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captaincogs's Reviews (316)
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Nothing super special or memorable regarding this vampire romance. However, I appreciate the hints of Fredrick being queer in his past romantic flings, like yes, go king!
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
This book is so fascinating. I had no idea what to expect in a book reimagining the tales of Jack the Ripper and Medusa. Going into this book, I wasn't familiar with Jack the Ripper's history, besides the fact that he is one big unsolved mystery. Julie Berry made the decision to not made a vague story about this man, but research some of the people rumored to be Jack the Ripper, with evidence, and make the story about him.
I had no idea she did this until reading the little history lesson at the end of the book. It explained the historical context to Jack the Ripper and his possible motives, the myth of Medusa, the early years of the Salvation Army, and so much more. Lots of research went into making this book, which makes everything about this book that much better.
The story/concept itself was super interesting. I loved the idea, had a difficult time understanding what Medusa had to do with Jack the Ripper, then became obsessed with the idea. The best way to get revenge on a man killing women? Vengeance by Medusa, who is symbolizes the victims of sexual violence and the patriarchy.
The writing style had me thinking a lot about the author's intention to write Tabitha in first person point of view and everyone else in third person point of view. I focused a lot on that when reading, not being inside the minds of Jack the Ripper or Pearl, but the girl who was involved with so much around her.
Thank you, Simon Teen, for sending me an ARC (and a sticker) of If Looks Could Kill!
I had no idea she did this until reading the little history lesson at the end of the book. It explained the historical context to Jack the Ripper and his possible motives, the myth of Medusa, the early years of the Salvation Army, and so much more. Lots of research went into making this book, which makes everything about this book that much better.
The story/concept itself was super interesting. I loved the idea, had a difficult time understanding what Medusa had to do with Jack the Ripper, then became obsessed with the idea. The best way to get revenge on a man killing women? Vengeance by Medusa, who is symbolizes the victims of sexual violence and the patriarchy.
The writing style had me thinking a lot about the author's intention to write Tabitha in first person point of view and everyone else in third person point of view. I focused a lot on that when reading, not being inside the minds of Jack the Ripper or Pearl, but the girl who was involved with so much around her.
Thank you, Simon Teen, for sending me an ARC (and a sticker) of If Looks Could Kill!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will read anything by Timothy Janovsky, and when that includes romances between a man and a mannequin (who came to life), then so be it. I have to say, though, this love story is so sweet with underlying deep/reflective moments that flooded my thoughts at the end of the book. Sure, they were sprinkled throughout the book the more Henry worried about perfection and his future, but when the ball started rolling, it never stopped.
This book is such a fun holiday read! It really makes you want to believe in magic and finding the true "one" during the holiday season. Manifesting those vibes for myself the rest of the year.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the eARC!
This book is such a fun holiday read! It really makes you want to believe in magic and finding the true "one" during the holiday season. Manifesting those vibes for myself the rest of the year.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the eARC!
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel so bad. This story/plot line really wasn’t for me.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to start this review by saying that this should be labeled as an ADULT ROMANTASY book. There are explicit scenes that I couldn't imagine reading in a book catered towards grades 11 and up and ages 16+ like that. These scenes were written more than a simple "and they took their clothes off" it was very detailed. Literally something I would read in an adult romance book.
Now that's out of the way . . . I love the plot for this book. Willow White is dead and she makes a deal with the devil to participate in a series of trials to earn a second chance at life? Then, she accidentally falls in love with said devil? I was eating it up.
The ending felt a little bit rushed, especially when I was trying to figure out how the story was going to be resolved in twenty pages. It took me out of the story a bit, but it didn't distract me when finishing it.
Also, this is not part of the main plot, but man, Willow's friends/boyfriend before she died SUCK. And her MOM? No wonder Willow struggled to do something for herself for once.
Thank you, Simon Teen, for the ARC from the Romantasy ARC Box.
Now that's out of the way . . . I love the plot for this book. Willow White is dead and she makes a deal with the devil to participate in a series of trials to earn a second chance at life? Then, she accidentally falls in love with said devil? I was eating it up.
The ending felt a little bit rushed, especially when I was trying to figure out how the story was going to be resolved in twenty pages. It took me out of the story a bit, but it didn't distract me when finishing it.
Also, this is not part of the main plot, but man, Willow's friends/boyfriend before she died SUCK. And her MOM? No wonder Willow struggled to do something for herself for once.
Thank you, Simon Teen, for the ARC from the Romantasy ARC Box.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Ohhhh I love a little book about queer boy bands. They make me kick my feet and giggle.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Jaw is on the floor reading this book. I could hardly keep up at the end. Some people and their dirty secrets . . . smh.
This book has a really creative world building, taking place over two hundred years after World War III and an entire soul identifying system. On the downside, I had to pay very close attention to the new words, technology, and quite literally everything else in this world. Trying to learn that stuff isn't always easy for me, which is why I usually stay away from complicated fantasy books, however, the start of each chapter begins with the definition from their world. It's hands down one of the best things about this book.
Besides my fasciation with the definition of words, I really enjoyed the story. I had a bit of a rocky start trying to figure out the plot of the book with this new soul situation and the fascination with Flavinsky, but then I was getting right into it.
I wish I was more inside Sivon's head as she was discovering the secrets towards the end of the book. Everything was unraveling very quickly and I was trying to keep up, like the supporting characters, but Sivon was truly in her own world solving the mysteries and I had no idea how. Good for her figuring it out though. Couldn't be me.
Thank you so much, Simon Teen, for the ARC from the Romantasy Summer 2025 Book Box.
This book has a really creative world building, taking place over two hundred years after World War III and an entire soul identifying system. On the downside, I had to pay very close attention to the new words, technology, and quite literally everything else in this world. Trying to learn that stuff isn't always easy for me, which is why I usually stay away from complicated fantasy books, however, the start of each chapter begins with the definition from their world. It's hands down one of the best things about this book.
Besides my fasciation with the definition of words, I really enjoyed the story. I had a bit of a rocky start trying to figure out the plot of the book with this new soul situation and the fascination with Flavinsky, but then I was getting right into it.
I wish I was more inside Sivon's head as she was discovering the secrets towards the end of the book. Everything was unraveling very quickly and I was trying to keep up, like the supporting characters, but Sivon was truly in her own world solving the mysteries and I had no idea how. Good for her figuring it out though. Couldn't be me.
Thank you so much, Simon Teen, for the ARC from the Romantasy Summer 2025 Book Box.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes