bookish_selkie's reviews
2059 reviews

Triple-Duty Bodyguards by Lily Gold

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny 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

Dania will get out of prison and have her revenge if it’s the absolute last thing she does. Betrayed by someone she once loved, Dania is determined to save her family and take everything from those who took everything from her. Along the way, she is faced with mysterious djinn magic and new friendships. Is revenge all that matters or can she find a new way to go on?

What an incredible read! The writing was beautifully descriptive and used strong sensory details. You can feel the warmth of the sun, heat of the desert, and tasty food. Dania is hilarious and bitingly funny even in her darkest moments. Maz is stunning and readers will fall for him alongside Dania. I loved the heat and tension of the moments between them, particularly when Dania is in disguise. The friendship between Noor and Dania was also excellent. Magic comes with a serious price in this book and I loved how Emily Varga refused to let her characters off easily.

For She is Wrath has fantastic tropes, strong characters, and a romance to swoon for. I would highly recommend it to anyone and am excited to see what Emily Varga writes next!

Thank you to Emily Varga, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Debutantes by Olivia Worley

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

The Debutantes is a fast-paced and action-packed book that follows three girls whose lives are all changed by the debutante culture in New Orleans. When Lily, the queen bee of the event, sends a text before her disappearance, her friends do not immediately assume it’s real. But as clues fall into place, fear starts to creep in that Lily could be in serious danger. Can the three girls unite despite their differences to save Lily before it’s too late?

The Debutantes was hard to put down! It was very informative about debutante culture and how important it can be to families who have grown up with it. The Debutantes kept me guessing until the end! I liked the twists and enjoyed the mystery as it unfurled. All three of the girls had great personalities and compelling reasons to find Lily, even if friendship is the least of them. Readers who like Karen M. McManus and Diana Urban will enjoy this thrilling debutante mystery.

Thank you to Olivia Worley, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious 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

3.5

A New Lease on Death is an imaginative book that poses the question of what you would do if you were a ghost stuck in limbo. Cordelia seems doomed to passively haunt her apartment in death. Then a young woman named Ruby moves in and Cordelia decides to try to connect with one of the living. Desperate for a job, Ruby also starts to question some of the strange things related to her neighbor’s death. Is murder still lurking around the building?

It took a bit to hook me, but at a certain point I was fully invested in the shenanigans of Cordelia and Ruby. They have great banter together and some hilarious scenes as they work through the challenges of spirit communication. The twist at the end as to the real murderer was satisfying and well-thought out. I hope there are more adventures with Ruby and Cordelia to come! A New Lease on Death is a lighthearted cozy mystery that is perfect for spooky season.

Thank you to Olivia Blacke, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced