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bubblewombat's reviews
2393 reviews
Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
A witch and a merman fall in love in a cute little town? It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be, even if I'm not a huge fan of mermaids as love interests.
I listened to the audiobook and I'm planning on doing the same with the rest of the books in this series, but I wish this one had a slightly better female narrator because she could be so monotonous, it really took me some time to get used to her.
Also, for a town full of magical creatures, there wasn't a lot of magic going on...but despite that, I had a good time and I liked the romance. It's a second chance one, but they weren't actually together before, which works better for me when it comes to this trope. And the cozy fall vibes were on point, so I'm glad I picked this up when I did.
I listened to the audiobook and I'm planning on doing the same with the rest of the books in this series, but I wish this one had a slightly better female narrator because she could be so monotonous, it really took me some time to get used to her.
Also, for a town full of magical creatures, there wasn't a lot of magic going on...but despite that, I had a good time and I liked the romance. It's a second chance one, but they weren't actually together before, which works better for me when it comes to this trope. And the cozy fall vibes were on point, so I'm glad I picked this up when I did.
Skin by Audrey Rush
dark
fast-paced
2.0
Is the story unique? Yes. Am I regretting picking it up? Also yes. Works for spooky season though, I guess?
Cult Son - Family Crisis: What to do if someone you know joins a Cult - and what NOT to do! by Gilly Belbin
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
The story of a family trying (and succeeding) to get their son out of Moonie clutches. I felt the parents' fear as if it were my own, and celebrated with them, even tearing up, when Steve finally decided to come home.
It was an insightful read, giving the reader tips on what to do and what not to do, should your loved one ever join a cult. They were given excellent advice they followed to a T, that eventually brought their son home. Luckily, he wasn't in too deep, but there's a good chance these methods could still work even if someone is in deeper.
We even got to hear why he left, in Steve's own words, while the rest of the book was told from his mother's perspective.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who's interested in the Moonies, or looking for a gripping and impactful read.
It was an insightful read, giving the reader tips on what to do and what not to do, should your loved one ever join a cult. They were given excellent advice they followed to a T, that eventually brought their son home. Luckily, he wasn't in too deep, but there's a good chance these methods could still work even if someone is in deeper.
We even got to hear why he left, in Steve's own words, while the rest of the book was told from his mother's perspective.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who's interested in the Moonies, or looking for a gripping and impactful read.
Scarred by Emily McIntire
adventurous
dark
funny
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I'm gonna confess something...The Lion King isn't my fav Disney movie, nor is it in my top 10 Disney movies, which doesn't mean I don't like it, just that I never get the urge to rewatch it. However, I've always loved Scar, so reading a retelling of sorts where he's the main love interest scratched a specific itch in my brain.
So, at first I thought this would be a five star read like Hooked, but now that I've finished, I'm thinking it's more of a four. There's nothing wrong with it, I just connected to the characters more in that other book.
But the storyline was great, even if it didn't exactly feel like a historical read (it's set in 1910, I believe, do correct me if I'm wrong), the characters didn't talk like it, so I decided to shelve this as both contemporary, and historical.
The forbidden aspect of the romance made it more fun, as did the slow burn. There were some exciting twists inside, which I feel like I can now expect in all of Emily McIntire's books.
The references were on point, as far as I could tell. Maybe I could even be persuaded to go watch the movies again, to refresh my memory.
The audiobook was wonderful, of course, I'm sure the rest of the series will be too.
So, at first I thought this would be a five star read like Hooked, but now that I've finished, I'm thinking it's more of a four. There's nothing wrong with it, I just connected to the characters more in that other book.
But the storyline was great, even if it didn't exactly feel like a historical read (it's set in 1910, I believe, do correct me if I'm wrong), the characters didn't talk like it, so I decided to shelve this as both contemporary, and historical.
The forbidden aspect of the romance made it more fun, as did the slow burn. There were some exciting twists inside, which I feel like I can now expect in all of Emily McIntire's books.
The references were on point, as far as I could tell. Maybe I could even be persuaded to go watch the movies again, to refresh my memory.
The audiobook was wonderful, of course, I'm sure the rest of the series will be too.
Wildblood by A.J. Vrana
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Miya, Kai, Ama, Crowbar and Gavran are back once again, solving yet another mystery and...adopting a cat!! A cat was the last thing I was expecting from Kai, especially since he's the Big Bad Wolf and all that, but it somehow fits.
So, I know that Wildblood can be read as a standalone, but I decided to read the duology that came before it anyway. You don't HAVE to do that, everything you need to know is explained inside, and you get to know Kai better.
