brookiebooks's reviews
797 reviews

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

 Um....wtf was that ending

I feel like my mind is blown

I need answers but I also understand that we probably won't get another book until mid to late 2026

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.5

I loved how Abby Jimenez handled these topics and subjects because as a person who went through a lot of what is discussed in this book with my grandparents, I enjoyed how it was handled but also the romance between Samantha & Xavier was so cute. 

A False Start by Elsie Silver

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense 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

I stayed up until 1:40 am to finish this book and I'm so glad I did. This book was so sweet, sexy, funny, and also sad at times. It is truly what love is.

Exiled Prince by Chantal Fernando

dark funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense 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

5.0

I loved this book so much; I have been waiting for Bane's story since Forewarned and it did not disappoint! I'm so sad that I have to wait until late April for book 5 which is August's book and I'm so excited for that one.

The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This is a novel that is rooted more in mental health, trauma, drug abuse and homelessness than a mystery or romantic suspense that this book is sometimes described as being. Set in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, homeless people are dying all over from a new homemade purple pill, the SFPD are going through the lives of the dead in order to figure out why they became addicts and how their circumstances led them to addiction, homelessness, or sex work to stay alive. I liked how it showed in a fictional way, how some people’s life circumstances when they are young lead them down a road wherein, they can’t seem to escape unless it’s through death or the euphoria of drugs.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief

Minor: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Excrement, Vomit, Abandonment

Enigma by RuNyx

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.75

I picked up this book because I read Gothikana by Runyx and loved the dark academia setting and the romance that was involved. This one while very similar to Gothikana in terms of being dark academia, solving murders, and a romance heavy added plot, Enigma had it's own quirks that I loved. Caz and Salem will hold a special place in my heart now.

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

This book started off extremely well so much so that it reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel. The ending 10 pages really did not do anything for me, but I did enjoy the last day of the book because it felt very reminiscent of Christie's novels wherein you find out how everyone was connected and fit together.

Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

The first part of this book...up until chapter 9 was a normal dark taboo romance but then it all went so dark and so horny.

Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

This was a great conclusion to this trilogy. It wrapped everything up nicely but was a lot spicer than I initially anticipated when starting this trilogy. I can't wait to read Throne of the Fallen for Envy's story.

Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

4.75

This book went from no spice to being low on the chili pepper scale fast. I loved the politics, betrayal reveals, truth reveals, and tension in the romance. I can't wait to read book 3 next.