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creativewhimsy's reviews
103 reviews
The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow. I have some complicated feelings about this book. This is book is not an easy read, it’s a commitment.
In the beginning it was hard to read and slow to understand due to the narrators way of speaking . It’s as if it was written in a different language that is very familiar to our own but just dissimilar enough that it is hard to understand. Similar to how old English is very different from modern English. There are so many words and phrases used in an unfamiliar way and the narrator gives us no immediate explanation of the meaning of them. It feels like reading Shakespeare.
I almost put this book down because it felt like a chore to read, but the world was so well built, and beautifully written, that I felt I needed to push on and give it a fair chance.
This very inclusive story exists in a very religious world with a lot of commentary on social issues very relevant to our own.
The back half of the book picked up speed quickly and ended in a bit of a cliffhanger. After reaching the 50%mark I couldn’t put it down. I am very glad I decided to push through, and can’t wait to see what happens in the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit/Hachette for the free advanced copy of this book. All opinions written here are mine alone.
Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Six Wild Crowns is well written, thought provoking, quasi-historical, misogynistic fantasy world that explores the relationships of women to each other and to the men around them.
The women all are unique personalities and in this story we watch them grow and learn through their relationships to each other. The author beautifully explores the tragedy of women working against each other and the triumph of coming together and lifting each other up. It’s a beautiful example of the cunning, courage and power women can achieve especially when working together.
This book was slow going for me and hard to read sometimes. The tragedies, betrayals and abuse made it painful however there were moments in this book that made it all worth it.
The ending fell a little short, leaving a lot of questions unanswered, and a lot of story left to write. I really hope there is another to finish it up.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the free advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really love a good duology, and this one did not disappoint. Lost and grieving after fleeing the republic, Rune has to find herself again. Her old “enemy” Gideon is just the one to help her with that, with lots of banter, tension and “one bed”. If you love “enemies to lovers” (again), grand misunderstandings and love that can change the world, you will love this book. Fast paced and action packed I flew through this book.
The Malice of Moons and Mages by N.V. Haskell
I recieved a free advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spice rating 2.5🌶️one open door scene that is very short but not explicit.
Tropes: enemies to lovers possibly(most definitely)forced proximity, touch her and die
Plenty of diversity and 🏳️🌈 inclusion
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book at first. I hated The MMC and believed him an entirely irredeemable character. He was a wildly unlikable, unfeeling , selfish and without mercy. I wasn’t sure how the author was going to redeem him, but the storytelling pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down.
His redemption snuck up slowly and I’m not even sure what chapter it was by the time I stopped hating him. This story swept me away, and held me captive. I didn’t want to leave. The world was rich, the characters were all complex, and I really love a book with multiple POVs.
The end wasn’t really a cliffhanger, but left me devastated that there weren’t more pages. I can’t wait to see where this author takes us next.
I recieved a free advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Essence of the Gods by Stephany Simmons
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Lots of tension and One explicit scene.
For centuries The Order Of Divine Preservation has been collecting Divine Essence through human sacrifice. They claim to be doing it to save humanity, but it’s clear they just want the power for themselves. They transfer the Divine essence to artifacts before they attempt to transfer it to themselves through dark rituals.
The Transfer of divine essence from artifacts to human has always killed the human receiving it. Until a museum Curator, Dr. Miriam Reyes unintentionally absorbs the essence from an artifact, while trying to save it from a a fire, without ritual or intent. Now the Order is after Miriam and she has to team up with an ancient scholar Dr. Amun Habet, to stop the order and save the world.
First off I love the setting of this story. The main characters are refreshingly mature, and the bulk of the story is set in a museum of history. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the FMC caught on to and accepted things. She wasn’t naive and there were no misunderstandings.
This is a very hilariously stereotypical and slightly cheesy romance novel. Several times in the book the author used descriptions that have already been used, and there are a humorous amount of cliches and tropes. The author seems to be aware of it and has the characters make fun of it often.
Although it was a bit cheesy at times the author has written the character interactions in a way that fully pulled me in and had me feeling all the feels. Overall I enjoyed all the fun, flirting, tension and butterflies.