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bookishflower's reviews
155 reviews
Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
14/15+
Thank you BKMRK for sending me an arc!
Okay, I have no idea how to review this spoiler-free, but I will try my best!
I’ve had a complicated relationship with Alexandra Bracken’s writing in the past, where I’ve enjoyed the premise but something fell flat, but this lived up to my expectations and more.
The atmosphere and world building was beautiful, haunting and unique- especially impressive given the abundance of Arthurian inspired media. (I’m a BBC Merlin girl, I love it all).
Tamsin was wonderfully fascinating, flawed and determined. I’d actually love to see her explore a darker side of herself in the next book, it would make a really interesting dynamic with *redacted*. I’d also like to see more hollower heists…
Emrys is joining the lovable-bastards-with-secret-hearts-of-gold club. (Very catchy, I know).
The found family provided the relief necessary among the surprisingly dark world of Avalon. There were a lot of side characters that blurred together and got confusing after a while, but the story mostly focused on the main 8 (give or take) characters so this wasn’t too much of a concern.
The characterisation, plot, pacing, and world building were all amazing. Definitely recommend and after that ending I’ll be needed the sequel as soon as possible!
Thank you BKMRK for sending me an arc!
Okay, I have no idea how to review this spoiler-free, but I will try my best!
I’ve had a complicated relationship with Alexandra Bracken’s writing in the past, where I’ve enjoyed the premise but something fell flat, but this lived up to my expectations and more.
The atmosphere and world building was beautiful, haunting and unique- especially impressive given the abundance of Arthurian inspired media. (I’m a BBC Merlin girl, I love it all).
Tamsin was wonderfully fascinating, flawed and determined. I’d actually love to see her explore a darker side of herself in the next book, it would make a really interesting dynamic with *redacted*. I’d also like to see more hollower heists…
Emrys is joining the lovable-bastards-with-secret-hearts-of-gold club. (Very catchy, I know).
The found family provided the relief necessary among the surprisingly dark world of Avalon. There were a lot of side characters that blurred together and got confusing after a while, but the story mostly focused on the main 8 (give or take) characters so this wasn’t too much of a concern.
The characterisation, plot, pacing, and world building were all amazing. Definitely recommend and after that ending I’ll be needed the sequel as soon as possible!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Genocide, Abandonment, Grief, Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
3.0
3*
Thank you Harper Collins/HarperVoyager and NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
So, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
I feel like this would appeal to people who read one direction fan fiction, take that how you will.
I went into this hoping to find a cute, simple hallmark inspired romance but it became far too convoluted when it didn’t need to be.
The blueprint was there, but the execution fell a little flat. I never felt really invested at all.
I will say, I still enjoyed this as a Christmas read and loved seeing plus size representation but this felt too long, and quite cringy at times.
If you want a spicy Christmas romcom this will work for you, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you Harper Collins/HarperVoyager and NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
So, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
I feel like this would appeal to people who read one direction fan fiction, take that how you will.
I went into this hoping to find a cute, simple hallmark inspired romance but it became far too convoluted when it didn’t need to be.
The blueprint was there, but the execution fell a little flat. I never felt really invested at all.
I will say, I still enjoyed this as a Christmas read and loved seeing plus size representation but this felt too long, and quite cringy at times.
If you want a spicy Christmas romcom this will work for you, but it just wasn’t for me.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If any of the following appeal, pick up this book:
- light academia
- Cottagecore
- Fae
- Cosy fantasy
- Atmospheric writing
- Fantasy Romance
- Grumpy x sunshine where she’s the grumpy one
Synopsis:
Taking a field trip to Hrafsvik to continue her study of faeries, Emily is determined to complete her encyclopaedia which could be groundbreaking in the academic study of dryadology.
But Emily’s strong suit is books and research, not people.
And as if her rocky start with the town’s people wasn’t bad enough, her persistently charming and aggravating handsome rival, Wendell Bambleby, decides to arrive.
Working together Emily and Wendell attempt to piece together the secrets of the Hidden Ones, while exploring their partnership and hearts.
This was beautifully written and a perfect winter read to curl up with. It was atmospheric, lyrical and full of whimsy.
I can see how this might not be for everyone as it has very flowery language and a Howl Pendragon type love interest, but I loved that as it felt accurate to Emily’s distinct voice and they complimented each other well.
(This will come as a surprise to no one who knows me, but I love Anne of Green Gables with my whole heart so know I don’t say this lightly, this has a strong Anne and Gilbert dynamic)!
The world building was intricate and reminded me a lot of Margaret Rogerson’s books and the A Natural History of Dragons series.
Emily is also autistic-coded which was really nice to see!
- light academia
- Cottagecore
- Fae
- Cosy fantasy
- Atmospheric writing
- Fantasy Romance
- Grumpy x sunshine where she’s the grumpy one
Synopsis:
Taking a field trip to Hrafsvik to continue her study of faeries, Emily is determined to complete her encyclopaedia which could be groundbreaking in the academic study of dryadology.
But Emily’s strong suit is books and research, not people.
