cortanasreadingnook's reviews
351 reviews

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

My thanks to Saga Press for sending me a review copy in exchange for my honest review! I still can’t believe I secured an ARC. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way. 

The Last Dragon of the East is out on October 8th! 

Buddy read with sea! 

This dazzling adult romantasy debut from Katrina Kwan is woven from the tales of Chinese folklore and mythology, and features the fated soulmates trope between a grumpy dragon and a charismatic teahouse owner. I was captivated by the storytelling, with the perfect thrill of adventure and romance between the two characters. I absolutely loved Sai’s softhearted and courageous persona because he wasn’t a typical MC who wields a sword from the very beginning into battle. Sai is clumsy and impulsive, and gets into a lot of trouble throughout this book (the man is literally on death’s doorstep that’s how unlucky he is). However, it never diminished how loveable and appealing he is to me because of his devotion and loyalty (the man is literally down bad). Reading this book from Sai’s perspective was sweet and funny. To avoid spoilers, I will simply say that this book is a tragic and hopeful story of love and loss. Perfect for fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Legend of The White Snake. 
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents by Nicki Pau Preto

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

3.75

I received a complimentary review copy from Penguin Young Readers Group in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way. Out on shelves on October 1st! 

This middle grade fantasy novel is perfect for fans of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and Witch Hat Atelier. I loved how cozy it was, even though its themes don’t fall under my demographic. The plot and magic system were simple yet fun to navigate, and this book would be something you’d stumble upon when you’re a kid and absolutely enjoy it. I didn’t expect to like literature for 12-year-olds, but I appreciate how the writing style had a way of taking me back to when I first started reading books, which is more than a decade ago already. The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is a children’s book that teaches strength, camaraderie, and the bond of found family through the humorous dynamics between the characters and the engaging storytelling. That cliffhanger ending was so unexpected, yet I’m excited for the future of these books. 
Falling: A Fake Dating College Hockey Romance by Janisha Boswell

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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

4.0

My thanks to Janisha Boswell for sending me an ARC! 

What happens when you fake date the charming captain of the hockey team? Wren and Miles having that black cat gf x golden retriever bf relationship was both sweet and wholesome to read about. I will never get tired of my favorite romance tropes. There was something special about the innate chemistry in this book, along with the great character development. This also heavily emphasizes mental health, which I found very important. I love my grumpy girls, and in so many ways Wren’s character was reflective to read (what’s scary was I honestly could relate to her a little too much). On the other hand, I was able to sympathize with Miles just as easily and I also enjoyed his playful, charismatic persona. I appreciate how the characters felt essentially human to me, with their friendship dynamics an added bonus to this already wholesome book. I’m looking forward to the rest of the books, with particular rivals in mind :D 
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The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Thank you Simon & Schuster, Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending me a review copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. 

The first book in the City of Fantome series is nostalgic of every YA fantasy that I have loved and is perfect for fans of These Violent Delights and We Hunt The Flame. The engaging, fast-paced prose perfectly balances the buildup of the plot and romance through two alternating perspectives. Moreover, the characters were well thought out to fit the flow of the narrative, with the lack of a defining line of morality in Doyle’s storytelling making the book more thrilling and unpredictable. 

THIS is how you write an enemies to lovers’ story because the weight of the themes weren’t toned down in favor of a love story and yet the undeniable tension and chemistry between Seraphine and Ransom was absolutely well done. It’s not every day that you meet a girl that will stab you and yet miss your liver, right? The Dagger & The Flame is a book about centuries-old rival gangs all vying for control of a city on the edge of destruction, an inevitable fate of ruin, and found family. Nothing could have truly prepared for that ending. Out on shelves on October 1, 2024! 
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Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver

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challenging 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? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

