Take a photo of a barcode or cover
cortanasreadingnook's reviews
386 reviews
Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
19 hours with the audiobook later and I’ve finally finished Secret Shanghai. To be fully honest, I put this off for about two years to avoid reading the last book. But alas it was a time for me to say goodbye to all of these characters. This book was such an emotional rollercoaster (not surprised since it is Chloe Gong), but this book well and truly put me THROUGH IT. After multiple crashouts, here we are! This was nostalgic and adventurous, yet equally packed with angst and YEARNING (oh my god wtf was this book). I loved the cameos, the action-packed narration, and the complicated web of conflict between Communists vs. Nationalists vs. Japan. For a few moments I actually forgot how reading a Chloe Gong book is a history lesson as well lol. I can say Secret Shanghai went out with a bang here (no because why was so much shit happening at once I cannot even keep up???)
I would like to criticize how this book kind of felt dragging due to how politics is so intricately woven into the plot that my head actually swam, but what is Secret Shanghai if not for people killing each other? 10/10
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
I’m so happy to be able to partake in the book tour hosted by Lonely Pages for Elisa A. Bonnin’s new, upcoming YA fantasy standalone! Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Out 03/25/2025!
I’ve had my eyes set on this book because not only is Elisa A. Bonnin is Filipino, but because the synopsis was so exciting. And it truly did not disappoint! Lovely Dark and Deep is a dark and action-filled novel down to its very last page, with a subtle hint of sapphic romance. It’s such a thrilling addition to the YA genre, with its unique elemental-based magic system that is also woven with Filipino folklore and culture, seeing as our FMC Maria Faith (very Filipino name actually) and her family are immigrants from Iloilo (yes, I’ve been there lots of times I live for four hours away from when I was in the Philippines). Not only that, but she discusses detachment and losing the language, which is honestly unspoken of around immigrant children, a great addition to this novel. Moreover, she is perfectly flawed, impulsive, and stubborn, but we see grow from a girl who still carries guilt from her best friend’s death to one who embraces her fears and moves forward. Furthermore, this book is extremely diverse with powerful people of color, has amazing queer representation, and the autism rep is spot on! Lastly, it has the endearing cliché of the tight-knit found family trope that made this book more engaging to me because of the charming banter. Perfect for fans of Don’t Let The Forest In and The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents!
I’ve had my eyes set on this book because not only is Elisa A. Bonnin is Filipino, but because the synopsis was so exciting. And it truly did not disappoint! Lovely Dark and Deep is a dark and action-filled novel down to its very last page, with a subtle hint of sapphic romance. It’s such a thrilling addition to the YA genre, with its unique elemental-based magic system that is also woven with Filipino folklore and culture, seeing as our FMC Maria Faith (very Filipino name actually) and her family are immigrants from Iloilo (yes, I’ve been there lots of times I live for four hours away from when I was in the Philippines). Not only that, but she discusses detachment and losing the language, which is honestly unspoken of around immigrant children, a great addition to this novel. Moreover, she is perfectly flawed, impulsive, and stubborn, but we see grow from a girl who still carries guilt from her best friend’s death to one who embraces her fears and moves forward. Furthermore, this book is extremely diverse with powerful people of color, has amazing queer representation, and the autism rep is spot on! Lastly, it has the endearing cliché of the tight-knit found family trope that made this book more engaging to me because of the charming banter. Perfect for fans of Don’t Let The Forest In and The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents!
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a complimentary review copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. My first 5-star read of February and it was so good! From the author of Hotel Magnifique comes a standalone fantasy novel that is a perfect read for my writer girlies <3 In shelves on February 25, 2025!
This dark academia novel had amazing world-building and a very unique magic system that expands on mundane letter scribing and the traditional postage system. It felt like I was transported to a rainy city with cobblestone sidewalks and Victorian gas lamps. I could smell the ink and old paper!
The Otherwhere Post is infused with the right amount of mystery and fantasy, along with a tension-filled slowburn romance between the main character and her male lead. Besides the very slow narration, I think that the ending could’ve been more dragged out, considering the fmc’s purpose from the very beginning. The ending felt quite lacking, which made it feel less satisfying for me as a reader. However, my fondness for the specific aesthetic of this book overrules my criticism of the climax. Maeve is a fascinating girl, and I love that nobody goes above her boundaries and her reservations to protect herself, not even someone her heart is longing for. Not only that but the male lead compliments her characterization perfectly. The author did an amazing job with the “Where you go, I’ll always follow” trope (is this even a trope?). But I highly recommend this beauty of a book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse
Fangs by Sarah Andersen
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"We should have a baby."
"For dinner?"
Nothing more to this story besides the cute romance between a 300-year old vampire and a werewolf who looks like adam driver. It was a fast read, short but worth it. They had a cute dynamic, and their banter was quite funny. They love each other so much like oh my god. I thought this was a messy situationship but they actually fell for each other.
"For dinner?"
Nothing more to this story besides the cute romance between a 300-year old vampire and a werewolf who looks like adam driver. It was a fast read, short but worth it. They had a cute dynamic, and their banter was quite funny. They love each other so much like oh my god. I thought this was a messy situationship but they actually fell for each other.
