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cortanasreadingnook's reviews
363 reviews
The Annihilator by RuNyx
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
I have mixed feelings about reading this, especially since I put it off for so long even though I knew damn well Luna/Lyla was alive. I’ll be taking a break from romance books after this because I actually feel like my mind’s gonna fucking break. I completely understand the readers who didn’t like Dainn, and I wish I could hate him as much as you guys do, but I can’t find it in myself to despise him at all. What he “didn’t do” for the last six years was for everyone’s safety and he was completely honest about it as well.
Please consider the TWs/CWs before reading this. RuNyx went into detail about the brutality of sexual slavery and the exploitation of women and children, so it takes quite an emotional toll on the reader. I also appreciate the fact that Luna/Lyla’s depression was handled with care. I’m glad nobody criticized how depression was expressed through Luna/Lyla’s character. It doesn’t really go away, it’s just there. You can get better, but it stays. You can’t determine when and where you’ll break and it’s scary because it sucks the fucking life out of you, and I know that all too well.
The revelations here were so unexpected though. I don’t know if I want to cry or throw up because why in the everloving fuck did Luna have to experience all of this? I can’t wait for The Syndicater!
Please consider the TWs/CWs before reading this. RuNyx went into detail about the brutality of sexual slavery and the exploitation of women and children, so it takes quite an emotional toll on the reader. I also appreciate the fact that Luna/Lyla’s depression was handled with care. I’m glad nobody criticized how depression was expressed through Luna/Lyla’s character. It doesn’t really go away, it’s just there. You can get better, but it stays. You can’t determine when and where you’ll break and it’s scary because it sucks the fucking life out of you, and I know that all too well.
The revelations here were so unexpected though. I don’t know if I want to cry or throw up because why in the everloving fuck did Luna have to experience all of this? I can’t wait for The Syndicater!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Self harm
A Sign of Affection, Volume 5 by suu Morishita
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? N/A
3.0
A Sign of Affection, Volume 4 by suu Morishita
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
The Finisher by RuNyx
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Alpha & Zephyr have my heart! In this fourth installment of the Dark Verse series, the chemistry and the dynamic between the MCs is just as good as the last one. Zephyr was very refreshing to read about because women with her body type (women with perfect breasts :D) is quite rare in romance stories. Her hopeless romantic personality was cute yet a great match in contrast to the build of Alpha’s characterization because they match each other’s freaks. The cameos from danteamara and tristanmorana were much anticipated and I enjoyed the scenes they were in. But this book did answer one very heartbreaking question I had (RuNyx I am in your very walls WHY).
The writing of the tropes in this story were given justice and keeps a reader hooked, but I wanted more of their past together before the “accident”. Maybe it was to keep the story more fast-paced, but I was looking for something similar to The Emperor. I usually don’t say this about romance books, but this book could’ve been longer and touched more aspects of their relationship, though I am hoping we get more in The Syndicater (when are we even getting it?).
The writing of the tropes in this story were given justice and keeps a reader hooked, but I wanted more of their past together before the “accident”. Maybe it was to keep the story more fast-paced, but I was looking for something similar to The Emperor. I usually don’t say this about romance books, but this book could’ve been longer and touched more aspects of their relationship, though I am hoping we get more in The Syndicater (when are we even getting it?).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
I received an ARC via NetGalley from Maverick in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
Happy Pride Month to Neesha and Gabby! <3 This book has amazing POC & WLW representation that is perfect for the celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories. I love graphic novels, especially those that feature queer characters. Moreso, the disability rep writes cerebral palsy very well. Lastly, this book handles loss and grief in a heartwarming and sweet manner. I loved how Navigating With You is simply about two nerds falling in love because of a famous manga.
Happy Pride Month to Neesha and Gabby! <3 This book has amazing POC & WLW representation that is perfect for the celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories. I love graphic novels, especially those that feature queer characters. Moreso, the disability rep writes cerebral palsy very well. Lastly, this book handles loss and grief in a heartwarming and sweet manner. I loved how Navigating With You is simply about two nerds falling in love because of a famous manga.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
5.0
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. The first installment of the Fate’s Thread Duology from the author of Last of the Talons is officially out! This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
Kim’s new book is a contemporary fantasy book deeply rooted in South Korean folklore. In this reluctant allies-to-lovers story perfect for fans of My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, See You In My 19th Life, and Devil No. 4, a fallen god and a gumiho will have to team up to save the mortal realm of Iseung from a powerful demon set on wreaking havoc and darkness. Read at your own risk! (I am so serious)
I truly loved this. It reads like the classic, cliché k-dramas of the late 2000s. It doesn’t have one of the strongest writing styles, but there’s room for improvement in the storytelling. I stayed purely for the vibes. The writer managed to send a sentimental sort of style to Hani and Seokga’s story. I adore romantasy manhwas, so this was perfect, especially when it’s cold and raining. The angst and the yearning were chef’s kiss! I’ve binged lots of k-dramas and if you also like Goblin, then just read this. It’s worth your time, I promise. It’s so nostalgic to read a book with a story alike to the ones I used to binge from a hard drive plugged into my laptop till 3 am. For some reason, I didn’t exactly expect the ending, but it was full of hope enough that I know we’ll get that sequel soon. I highly recommend it!
Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku, Volume 5 by 三香見サカ, Saka Mikami
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Hoping that the anime adaptation for this will give justice to the story and the characters! I really love how the story revolves on all of them and not just on the romance-comedy aspect. You can truly see how the creator loves their work. What an amazing coming-of-age manga.
The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
I received a complimentary copy from Zando – Gillian Flynn Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
The Dark We Know will be out on August 13, 2024. This is a YA lyrical horror standalone perfect for fans of She is A Haunting & Nestlings. I am someone who doesn’t read the synopsis before going in, so the turn of events was unexpected. Small towns and thrillers are my thing, and yet I never expected how dark this would be.
This was a perfect read for Pride Month as TDWK has a bisexual Chinese FMC and is moreover a book that allowed the characters to explore their sexual identity. The journey into reading this book is similar to spiraling into a certain darkness, with its creepy atmosphere and deep writing that analyzes grief and specifically depicts religious trauma. Wen Yi-Lee was able to write a book about innocence and childhood with a deliciously sinister turn. I highly recommend for others to add this to their TBR and read it in the future!
The Dark We Know will be out on August 13, 2024. This is a YA lyrical horror standalone perfect for fans of She is A Haunting & Nestlings. I am someone who doesn’t read the synopsis before going in, so the turn of events was unexpected. Small towns and thrillers are my thing, and yet I never expected how dark this would be.
This was a perfect read for Pride Month as TDWK has a bisexual Chinese FMC and is moreover a book that allowed the characters to explore their sexual identity. The journey into reading this book is similar to spiraling into a certain darkness, with its creepy atmosphere and deep writing that analyzes grief and specifically depicts religious trauma. Wen Yi-Lee was able to write a book about innocence and childhood with a deliciously sinister turn. I highly recommend for others to add this to their TBR and read it in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Child abuse