West and Skylar’s book is here! Happy first week on the shelves to Elsie Silver in the second installment of Rose Hill Series! This new book is a small-town adult romance between a popstar on the run from fame and a divorced, single dad working on a horse ranch. I’m sticking to my rating because I felt like nothing was happening for most of the book. But apart from the mental health and trauma discussions, Wild Eyes is a cozy and peaceful read that explores friendship, emotional intimacy, and regaining autonomy of oneself. West is a colorful, extroverted character as opposed to Skylar’s aloof, yet interesting, sassy personality. Oliver and Emmy were adorable additions to this book, and the conversation regarding gentle parenting AND healthy co-parenting were amazing examples that it’s not hard to be asshole parents (I am very serious BE BETTER). This story was healing for everyone dealing with parental issues and Elsie is doing us all a favor by letting us enjoy men doing the bare minimum and actually being present for their kids. Overall, this series is not simply centered on tropes, but is heavy on the themes and equally reflecting, giving it depth and charm. I’m very excited for Tabitha and Rhys’s book! 
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Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-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

My thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group for sending me a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Kate Pearsall is back to me earlier and brought me back to the secluded small town of Caball Hollow with Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue! Set a month after the events of Linden’s book, this new gothic paranormal thriller focuses on Rowan James and Hadrian Fitch, along with a new set of interconnected, intriguing mysteries that can only be solved by a girl who can detect lies and a boy shrouded in secrets. What I initially loved about these books was how fast they were to get through, but Pearsall has a way of delivering a haunting yet realistic tone to her books that will transport you to the Appalachian Mountains as you read. She also knows how to work her characters through good slow burn romantic tension. All of the characters feel like family to me, and I trust that this author will give justice to the future of this series given the ending of this second installment opens up possibilities for where book 3 might head to. The James women are absolutely amazing and will once more be in shelves on 07/01/25!
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Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

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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? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The first book in the Bittersweet in the Hollow series is a unique and dark YA tale of the lore and mysteries haunting the forests of West Virginia. This was a perfect blend of paranormal mystery and the delightful hunt for a killer. I’ve always loved small-town thrillers because it’s cozy and quick to read and this book is no different. I loved Pearsall’s prose so much because it perfectly painted an eerie and disturbing narrative. The romance and thrill were balanced out very well because Cole and Linden had tasteful chemistry. I also liked how Rowan and Hadrian already gave us hints for where the story picks up in Caball Hollow. This is definitely one of those books you can’t put down. Perfect for fans of Where He Can’t Find you and Hollow Girls. I received an ARC for the sequel so I'm excited!

 

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Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

What a disappointment. Apparently the conclusion of the first book wasn’t enough that this had to get published. The continuation of the plot leading towards the conflict could’ve been enjoyable, but it was overshadowed by the terribly executed love triangle. This book was already heartbreaking in its depiction of grief and death is inevitable in a book ravaged by darkness and war. I am biased when I say I was rooting for Liwei, but for a strong character like Xingyin to end up with a man who betrayed, lied, and kidnapped her? Fucker should’ve stayed dead. Her inner monologue throughout this sequel consisted of her never forgiving Wenzhi, that she could not work past the lies, only for the ending to trash her development, along with Liwei’s character.
What was his purpose in this book, then? He’s a piece of furniture? I also would just like to add how terrible the portrayal of Chang’e is. Revered by mortals, the literal goddess of the moon but her character was so weakly-written that I simply find no appeal in reading the novella. Somebody also said that the ending was a clockwork princess rip-off and I can’t even disagree because they are absolutely right. Liwei was never given a chance, but a liar was? I just feel so angry and hope to forget the existence of this sorry excuse for a sequel.
The Yakuza's Guide To Babysitting, Vol. 4 by Tsukiya

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

The first installment of The Celestial Kingdom duology is an adventurous and fantastical tale. It’s such a stunning retelling of the story of the Chinese Moon Goddess Chang’e, adding new and colorful characters to a captivating world of magic. Tan’s prose is meticulous, and I found the characters to be easily loved. This book highlights bravery, strength, and heart wrenching romantic angst between a prince and a soldier who were friends before they loved the other. Liwei had an appealing persona, which suited the dynamic of Xingyin’s stubbornness and drive. I personally wanted to pull my hair out because of the angst, but they also had equally charming instances together. As this reads like a drama, one will find themselves engaged in a young girl’s high-stakes ascent to bargain for her mother’s freedom, all the while navigating the suspense of court faction and treachery. This was a striking story offering every element that I ever needed in a fantasy book, with the main character’s growth inspiring hope and courage in readers.