Garlic & the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This is a short, cozy fantasy middle-grade graphic novel about a witch and her adorable team of magic fruits and vegetables. I loved the art style first and foremost, and I adored how the color scheme just gave off a sense of comfort. Garlic is such an adorable character! This is one of those books you read with hot chocolate while snuggling in blankets. Hoping I get to pick up the sequel soon.
The Romance Rivalry by Susan Lee
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC! Perfect for fans of This Time It’s Real and Dungeons and Drama comes Susan Lee’s fake dating romance novel coming out on May 13, 2025.
I can honestly tell when a millennial tries to write about Gen Z, so I stayed purely for the vibes and because Aiden is actually cute and was looking forward to Irene’s character development. It’s a light and fluffy read, with just the right amount of drama and heartfelt Korean-American representation that I adored.
To be honest, there’s not much to work with in this novel. It felt like scrolling through ao3 in the middle of the night because the author decided to lump together 10+ romance tropes. It turned out to be cringe, and I don’t think anyone else my age would actually find this enjoyable. However, I think if I were still at the cusp of my teen years, I would’ve 100% ate this up. The characters clearly had tension along the lines of ‘he fell first and harder’, but this book could’ve done without too many generic romance tropes in the narrative. As a book reviewer, I could relate to Irene, but her obsession with romance novels just isn’t my cup of tea. Why on earth would anyone even add omegaverse references and force an enemies to lovers type of tension in contemporary teen fiction romance? They’re college students LOL. Overall, I recommend this if you’re looking for a fast read and are very much yearning in the middle of a life crisis where you think you’re going to die alone. But otherwise, it is truly up to you!
I can honestly tell when a millennial tries to write about Gen Z, so I stayed purely for the vibes and because Aiden is actually cute and was looking forward to Irene’s character development. It’s a light and fluffy read, with just the right amount of drama and heartfelt Korean-American representation that I adored.
To be honest, there’s not much to work with in this novel. It felt like scrolling through ao3 in the middle of the night because the author decided to lump together 10+ romance tropes. It turned out to be cringe, and I don’t think anyone else my age would actually find this enjoyable. However, I think if I were still at the cusp of my teen years, I would’ve 100% ate this up. The characters clearly had tension along the lines of ‘he fell first and harder’, but this book could’ve done without too many generic romance tropes in the narrative. As a book reviewer, I could relate to Irene, but her obsession with romance novels just isn’t my cup of tea. Why on earth would anyone even add omegaverse references and force an enemies to lovers type of tension in contemporary teen fiction romance? They’re college students LOL. Overall, I recommend this if you’re looking for a fast read and are very much yearning in the middle of a life crisis where you think you’re going to die alone. But otherwise, it is truly up to you!
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
I was sent an early review copy in exchange for my honest review! Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the ARC. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way. Out on the shelves on March 4, 2025!
I truly love lesbians in fiction. Unfortunately, this didn’t deliver the way I expected it to. Essentially a Hunger Games fanfic, anyone could see the love Ava Reid has for the dystopian trilogy that has shaped at least two generations of readers. The world-building was quite unique and she was able to write a post-apocalyptic society that also reflects our current world. Reid incorporated a variety of social issues in this book which made it a tad richer plot-wise. She also added some elements of popular horror video games such as TLOU and Until Dawn, but it made the world-building slightly messier than intended. It wasn’t well-laid out enough for me to work with. I kept asking for more thrill, more build-up to possible conflicts that the main characters will face but the story doesn’t pick up until the 70% mark. Inesa and Melinöe had amazing tension and chemistry, I absolutely love women, and I expected them to have a worthwhile ending. But I didn’t get anything an exciting enough conclusion, or at the very least hopeful. I’m trying to justify the point of having a cliffhanger ending if there isn’t any possibility for a sequel. Is this a duology? Trilogy?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Misogyny, Violence, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse
Minor: Addiction
Hi, I'm a Witch, and My Crush Wants Me to Make a Love Potion, Vol. 1 by Kamada, Eiko Mutsuhana
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Buddy read with my friend! The story is cute, simple, and romantic. This cozy fantasy has an whimsical romance centered on a witch and a captain of the knight's guard and the perfect slowburn to accompany it. They're so adorable together! I can't wait to see where this goes. I'm so happy that I finally found an enjoyable manga after such a long time.
Pupposites Attract, Volume 1 by Hono Natsuna
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
It’s a cute manga romcom about two characters going on walks with their dogs and crushing on each other? It’s really adorable and perfectly captures the relationship dog owners have with their pets which I found very accurate (I love my dog to the moon & back). This is a quick read as well.
The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World (Manga) Vol. 1 by Reiko Sakurada, Oumiya, Kyouka Izumi
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
It has a really good premise for an Isekai novel, but the story feels rushed, making it lack the character that would keep me reading this. It's a cozy fantasy adult manga that has really good potential, but the pacing feels too fast for my liking. There's not much to work with as a reader so I don't recommend this.