emreads56's reviews
264 reviews

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

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dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

5.0

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles gives Phantom of the Opera vibes but with Magicians ! 5 ⭐️

Vibes: YA, Heavy purple prose. TW: Mental/emotional abuse and gaslighting

Told in three POV but our mc is Kallia. She is a wonderful female magician fighting for her freedom to preform on stage, her true passion, while running from her past. The cause of her scars. Will she become truly free? Will she learn to trust along the way?

I LOVED everything about this book. The dramatic story is told in the most lyrical and dream like writing, depicts PTSD from abuse amazingly well, and the romance is cute

This is so beautiful and haunting in how the story unfolds. Guilded in gold with the sinster and sobering story of Kallia and the unlucky Judge Demarco

The romance was told in such a slow, beautiful burn. YA is not only for teens. It can discuss such heavy topics while creating hope for the future

Content Warnings

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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dark slow-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

3.75

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have a hard time rating and reviewing this one tbh.

pros: I loved the setting. I am from Upstate NY and could imagine the whole setting perfectly well, both real and fictitious. The camp was also a super cool idea, even the wavier was thought out in detail. The twist was unexpected but makes sense when you backtrack events!

cons: Staying on the twist- Bayron likes this type of twist for other books too (trying not to spoil). It works well but could lead to disappointment if she stick with this twist going forward. I had a hard time suspending my disbelief for the plot but I respect the dedication. To be fair, I think that is due to my age. It feels funny but scary so it fits the age group well.

Content Warnings