edited as such. 

I do, however, feel I picked up this book at the right time. I’ve recently read a lot of heavy hitting, lore filled books and this really helped as a bit of a “palate cleanser”. Because of this, I genuinely think I would look to pick up book 2 when available. 

I want to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, and Melissa Landers for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely. 

A Tale Told by Traitors by Renee Dugan

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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

4.0

I’ve never read anything from this author before, but I absolutely love, love, love pirate themed books and I just KNEW I had to pick this up.

At first, it really took me a while to get into the story. It’s clear this author knows how to weave a world. But the complex history, lengthy number of characters (and their name pronunciation) threw me for the first 150 pages or so.

However, the author intricately combines each character story, development and a vivid world and I was sucked in. It’s not often I enjoy a book with romance as a main plot point without it venturing into the adult target audience, however this firmly remained in YA and yet still had me absolutely swooning. Found family is an absolute favourite trope of mine, and this had it in abundance. I could not get enough of these fantastic characters at all. Imagine my delight realising that although this is a standalone, there is an another released before this! 

I want to thank NetGalley, Wave Walker Press, and Renee Dugan for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely. 

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.5

This has been the best Romantasy book I’ve read in a while where the suggestion has come from social media.

It’s worth the hype, and I might just have found my new book boyfriend 

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Wow.

I have not read something quite as phenomenal as this book in a long long time. 

I’d love to write something impactful and lengthy for this review. But, I’m honestly stunned for words and I know it’s going to be a long while until I recover from the emotional rollercoaster and heartache this book put me through. 

I may come back to update this review, but for now. It’s an absolute must read. 

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

For me, this was a book of two halves.

If I’m completely honest, I really struggled in the first 45-50%. The world building was complex and rich, but I was not invested in the characters or the situation enough to absorb the information being given in great detail.

However, there is a major turning point in the story (no spoilers, but something is discovered on the FMC), and at this point I sat up and took notice. 

After this, I became very invested in the story and the characters. I enjoyed how well the author wove her storylines together and how reveals with plots and secrets were made at the perfect moment to move the story along. 

After some initial hesitation, and yes even a strong consideration of DNF-ing, I am so glad I progressed with this book. I have never read anything by this author before, so the approach of short, vivid chapters was a new one to me and although this took me a while to enjoy, I most certainly will be back for the completion of the duology. 

I want to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan & Tor Bramble, and Mary E. Pearson for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely. 

Scream Baby Scream by Sonia Palermo, Sonia Palermo

dark mysterious fast-paced

3.0

Short and spicy. 

Not really “Halloween”. It just happens on Halloween and is minimal to the very little plot.