At the same time though, I'm glad I was able to experience Kai and Miya's beginnings, and watch them grow throughout each book, and with each challenge they face. So if you can, I'd recommend reading The Chaos Cycle first.
This time we follow only two PoVs, and Kai's is the main one. I won't lie, I definitely miss Mason from the past books and wonder what happened to him, but I suppose they wouldn't have had a reason to mention him.
Kai deals with a lot of stuff internally, which just makes me want to give him a big hug. If anyone needs therapy, it's him. Luckily, Miya convinces him to go and he actually listens. You can feel the development as you read, it doesn't come overnight, but by the end of the book, he's better at dealing with his emotions.
He's also a fighter now, which ultimately leads him into trouble (no surprise). Miya meanwhile, has become really confident in her powers and uses them in ways we haven't seen before, in order to find a missing girl.
Their relationship is stronger than ever, but still has its ups and downs. Either way, you can feel their love through the screen. There's also a higher steamy scene count than before, just putting that out there!!
As a Slavic, and specifically Serbian, reader, I love when I see little things from my culture sprinkled into a story. Be it creatures from our mythology or just characters with accurate, familiar names. Wildblood has both. At this point I know I'm going to have a little something to look forward to each time I pick up a book by this author.
Vrana mixes in some creatures non-Slavic readers might be familiar with (like the domovoy), as well as lesser known ones (bukavac, leshy). There's also an Irish mythological creature that fits in perfectly.
I'd say the first two books had more of a fairytale/folklore feel than this one though, which is pure urban fantasy. The vibes are still there, just a bit different.
The writing is even better than it was, and the story is just as engaging. I really hope this isn't the end for these characters, I want to see them going on more adventures, picking up new strays, maybe reuniting with Mason?? Fingers crossed.
Also, A.J. Vrana, THANK YOU for making Miya tall!!!! I don't recall her height being mentioned previously, but here we learn she's 5'9, which qualifies for my "tall girl rep" shelf. Never enough tall female MCs if you ask me.
Anywayyyyy, listen to me and go read this series from the beginning!!! Kai, Miya and the gang are all amazing characters who deserve your attention.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
So, I know that Wildblood can be read as a standalone, but I decided to read the duology that came before it anyway. You don't HAVE to do that, everything you need to know is explained inside, and you get to know Kai better.
At the same time though, I'm glad I was able to experience Kai and Miya's beginnings, and watch them grow throughout each book, and with each challenge they face. So if you can, I'd recommend reading The Chaos Cycle first.
This time we follow only two PoVs, and Kai's is the main one. I won't lie, I definitely miss Mason from the past books and wonder what happened to him, but I suppose they wouldn't have had a reason to mention him.
Kai deals with a lot of stuff internally, which just makes me want to give him a big hug. If anyone needs therapy, it's him. Luckily, Miya convinces him to go and he actually listens. You can feel the development as you read, it doesn't come overnight, but by the end of the book, he's better at dealing with his emotions.
He's also a fighter now, which ultimately leads him into trouble (no surprise). Miya meanwhile, has become really confident in her powers and uses them in ways we haven't seen before, in order to find a missing girl.
Their relationship is stronger than ever, but still has its ups and downs. Either way, you can feel their love through the screen. There's also a higher steamy scene count than before, just putting that out there!!
As a Slavic, and specifically Serbian, reader, I love when I see little things from my culture sprinkled into a story. Be it creatures from our mythology or just characters with accurate, familiar names. Wildblood has both. At this point I know I'm going to have a little something to look forward to each time I pick up a book by this author.
Vrana mixes in some creatures non-Slavic readers might be familiar with (like the domovoy), as well as lesser known ones (bukavac, leshy). There's also an Irish mythological creature that fits in perfectly.
I'd say the first two books had more of a fairytale/folklore feel than this one though, which is pure urban fantasy. The vibes are still there, just a bit different.
The writing is even better than it was, and the story is just as engaging. I really hope this isn't the end for these characters, I want to see them going on more adventures, picking up new strays, maybe reuniting with Mason?? Fingers crossed.
Also, A.J. Vrana, THANK YOU for making Miya tall!!!! I don't recall her height being mentioned previously, but here we learn she's 5'9, which qualifies for my "tall girl rep" shelf. Never enough tall female MCs if you ask me.
Anywayyyyy, listen to me and go read this series from the beginning!!! Kai, Miya and the gang are all amazing characters who deserve your attention.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The Echoed Realm by A.J. Vrana
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Three years have passed since the events of the first book, and Kai and Miya are now...demon hunters, facing both old and new foes alike.
The world and lore got such an expansion in this one, there was almost a bigger focus on it than the new mystery, but it all ties together, carried over from book one.
