bookboxbabe's reviews
271 reviews

City of Thorns by C.N. Crawford

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

now wtf was that

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Murder

Compass and Blade by Rachel Greenlaw

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

not really sure how to feel about this. the plot was so all over the place and conflicts/people were thrown in for no real good reason. the love interest (no idea which one were are supposed to be liking) is bland with like nothing compelling about him. why mira likes him is a mystery.

but the audiobook was lovely and really brought the story to life, so an extra star for that

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Gun violence

Court of Vines and Vipers by Emberly Ash

adventurous hopeful sad tense 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

5.0

first of all how dare you

second if all, this book just solidifies that this is one of my favorite series of all time.

this book was ROUGH on my emotions but i enjoyed every time a tear was shed. the angst, the tension, the steam, it all just fits together nicely and emberly really just makes it impossible to put the book down (i’m writing this review at midnight)

i love veyka and arran and i can not wait to see how she will wrap up this insane story. when is book 4 coming again??

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Torture, and Rape

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

sumi is the most annoying character and every time she leaves i hope she’ll stay gone

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty

Minor: Forced institutionalization and Gaslighting

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

dark hopeful fast-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

4.0

this is the weirdest book i’ve ever read but i think i liked it?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Murder, Gore, Animal cruelty, and Blood

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

4.0

i’m not emotionally okay because wtf?? HELLO?? 

rude

in all seriousness though, i loved this. it has slight middle book syndrome in the fact that there were some filler moments and the first 50% was kind of slow and boring at times, but the payoff was so worth it!!

give me book 3 now please and thanks

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

Crossed by Emily McIntire

dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Rape, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

when i die, bury me with this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder

Twisted by Emily McIntire

dark emotional sad fast-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

4.0

my favorite of the series so far<3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Car accident, Cursing, Murder, and Torture

The Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

(4.5*)

*thank you netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I absolutely ADORED this oh my god

Jake and Willow are exactly the protagonists I love to see in middle grade novels, they know their strengths and weaknesses and lean on each other through it all to get the outcome they need. I loved their sibling dynamic as well and how much they cared about each other.

The world was also spectacular. I absolutely love fairytale’s, especially Grimm’s Fairytales, so seeing them retold in this whimsical way was so amazing. I felt like i was actually there in Grimmworld with these characters and felt goosebumps at the stakes.

I can’t wait for the next book!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture, Death, and Murder