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blissofalife's reviews
118 reviews
A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved Freya! Self-aware and willing to examine her own actions and their consequences as well as those of others, I appreciate that despite being the child of gods she doesn’t view herself as inherently superior.
Lots of mystery, plenty of tension. Despite building in several scenes that could’ve easily been much more salacious, I’m glad that they weren’t. The love plot line isn’t the main plot line but an important supporting line. But for a “forbidden attraction” trope, this one was done well and made sense with the story.
Would recommend for adults with an interest in Nordic mythology who enjoy fantastical adventures with a side of forbidden romance.
Can’t wait for the next installment!
Lots of mystery, plenty of tension. Despite building in several scenes that could’ve easily been much more salacious, I’m glad that they weren’t. The love plot line isn’t the main plot line but an important supporting line. But for a “forbidden attraction” trope, this one was done well and made sense with the story.
Would recommend for adults with an interest in Nordic mythology who enjoy fantastical adventures with a side of forbidden romance.
Can’t wait for the next installment!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism
It’s about Nordic warriors with several battle scenes and a few loved scenes all written for adults. Graphic but not gratuitous.
Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I’m a huge fan of witches who aren’t over powerful and this one was done so well! I liked the alternating POV and how it both told us more than the individuals characters knew while still keeping us in the dark. But man, this was a long one. And for all its length, there are so many loose ends! I feel like I’ve been left with more questions than answers, especially in the last few chapters.
Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook!
Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Self harm, and Stalking
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loved the background we’re given in this one! A visit to Singing Hills AT LAST! I enjoyed the origin stories, and that there were so many of them. I liked seeing a bit of conflict between the main characters and how they handled it, great character development! Another great addition to a fantastic series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Much more action packed than the previous installments! I did however, miss the storytelling outline of the previous books, but I still loved this one. I’m excited to continue on with this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A fun, un-serious romp that felt reminiscent of a dungeons and dragons campaign. I loved the sass of all of the characters as well as the (very relatable) reactions of the main character to combat situations. I loved cinnamons complete and utter reluctance to be a hero and her massive pockets full of snacks.
I liked the plot. I thought it was fun. I liked most all the characters and how they interacted with one another and that as a whole The conflict was towards an entity and not with each other.
I did NOT like the sex scenes. Not because I don’t like sex scenes, but because it felt like they were unnecessarily lengthy and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. To be honest, they felt like something straight out of fanfiction. By the third one, I was skipping through the whole thing.
Overall of fun read, but I think I would’ve struggled to finish it if I hadn’t been listening to it on a 6 Hour drive.
That said, I’ll give the next book in the series a try, I really loved the narrator and did think it was a fun book. Just not one I’ll be recommending to my book club lol.
I liked the plot. I thought it was fun. I liked most all the characters and how they interacted with one another and that as a whole The conflict was towards an entity and not with each other.
I did NOT like the sex scenes. Not because I don’t like sex scenes, but because it felt like they were unnecessarily lengthy and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. To be honest, they felt like something straight out of fanfiction. By the third one, I was skipping through the whole thing.
Overall of fun read, but I think I would’ve struggled to finish it if I hadn’t been listening to it on a 6 Hour drive.
That said, I’ll give the next book in the series a try, I really loved the narrator and did think it was a fun book. Just not one I’ll be recommending to my book club lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I was a little disappointed with the climax and ending. It felt like we were building up to some grand reveal which never came. Even the title of the book felt a little misleading? Familiars were mentioned, but never obviously attached or showed clear purpose. I didn’t really understand Fleetwood obsession with Alice, but maybe that was the point and I missed it. And the big reveal about her husband having another family? Why did that just fizzle out at the end and come to nothing? We spent half the book with her being so distressed about it and in the end the solution is: “I’ll just ignore it.” But the reveal at the end that these were real characters and loosely. (very loosely.) based on real events was super interesting to me!
I did, however, love the attention to historical detail and dedication to - as far as I can tell - historical accuracy in the descriptions of interactions between the classes and feelings and views of the time. As well as what the characters were wearing, and why.
I did, however, love the attention to historical detail and dedication to - as far as I can tell - historical accuracy in the descriptions of interactions between the classes and feelings and views of the time. As well as what the characters were wearing, and why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, and Classism
Minor: Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Any fear I had of this series being repetitive have been laid to rest. I loved the style of this one, how it was distinctly different but also similar to the first!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved this short story! I loved the format, it wasn’t at all what I expected. I wish I we had learned more about the monk, but I’m sure we’ll find out bits and pieces in following stories. Audiobook was certainly the way to go. It brought the story to life and felt so realistic. I can’t wait to read more of these stories!
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
Regrettably, I am About to Cause Trouble by Amie McNee
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
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
McNee is a masterful writer. Seamlessly blending modern profanity and sass with the Tudor setting. I loved hearing her as the narrator, with the delivery being exactly as she imagined. This is everything I could have wanted in a witchy book and more. I’m a firm lover of stand-alone novels, but I want more of this little coven!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Cursing
Moderate: Sexism and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Outofshapeworthlessloser: A Memoir of Figure Skating, F*cking Up, and Figuring It Out by Gracie Gold
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
The blurb describes this as a “tell-all” and it felt wholly accurate. She didn’t hold back on the details, no matter how uncomfortable. Assault, eating disorders, and mental health are not easy subjects to cover but are important to address.
I hope she is able to continue to make waves in the skating world and enact the changes she needed when she was younger.
Well written and I always appreciate when memoirs are narrated by the one whose life is being shared.
I hope she is able to continue to make waves in the skating world and enact the changes she needed when she was younger.
Well written and I always appreciate when memoirs are narrated by the one whose life is being shared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, and Pandemic/Epidemic