I feel like the atmosphere was lighter, and there were no slower parts, everything moved at a medium pace. It was really easy for me to jump back in, despite the in-world time skip.
We still follow Kai, Miya and Mason, but there's a few other PoVs we get later on that are important to the story. They help to explain what was, and what will be (I'm channeling my inner Gavran, can you tell?).
The romance is deeper, and you get to see just how deep it goes at the end, it's true devotion, the kind that makes even undead mermaids bawl.
There was something that happened to Kai that made me want to screech, I was like "not agaaaain" and then he went and did something stupid and AGH. It gets fixed, don't worry, but for a portion of the book, he and Miya were apart and IT HURT ME.
On a lighter note, there were more Serbian names that popped up, and a demon called Drekalo which is actually a screeching creature in Slavic mythology, so I was not the only one wanting to screech!! There was also a Rusalka (hence the undead mermaid), so now I'm wondering which other creatures will show up in Wildblood.
I do kinda wish that more of this series was based around Slavic myths, but I'll take what I can get.
The ending wrapped things up once again, but left the door open for more adventures. Which we are getting, TODAY, because Wildblood is out and I am on my way to read it, yes sir.
P. S. I'm glad Ama found her happy ending as well. Mason next?? Fingers crossed.
The world and lore got such an expansion in this one, there was almost a bigger focus on it than the new mystery, but it all ties together, carried over from book one.
I feel like the atmosphere was lighter, and there were no slower parts, everything moved at a medium pace. It was really easy for me to jump back in, despite the in-world time skip.
We still follow Kai, Miya and Mason, but there's a few other PoVs we get later on that are important to the story. They help to explain what was, and what will be (I'm channeling my inner Gavran, can you tell?).
The romance is deeper, and you get to see just how deep it goes at the end, it's true devotion, the kind that makes even undead mermaids bawl.
There was something that happened to Kai that made me want to screech, I was like "not agaaaain" and then he went and did something stupid and AGH. It gets fixed, don't worry, but for a portion of the book, he and Miya were apart and IT HURT ME.
On a lighter note, there were more Serbian names that popped up, and a demon called Drekalo which is actually a screeching creature in Slavic mythology, so I was not the only one wanting to screech!! There was also a Rusalka (hence the undead mermaid), so now I'm wondering which other creatures will show up in Wildblood.
I do kinda wish that more of this series was based around Slavic myths, but I'll take what I can get.
The ending wrapped things up once again, but left the door open for more adventures. Which we are getting, TODAY, because Wildblood is out and I am on my way to read it, yes sir.
P. S. I'm glad Ama found her happy ending as well. Mason next?? Fingers crossed.
First Light by Elizabeth Hunter
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“Dread the day you meet a north wolf for they love war.”
WOW, JUST WOW!!!! I'm in complete awe at this book, which happens to be my first read by Elizabeth Hunter, and I see now that I've seriously been missing out. First Light was perfection, chef's kiss, instantly going on my ultimate favourite books shelf.
This story is exactly what I'd want to happen to me (minus my partner going poof and me having to travel across the world to find them thing), I want to wander into a portal and enter a world where unicorns, fae, dragons, kelpies and brownies roam, where magic is around every corner, and the forest is alive and has a mind of its own.
It has such a unique feeling, I can't compare it to any other book I've read before. The lore of this world is so rich and well-developed, I was instantly pulled in, needing to know more.
I had so many theories about Carys and who/what she was, my mind was like "she's x, no wait she's y, no no she's z" and eventually I'd guess it like a moment before it happened, it really kept me on my toes!
I have some thoughts about her family as well, I can't wait to be completely wrong and mind-blown in the sequel, hah.
I like that she didn't immediately learn everything there is to know about the Shadowlands, and start training, gaining powers etc, she's doing it all slowly while trying to solve a mystery.
She's also figuring out her feelings towards Lachlan (who left her to go back to his own realm, ahem ahem) and his human twin Duncan (the best option, if you ask me).
Now I knew I'd be team Duncan the second he held her hand the first time, and with the way he always put her first and protected her afterwards, THAT'S YOUR MAN RIGHT THERE CARYS!!!
I'm obsessed with the characters, okay, obsessed. I love Carys, I love Duncan, I love Cadell, I love Dafydd, I love Naida, I love Dru, I love Azar, I love Darius...you get the point. I like Lachlan, as long as he isn't endgame, we're good!!
First Light made me smile, laugh, cry, I even audibly gasped at one scene which I don't recall ever happening with other books. I was literally there living every single moment, you can't convince me otherwise.
