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bittennailbooks's reviews
239 reviews
Here for the Wrong Reasons by Lydia Wang, Annabel Paulsen
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
With kicking feet, chuckles, and shoulders-to-ears cringe moments, "Here for the Wrong Reasons" will make a reality-show lover of any curmudgeon.
Kristen is a rodeo horse girl, Lauren is a closeted social media icon, can that make it anymore obvious? Kristen has never had a serious boyfriend and has decided that she will compete on this knock-off bachelor to finally find love. Lauren on the other hand, has only been in a serious relationship with her phone for years and knows she can score a lot more lucrative deals by rising to D-list reality stardom. She won't get her heartbroken, there is literally nothing to lose, right? It gets a little more complicated when they start falling for one another.
This is a sweet book and features absolutely terribly moraled characters. It stars all the worst kinds of personalities you would find in any love-based reality show which makes it an easy novel to enjoy. It's funny, cringey, and definitely steamy. I think it won't be a romance for everyone but I had a great time with this one.
I read it via audiobook and my issue with the narration falls primarily in one of the voice actors rendition of Josh. It was comically bad and definitely felt super cheesy. It doesn't ruin the book but just be ready for the goofy male imitation.
For lovers of trash tv, morally deplorable characters, and sapphic love stories = 3.5/5!
Kristen is a rodeo horse girl, Lauren is a closeted social media icon, can that make it anymore obvious? Kristen has never had a serious boyfriend and has decided that she will compete on this knock-off bachelor to finally find love. Lauren on the other hand, has only been in a serious relationship with her phone for years and knows she can score a lot more lucrative deals by rising to D-list reality stardom. She won't get her heartbroken, there is literally nothing to lose, right? It gets a little more complicated when they start falling for one another.
This is a sweet book and features absolutely terribly moraled characters. It stars all the worst kinds of personalities you would find in any love-based reality show which makes it an easy novel to enjoy. It's funny, cringey, and definitely steamy. I think it won't be a romance for everyone but I had a great time with this one.
I read it via audiobook and my issue with the narration falls primarily in one of the voice actors rendition of Josh. It was comically bad and definitely felt super cheesy. It doesn't ruin the book but just be ready for the goofy male imitation.
For lovers of trash tv, morally deplorable characters, and sapphic love stories = 3.5/5!
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
2.75
I was unimpressed by Ninth House, I didn't enjoy this either.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo is a mixed bag of uninteresting characters, a bait and switch plot from its blurb, and a very unusual love story. I fully expected from the books write up that it would be more of a Inquisitor vs. Queen, religious prosecution, and possibly a vampire novel. It delivered on zero of these but that is my own foolish hope rearing it's ugly head.
Instead we get a reluctant magic protagonist toeing the line of witch/gifted from God, in a ill-defined magic competition. Loaded with tropes, The Familiar feels on par with its namesake due to its beige content/similar releases during this big push in romantacy. There is nothing new or extraordinary and honestly I should have DNFd. 2.9/5 stars.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo is a mixed bag of uninteresting characters, a bait and switch plot from its blurb, and a very unusual love story. I fully expected from the books write up that it would be more of a Inquisitor vs. Queen, religious prosecution, and possibly a vampire novel. It delivered on zero of these but that is my own foolish hope rearing it's ugly head.
Instead we get a reluctant magic protagonist toeing the line of witch/gifted from God, in a ill-defined magic competition. Loaded with tropes, The Familiar feels on par with its namesake due to its beige content/similar releases during this big push in romantacy. There is nothing new or extraordinary and honestly I should have DNFd. 2.9/5 stars.
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Razorblade Tears is a gritty, violent, and unbelievably gripping novel about two father's brutal journey to the acceptance of their murdered gay sons. Please check the CWs on this one before you dip into it, it is not an easy read.
Fathers Ike and Buddy Lee have lost their sons to a tragic murder. Not accepting their sons "lifestyle" together while they were alive, they band together to find the culprit in death and finally do right by their kids.
This book had a lofty goal of discussing topics around homophobia, racism, surviving in the southern states as a non cishet white guy, and the failure to love us while we're alive. I did rate this book 5 stars because I could absolutely not look away. It's does not shy away from the gratuitous violence and the lengths these men will go to learn a valuable lesson on acceptance.
