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crispycritter's reviews
412 reviews
Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Alas, I could not make it to the spicy carriage scene.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.”
It’s nearly impossible to review this book without giving away spoilers. Just know that (1) you can read it in a day and (2) I thought it was devastating and wonderful.
It’s nearly impossible to review this book without giving away spoilers. Just know that (1) you can read it in a day and (2) I thought it was devastating and wonderful.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
5.0
This book has incredibly mixed reviews, so I am delighted to finally be one of the people who loved it - as opposed to being one of the lone grumps who just didn’t get the hype, as is my usual state.
Are there a lot of valid criticisms of this book? Yeah. Totally. I think I just vibed with Harrow’s writing style so much that it allowed me to turn my brain off and not be as nitpicky as I can get when I’m not fully immersed and enjoying myself. I don’t mind slower-paced books. It’s only 300 pages! I love a short, stand-alone fantasy. I didn’t mind the POV changes from first (Opal) to third (Arthur). I love footnotes and fake bibliographies, even if they weren’t strictly necessary and the footnotes dropped off after a while. It’s just a fun book about a spooky house with some solid writing (IMO) and a satisfyingly predictable plot.
TL;DR This book isn’t for everyone, but I thought it was a really fun, short commercial fantasy - heavy on atmosphere and vibes.
Are there a lot of valid criticisms of this book? Yeah. Totally. I think I just vibed with Harrow’s writing style so much that it allowed me to turn my brain off and not be as nitpicky as I can get when I’m not fully immersed and enjoying myself. I don’t mind slower-paced books. It’s only 300 pages! I love a short, stand-alone fantasy. I didn’t mind the POV changes from first (Opal) to third (Arthur). I love footnotes and fake bibliographies, even if they weren’t strictly necessary and the footnotes dropped off after a while. It’s just a fun book about a spooky house with some solid writing (IMO) and a satisfyingly predictable plot.
TL;DR This book isn’t for everyone, but I thought it was a really fun, short commercial fantasy - heavy on atmosphere and vibes.
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
I just don’t think I have the patience and empathy to suffer through a 90s HR with a dude suffering from this level of emotional constipation.
I only sleep with Hooo-Ores because my parents didn’t love me! I didn’t know love or respect women until I met Yessica, who is so cool she is practically a man! Ok Loretta Chase. Calm down.
I only sleep with Hooo-Ores because my parents didn’t love me! I didn’t know love or respect women until I met Yessica, who is so cool she is practically a man! Ok Loretta Chase. Calm down.
Devotion's Covenant by Abigail Kelly
5.0
Abigail Kelly: releases her longest novel to date in the Protectorate world. Probably spent a long ass time on this. Blood, sweat, tears.
Me: inhales this within a couple days of release. “Please, sir. May I have some more?”
All of the shtuff you love about the IAD series - but with monster men who are into consent, in touch with their e-mo-shuns, and can accurately define the word “grovel.”
I feel like I’ve been pretty unsuccessful in getting my friends to read these books because I can’t be normal about them, but like - the magic system and world building are really cool! The spice is wicked spicy! They’re republishing IAD, so why aren’t these books blowing up yet?
Me: inhales this within a couple days of release. “Please, sir. May I have some more?”
All of the shtuff you love about the IAD series - but with monster men who are into consent, in touch with their e-mo-shuns, and can accurately define the word “grovel.”
I feel like I’ve been pretty unsuccessful in getting my friends to read these books because I can’t be normal about them, but like - the magic system and world building are really cool! The spice is wicked spicy! They’re republishing IAD, so why aren’t these books blowing up yet?
You, with a View by Jessica Joyce
5.0
Jessica Joyce’s romances are like the most gentle, loving lil squeeze on your heart. I read The Ex Vows first, which is on my desert island romance list. This book was also excellent, and was somehow not as cringey as I thought it would be- since a large part of the plot revolves around Noelle posting TickyTack videos (I am a bit too old for this, I fear).
Double Apex by Josie Juniper
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Started off strong and then crashed and burned *uh huh* get it? It’s a car pun.
Phaedra is an irredeemable asshole and Pick Me™️, F1 Dracula doesn’t respect women’s boundaries despite his sister being trafficked as a child, the content warnings vaguely refer to this as “past childhood abuse” (that’s an incredibly vague way to warn readers), and OH YEAH we get the swoonworthy line “Are you fertile?” Be still my heart.
I’m sure some people will like this book. It was very much not for me.
Phaedra is an irredeemable asshole and Pick Me™️, F1 Dracula doesn’t respect women’s boundaries despite his sister being trafficked as a child, the content warnings vaguely refer to this as “past childhood abuse” (that’s an incredibly vague way to warn readers), and OH YEAH we get the swoonworthy line “Are you fertile?” Be still my heart.
I’m sure some people will like this book. It was very much not for me.
Deja Brew by Celestine Martin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Not vibing with the writing at all.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I tried to read this on my kindle and listen to the audiobook and the audiobook narrator I did not like. At all. I don't hold that against the book, but just know that at times I thought this lady was joking with her whiny character voices. She was not.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I don't understand the hype around this book. This is a copypasta of so many other fantasy romances I've read.
- Elsbeth isn't nearly a strong enough character to match the Nightmare / make things interesting. Her primary character traits are (1) being hot but not knowing it; and (2) being a passive wet blanket and letting things happen to her.
- Ravyn (straight to jail) is every other dark-haired broody love interest who is already far too interested in Elsbeth. His eye color is given about as much page time as actual world building.
- I can just tell the romance is going to swallow the plot whole - the plot being the Pokemon quest to collect all the magical tarot cards. Can't forget the repetitive breaks for nursery rhymes - er clunky nursery sometimes rhymes.
- And the setting / worldbuilding - a random kingdom hemmed in by a deadly mist where everyone is named after trees. It's small and underdeveloped, existing on ~vIbeZ~. It makes me want to compliment Stephanie Garber on her sexy candyland setting in the OUABH series, because like - if we're going to run of vibes alone, can we not get a bit more vibes please? Garber full-assed the vibes. Gillig watched that one X Files episode and that M. Night Shyamalan movie and said "good enough, let's repackage."
I'm always grateful for the time and detail folks put into critical reviews, because I feel comfortable DNFing this TikTok darling as my issues don't appear to get resolved. Life is too short to read mid books, even if they have beautiful special edition versions with sprayed edges.
I tried to read this on my kindle and listen to the audiobook and the audiobook narrator I did not like. At all. I don't hold that against the book, but just know that at times I thought this lady was joking with her whiny character voices. She was not.