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breabooks's reviews
169 reviews
Of Magic and Rum by Carly Spade
4.0
This was a fun spin on Calico Jack with magic, mythology, and romance!
The writing is fun, fast paced, and relatable even though it’s set in 1700s Nassau. I absolutely adored every character. Anne was fun and determined. Jack was SO fun - he’s one of those goofs I would want to befriend in real life. The cat companion was just the cherry on top. ALL of the crew characters were well-developed. The magic mixed with mythology was unique- I really enjoyed how the story pulled from multiple mythos. The romance was full of tension and spice (so this is def an adult book).
I need more of Jack and Rhode!!
Thank you RR Book Tours and the author for the gifted eARC
The writing is fun, fast paced, and relatable even though it’s set in 1700s Nassau. I absolutely adored every character. Anne was fun and determined. Jack was SO fun - he’s one of those goofs I would want to befriend in real life. The cat companion was just the cherry on top. ALL of the crew characters were well-developed. The magic mixed with mythology was unique- I really enjoyed how the story pulled from multiple mythos. The romance was full of tension and spice (so this is def an adult book).
I need more of Jack and Rhode!!
Thank you RR Book Tours and the author for the gifted eARC
In the Wake of the Wicked by V.B. Lacey
5.0
Wow. What a whirlwind! This book put me through a slew of emotions, even making me cry a little bit.
This story is hard to summarize. At almost 700 pages long, the story is complicated and hard to minimize to a few sentences, but I’ll try!! A kingdom is overcome by a curse that randomly puts people in an everlasting sleep. The provinces of the kingdom are at odds with each other, each vying for more magical power. Rose is from a providence of Alchemist but is an outcast because of her past. She’s forced into a trial in which she never even expected to compete. Rose must overcome her past to bring down that which keeps the curse alive.
The world building is insane. The writing is immersive, making you feel like you’re part of the dual narrators’ psyche. The author can spend a long time on the character’s inner turmoil, but it makes the story that much better. I will say that the story started off pretty slow and doesn’t really pick up until at least the 30% point. I believe this is sort of expected with such a long and complicated world and story. The magic is fantastic. Each province contains a different speciality of magic.
I freaking LOVE how Lacey develops her characters. The main characters are very emotionally intelligent. We readers get to watch them work through their problems, feelings, and trauma in their head. THIS is what made me cry- the specific (spoilery so vague) revelations of letting one’s walls down to let others in.
The last 100ish pages were brutal. Great, but brutal. Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster.
I cannot wait for the next in the series of interconnected standalone.
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This story is hard to summarize. At almost 700 pages long, the story is complicated and hard to minimize to a few sentences, but I’ll try!! A kingdom is overcome by a curse that randomly puts people in an everlasting sleep. The provinces of the kingdom are at odds with each other, each vying for more magical power. Rose is from a providence of Alchemist but is an outcast because of her past. She’s forced into a trial in which she never even expected to compete. Rose must overcome her past to bring down that which keeps the curse alive.
The world building is insane. The writing is immersive, making you feel like you’re part of the dual narrators’ psyche. The author can spend a long time on the character’s inner turmoil, but it makes the story that much better. I will say that the story started off pretty slow and doesn’t really pick up until at least the 30% point. I believe this is sort of expected with such a long and complicated world and story. The magic is fantastic. Each province contains a different speciality of magic.
I freaking LOVE how Lacey develops her characters. The main characters are very emotionally intelligent. We readers get to watch them work through their problems, feelings, and trauma in their head. THIS is what made me cry- the specific (spoilery so vague) revelations of letting one’s walls down to let others in.
The last 100ish pages were brutal. Great, but brutal. Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster.
I cannot wait for the next in the series of interconnected standalone.
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Monstrous Nights by Genoveva Dimova
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Foul Days walked (sprinted?) so Monstrous Nights could run. Dimova created an enthralling story that was impossible to put down. This was full of dry humor, fascinating Bulgarian folklore/magic, and a pinch of romance. And a freaking giant chicken.
