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emmsbookshelf's Reviews (758)
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour is a story that is more than just characters and plot, but a sensory experience. The scenes of Vietnams stunning scenery and attractions were so well described that I felt like I was experiencing waterfalls, gardens and beaches right alongside the characters as an honorary and invisible member of the tour and sitting on my own special seat on their bus.
The banter and evolution of Evie and Adams dynamic was fun to watch, with both characters breaking free of 2D moulds. Initially Evie in particular felt like a repressed and buttoned up academic, but her adventurous personality made sense and challenged my initial judgement. The emotion that went into these main characters was so well crafted, the echos of the loss of Evie's aunt and father hung over me as I read the novel, as did the weight of Adam's familial expectations and duties. I feel that their relationship had such a natural progression that I forgot that everything was happening in such a quick timeline. The cast of side characters were incredibly fun additions, particularly Fen, everyone needs a friend like Fen. I thought it ended in such a satisfying way too, it was a really natural conclusion for Adam and Evie. It also left me curious, particularly about Ruby.
The book is a love letter to the scenery or Vietnam and perfect for anyone looking for a holiday/beach read to escape into.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
The banter and evolution of Evie and Adams dynamic was fun to watch, with both characters breaking free of 2D moulds. Initially Evie in particular felt like a repressed and buttoned up academic, but her adventurous personality made sense and challenged my initial judgement. The emotion that went into these main characters was so well crafted, the echos of the loss of Evie's aunt and father hung over me as I read the novel, as did the weight of Adam's familial expectations and duties. I feel that their relationship had such a natural progression that I forgot that everything was happening in such a quick timeline. The cast of side characters were incredibly fun additions, particularly Fen, everyone needs a friend like Fen. I thought it ended in such a satisfying way too, it was a really natural conclusion for Adam and Evie. It also left me curious, particularly about Ruby.
The book is a love letter to the scenery or Vietnam and perfect for anyone looking for a holiday/beach read to escape into.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The early Roman Empire and by extension, the Julio-Claudians was such a tumultuous time in history and as a result, makes for great historical fiction. The Longest exile delves into the experiences of those who were forced into exile on incredibly small islands, often, for upsetting the delicate and conservative sensitivities of Rome’s first citizen, Emperor Augustus.
I thought the book held historical accuracy quite well, the incorporation of appropriate names, ranks, titles and even rooms in a traditional Roman villa added additional layers of authenticity to the story and helped to immerse me as a reader into the time period. Additionally, it did a good job of disguising historical context as necessary dialogue, instead of info-dumping familial connections, political machinations and current affairs. This communication of context will be really helpful for those new to the historical period (or even those returning to it after some time) but to those quite familiar with this time period, there might be some frustration, or ‘well, obviously’ moments.
As an avid history reader, I found it a bit hard to connect with the characters initially, simply because I knew the unfortunate fate they faced, I found following Julia the Younger’s pregnancy in particular difficult knowing the call Augustus ultimately makes in this manner. But these characters are written in a manner that humanises them and really fleshes them out with complex thoughts and feelings. I really liked this version of Julia the Elder, shrewd and calculating but playing the part of a dim witted fool, you could see that this was a woman who was raised in the political heart of Rome and was raised on political machinations and conspiracy. Simultaneously she was written as a pretty wretched person, but very interesting to read from the perspective of.
I found the writing had a really good flow and it was easy to get lost in the story, each perspective had a very clear and distinct voice. It made moving between each easy. Additionally, as the plot advanced, the connection between each character beyond the common theme of exile was well crafted. I really enjoyed this book, though I found the historical accuracy saddening at times (readers who have pronounced triggers may want to assess if this is a book for them) but ultimately my emotional response is a testament of the quality of the writing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tana Rebellis for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are my own. (Four and a half rounded up to five stars)
I thought the book held historical accuracy quite well, the incorporation of appropriate names, ranks, titles and even rooms in a traditional Roman villa added additional layers of authenticity to the story and helped to immerse me as a reader into the time period. Additionally, it did a good job of disguising historical context as necessary dialogue, instead of info-dumping familial connections, political machinations and current affairs. This communication of context will be really helpful for those new to the historical period (or even those returning to it after some time) but to those quite familiar with this time period, there might be some frustration, or ‘well, obviously’ moments.
