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er_inreads's reviews
313 reviews
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. A dark romance based on the circles of hell/sins of man, portrayed as game levels in a possessed manor, with the ultimate prize; a wish granted by the prince of devils himself. We follow our main character, Ophelia, who finds herself forced into joining phantasma, in search of her sister. There’s deals with phantoms, meddlesome devils & and house working against her. There is forbidden love, in a house that is absolutely not okay with any love, ever. There is betrayals, and secrets, and lies. There is death, and mental health awareness & representation (OCD) + plenty of spice. I put all the pieces of the puzzle together at about 83%, and was correct on the outcome, but I still really enjoyed it & think it wrapped up the story nicely. Have already begun recommending to friends!
The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The phoenix keeper is a wonderful read, a sweet blend of contemporary romantasy, magical creatures and modernity. Set in a well built word, similar to our own, but ful of all the magical components we love in a fantasy romance. While the romance took a back seat in this story, it was still very well written & you could feel the tension. The phoenix keeper follows Alia, and her bid to rebuild the San Tamculo zoos Phoenix breeding program, in an effort to fulfill her lifelong dream & save an endangered species. Filled with cheeky birds, fun fantastical creatures and their associated facts, betrayal, acceptance, growth, and lgbtqia representation in main characters, this is a great read for someone looking for a cute romantasy. Thank you to Hachette for the chance to read and review this story.
A Curse for Samhain by Dahlia Donovan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book, while short, was sweet, tense, and cozy. I loved how the author depicted autism, anxiety, OcD and mental health disorders. It was beautifully written. I loved the inclusion of gender fluidity, how beautifully accepted it was, the care shown by the community to consider whether Hyde was a they or a she each day, and the considerations taken to accept her autism requirements. I loved the love between our main characters, I loved how it developed and how you felt the shyness between them. The mystery in the murder and other happenings was well done, you were guessing until the end, however I do wish there was more investigation, more diving into grimouirs and discoving who was the murderer, or the culprit to the poisoning and break in. Ultimately i really enjoyed this story and I would recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Not Without Me by Maria Dean
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Please ensure you check trigger warnings for this book before you read it.
Main triggers: death of a parent, alcohol abuse, on page sexual assault, mental health issues, on page attempted rape & murder.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the flashbacks to give you the then and now storyline. I loved Alex & Cade and their love. My heart broke during the flashbacks & then again right at the end. I am a sucker for a happily ever after though, and this is one.
I did want more, more reconciliation between the two, more spice scenes, and more after, but it was still a great read.
Thank you to the author and hot tree publishing for this review copy. All opinions are my own.
Main triggers: death of a parent, alcohol abuse, on page sexual assault, mental health issues, on page attempted rape & murder.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the flashbacks to give you the then and now storyline. I loved Alex & Cade and their love. My heart broke during the flashbacks & then again right at the end. I am a sucker for a happily ever after though, and this is one.
I did want more, more reconciliation between the two, more spice scenes, and more after, but it was still a great read.
Thank you to the author and hot tree publishing for this review copy. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Rape
Party Animal by Ali K. Mulford
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
This book was everything I needed. Sapphic romance, forced proximity, fake dating, plus size FMC & later-in-life realisations of actual sexuality, masc representation, gay panic moments and body positivity and encouragement, plus, returning to Pickle Island Zoo and all its antics is always needed.
Party Animal follows Finch Lachlan, our Pickle Island vet and Frankie, chef extraordinaire while they do a whole lot of pretending their feelings don’t exist. Frankie’s later in life sexuality light bulb moment was incredibly relatable, and so many readers will find the same levels of comfort in these words that I did. Special mention to Ron, the meddlesome flamingo. I loved every minute of this book. I think Finch and Frankie’s story is my favourite of the three books.
Now, where can I get my own Finch?
Party Animal follows Finch Lachlan, our Pickle Island vet and Frankie, chef extraordinaire while they do a whole lot of pretending their feelings don’t exist. Frankie’s later in life sexuality light bulb moment was incredibly relatable, and so many readers will find the same levels of comfort in these words that I did. Special mention to Ron, the meddlesome flamingo. I loved every minute of this book. I think Finch and Frankie’s story is my favourite of the three books.
