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chthonic_child's reviews
135 reviews
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
5.0
AAAAAWWWWW T-T❤️❤️ So, this was adorable... Riley gets grounded because she "stole" her moms car to drive her and her friend to a musical a city over. As punishment, she needs to work in her dad's game store every evening. She gets tangled up in a fake dating situation with Nathan. Nathan is crushing on one of the D&D party members Sophia, and Riley figured out that she's very into those she can't have. When Riley accidentally tells her ex Paul she's dating Nathan, they use it to make Sophia jealous so she'll go after Nathan, and to get Paul of her back.
In the meantime, working at her dad's store ends up being a lot more fun than Riley expects it to be and shes actually bonding with him as well. Though, because of the divorce of her parents and her close relationship with her mom it doesn't come that easy at first.
I thought because of the agegroup of the book, I was going to get really annoyed with the drama part of things but because it's quite fast-paced, that worked in the advantage I think. Stuff didn't get overly drawn out and the whole fake dating was actually really well communicated! I enjoyed reading this so much. Nathan and Riley's banter was so cute and her starting to develop feelings had me kicking my feet. It was all just really sweet :)
Even though the topics are not the lightest (divorced parents, loyalty conflicts etc), I feel like it was so well executed and such a light and easy and fun read because of it? I just love the way relationships were worked out, everyone is so likable and I wanted to join their campaign as well T-T
In the meantime, working at her dad's store ends up being a lot more fun than Riley expects it to be and shes actually bonding with him as well. Though, because of the divorce of her parents and her close relationship with her mom it doesn't come that easy at first.
I thought because of the agegroup of the book, I was going to get really annoyed with the drama part of things but because it's quite fast-paced, that worked in the advantage I think. Stuff didn't get overly drawn out and the whole fake dating was actually really well communicated! I enjoyed reading this so much. Nathan and Riley's banter was so cute and her starting to develop feelings had me kicking my feet. It was all just really sweet :)
Even though the topics are not the lightest (divorced parents, loyalty conflicts etc), I feel like it was so well executed and such a light and easy and fun read because of it? I just love the way relationships were worked out, everyone is so likable and I wanted to join their campaign as well T-T
Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry
5.0
Woooooooww. Ya'll know I'm a fan of Christina, so my expectations were, high😂. But holy shit this book! It consists of three main parts. Ceilia who wakes up in a house she doesn't remember, with a husband she doesn't remember and a child she doesn't remember. She's very sure however, that it's not her life, and she's determined to figure out what's happening. Allie gets brought to a cabin in the woods for what's supposed to be a birthday weekend at the beach. The cabin is unfinished, unlocked and can't be bolted. There's creepy sounds and boi did this part get me on edge. The way Christina writes eeriness, anxious situations gets under my skin in such a delicious way. The final part is Maggie, who in sort of a squid-game situation gets thrown in a maze that she has to survive.
All parts were written in such a differently, tense way? Allies part got to me the most, but ceilia and Maggie's parts were also so scary in such a way... The all centered around a forum user who challenged them to prove their 'competence'. Because women would never be able to survive a horror scenario. It's quite feminist / mysoginistic at the same time? It made me uncomfortable at times, but I'm assuming that's a big point of the book. Sometimes I was a bit like, ok girl, let's be normal now.
I had so so so much fun trying to figure it all out! I started buddy reading this a bit further in which made it even better, bouncing back ideas of what was happening and who was who and all! Turns out we actually managed to find stuff out!! Please if you read this let me know your thoughts and theories ✨
All parts were written in such a differently, tense way? Allies part got to me the most, but ceilia and Maggie's parts were also so scary in such a way... The all centered around a forum user who challenged them to prove their 'competence'. Because women would never be able to survive a horror scenario. It's quite feminist / mysoginistic at the same time? It made me uncomfortable at times, but I'm assuming that's a big point of the book. Sometimes I was a bit like, ok girl, let's be normal now.
I had so so so much fun trying to figure it all out! I started buddy reading this a bit further in which made it even better, bouncing back ideas of what was happening and who was who and all! Turns out we actually managed to find stuff out!! Please if you read this let me know your thoughts and theories ✨
My Dark Romeo by L.J. Shen, Parker S. Huntington
3.5
So, let me start by saying the way dicks are described is-... worse than in monster romances 😂. Ok, this book is an enemies to lovers. Actual, enemies to lovers, which is pretty nice. No already broody emotions or niceties. Dallas gets fingered at a debutante ball by Romeo, losing face and being forced by her father to marry him instead of her arranged fiance Madison. She has to go with him to his mansion and there- well, its enemies to lovers. It's an (obvious) belle and the beast retelling.
Dallas' goal in life is to be a mother and she does about anything to get there, including seducing and manipulating Romeo, some of it was a big no. Romeo has one mission which is to destroy the company his father loved more than him and doesn't want any heir. He's super hot/cold to Dallas which gave me a slight whiplash at some point xD.
I was super invested during the whole book but objectively, it's not super good 😂. There was lots of smut where he did her with her underwear/sheets/something between which is just, uncomfortable as fuck? Romeo taking her v-card with his tongue?! Thats- not how that works? Im-?
In the end I feel like it could've been a bit shorter. There's still a lot of questions unanswered of which Dallas did make a whole point so it feels a bit sad that they'd leave it all out? Spending a lot of things on some points but then just zooming over others. It's Southern so dad = Daddy which has been ruined for me so that was a bit awkward xD ,
I dk I'll probably think of more but I'm running out of space xd
Their banter though? Top tier. Oliver and Zach? Please, I want their stories too. They way they dragged Romeo was 👌, I love them. Hettie was an absolute g e m. Idk maybe I'm more invested in the side characters xD
--> TW: blood/sex while bleeding heavily, child abuse,
Dallas' goal in life is to be a mother and she does about anything to get there, including seducing and manipulating Romeo, some of it was a big no. Romeo has one mission which is to destroy the company his father loved more than him and doesn't want any heir. He's super hot/cold to Dallas which gave me a slight whiplash at some point xD.
I was super invested during the whole book but objectively, it's not super good 😂. There was lots of smut where he did her with her underwear/sheets/something between which is just, uncomfortable as fuck? Romeo taking her v-card with his tongue?! Thats- not how that works? Im-?
In the end I feel like it could've been a bit shorter. There's still a lot of questions unanswered of which Dallas did make a whole point so it feels a bit sad that they'd leave it all out? Spending a lot of things on some points but then just zooming over others. It's Southern so dad = Daddy which has been ruined for me so that was a bit awkward xD ,
I dk I'll probably think of more but I'm running out of space xd
Their banter though? Top tier. Oliver and Zach? Please, I want their stories too. They way they dragged Romeo was 👌, I love them. Hettie was an absolute g e m. Idk maybe I'm more invested in the side characters xD
--> TW: blood/sex while bleeding heavily, child abuse,
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
2.0
The way I wanted to throw this book, every other chapter? I genuinly do not get the hype around this one and I only struggled through because of my buddyread and we could bash this together because for fucks sAKE this hurt.
Anastasia (Stassie), a pair figureskater and Nate, Ice hockey captain, need to share the rink because the 2nd one is broken. - what do we get from that? Nothing. Stas' skating partner Aaron is abusive, manipulative and terrible all around - what do we do with that? Nothing. Stas and Nate have to skate together because Aaron is out of the runnin- what do we do with it? NOTHING! The whole book is just a jamble of events, switched off with them fucking. No fluidity, no tension, no longing from across the room, just, bam they fuck now and poof they're bf/gf? The smut parts were good, Nate is a 5/5 in bed but then it goes back to cringe so quickly again... Nate carried the whole book tho. Sunshine, golden retriever good boi boyfriend was the best character of all, along with the other hockey boys. Lola, Stas' best friend is horrible, having seen what Aaron does and not saying anything about it.
It felt very young, childish and uncoherent.
This book felt like the author's goal was to see how terrible they could make something and get away with it. It's such a waste because the themes it wants to touch upon are really good, but nothing gets done with it... It all falls flat in the next activity that happens and never gets mentioned ever again..
If you want good ice skating entrtainment watch Yuri on Ice.
Anastasia (Stassie), a pair figureskater and Nate, Ice hockey captain, need to share the rink because the 2nd one is broken. - what do we get from that? Nothing. Stas' skating partner Aaron is abusive, manipulative and terrible all around - what do we do with that? Nothing. Stas and Nate have to skate together because Aaron is out of the runnin- what do we do with it? NOTHING! The whole book is just a jamble of events, switched off with them fucking. No fluidity, no tension, no longing from across the room, just, bam they fuck now and poof they're bf/gf? The smut parts were good, Nate is a 5/5 in bed but then it goes back to cringe so quickly again... Nate carried the whole book tho. Sunshine, golden retriever good boi boyfriend was the best character of all, along with the other hockey boys. Lola, Stas' best friend is horrible, having seen what Aaron does and not saying anything about it.
It felt very young, childish and uncoherent.
This book felt like the author's goal was to see how terrible they could make something and get away with it. It's such a waste because the themes it wants to touch upon are really good, but nothing gets done with it... It all falls flat in the next activity that happens and never gets mentioned ever again..
If you want good ice skating entrtainment watch Yuri on Ice.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
4.0
Hooooooooooooo boy- I really enjoyed this one a lot, though there were definitely some points that put me off as well. I L o v e d that we got more of the politics, history-ish and just, battle shit throughout the book. Just like FW, It had all the action all the time which really kept me on edge xD. I think Vi improved, but I still wanted to throttle her sometimes with her behaviour. I feel like she was being so hypocritical towards Xaden. And also, the other woman drama? There's a war happening, stop... Thank god it was... fairly quickly solved? idk. Maybe in a way all the struggling and hypocrycies made it more real? My annoyance was real tho xD
Tairn and Andarna? I'm a little sad that because of what happened in FW, Andarna had to sleep off her growth for almost half the book because her bantering with Tairn gives me life. Tairn has the patience of a saint with that one xD. Remind me to never bond with a teenage dragon? He is the true hero in my eyes xD carried the whole book.
The romance was, once again, a good solid yes, Xaddy? Please :). It wasn't too overbearing, also because of Xadens stationing but when it happened it happened good lemme tell you.. the throne room? iykyk. Their fights at some point did get a bit repetative though. Which brings me back to the whole hypocricy point of before. Xaden has secrets to keep Vi / the rebellion safe. Vi wants to know everything and fights with him about it. It felt a lil toxic at some point.
The ending however, really threw me off. Not per sé regarding the happenings? I guess? But how it was written. It felt very, oh shit ending is here here gotta finish? I started the whole book feeling like I was going to love it more than FW, but in the end I liked FW better xD. I'll still continue the series most likely, because my nosy ass is invested and I do enjoy the worldbuilding, but I hope those last few pages get a redemption arc.
The fact that this is gonna be 5 books also makes me intrigued on where its going to go!
*review is subject to chance when I get my shit together about this book.
Tairn and Andarna? I'm a little sad that because of what happened in FW, Andarna had to sleep off her growth for almost half the book because her bantering with Tairn gives me life. Tairn has the patience of a saint with that one xD. Remind me to never bond with a teenage dragon? He is the true hero in my eyes xD carried the whole book.
The romance was, once again, a good solid yes, Xaddy? Please :). It wasn't too overbearing, also because of Xadens stationing but when it happened it happened good lemme tell you.. the throne room? iykyk. Their fights at some point did get a bit repetative though. Which brings me back to the whole hypocricy point of before. Xaden has secrets to keep Vi / the rebellion safe. Vi wants to know everything and fights with him about it. It felt a lil toxic at some point.
The ending however, really threw me off. Not per sé regarding the happenings? I guess? But how it was written. It felt very, oh shit ending is here here gotta finish? I started the whole book feeling like I was going to love it more than FW, but in the end I liked FW better xD. I'll still continue the series most likely, because my nosy ass is invested and I do enjoy the worldbuilding, but I hope those last few pages get a redemption arc.
The fact that this is gonna be 5 books also makes me intrigued on where its going to go!
*review is subject to chance when I get my shit together about this book.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
How can I not- obviously it's a 5* star because Queen Ali did it again!
This was her first Young Adult book, and I loved every second of it! I lowkey want to rewatch the Queen's Gambit again even though it's so completely different.
We follow Mallory, an 18 year old who, after having played Chess with her father for years n years, fully quits on her 14th because of reasons we find out in the book. All she goes to do is care for her mom and sisters. Her best friend guilttrips her (in a good way) to play one more time for a charity event after which Mallory gets offered a Fellowship to play Chess. She is the first woman getting into the challenges she plays and suddenly gets a lot of media attention; especially when she's seen hanging out with World Champion - Nolan Sawyer.
The story hooks in the narrative of mysoginy so well. It really gives off the whole being a woman in a man's world without it being too overbearing and serious? Ali made it read super natural (which, might be bad that it's so easily done xDDD). Koch needs to get his ass handed to him tyvm.
Ali's men? 10/10 always. I enjoyed reading this so much and it for sure helped me starting to get out of my slump. I've been reading more on the side again yay! This book got me blushing, giggling and sighing with annoyance because FFS Mal. xD
Oz is probably one of my favourites this book. His analogies cracked me the fuck up and he was so on point. Bless :)
This was her first Young Adult book, and I loved every second of it! I lowkey want to rewatch the Queen's Gambit again even though it's so completely different.
We follow Mallory, an 18 year old who, after having played Chess with her father for years n years, fully quits on her 14th because of reasons we find out in the book. All she goes to do is care for her mom and sisters. Her best friend guilttrips her (in a good way) to play one more time for a charity event after which Mallory gets offered a Fellowship to play Chess. She is the first woman getting into the challenges she plays and suddenly gets a lot of media attention; especially when she's seen hanging out with World Champion - Nolan Sawyer.
The story hooks in the narrative of mysoginy so well. It really gives off the whole being a woman in a man's world without it being too overbearing and serious? Ali made it read super natural (which, might be bad that it's so easily done xDDD). Koch needs to get his ass handed to him tyvm.
Ali's men? 10/10 always. I enjoyed reading this so much and it for sure helped me starting to get out of my slump. I've been reading more on the side again yay! This book got me blushing, giggling and sighing with annoyance because FFS Mal. xD
Oz is probably one of my favourites this book. His analogies cracked me the fuck up and he was so on point. Bless :)
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
5.0
I knew this book was gonna give me feelings, but I didn't expect to actually shed some tears over it. - We follow Mina. A girl from a village who sacrifices herself for her brother and his lover. The Sea God demands a bride every year, so that with the right one, the storms will stop. When Cheong, the bride of this year is chosen, Mina chases her and her brother Joon. Cheong looks back at Joon, which makes Mina jump in the ocean in her stead. She ends up in the spirit world and has 30 days to find a solution to wake the Sea God and save everyone.
I loved Namgi and Kirin. I would have loved to see a little more of them, or their myths. The friendship they develop is heartwarming. Dai, Miki and Mask? Gods, Dai made me laugh so much. They're so pure and later in the book, so much comes together that makes me love them even more. Mina? What an amazing character. I forgot often that when she's in the spirit world she's only 16 with how she is tbh. It felt very mature? And Shin, amazing, loyal, kind, dear Shin, who deserves the whole world? Their love growing was very subtle. Maybe because we only had Mina her POV? But his actions were l o u d.
This book is full of love. So many different kinds. There's so many different layers that all build to this reveal that answers so much, but in a way leaves wanting for more? I'm definitely going to look further into Korean mythology. Absolutely recommend this one.
I loved Namgi and Kirin. I would have loved to see a little more of them, or their myths. The friendship they develop is heartwarming. Dai, Miki and Mask? Gods, Dai made me laugh so much. They're so pure and later in the book, so much comes together that makes me love them even more. Mina? What an amazing character. I forgot often that when she's in the spirit world she's only 16 with how she is tbh. It felt very mature? And Shin, amazing, loyal, kind, dear Shin, who deserves the whole world? Their love growing was very subtle. Maybe because we only had Mina her POV? But his actions were l o u d.
This book is full of love. So many different kinds. There's so many different layers that all build to this reveal that answers so much, but in a way leaves wanting for more? I'm definitely going to look further into Korean mythology. Absolutely recommend this one.
Dom by S.J. Tilly
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
Ok so I started this fULLY based on 1 quote I saw on instagram. I didn’t know what I was going to be getting into and I didn’t know it was #3 until I was already too into it 😂..
So, Val, my girl’ I really did like her. Sometimes with dark romances I feel icky with FMC’s who are really just damsels in distress basically? But she owned up to the fuckery that is a mafia romance, and I felt for her reasons of going through with it and I can appreciate that :). Obviously a dark romance is gonna be fucked up so 🤷♀️.
Dominic Gonzalez, head of the Chicago mafia, tricked Valentine into marriage so he could join the Alliance, the gang that Val’s brother leads, and they’d have to be backup and help him look for the man that’s targeting him. Nero and King have their own books (honestly I’d just read Nero’a because he was hilarious here xd) and so idk a ton of background xd. It’s not until super late in the book we learn more about who and why, and I’m intrigued for the setup for the next one with Hans but 🤷♀️. There’s not an overly load of fight scenes. Most of them are concealed by text conversations between Val and Dom. Until there’s one rly big one and Val turns out to be a dope ass sniper baby❤️ hell yes!
Dom, big, handsome, tattooed, Dom- is your standard mafia, touch her and you die, I wanted you from the beginning, look at her and you die- mafia husband. I would’ve loooooooved to see more of the family dynamic and his mom xd. The way he takes care of King when it comes to Val’s trauma is so sweet in a way (not ok, but sweet xd) and he /worships/ Val, which, yes king❤️
Fun read! Check the content warnings because it has quite some triggers!!!
So, Val, my girl’ I really did like her. Sometimes with dark romances I feel icky with FMC’s who are really just damsels in distress basically? But she owned up to the fuckery that is a mafia romance, and I felt for her reasons of going through with it and I can appreciate that :). Obviously a dark romance is gonna be fucked up so 🤷♀️.
Dominic Gonzalez, head of the Chicago mafia, tricked Valentine into marriage so he could join the Alliance, the gang that Val’s brother leads, and they’d have to be backup and help him look for the man that’s targeting him. Nero and King have their own books (honestly I’d just read Nero’a because he was hilarious here xd) and so idk a ton of background xd. It’s not until super late in the book we learn more about who and why, and I’m intrigued for the setup for the next one with Hans but 🤷♀️. There’s not an overly load of fight scenes. Most of them are concealed by text conversations between Val and Dom. Until there’s one rly big one and Val turns out to be a dope ass sniper baby❤️ hell yes!
Dom, big, handsome, tattooed, Dom- is your standard mafia, touch her and you die, I wanted you from the beginning, look at her and you die- mafia husband. I would’ve loooooooved to see more of the family dynamic and his mom xd. The way he takes care of King when it comes to Val’s trauma is so sweet in a way (not ok, but sweet xd) and he /worships/ Val, which, yes king❤️
Fun read! Check the content warnings because it has quite some triggers!!!
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
5.0
I really enjoyed this one and the way magic works in this universe. Also, it was really refreshing to read a book with main characters over 25 xD. While reading, there were some really good conversations between charactes that definitely made an impression. There's some healing and character growth that was really nice to read about. No, unnecessary drama because of miscommunications or something. The charactes felt very relatable in their responses. Some dialogues got me really good tbh.
Mika is such a strong FMC! I love how she stands up for what she believes in, and her love for magic drips off the pages, it's so sweet. The kids were adorable and everyone needs an Ian in their lives. I feel like Lucie kind of fell to the background and some stuff could've worked through a little more maybe, but that would add to the page count and have the risk of it being dragged i suppose.
Mika is such a strong FMC! I love how she stands up for what she believes in, and her love for magic drips off the pages, it's so sweet. The kids were adorable and everyone needs an Ian in their lives. I feel like Lucie kind of fell to the background and some stuff could've worked through a little more maybe, but that would add to the page count and have the risk of it being dragged i suppose.
How Not to be a Vampire Slayer by Katy Birchall
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Dropped - I got this recommended. I usually don't mind teen but this is too much for me with the caps rn
maybe later
maybe later