And as if her rocky start with the town’s people wasn’t bad enough, her persistently charming and aggravating handsome rival, Wendell Bambleby, decides to arrive.
Working together Emily and Wendell attempt to piece together the secrets of the Hidden Ones, while exploring their partnership and hearts.
This was beautifully written and a perfect winter read to curl up with. It was atmospheric, lyrical and full of whimsy.
I can see how this might not be for everyone as it has very flowery language and a Howl Pendragon type love interest, but I loved that as it felt accurate to Emily’s distinct voice and they complimented each other well.
(This will come as a surprise to no one who knows me, but I love Anne of Green Gables with my whole heart so know I don’t say this lightly, this has a strong Anne and Gilbert dynamic)!
The world building was intricate and reminded me a lot of Margaret Rogerson’s books and the A Natural History of Dragons series.
Emily is also autistic-coded which was really nice to see!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Abandonment, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Murder, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Sapphic Titanic heist. Need I say more?
- found family
- wlw and woc rep
- Tense and endearing
- Climbing vents (a personal favourite)
- Heist!
Thank you Hachette Children’s Group/team BKMRK and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. (Review approved by HarperCollins Union if posted with UK cover).
‘4 girls, a priceless treasure, and an unsinkable ship. But what happens when secrets, old grudges, and new desires complicate things? All aboard the RMS Titanic, this heist will go on’ (is that a terrible pun? Yes, yes it is).
Somehow I went into this thinking I wouldn’t get hurt. I was wrong. I did this to myself.
As someone who had far too much of an interest in the Titanic as a child, I had to read this. Throw in a heist and sapphic characters I was sold!
Without giving anything away, the found family in this is heartwarming and heartbreaking, I will protect Hinnah with my life, to the Titanic film fans, there are references, and I have a need to hit August hard in the head with his book of poetry.
This is quite a slow paced book and more historical fiction first, heist book second, so keep that in mind, but I loved it even if the sword of Damocles was hanging over my head the whole time. We need more historical fiction centring marginalised groups.
- found family
- wlw and woc rep
- Tense and endearing
- Climbing vents (a personal favourite)
- Heist!
Thank you Hachette Children’s Group/team BKMRK and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. (Review approved by HarperCollins Union if posted with UK cover).
‘4 girls, a priceless treasure, and an unsinkable ship. But what happens when secrets, old grudges, and new desires complicate things? All aboard the RMS Titanic, this heist will go on’ (is that a terrible pun? Yes, yes it is).
Somehow I went into this thinking I wouldn’t get hurt. I was wrong. I did this to myself.
As someone who had far too much of an interest in the Titanic as a child, I had to read this. Throw in a heist and sapphic characters I was sold!
Without giving anything away, the found family in this is heartwarming and heartbreaking, I will protect Hinnah with my life, to the Titanic film fans, there are references, and I have a need to hit August hard in the head with his book of poetry.
This is quite a slow paced book and more historical fiction first, heist book second, so keep that in mind, but I loved it even if the sword of Damocles was hanging over my head the whole time. We need more historical fiction centring marginalised groups.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, Classism, Death, Misogyny, and Confinement
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
sad
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 Dead Romantics is for the eldest siblings, people with anxiety, those who escape into books, the 'tis the damn season lovers, people who were bullied in school, the hopeless romantics who have been hurt by love but keep trying, and the people who long for things that only exist in their memories.
This cute, spooky book hurt , but was so comforting at the same time. A beautiful exploration of grief, family, love, and learning to trust again.
The perfect read for an autumnal night when you want something cosy, human, and full of heart.
Thank you HQ/ HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
This cute, spooky book hurt , but was so comforting at the same time. A beautiful exploration of grief, family, love, and learning to trust again.
The perfect read for an autumnal night when you want something cosy, human, and full of heart.
Thank you HQ/ HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Child death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
The Hummingbird Coven by Augusta Owens
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
A 13 year old lesbian discovers she’s a witch, slowly falls in love with her best friend whose dad is totally an accountant (promise!), and whose coven randomly blasts into her house consisting of a short witch with anger-management issues and her sweet, nature witch girlfriend; this wasn’t exactly what Amelia thought would happen when her grandmother died.
(There might also be a magic library, foul-mouthed cat, and a gargoyle named Jerry).
This was really sweet! The characters were loveable, the conflict was tense and I’m intrigued to see where the rest of the series goes.
(There might also be a magic library, foul-mouthed cat, and a gargoyle named Jerry).
This was really sweet! The characters were loveable, the conflict was tense and I’m intrigued to see where the rest of the series goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Vomit, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Baking Bad by Kim M. Watt
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
‘Miriam thought about protesting, then decided that if one were to face down a murderer, one should do it accompanied by dragons’.
- cozy fantasy
- dragons
- murder mystery
This was the women-of-an-older-age-meddling-in-a-murder-investigation book I thought ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ was going to be. Oh, and it has dragons.
This was a funny, cozy mystery and surprisingly a very accurate depiction of village life- albeit minus the murder!
