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chapterswithnic's reviews
92 reviews
A Sea of Song and Sirens: The Naiads of Juile Book One by Whit Stanfield
โ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ข๐ข๐ญ๐ต๐ฐ-๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฏ ๐ช๐ฅ๐ช๐ฐ๐ต ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ชโ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ช๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐จ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฆ. ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฉ๐ข๐ถ๐ฏ๐ข ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ณ๐ด, ๐ช๐ง ๐ช๐ต ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฅ, ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ต ๐ช๐ต ๐ข๐ต ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข๐ด๐ต.โ
๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ sirens and pirates
๐ดโโ ๏ธ enemies to lovers
โ๏ธ marriage of convenience
๐ magical powers
๐ชธ morally grey characters
๐ฆ โwho did this to you?โ
if that quote isnโt enough to make you immediately like maren then idk what to tell you. a funny, headstrong, badass fmc. i liked her from the start. and donโt get me started on my weakness for kye.
now you know iโm a sucker for enemies to lovers, and BOY does this hit the s p o t. even better that it started with a betrayal like oof youโve got me riding the emotional rollercoaster with these characters.
โdonโt touch my wifeโ got me kicking my FEET.
the naiad lore in this is just so so good. i love mermaids/sirens and iโve found it really hard to come across a story i enjoyed but HEY look no further.
adding a dash of pirates and magic just hooked (lol) me in even more.
shoutout to the female friendships that were selena and diara. i actually love both of their characters and iโm super eager to learn more about them.
also shoutout to the DETAIL whit put in even right at the beginning of the book. the maps, the glossary, the calendars ๐๐ผ the attention to detail is *chefs kiss*
HOW this is her debut novel i do NOT know. blown away.
i consumed this like the shark that went for marenโs boat in the beginning. there is so much left unanswered and that CLIFF HANGER?! i just canโt wait for the sequel ๐ฅฒ
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ sirens and pirates
๐ดโโ ๏ธ enemies to lovers
โ๏ธ marriage of convenience
๐ magical powers
๐ชธ morally grey characters
๐ฆ โwho did this to you?โ
if that quote isnโt enough to make you immediately like maren then idk what to tell you. a funny, headstrong, badass fmc. i liked her from the start. and donโt get me started on my weakness for kye.
now you know iโm a sucker for enemies to lovers, and BOY does this hit the s p o t. even better that it started with a betrayal like oof youโve got me riding the emotional rollercoaster with these characters.
โdonโt touch my wifeโ got me kicking my FEET.
the naiad lore in this is just so so good. i love mermaids/sirens and iโve found it really hard to come across a story i enjoyed but HEY look no further.
adding a dash of pirates and magic just hooked (lol) me in even more.
shoutout to the female friendships that were selena and diara. i actually love both of their characters and iโm super eager to learn more about them.
also shoutout to the DETAIL whit put in even right at the beginning of the book. the maps, the glossary, the calendars ๐๐ผ the attention to detail is *chefs kiss*
HOW this is her debut novel i do NOT know. blown away.
i consumed this like the shark that went for marenโs boat in the beginning. there is so much left unanswered and that CLIFF HANGER?! i just canโt wait for the sequel ๐ฅฒ
The Stars We Hold by Melissa Armstrong
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Wow. My heart. My emotions. The feels this book incited in me are spilling out as I write this.
The world-building in this and the way it was written had me right there in the middle of the war with them. The brutality of it all, mixed with the hope, and the sadness- I was actually a bit overwhelmed with all the emotions I went through whilst reading. Had to hold back tears a fair few times!
The love between Nada and Henrik is just very sweet. You can see how the war has changed them both and how they come together regardless. They just give me pure soulmate vibes.
I loved the MCโs in this- all different and lovely in their own little ways. I found myself on edge routing for them all at every page turn.
The ending was super bitersweet but honestly the perfect ending for such a heartbreaking and inspiring story!
The world-building in this and the way it was written had me right there in the middle of the war with them. The brutality of it all, mixed with the hope, and the sadness- I was actually a bit overwhelmed with all the emotions I went through whilst reading. Had to hold back tears a fair few times!
The love between Nada and Henrik is just very sweet. You can see how the war has changed them both and how they come together regardless. They just give me pure soulmate vibes.