The writing is beautiful, the descriptions vivid, the pacing is perfect, there's not a single thing I'd change. Except the second book being out today so I could immediately jump in.
The ending left me with so many more questions, I was ready to scream, in a good way though. I literally CANNOT wait till April, GIVE ME BOOK TWO NOW!!!!
*Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
WOW, JUST WOW!!!! I'm in complete awe at this book, which happens to be my first read by Elizabeth Hunter, and I see now that I've seriously been missing out. First Light was perfection, chef's kiss, instantly going on my ultimate favourite books shelf.
This story is exactly what I'd want to happen to me (minus my partner going poof and me having to travel across the world to find them thing), I want to wander into a portal and enter a world where unicorns, fae, dragons, kelpies and brownies roam, where magic is around every corner, and the forest is alive and has a mind of its own.
It has such a unique feeling, I can't compare it to any other book I've read before. The lore of this world is so rich and well-developed, I was instantly pulled in, needing to know more.
I had so many theories about Carys and who/what she was, my mind was like "she's x, no wait she's y, no no she's z" and eventually I'd guess it like a moment before it happened, it really kept me on my toes!
I have some thoughts about her family as well, I can't wait to be completely wrong and mind-blown in the sequel, hah.
I like that she didn't immediately learn everything there is to know about the Shadowlands, and start training, gaining powers etc, she's doing it all slowly while trying to solve a mystery.
She's also figuring out her feelings towards Lachlan (who left her to go back to his own realm, ahem ahem) and his human twin Duncan (the best option, if you ask me).
Now I knew I'd be team Duncan the second he held her hand the first time, and with the way he always put her first and protected her afterwards, THAT'S YOUR MAN RIGHT THERE CARYS!!!
I'm obsessed with the characters, okay, obsessed. I love Carys, I love Duncan, I love Cadell, I love Dafydd, I love Naida, I love Dru, I love Azar, I love Darius...you get the point. I like Lachlan, as long as he isn't endgame, we're good!!
First Light made me smile, laugh, cry, I even audibly gasped at one scene which I don't recall ever happening with other books. I was literally there living every single moment, you can't convince me otherwise.
The writing is beautiful, the descriptions vivid, the pacing is perfect, there's not a single thing I'd change. Except the second book being out today so I could immediately jump in.
The ending left me with so many more questions, I was ready to scream, in a good way though. I literally CANNOT wait till April, GIVE ME BOOK TWO NOW!!!!
*Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.25
I love the concept of this, with all the characters from different tribes heading to the same powwow, and the little crossover elements (like the dog) appearing every once in a while.
All the stories were lovely and filled with so much light, it made my heart warm. I do have two favourites, however. Rez Dog Rules, and Joey Reads the Sky. The first one is no surprise, if something is told from the PoV of a dog I'm gonna love it. But the second put me on an emotional roller-coaster in just 20 minutes?? I'd actually love to see that one as a full book.
The narrators chosen for the audiobook were great, I had a really good time listening to this.
I'd recommend this to both kids and adults, for the latter it can be a little palette cleanser between heavier reads, it's such a joyful book.
All the stories were lovely and filled with so much light, it made my heart warm. I do have two favourites, however. Rez Dog Rules, and Joey Reads the Sky. The first one is no surprise, if something is told from the PoV of a dog I'm gonna love it. But the second put me on an emotional roller-coaster in just 20 minutes?? I'd actually love to see that one as a full book.
The narrators chosen for the audiobook were great, I had a really good time listening to this.
I'd recommend this to both kids and adults, for the latter it can be a little palette cleanser between heavier reads, it's such a joyful book.
The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
My friend told me the author's newest book, Wildblood was on Netgalley a few months ago, and that she's Serbian so obviously I ran to request it. Then I saw it was a companion book to this duology so, obviously, I had to read it first.
The story takes a while to get going, so I totally get the people who dropped it early, but I think it's worth sticking with, if you have the patience.
The atmosphere is heavy with a capital H, this worked for me though, because I felt like I was also walking through a creepy forest of doom along with the characters the entire time.
Some scenes had my heart beating fast like in the scariest thrillers, and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
When that story got rolling, I was completely enthralled, needing to know what would happen next, if they'd solve the mystery and come out unscathed.
As a whole, the second half of the book was better than the first, and really hard to put down. As for the first half, I'd say the first third was the slowest so if you make it past that you're in for a treat.
We have three PoVs we follow, that of Miya, Kai and Mason. They each have a role to play and were all interesting in their own way. But I gotta say, in those beginning chapters, Mason's perspective was the most intriguing to me.
The Serbian used in the book was so fun to me, like little Easter eggs. Every time Kai would ask who Gavran is I'd giggle, because I know what that word means and who that character is, but I won't spoil it for people who don't. Also, the author's name being Vrana...I see you.
There were a few other characters with Serbian names like Sashka Lavović and Vuk. Vuk being a wolf shifter was the icing on the cake, it's so on the nose, but it's something I actually don't mind compared to mermaids being called Sirena in other books and/or movies. Also, fun fact, Sashka is a nickname for the name Aleksandra in Serbian.
There were some expressions A.J. Vrana used that I thought were super adorable, like the "chubby hamsters" line, or Ama calling Miya a "peanut". There were more, those are just some off the top of my head.
I have quite a few lines highlighted, but since I read this through Hoopla I wasn't able to screenshot them, so I'll have to get a physical copy at some point to properly annotate.
Leaving the romance for last because it's one of my favourite parts of the book. I loved seeing Kai and Miya falling for each other, the way they joked around and took care of one another, I can't wait to see more of that in the next books.
The ending wrapped everything up nicely, so you could stop reading at this book if you wanted to, or continue with book two if you want to see more of this world, like I do. I was a bit scared it wouldn't be wrapped up and we'd be left on a huge cliffhanger, even though I literally have the second book ready but still!! Either way, I'm glad I don't have to wait to jump back in, and then jump in again.
Give this series a chance okay!! It may surprise you.
The story takes a while to get going, so I totally get the people who dropped it early, but I think it's worth sticking with, if you have the patience.
The atmosphere is heavy with a capital H, this worked for me though, because I felt like I was also walking through a creepy forest of doom along with the characters the entire time.
Some scenes had my heart beating fast like in the scariest thrillers, and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
When that story got rolling, I was completely enthralled, needing to know what would happen next, if they'd solve the mystery and come out unscathed.
As a whole, the second half of the book was better than the first, and really hard to put down. As for the first half, I'd say the first third was the slowest so if you make it past that you're in for a treat.
We have three PoVs we follow, that of Miya, Kai and Mason. They each have a role to play and were all interesting in their own way. But I gotta say, in those beginning chapters, Mason's perspective was the most intriguing to me.
The Serbian used in the book was so fun to me, like little Easter eggs. Every time Kai would ask who Gavran is I'd giggle, because I know what that word means and who that character is, but I won't spoil it for people who don't. Also, the author's name being Vrana...I see you.
There were a few other characters with Serbian names like Sashka Lavović and Vuk. Vuk being a wolf shifter was the icing on the cake, it's so on the nose, but it's something I actually don't mind compared to mermaids being called Sirena in other books and/or movies. Also, fun fact, Sashka is a nickname for the name Aleksandra in Serbian.
There were some expressions A.J. Vrana used that I thought were super adorable, like the "chubby hamsters" line, or Ama calling Miya a "peanut". There were more, those are just some off the top of my head.
I have quite a few lines highlighted, but since I read this through Hoopla I wasn't able to screenshot them, so I'll have to get a physical copy at some point to properly annotate.
Leaving the romance for last because it's one of my favourite parts of the book. I loved seeing Kai and Miya falling for each other, the way they joked around and took care of one another, I can't wait to see more of that in the next books.
The ending wrapped everything up nicely, so you could stop reading at this book if you wanted to, or continue with book two if you want to see more of this world, like I do. I was a bit scared it wouldn't be wrapped up and we'd be left on a huge cliffhanger, even though I literally have the second book ready but still!! Either way, I'm glad I don't have to wait to jump back in, and then jump in again.
Give this series a chance okay!! It may surprise you.
Who's That Girl?: A Memoir by Eve
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
Who's that girl? La la la la la la la la la la la, Eve's that girl!!!
Really enjoyable memoir & audiobook. I wish it was longer, but I understand why she didn't elaborate more on certain topics. The parts of her life she did share were interesting, and we got to know her a little bit better. She also narrates the audio, so the story feels more personal when you listen.
I'd recommend this to fans, non fans, and haters of Scientology alike. I'M SORRY, I had to after that Scientology section, she was right to not accept any food from them, if you ask me.
P. S. I love seeing fellow Scorpios winning, go Eve!!
Really enjoyable memoir & audiobook. I wish it was longer, but I understand why she didn't elaborate more on certain topics. The parts of her life she did share were interesting, and we got to know her a little bit better. She also narrates the audio, so the story feels more personal when you listen.
I'd recommend this to fans, non fans, and haters of Scientology alike. I'M SORRY, I had to after that Scientology section, she was right to not accept any food from them, if you ask me.
P. S. I love seeing fellow Scorpios winning, go Eve!!