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eloquentmuse's reviews
1011 reviews
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a dark fantasy romance with a slow burn romance. Caught up in a dark torturous past, a Siren calls on the help of a mysterious and dangerous Fae called the Bargainer. In exchange for favors, he can help her out, but will she be left owing too much? Two flawed characters take a journey towards knowing themselves and falling in love. First in a series, so readers are left on a cliffhanger of sorts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
The Ancient Magus' Bride, Vol. 1 by Kore Yamazaki
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well-written and a plot that pulls you in for more. This is almost exactly the same story as A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne. Opal was allegedly inspired by this graphic novel.
This is a monster romance about a magical human who is sold into slavery and bought by a monster with a skull head. He buys her to become his mage apprentice but also, as the title implies, his bride.
This is only volume 1 so I may very well read the rest.
This is a monster romance about a magical human who is sold into slavery and bought by a monster with a skull head. He buys her to become his mage apprentice but also, as the title implies, his bride.
This is only volume 1 so I may very well read the rest.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Death of parent, Abandonment
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
I enjoyed this book. Listened to it as an audiobook via Hoopla.
This is a mostly realistic story with fantastical elements. It takes part in two time periods: 1940s with Opaline and modern day with Henry and Martha.
A mysterious bookshop that appears and disappears as it wills is at the center of everyone’s adventures. A tree is growing at its center. Strange events, “coincidences”, and possible spirits surround this shop. It’s almost as if the bookshop is alive and guiding these people through life and toward fulfillment, wisdom, and love.
This novel has the potential to reach 5 stars for its timeless lessons and relatable characters.
This is a mostly realistic story with fantastical elements. It takes part in two time periods: 1940s with Opaline and modern day with Henry and Martha.
A mysterious bookshop that appears and disappears as it wills is at the center of everyone’s adventures. A tree is growing at its center. Strange events, “coincidences”, and possible spirits surround this shop. It’s almost as if the bookshop is alive and guiding these people through life and toward fulfillment, wisdom, and love.
This novel has the potential to reach 5 stars for its timeless lessons and relatable characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
The Rehearsals by Annette Christie
!!!!
Possible spoiler alert
!!!!
Groundhog Day has arrived on San Juan Island. There are many twists and turns that teach our characters, and us readers, real lessons about life and relationships of all kinds. I love how it has a realistic ending instead of pushing for a happy sappy ending that would not make sense with everything that the characters went through.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
I accidentally deleted a long review, so hopefully I remember everything again lol.
Wow. This is a very well-written modern day Romantasy. I closed the book feeling hopeful and satisfied.
It follows two POVS, a fiancé and fiancée. These two lovers are finally tying the knot after being together for over a decade, but the Universe has something to teach them before they go through with it.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Wow. This is a very well-written modern day Romantasy. I closed the book feeling hopeful and satisfied.
It follows two POVS, a fiancé and fiancée. These two lovers are finally tying the knot after being together for over a decade, but the Universe has something to teach them before they go through with it.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross
Spoilers!!!!!!
*********
The villain toward the end was so hilariously dramatic, she reminded me of those animes where the “camera pans” to the bad guy’s face who is evil cackling and giving dramatic poses. Anyway, that pulled me out of the story and my suspension of disbelief.
Also, it was cute that love was the answer, but I can’t help to feel like it went flat. Maybe it was the villain in the background still throwing me off.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Beauty and the beast vibes anyone? This was an enjoyable light read. It’s an urban fantasy romance between two artists, one who is a hex-breaker witch and one who happens to be a werewolf burdened with a hex.
Has a good plot, relatable characters, and dashes of humor.
Has a good plot, relatable characters, and dashes of humor.
Content Warnings
The Last Storm by J.D. Linton
I have no idea what defines a spoiler honestly, so
spoiler alert!!!!!!!
Tropes include:
Only one bed at the inn/bar
Dissatisfaction with life before hunk appears
Lost royalty
The chosen one
Montage of dress up time followed by shocked hunk
Forbidden romance between two from rival peoples
Power that cannot be controlled, simply guided/asked
Gathering intel at the inn/bar
FMC who knows how to fight/use weapons well
There’s probably more but no need to list them all.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a great Romantasy book full of action, adventure, and everything you look for in this genre.
I won’t lie: it does kinda feel like the author found every common trope from every successful book of this kind and threw them all into this novel. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it I guess. Especially in romance, there’s a large audience who has specific expectations, and they want them every time. Nothing wrong with that and many times I’m one of them.
Good story and I would recommend!
I won’t lie: it does kinda feel like the author found every common trope from every successful book of this kind and threw them all into this novel. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it I guess. Especially in romance, there’s a large audience who has specific expectations, and they want them every time. Nothing wrong with that and many times I’m one of them.
Good story and I would recommend!
Content Warnings
Too Wild to Tame by Tessa Bailey
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
I enjoyed this. This is a contemporary romance set in Iowa, mostly the backwoods or small town setting. We have the man who has difficulty opening up, expressing or even allowing himself to have emotions. He was raised to be a politician. Then, we have the woman, who was raised to be a politicians daughter but has fought it and that lifestyle ever since. She almost feels “too much” and is the free, creative spirit. They both have histories that haunt them.
It’s a light, fast-paced read, and it balances on the fine line of just enough spice. I actually teared up at one point but unrelated to the romantic relationship. The characters are fleshed out, and the FMC was refreshingly different, even if she liked to communicate via almost stream-of-consciousness style.
Solid read.
It’s a light, fast-paced read, and it balances on the fine line of just enough spice. I actually teared up at one point but unrelated to the romantic relationship. The characters are fleshed out, and the FMC was refreshingly different, even if she liked to communicate via almost stream-of-consciousness style.
Solid read.
The Lost Legend by Franco
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
DNF - The ONLY reason I didn’t finish is because I can sometimes be a mood reader, and I have a hard time relating to high school students and their lives. Good plot, very well built futuristic world meets ancient mythologies. Percy Jackson vibes. I don’t want to give a star rating until I finish a book!
Monstra Moderna: The Crimson Book by Lucas Lavoie
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
DNF - Not because it’s bad… it’s actually a very shocking horror book. I just can’t deal with this genre. I can watch horror movies and laugh, but books are next level. Good God. 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Cannibalism
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Cannibalism
City of Storms by Kat Ross
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Gothic 1920’s Historical Fantasy
This is a story full of mystery, hidden agendas, dark vs lights forces (but they are not what you may expect). It’s a historical fantasy that feels like a gothic 1920’s detective story mixed with magic, religion, and romance. Warning: ends on a cliffhanger.
Possible Spoilers:
In this vaguely post-apocalyptic world, a fortune teller covers for her colleague and roommate, finding herself mixed in a governmental plot. The aforementioned government is an oligarchy, the Catholic Church risen to power after a historical war between nephilim (fallen angels) and humanity, witches and ley lines granting nephilim powers through Marks. She meets a troubled priest who hunts deviants like her. However, things are not what they seem, and they team up along several others to find out who they really are and possibly change themselves and the world for the better.
This is a story full of mystery, hidden agendas, dark vs lights forces (but they are not what you may expect). It’s a historical fantasy that feels like a gothic 1920’s detective story mixed with magic, religion, and romance. Warning: ends on a cliffhanger.
Possible Spoilers:
In this vaguely post-apocalyptic world, a fortune teller covers for her colleague and roommate, finding herself mixed in a governmental plot. The aforementioned government is an oligarchy, the Catholic Church risen to power after a historical war between nephilim (fallen angels) and humanity, witches and ley lines granting nephilim powers through Marks. She meets a troubled priest who hunts deviants like her. However, things are not what they seem, and they team up along several others to find out who they really are and possibly change themselves and the world for the better.