The way I was able to immediately dive into the story without feeling lost speaks volumes to how well developed the characters were in the first book. This book was non-stop plot. One resolution would lead to more questions until it was all tied up nicely in the end. Kosara continued her self-discovery in her journey to find the root of the strange new happenings in Chernograd. Asen’s struggle to reconcile his past was sad but believable. The fantasy (almost gothic) murder-mystery type vibes prevail throughout with just a little sprinkle of a tiny romance sub-plot.
This was a great duology that I will recommend to all fantasy lovers. Thank you NetGalley and Tor for the eARC!
The way I was able to immediately dive into the story without feeling lost speaks volumes to how well developed the characters were in the first book. This book was non-stop plot. One resolution would lead to more questions until it was all tied up nicely in the end. Kosara continued her self-discovery in her journey to find the root of the strange new happenings in Chernograd. Asen’s struggle to reconcile his past was sad but believable. The fantasy (almost gothic) murder-mystery type vibes prevail throughout with just a little sprinkle of a tiny romance sub-plot.
This was a great duology that I will recommend to all fantasy lovers. Thank you NetGalley and Tor for the eARC!
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This is one of those books that I delayed finishing because of the inevitable book hangover. I devoured the last 100 pages but felt instant regret once I knew I would not be in Mistei anymore. Servant of Earth is easily one of my top books of the year.
Kenna finds herself trapped in the underground fae court of Mistei after some major trauma. Her best friend dies, thus confirming her town’s bogus faith in the fae. Kenna must rely on her own wit and a sentient dagger as she’s forced to assist her new mistress in 6 deadly trials. She quickly finds herself torn between different allegiances as she’s caught in the middle of a secret rebellion against the heinous fae king.
Servant of Earth is very dark. The plot is immersive - full of twists with little bits of foreshadowing breadcrumbs. The fae, while wildly different from other stories in class and description, are cruel and conniving. The story is heavy on politics that reflect universal truths such as a house (or court) divided cannot stand. The world-building is beautiful and macabre. The fae live underground in a complex court that’s stunningly attractive and terrifying at the same time.
Kenna is one of my favorite main characters this year. I found myself heavily invested in her success. Kenna will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. While she understands the necessity of alliances and playing along to further her objectives, she still saves herself. I’ve never hated a protagonist as much as King Osric. The other main characters are not what they seem, each developing/changing drastically by the end.
With that, I need book 2. Immediately.
Thank you Sarah Hawley for the (traveling) arc!
Kenna finds herself trapped in the underground fae court of Mistei after some major trauma. Her best friend dies, thus confirming her town’s bogus faith in the fae. Kenna must rely on her own wit and a sentient dagger as she’s forced to assist her new mistress in 6 deadly trials. She quickly finds herself torn between different allegiances as she’s caught in the middle of a secret rebellion against the heinous fae king.
Servant of Earth is very dark. The plot is immersive - full of twists with little bits of foreshadowing breadcrumbs. The fae, while wildly different from other stories in class and description, are cruel and conniving. The story is heavy on politics that reflect universal truths such as a house (or court) divided cannot stand. The world-building is beautiful and macabre. The fae live underground in a complex court that’s stunningly attractive and terrifying at the same time.
Kenna is one of my favorite main characters this year. I found myself heavily invested in her success. Kenna will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. While she understands the necessity of alliances and playing along to further her objectives, she still saves herself. I’ve never hated a protagonist as much as King Osric. The other main characters are not what they seem, each developing/changing drastically by the end.
With that, I need book 2. Immediately.
Thank you Sarah Hawley for the (traveling) arc!
A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
What a sweet, witchy, cozy read! A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney is reminiscent of practical magic with strong themes of family, magic, and a sense is belonging.
This is the first witchy book I’ve read that delves deep into actually explaining different types of witchcraft. While I may not know if it’s accurate, the descriptions of the different types of witches - hedge, shadow, kitchen, etc - were fascinating. The “world building” in this modern setting was excellent.