As an avid history reader, I found it a bit hard to connect with the characters initially, simply because I knew the unfortunate fate they faced, I found following Julia the Younger’s pregnancy in particular difficult knowing the call Augustus ultimately makes in this manner. But these characters are written in a manner that humanises them and really fleshes them out with complex thoughts and feelings. I really liked this version of Julia the Elder, shrewd and calculating but playing the part of a dim witted fool, you could see that this was a woman who was raised in the political heart of Rome and was raised on political machinations and conspiracy. Simultaneously she was written as a pretty wretched person, but very interesting to read from the perspective of.
I found the writing had a really good flow and it was easy to get lost in the story, each perspective had a very clear and distinct voice. It made moving between each easy. Additionally, as the plot advanced, the connection between each character beyond the common theme of exile was well crafted. I really enjoyed this book, though I found the historical accuracy saddening at times (readers who have pronounced triggers may want to assess if this is a book for them) but ultimately my emotional response is a testament of the quality of the writing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tana Rebellis for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are my own. (Four and a half rounded up to five stars)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Classism
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
I really enjoyed the These Hollow Vows duopoly and was so excited to read Beneath These Cursed Stars, it is the logical and sequential follow up from the perspective of Jasalyn. But this story is dual perspective, we also see events from the perspective of Felicity, who has taken on Jasalyn’s form and is posing as her. The set up of this story is genuinely delightful and I feel like I scored big at a two for one sale, two fleshed out protagonists who feel a large spectrum of emotions, including inner strength but also crippling fear. Two for one adventure in a world I was already pretty familiar with (so there was less set up in the realm of world building, I was genuinely surprised at how much I remembered, it all came rushing back to me as I read) and two for one slow burn romance.
At first I was a little disappointed with the concept of the return of Mordeus, I was hoping for a villain not yet explored or someone who could have stepped into the power vacuum he would have left. However, it was really well done and integral to the plot and the characterisation, my initial reaction was way off! The characterisation of Jasalyn and Felicity was spot on, I particularly liked how Felicity would remind herself of how exactly Jasalyn would act or what she would say, it gave the story another layer of legitimacy. I did find certain elements in the relationship capacity a little predictable, but other parts of the plot completely smacked me in the face, I had no idea it was coming. The writing was accessible and had a good flow, it was an easier read for a fantasy genre whilst still really descriptive and immersive.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, I had a great time and these thoughts are all my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It took me a while to finish Blast From The Past as I wasn’t aware that it was the third book in the Riley Thorne series. I will admit, I was confused and adrift when I started and feel that reading the first two books is necessary for understanding and appreciating this book in all it hilarious and entertaining glory. So I back tracked and read the first two books, and I am so glad, as this has been a series I have enjoyed immensely.
The series follows Riley Thorn, a reluctant psychic in a family full of similar ‘gifts’ emerging from a divorce and thrown into the path of Nick Santiago, a private investigator whom she enters into a relationship with. First and foremost, these books are great, full of witty banter and hilarious exchanges. They have the tell-tale Lucy Score touch of a dog that is borderline human and enough personality to carry its own novel. Blast from the Past shook up the traditional formula set forth in the first two novels and I found it refreshing, whilst still having the same wit and banter of the first two books.
As a character, Riley is incredibly relatable in her insecurities, in her job, appearance and relationships. She Is such a well rounded character in that regard and it was nice to se a continued journey of self love and acceptance in this book. I thought that this journey was further propelled by her loss of access to Cotton Candy Land (I don’t want to spoil to much so if you know, you know). Additionally, Nick’s point of view is incredibly entertaining to read from, for someone whose career as a private investigator revolves around him being observant, he is quite dense when it comes to understanding the emotions of those around him. Also, props to him, 10/10 for calling out his mothers bad attitude to Riley.
I can’t wait to continue Riley and Nick (and Burts!) adventures in the psychic PI realm. Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
This book is incredibly informative and detailed. It is evidence based in its approach and masterfully makes suggestions and connections where physical evidence is lacking or confusing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No