I loved the MCโs in this- all different and lovely in their own little ways. I found myself on edge routing for them all at every page turn.
The ending was super bitersweet but honestly the perfect ending for such a heartbreaking and inspiring story!
The Elflaine Chronicles: Ballad of Dawn by Haley Hamilton
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
the folklore in this is one of my favourite things about the book. the mythical creatures and lore are great. demon dogs, fae, dragons, kelpies, witchesโฆ you name it!
the fmc is powerful but i like that it shows the training aspect- i think it would have been a little better if it had not been so instantaneous with her essentially mastering powers, though i know weโre on a time crunch with the quest! speaking of the questโฆ i also wanted to hear about so much more of elideh (but after the ending of this i think weโll get more in the second book!)
there is a slowburn romance thatโs started- he falls first (eep) but nothing ACTUALLY happens in this first book. THE WAITING. the AGONY. obviously i am in full support of callum, because the overprotective bestie is never the vibe for me. when callum wanted to punch reed, so did i.
overall quite a cosy little folklore read!
the fmc is powerful but i like that it shows the training aspect- i think it would have been a little better if it had not been so instantaneous with her essentially mastering powers, though i know weโre on a time crunch with the quest! speaking of the questโฆ i also wanted to hear about so much more of elideh (but after the ending of this i think weโll get more in the second book!)
there is a slowburn romance thatโs started- he falls first (eep) but nothing ACTUALLY happens in this first book. THE WAITING. the AGONY. obviously i am in full support of callum, because the overprotective bestie is never the vibe for me. when callum wanted to punch reed, so did i.
overall quite a cosy little folklore read!
The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
โ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข, ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฏโ๐ต ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ ๐ข๐ด๐ฉ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด. ๐ธ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฆ, ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ต ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต๐ด ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.โ
first thing first the COVER. multiple chefโs kisses. i truly need to get me a physical copy because i love it.
the story itself felt caraval meets hunger games?
it was giving both, but with more magic and i am HERE for it. a place where you walk through the border, and connect to your true magic???? you turn into a magical being???? iโm going. iโm on the first train there. byeeeee ๐๐ผโจ
i think the author did a great job of mixing the dystopian world vibes with the magic that existed as well. it didnโt lessen either thing and was woven together really well!
iโm deeeefinitely getting sapphic vibes between kiera and attalin but we shall seeeeee. the intro to a third person just has potentially blown it out of the water. love triangles be like that ๐คฃ
hurry up book twoooooo- i need to find out all the things about the alliance
first thing first the COVER. multiple chefโs kisses. i truly need to get me a physical copy because i love it.
the story itself felt caraval meets hunger games?
it was giving both, but with more magic and i am HERE for it. a place where you walk through the border, and connect to your true magic???? you turn into a magical being???? iโm going. iโm on the first train there. byeeeee ๐๐ผโจ
i think the author did a great job of mixing the dystopian world vibes with the magic that existed as well. it didnโt lessen either thing and was woven together really well!
iโm deeeefinitely getting sapphic vibes between kiera and attalin but we shall seeeeee. the intro to a third person just has potentially blown it out of the water. love triangles be like that ๐คฃ
hurry up book twoooooo- i need to find out all the things about the alliance
Descended by Ingrid J. Adams
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Okay so imma just sit here and countdown to book two. Okay?
Wow that ending had me on tenterhooks.
This book took a minute for me to adjust to the style of writing, and grasp the sort of direction it was going, but then I could NOT put it down. The lore, the magic, the charactersโฆ I was so freaking invested in all of it.
The mental health that was highlighted in this was actually really unexpected and hard-hitting. Like it was heartbreaking to read, but also just so beautiful to watch him heal. It was tackled so well.
I really liked the idea of the past lives and how they all intertwined together. And also how they all descended from Atlantis? Hello?! I love that.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through all of it- I canโt recommend enough.
Wow that ending had me on tenterhooks.
This book took a minute for me to adjust to the style of writing, and grasp the sort of direction it was going, but then I could NOT put it down. The lore, the magic, the charactersโฆ I was so freaking invested in all of it.
The mental health that was highlighted in this was actually really unexpected and hard-hitting. Like it was heartbreaking to read, but also just so beautiful to watch him heal. It was tackled so well.