The mystery element wasn’t as strong as it necessarily could have been, but I couldn’t bring myself to care! I was too busy being invested in the WI and scone-eating dragons!
(Who knew I’d identify the most with a highly anxious dragon with a penchant for unseasonable mince pies?!)
If you’re after a bit of light relief, and a cozy fantasy/mystery, welcome to Toot Hansell: here be dragons.
- cozy fantasy
- dragons
- murder mystery
This was the women-of-an-older-age-meddling-in-a-murder-investigation book I thought ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ was going to be. Oh, and it has dragons.
This was a funny, cozy mystery and surprisingly a very accurate depiction of village life- albeit minus the murder!
The mystery element wasn’t as strong as it necessarily could have been, but I couldn’t bring myself to care! I was too busy being invested in the WI and scone-eating dragons!
(Who knew I’d identify the most with a highly anxious dragon with a penchant for unseasonable mince pies?!)
If you’re after a bit of light relief, and a cozy fantasy/mystery, welcome to Toot Hansell: here be dragons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5*
Thank you Harper Collins/HarperVoyager and NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about 'Her Majesty's Royal Coven' which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it.
Nicola Coughlan does an amazing job narrating the book, I don't think there is an accent she can't do! The politics of this book are really important and it is worth reading for that alone, however I found myself struggling with the pacing and writing style.
There were a lot of pop-culture references in this which don't normally bother me, but there is only so many times I can hear about the Spice Girls before I need you to 'stop right now thank you very much'. I also, unfortunately, found the writing style to be very blunt and I struggled to remain engaged even during tense moments.
Most of the action happens in the last 20% of the book, making the first half feel much longer than it is and the ending too rushed. I was tempted to DNF multiple times but instead just listened on double speed. However, I will say that once I got to the last 20% I enjoyed the book significantly more.
'Her Majesty's Royal Coven' is a low urban fantasy about witches with important queer political commentary, but the fantasy world building was lacking and as such felt more like a political essay using witches as a metaphor rather than a fantasy novel. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I was disappointed as this was sold as an 'epic fantasy' which it wasn't. There is nothing escapist about this. (Perhaps the world building will develop in the rest of the trilogy?).
Overall, I think this contains a really important discussion and is worth reading for the politics, but if you are not more interested in that than the fantasy aspect, you might struggle with 'Her Majesty's Royal Coven'.
Thank you Harper Collins/HarperVoyager and NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about 'Her Majesty's Royal Coven' which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it.
Nicola Coughlan does an amazing job narrating the book, I don't think there is an accent she can't do! The politics of this book are really important and it is worth reading for that alone, however I found myself struggling with the pacing and writing style.
There were a lot of pop-culture references in this which don't normally bother me, but there is only so many times I can hear about the Spice Girls before I need you to 'stop right now thank you very much'. I also, unfortunately, found the writing style to be very blunt and I struggled to remain engaged even during tense moments.
Most of the action happens in the last 20% of the book, making the first half feel much longer than it is and the ending too rushed. I was tempted to DNF multiple times but instead just listened on double speed. However, I will say that once I got to the last 20% I enjoyed the book significantly more.
'Her Majesty's Royal Coven' is a low urban fantasy about witches with important queer political commentary, but the fantasy world building was lacking and as such felt more like a political essay using witches as a metaphor rather than a fantasy novel. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I was disappointed as this was sold as an 'epic fantasy' which it wasn't. There is nothing escapist about this. (Perhaps the world building will develop in the rest of the trilogy?).
Overall, I think this contains a really important discussion and is worth reading for the politics, but if you are not more interested in that than the fantasy aspect, you might struggle with 'Her Majesty's Royal Coven'.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Deadnaming, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Outing, Transphobia, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal death and Body shaming
Aces Wild: A Heist by Amanda DeWitt
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
- Aroace, ace, demiromantic, and non-binary rep
- Unreliable narrator
- Chaotic schemes
- Coming of age
Thank you Peachtree Teen, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
‘Jack Shannon runs an underground blackjack club at his private school, but when his casino mogul mother is arrested, he knows exactly who’s to blame: rival casino owner, Peter Carlevaro. Determined to get his own back, Jack and his online best friends also known as the asexual support group are plotting the revenge of a lifetime. Who needs luck when you have five aces up your sleeve?’
Imagine Kaz Brekker had a modern, snarky, ace and chaotic son and you’ve got Jack Shannon. This was a wild ride and had good ace representation, but I feel like this wasn’t technically a heist book and upon reflection, wasn’t as good as I initially thought.
The found family, ace representation, and storytelling was fun but this unfortunately had a passing joke about police brutality that felt wrong to me, and a deaf reviewer has pointed out that one of the characters is deaf, but their hearing aid is used by a hearing person as a plot device. (However, as a disclaimer, always look at what BIPOC and deaf reviewers are saying as I am white and not hard of hearing).
This was unfortunately disappointing as I was very excited about the all ace cast :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Child abuse, Classism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Cursing
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood