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booksdogsandcoffee's reviews
589 reviews
How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Brophy takes a contemporary magical world and masterfully weaves racial, social, educational, and gender topics into this magical realm. Their debut is witty, smart all while these themes are discussed with such care. Showing what young women bipoc/queer folks go through to achieve academic advancement in a white mans world(even when it is a “fantasy world”) was difficult to read but so necessary. I loved the intersectionality of this book, the magic system, and so much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Racism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
House of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
If I could take the feel I had when reading vampire academy, and watching true blood and underworld for the first time. That is how I felt reading House of Crimson Hearts.
Ruby Roe has set up a dark, mysterious and tantalizing world of vampires, dhampir, witches and hunters. The world building was absolutely fantastic, along with top tier spice. This book had me in a chokehold needing to know what was going to happen next with Octavia and Red at every turn and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Ruby Roe has set up a dark, mysterious and tantalizing world of vampires, dhampir, witches and hunters. The world building was absolutely fantastic, along with top tier spice. This book had me in a chokehold needing to know what was going to happen next with Octavia and Red at every turn and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Violence, Death, Sexual content, Gore, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.75
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton sprinkled with the vibes of Halloweentown and a dash of coziness.
Thank you orbit/redhook for an advance reader copy!
ShieId's debut was trying to do many things, some well and some not. I loved the magic system of the Honey and Ash witches, it was so cool how each type works both together and with nature. I also loved the grumpy/sunshine romance dynamic.
What I personally don't think worked is the pacing, and voice of the novel. It started off very well, then sadly dragged for almost 150 pages till it really peaked my interest again. With the voicing of the book, when in the village of Bardshire there is a certain tone the author uses, while in Innisfree there is another. Which may be what was intended, but again in my personal opinion was a bit hard to read and follow while reading.
I would have loved to see the ending fleshed out a bit more. But overall I think this book is going to find it's people and so many will love and enjoy it.
Thank you orbit/redhook for an advance reader copy!
ShieId's debut was trying to do many things, some well and some not. I loved the magic system of the Honey and Ash witches, it was so cool how each type works both together and with nature. I also loved the grumpy/sunshine romance dynamic.
What I personally don't think worked is the pacing, and voice of the novel. It started off very well, then sadly dragged for almost 150 pages till it really peaked my interest again. With the voicing of the book, when in the village of Bardshire there is a certain tone the author uses, while in Innisfree there is another. Which may be what was intended, but again in my personal opinion was a bit hard to read and follow while reading.
I would have loved to see the ending fleshed out a bit more. But overall I think this book is going to find it's people and so many will love and enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture
Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
The platonic romance I needed in my life. Two aro/ace relationship instagram accounts at Wellesley university begin feuding online. While in person the two people behind the accounts start to become best friends. This was an absolutely wonderful take on the college experience and we need more aro/ace spec books in the world!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Not the book I expected from Bardugo but the one I didn't know I needed.
This is a book about magic, ancestry, breaking your chains, and changing your fate. It is so different from everything else she has written and I loved it!
This is a book about magic, ancestry, breaking your chains, and changing your fate. It is so different from everything else she has written and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Racism, and Xenophobia
The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Dragons, and mages and knights oh my! I did not see that twist coming!! This fast past medieval novella will have you sitting on the edge of your seat needing answers till the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Misogyny, Vomit, and Blood
The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Walter seamlessly intertwines the rise of the Malevolent Queen from Snow White with the historical saga of the life of Anne Boleyn.
Crimson Crown is a story of women, witches, coming into your own and learning that you always have your own power even when they call you powerless.
I have always loved the history of the Tudors, especially Anne. Her story has always fascinated me from a very young age, as it did with many others. She is the most well known of Henry the 8th's six wives. What Walter has done with Crimson Crown is something I have never seen any other do before (and she nailed it). Knowing Anne's story and reading this I screamed, squealed, and yes even threw my book at the tid bits she put in about Anne's life that just elevated the novel to a whole new level.
I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this phenomenal novel.
Crimson Crown is a story of women, witches, coming into your own and learning that you always have your own power even when they call you powerless.
I have always loved the history of the Tudors, especially Anne. Her story has always fascinated me from a very young age, as it did with many others. She is the most well known of Henry the 8th's six wives. What Walter has done with Crimson Crown is something I have never seen any other do before (and she nailed it). Knowing Anne's story and reading this I screamed, squealed, and yes even threw my book at the tid bits she put in about Anne's life that just elevated the novel to a whole new level.
I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this phenomenal novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
4.5
For the people who loved tog and Acotar but knew it was missing diverse and queer characters A Broken Blade is absolutely for you. Blair provides us with lush storytelling f all while the plot is parallel to what we did to indigenous people (USA &canada) Keera is a multilayered character that you can’t help but love because of her big heart all the damage she carries with her. I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, War, Xenophobia, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Sexual content