I really liked the idea of the past lives and how they all intertwined together. And also how they all descended from Atlantis? Hello?! I love that.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through all of it- I canโt recommend enough.
One Little Nightmare by Dawn Darling
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Okay we all know iโm a SUCKER for greek mythology so this retelling i just ate up. And if you didnโt know then, hi, iโm nic and greek mythology is a weakness.
To follow the story from brooksโ broken POV (mainly) is so interesting- you as a reader were trying to figure everything out along with him. I made a bunch of guesses as to who he was, but I was never 100%. I also enjoyed Xiaโs pov too! Switching between the two added so much more depth to both characters, and the parallels theyโd come across. It felt very soulmate and I was here for it.
Also I mean Brookโs at the end / His โpassengerโ gave pure shadow daddy vibes. Say no more.
I was kept guessing at every turn and the story is written so well, i was hanging off every page.
I have KU so will be throwing myself into the next book as I need to know how the story continues. The cliffhanger was great but should be illegal for my feelings.
To follow the story from brooksโ broken POV (mainly) is so interesting- you as a reader were trying to figure everything out along with him. I made a bunch of guesses as to who he was, but I was never 100%. I also enjoyed Xiaโs pov too! Switching between the two added so much more depth to both characters, and the parallels theyโd come across. It felt very soulmate and I was here for it.
Also I mean Brookโs at the end / His โpassengerโ gave pure shadow daddy vibes. Say no more.
I was kept guessing at every turn and the story is written so well, i was hanging off every page.
I have KU so will be throwing myself into the next book as I need to know how the story continues. The cliffhanger was great but should be illegal for my feelings.
Fly with the Arrow by Sarah K.L. Wilson
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
For my very first audio book I enjoyed it!
The cliffhanger can get stuffed though ๐ญ๐คฃ
I really enjoyed the use of riddles throughout, more traditional fae traits that tend to be missing from a lot of fae-based books.
Also shoutout to not having insta-love! I relished the slowburn between them. The tension of not being able to speak to each other was *chefs kiss*
The world as well seemed so beey interesting and Iโd love to learn even more. Iโd hope the second one she gets brought back REAL quick- we want magical worlds always pls.
The cliffhanger can get stuffed though ๐ญ๐คฃ
I really enjoyed the use of riddles throughout, more traditional fae traits that tend to be missing from a lot of fae-based books.
Also shoutout to not having insta-love! I relished the slowburn between them. The tension of not being able to speak to each other was *chefs kiss*
The world as well seemed so beey interesting and Iโd love to learn even more. Iโd hope the second one she gets brought back REAL quick- we want magical worlds always pls.
The Lost God by Sheila Masterson
This story had me in the first half, and sort of had me trailing off in the second half as the pace changed drastically. It went from well-paced to SUPER fast-paced. I do feel as well that as time went on the dialogue felt more YA than I'd necessarily enjoy.
The magic system was easy to understand
I think Cece was so badass in the beginning. The fight scenes had me clapping (in my head), especially the one on horseback with Xander. Epic wasn't even the word. One of my favourite scenes to read about, all whilst flirting with Xander. Hilarious and wanted a million more of these.
I loved everything about the Gods. The interactions with Cato were great, and the brief introduction to Samson and Grimon had me liking them immediately. I think Samson would be a hilarious God to know more about. Novella on him would be READ.
I did really like Xander at the beginning but the insta-love between him and Cece left more to be desired. I wanted more of his quips and cockiness before we were hitting all the "i-love-yous". I feel like I've been poisoned against him as that seems to be where the story started heading in the end- with Grimon planting the seed.
I don't mind a love triangle now and again but I want all the undecidedness to happen BEFORE the lock in. Not after. At that point it just feels like cheating to me, and in this case she is married. It's wild. It's even pointed out in the books that Rain waited for her to no longer be available before deciding he WAS willing to risk it all for her. BRUH. TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.
Maybe I'm just not as forgiving as Cece is. Maybe she should just run away with Samson? I would.
If you love a quest-based fantasy, with gods, magic, whocanitrust vibes, with the love triangle becoming the main arc of the story then I'd pick this one up immediately.
adventurous
challenging
fast-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
3.0
"Only you can decide who fear will make you, the seer had said. Cecelia let it make her a warrior."