The biggest criticism I've seen of this novel is its use of violent homophobia for a redemption arc. Like how many people will have to die to repent for their failure as fathers? Its a valid one. But the protagonists waking up from their multigenerational hard, ingrained prejudice is not a light one. The complicated grief and sorrow is unpacked throughout the novel. I would love to sit down and study all the themes throughout this book because of how many layers there are. I think it's worth a critical read and stand by that its an important book.
5/5 stars.
Fathers Ike and Buddy Lee have lost their sons to a tragic murder. Not accepting their sons "lifestyle" together while they were alive, they band together to find the culprit in death and finally do right by their kids.
This book had a lofty goal of discussing topics around homophobia, racism, surviving in the southern states as a non cishet white guy, and the failure to love us while we're alive. I did rate this book 5 stars because I could absolutely not look away. It's does not shy away from the gratuitous violence and the lengths these men will go to learn a valuable lesson on acceptance.
The biggest criticism I've seen of this novel is its use of violent homophobia for a redemption arc. Like how many people will have to die to repent for their failure as fathers? Its a valid one. But the protagonists waking up from their multigenerational hard, ingrained prejudice is not a light one. The complicated grief and sorrow is unpacked throughout the novel. I would love to sit down and study all the themes throughout this book because of how many layers there are. I think it's worth a critical read and stand by that its an important book.
5/5 stars.
Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller by Oliver Darkshire
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner
adventurous
dark
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
2.75
Meh...
Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares
After Spanish contact, a young royal lives a double life fighting against the oppressors in New Spain, trapped in the Christian theocracy. Leonora lives a double life as a Lady and a vigilante fighter named Pantera. Armed with sorcery, she will free the inhabitants of this land, even if it means fulfilling her own cursed prophecy.
"Sun of Blood and Ruin" is an exciting debut from Lares but had both feet on the pedal. There is a lot going into this book when it comes to culture, religions, beliefs, and the magic system, so utilize the glossary to its fullest potential. As someone who is rather tired of Eurocentric fantasy, this was a refreshing dive into a high fantasy series.
I found myself having trouble settling into this novel at first; there is a lot of info-dumping within the first 50 pages that felt more textbook than world-building. If you stick with it, readers, you will be delighted to find a great story beyond the construction that serves up a complex world and ambitious debut. That being said, there are some points where I felt surrounded by information and forgot plot ties, but I feel that is common in many first novels and believe this story has the potential to be a great one.
It lost some points in the story construction, but there is definitely an emerald within. 3.5/5
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
3.5
A high-stakes reimagining of sixteenth-century New Spain featuring a female main character Zorro, ancient magic, and a brewing revolution.
After Spanish contact, a young royal lives a double life fighting against the oppressors in New Spain, trapped in the Christian theocracy. Leonora lives a double life as a Lady and a vigilante fighter named Pantera. Armed with sorcery, she will free the inhabitants of this land, even if it means fulfilling her own cursed prophecy.
"Sun of Blood and Ruin" is an exciting debut from Lares but had both feet on the pedal. There is a lot going into this book when it comes to culture, religions, beliefs, and the magic system, so utilize the glossary to its fullest potential. As someone who is rather tired of Eurocentric fantasy, this was a refreshing dive into a high fantasy series.
I found myself having trouble settling into this novel at first; there is a lot of info-dumping within the first 50 pages that felt more textbook than world-building. If you stick with it, readers, you will be delighted to find a great story beyond the construction that serves up a complex world and ambitious debut. That being said, there are some points where I felt surrounded by information and forgot plot ties, but I feel that is common in many first novels and believe this story has the potential to be a great one.
It lost some points in the story construction, but there is definitely an emerald within. 3.5/5
Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry
I am no retelling fanatic but a local horror bookseller put this book in my fantasy loving hands and said "read this, you'll love it." So I did!
An absolute sickening delight of a read that encompasses Lord of the Flies and a twisted Neverland through the eyes of none other than: Captain James Hook. The original lost boy.
Henry breathes a paternal life into this originally paper tiger character from fairy tales past. Before he was Hook, Jamie was the caretaker for the discarded play things of Pan, our lost boys. Either picked off by pirates, many eyed things, or one another - bloodshed just means another boy for Pan to bring home as a toy, with Jamie left to care for them, or clean up the bodies. The mirage of Peter wavers when Jamie realizes Pan's never ending lies, so begins a cat and mouse game on the island of Neverland.
A must read: 5/5
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Forever cursed, a child's wretched plaything.
I am no retelling fanatic but a local horror bookseller put this book in my fantasy loving hands and said "read this, you'll love it." So I did!
An absolute sickening delight of a read that encompasses Lord of the Flies and a twisted Neverland through the eyes of none other than: Captain James Hook. The original lost boy.
Henry breathes a paternal life into this originally paper tiger character from fairy tales past. Before he was Hook, Jamie was the caretaker for the discarded play things of Pan, our lost boys. Either picked off by pirates, many eyed things, or one another - bloodshed just means another boy for Pan to bring home as a toy, with Jamie left to care for them, or clean up the bodies. The mirage of Peter wavers when Jamie realizes Pan's never ending lies, so begins a cat and mouse game on the island of Neverland.
A must read: 5/5
The Fair Folk by Su Bristow
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I challenged myself to find a book at the store that I haven't heard of and came across this folksy cover for a novel that promised cautionary tales, magic, and fair folk. I was not disappointed!
A Rose by Any Other Name by Mary McMyne
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
"The truth is, that poet - a pox on it, I'll say his name - Will Shakespeare, pursued me freely, of his own choosing. And the sonnets he wrote of our encounters, the bitter spew of a jealous lover, nearly ruined me." A gothic and romantic retelling from the viewpoint of Shakespeare's elusive "Dark Lady" will captivatingly hold its reader until the very end.
McMyne is a critically underrated voice in fantastic retellings, transitioning from her debut in "Book of Gothel" straight into "A Rose by Any Other Name." I was surprised by the fast-paced narrative that does not leave you lingering too long with exposition. Our protagonist Rose, supported by her progressive father, refuses to capitulate to the bleak options for medieval women. Rose aspires to be a musician for the queen's court, with her best friend Cecely by her side, regardless of what her traditionalist alchemist mother thinks. After her father's untimely passing and a witch hunt for her family, Rose is thrust into the home of a lovesick childhood friend who coerces her into marriage, thanks to her scheming spellcasting mother. Rose has dreams written in the stars, and with the help of her new lover, Will, she will carve her own path — by any means necessary.
If you're drawn in by the poetic Shakespearean themes, manage your expectations. This one is a love letter to the sapphic horoscope lovers and features very little of the sonnets and verses made famous by our side character. What I did enjoy about this book is that Rose is a highly unlikeable character. She is remarkably selfish, a trait that is called out by her friends and family throughout the story. It is easy to sympathize with her plight, but her treatment of everyone around her as props in her success shows that she is a morally ambiguous character. I know that may sound odd, but I think it adds to the mystery surrounding the aforementioned "Dark Lady."
I particularly enjoyed the astrology in this book and felt that it was uniquely highlighted in a medieval retelling due to the plethora of competing beliefs around this time. The only thing that surprised me was how tidy the remaining chapters felt considering the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by Rose and her family. I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but it definitely felt like lower stakes once I reached the final chapter.
I believe this is a wonderful next step in McMyne's writing career, and I will continue to follow her work. 4/5 Stars.
McMyne is a critically underrated voice in fantastic retellings, transitioning from her debut in "Book of Gothel" straight into "A Rose by Any Other Name." I was surprised by the fast-paced narrative that does not leave you lingering too long with exposition. Our protagonist Rose, supported by her progressive father, refuses to capitulate to the bleak options for medieval women. Rose aspires to be a musician for the queen's court, with her best friend Cecely by her side, regardless of what her traditionalist alchemist mother thinks. After her father's untimely passing and a witch hunt for her family, Rose is thrust into the home of a lovesick childhood friend who coerces her into marriage, thanks to her scheming spellcasting mother. Rose has dreams written in the stars, and with the help of her new lover, Will, she will carve her own path — by any means necessary.
If you're drawn in by the poetic Shakespearean themes, manage your expectations. This one is a love letter to the sapphic horoscope lovers and features very little of the sonnets and verses made famous by our side character. What I did enjoy about this book is that Rose is a highly unlikeable character. She is remarkably selfish, a trait that is called out by her friends and family throughout the story. It is easy to sympathize with her plight, but her treatment of everyone around her as props in her success shows that she is a morally ambiguous character. I know that may sound odd, but I think it adds to the mystery surrounding the aforementioned "Dark Lady."
I particularly enjoyed the astrology in this book and felt that it was uniquely highlighted in a medieval retelling due to the plethora of competing beliefs around this time. The only thing that surprised me was how tidy the remaining chapters felt considering the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by Rose and her family. I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but it definitely felt like lower stakes once I reached the final chapter.
I believe this is a wonderful next step in McMyne's writing career, and I will continue to follow her work. 4/5 Stars.