The story was cute with a few high stakes moments, but overall a perfect cozy fall read. Hecate is 30 year old hedge witch who is set her routine until a hexan from the notorious Pacific Gate coven, Matthew, shows up seeking sanctuary. Hecate is charming. Matthew is mysterious and precious. The overall story explores the idea of how the choices we make us who we are meant to be. The story wraps up nicely after some pretty tense moments.
The author uses the same descriptive words often, especially the word “bemused.” That’s really the biggest issue I had. It was a fun book and I will recommend it all October!
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for the eARC!
This is the first witchy book I’ve read that delves deep into actually explaining different types of witchcraft. While I may not know if it’s accurate, the descriptions of the different types of witches - hedge, shadow, kitchen, etc - were fascinating. The “world building” in this modern setting was excellent.
The story was cute with a few high stakes moments, but overall a perfect cozy fall read. Hecate is 30 year old hedge witch who is set her routine until a hexan from the notorious Pacific Gate coven, Matthew, shows up seeking sanctuary. Hecate is charming. Matthew is mysterious and precious. The overall story explores the idea of how the choices we make us who we are meant to be. The story wraps up nicely after some pretty tense moments.
The author uses the same descriptive words often, especially the word “bemused.” That’s really the biggest issue I had. It was a fun book and I will recommend it all October!
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for the eARC!
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
I’m not sure where to begin with this review other than I wish I had some warning as to the amount of tragedy that occurs. I have zero knowledge of Chinese mythology, so I went into this book with only the knowledge that it is a historical fantasy(ish).
Xishi is an otherworldly beauty who, like everyone else, suffers from the side effects of war. Her sister was killed and her village suffers. She hates the Wu people. Xishi is able to potential enact her revenge when Fanli, the advisor of the Yue Kingdom, recruits her to become a spy disguised as a concubine for the King of the Wu. Xishi and her best friend, Zhengdan, train with Fanli to become a concubine and palace lady respectively. When Xishi finally arrives in the palace she must question her feelings of affection, play the games of the court, and win over King Fuchai in order to bring down his kingdom.
Ok, so… the story itself is great. Beautiful and heart wrenching, Liang explored what the true idea of freedom is among a monarchy. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings in addition to making you question your beliefs. It reads like a K-drama, which I assume is the point. The prose was beautiful if not overdone. I thought the pacing all over the place. The action would be nonstop only to lull with page after page of prose and inner monologue. I skimmed over a lot that did not advance the plot.
The characters were all incredibly tragic. I feel like Liang did all of the characters justice in terms of development. The development between characters was lacking. There was so much potential to build the connection between (to avoid spoilers) both sets of couples, but instead it’s assumed that they just grew closer. I also found it weird that Xishi’s illness basically goes away even though it was prominent at the start.
Overall, it was a solid 3. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t see myself buying a copy or rereading it. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC
Xishi is an otherworldly beauty who, like everyone else, suffers from the side effects of war. Her sister was killed and her village suffers. She hates the Wu people. Xishi is able to potential enact her revenge when Fanli, the advisor of the Yue Kingdom, recruits her to become a spy disguised as a concubine for the King of the Wu. Xishi and her best friend, Zhengdan, train with Fanli to become a concubine and palace lady respectively. When Xishi finally arrives in the palace she must question her feelings of affection, play the games of the court, and win over King Fuchai in order to bring down his kingdom.
Ok, so… the story itself is great. Beautiful and heart wrenching, Liang explored what the true idea of freedom is among a monarchy. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings in addition to making you question your beliefs. It reads like a K-drama, which I assume is the point. The prose was beautiful if not overdone. I thought the pacing all over the place. The action would be nonstop only to lull with page after page of prose and inner monologue. I skimmed over a lot that did not advance the plot.
The characters were all incredibly tragic. I feel like Liang did all of the characters justice in terms of development. The development between characters was lacking. There was so much potential to build the connection between (to avoid spoilers) both sets of couples, but instead it’s assumed that they just grew closer. I also found it weird that Xishi’s illness basically goes away even though it was prominent at the start.
Overall, it was a solid 3. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t see myself buying a copy or rereading it. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC