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cortanasreadingnook's reviews
351 reviews
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an ARC from Random House Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. (I am still INTERNALLY SCREAMING that I got an early copy from an author i so clearly love)
I was actually rolling on the floor desperate BEGGING for an early copy a few months ago and I eventually fucking got it so prepare for how insufferable I will be because I deserve it. Out of The Woods will be in shelves on January 28, 2025 and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this angsty and hilarious companion novel to OOAL!
Before I begin, THIS should be the standard for a marriage in crisis romance novel. It wasn’t shit because I almost cried multiple times. I need fourteen more of them right about now (Hannah if you see this, please listen to my annoying ass) this was fucking flawless you guys <3
This portrays marriage in a flawed, emotional, and intimate manner. It perfectly portrays two married people in a flawed, emotional, and intimate manner. All throughout this book, I simultaneously felt both Sarah and Caleb’s shared pain, along with their grievances. Hannah definitely handled this book with care because anyone could feel her love in the characterization and writing (especially with the Win & Bo cameos!) Warning though that this book comes with depressing loss, the brutal hit of having an existential crisis, and rethinking your entire fucking existence (ngl it was what I needed). And yet, OOTW is hopeful and insightful, eventually changing my perspective on marriage. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get married to Caleb? I’m pretty sure anyone would love to get married to a nerd (that would be me, is anyone interested?)
I was actually rolling on the floor desperate BEGGING for an early copy a few months ago and I eventually fucking got it so prepare for how insufferable I will be because I deserve it. Out of The Woods will be in shelves on January 28, 2025 and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this angsty and hilarious companion novel to OOAL!
Before I begin, THIS should be the standard for a marriage in crisis romance novel. It wasn’t shit because I almost cried multiple times. I need fourteen more of them right about now (Hannah if you see this, please listen to my annoying ass) this was fucking flawless you guys <3
This portrays marriage in a flawed, emotional, and intimate manner. It perfectly portrays two married people in a flawed, emotional, and intimate manner. All throughout this book, I simultaneously felt both Sarah and Caleb’s shared pain, along with their grievances. Hannah definitely handled this book with care because anyone could feel her love in the characterization and writing (especially with the Win & Bo cameos!) Warning though that this book comes with depressing loss, the brutal hit of having an existential crisis, and rethinking your entire fucking existence (ngl it was what I needed). And yet, OOTW is hopeful and insightful, eventually changing my perspective on marriage. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get married to Caleb? I’m pretty sure anyone would love to get married to a nerd (that would be me, is anyone interested?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
This stunning, adventure-filled sequel to Song of Silver, Flame Like Night concludes the story of the girl holding the secrets to a lost kingdom and a boy reclaiming his heritage…one that could destroy them all. Lan and Zen’s story feels bitter and hopeless, and yet it is a sight to behold in its depiction of resistance. The author did not disguise the trauma and gruesomeness of ethnic cleansing but rather illustrated the characters’ desperate ambition to contest against colonizers. As someone who comes from a thrice occupied country in Southeast Asia, books that glorify defiance speak volumes to me. For me, the ending was quite predictable and there were gaps in the conclusion of the book, yet this fantasy duology properly featured illegal occupation and refused to romanticize its elements all the while including dragons, dark magic, and political intrigue in its pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Minor: Genocide
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 23 by Koyoharu Gotouge
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? N/A
5.0
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 19 by Koyoharu Gotouge
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is the stunning first installment in The Last Kingdom duology, inspired by the beauty of ancient China and Xianxia dramas. The world building was extensive with the high-stakes story itself narrated through two alternating POVs in an elegant prose. This is a romance fantasy book worth reading as it outlines the intergenerational traumatic impact of colonialism and ethnic cleansing through generations as told by history. This brings out a reader’s rage and hope as they live through the characters’ experiences, particularly that of Lan and Zen. A very timely, eye-opening book. I’m excited for how the author plans to conclude a story in a world that’s so full of magic and potential. I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Colonisation, and War