This story had me in the first half, and sort of had me trailing off in the second half as the pace changed drastically. It went from well-paced to SUPER fast-paced. I do feel as well that as time went on the dialogue felt more YA than I'd necessarily enjoy.
The magic system was easy to understand
I think Cece was so badass in the beginning. The fight scenes had me clapping (in my head), especially the one on horseback with Xander. Epic wasn't even the word. One of my favourite scenes to read about, all whilst flirting with Xander. Hilarious and wanted a million more of these.
I loved everything about the Gods. The interactions with Cato were great, and the brief introduction to Samson and Grimon had me liking them immediately. I think Samson would be a hilarious God to know more about. Novella on him would be READ.
I did really like Xander at the beginning but the insta-love between him and Cece left more to be desired. I wanted more of his quips and cockiness before we were hitting all the "i-love-yous". I feel like I've been poisoned against him as that seems to be where the story started heading in the end- with Grimon planting the seed.
I don't mind a love triangle now and again but I want all the undecidedness to happen BEFORE the lock in. Not after. At that point it just feels like cheating to me, and in this case she is married. It's wild. It's even pointed out in the books that Rain waited for her to no longer be available before deciding he WAS willing to risk it all for her. BRUH. TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.
Maybe I'm just not as forgiving as Cece is. Maybe she should just run away with Samson? I would.
If you love a quest-based fantasy, with gods, magic, whocanitrust vibes, with the love triangle becoming the main arc of the story then I'd pick this one up immediately.
Welcome to the Fae Cafe by Jennifer Kropf
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
What a breath of fresh air. If youโre in the market for a fantasy with rom-com vibes then this is the one for you. It was light, funny and sprinkled with a little magic.
โHe falls firstโ is the accurate trope for this and it had me smirking to myself watching it happen.
The enchanted kisses backfiring on him not once, but TWICE. I live for it. Silly silly Cress.
The most surprising relationship for me was Cress and Grandma Lewis- what a wholesome little duo. It was so heartwarming to read about their little formed friendship, and a great way to soften Cress from his initial moody broody bad-ness?
I just felt like this was such a cosy story. I smiled to myself at the little quips all the way through, and gasped out loud at the chapter before the end.
Also I would like to own a Fae Cafe, where I can write stories and vibe with this gang. Please.
โHe falls firstโ is the accurate trope for this and it had me smirking to myself watching it happen.
The most surprising relationship for me was Cress and Grandma Lewis- what a wholesome little duo. It was so heartwarming to read about their little formed friendship, and a great way to soften Cress from his initial moody broody bad-ness?
I just felt like this was such a cosy story. I smiled to myself at the little quips all the way through, and gasped out loud at the chapter before the end.
Also I would like to own a Fae Cafe, where I can write stories and vibe with this gang. Please.
An Arrow to the Heart by K.R. Bacher
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was so lucky to be chosen as an ARC reader for this!
What an adorable yet spicy little fantasy romance. The author mentioned that this was a little palate cleanser and it absolutely was.
A healer fae in her little pink cottage, looking after cute owl creatures, and making potions? Um let me be you, Sylvie.
Did NOT expect the โlittleโ twist that Sylvie was a freaking DRAGON SHIFTER?! Love that. Made her even more badass than she already was.
I love even more that the characters were older in this. Not in the fae sense (which I know Sylvie was) but the fact that Ardรกl was 38! Really refreshing to have older MCโs!
Finishing this also made me want to know more about the moody Sylas- I just know heโs gonna be the morally grey unavailable man that I love. But also I want more on the trio that is Valeska, Ortolf and Lonan because such an interesting dynamic. Basically all the spinoffs pls.
What an adorable yet spicy little fantasy romance. The author mentioned that this was a little palate cleanser and it absolutely was.
A healer fae in her little pink cottage, looking after cute owl creatures, and making potions? Um let me be you, Sylvie.
I love even more that the characters were older in this. Not in the fae sense (which I know Sylvie was) but the fact that Ardรกl was 38! Really refreshing to have older MCโs!
Finishing this also made me want to know more about the moody Sylas- I just know heโs gonna be the morally grey unavailable man that I love. But also I want more on the trio that is Valeska, Ortolf and Lonan because such an interesting dynamic. Basically all the spinoffs pls.