Now, where can I get my own Finch?
Field Of Lilies by DV Fischer
Field of Lilies is a great conclusion to the Bouquet of Lies duet. I loved Tori and Killians story, it’s a fast read that has you on the edge of your seat, screaming at your book. The suspense that follows killian, not knowing who he is or what his story was, the frustration with the sheriff (this town and its sherif issues I swear), and the heartbreak felt for the women impacted by the Lilian Breeder. I did guess the baddie immediately, but it didn’t take away from the story for me, I still really enjoyed this book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Field of Lilies is a great conclusion to the Bouquet of Lies duet. I loved Tori and Killians story, it’s a fast read that has you on the edge of your seat, screaming at your book. The suspense that follows killian, not knowing who he is or what his story was, the frustration with the sheriff (this town and its sherif issues I swear), and the heartbreak felt for the women impacted by the Lilian Breeder. I did guess the baddie immediately, but it didn’t take away from the story for me, I still really enjoyed this book.
Empress of Fae by Briar Boleyn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Couldn’t get into it, felt like it was dragging.
These Deathless Shores by P.H. Low
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
I am grateful to have received this book to review. Unfortunately I DNF’d at 36%. I tried for over a week to push through, but I struggled to connect to the story & the characters.
I LOVED the premise of this story. I love a Peter Pan retelling & I am an absolute sucker for a villain origin story. I felt the pacing of the book was too varied; there was not enough backstory. For example, we had Tier introduced with a clear background between himself and Jordan that left hate and anger, but no real explanation of that when they brought him in. The multiple POV for the characters seemed not to flow well, and the characters didn’t seem able to stand on their own legs without impact from the FMC Jordan.
I loved the LGBTQIA+ rep, the disability rep and the mental health rep. I think these are all super important to not be shied away from, and the author did this really well. I love a dark imagining, and this did this well too. I loved the SE Asia geographical setting, this made it unique and set away from the standard westernisation of all other novels, I loved the nod towards the Bermuda Triangle too.
I wanted so badly to love this; and maybe I will pick it up another day & try it again and love it then, and there will absolutely be readers out there who will absolutely inhale this book and love it in the way the author deserves it to be loved.
Thanks again, NetGalley and Angry Robot, for the opportunity.
I LOVED the premise of this story. I love a Peter Pan retelling & I am an absolute sucker for a villain origin story. I felt the pacing of the book was too varied; there was not enough backstory. For example, we had Tier introduced with a clear background between himself and Jordan that left hate and anger, but no real explanation of that when they brought him in. The multiple POV for the characters seemed not to flow well, and the characters didn’t seem able to stand on their own legs without impact from the FMC Jordan.
I loved the LGBTQIA+ rep, the disability rep and the mental health rep. I think these are all super important to not be shied away from, and the author did this really well. I love a dark imagining, and this did this well too. I loved the SE Asia geographical setting, this made it unique and set away from the standard westernisation of all other novels, I loved the nod towards the Bermuda Triangle too.
I wanted so badly to love this; and maybe I will pick it up another day & try it again and love it then, and there will absolutely be readers out there who will absolutely inhale this book and love it in the way the author deserves it to be loved.
Thanks again, NetGalley and Angry Robot, for the opportunity.
Shades of Smoke and Shadows by Celia Ralk
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As I read this book I tried to think how I would review it. I could talk about the magic systems, the various species of fae, of shifters, I could talk about the wingspan. And I probably should.
I should tell you how it’s a unique take on fae and magic, on tyrannical kings & entire missing courts. We should talk about how the FMC is clearly more than she appears, about how certain magic appears on your skin in a physical form. We should talk about the sort-of love triangle, what I assume is a fated mate, the hidden identities that are slowly coming to light. The betrayals, the miscommunication, the attitudey, naive FMC who is absolutely not here to fuck spiders. We should talk about it all, about how I loved it, mostly. There was a few spots I felt were draggy (is that a word, idk, my heart and mind are destroyed), and a few that felt not needed, which is why it’s not a full 5 star. We should. But I can’t.
Because I kept reading. I read, and my heart rate increased. And then it shattered. It shattered twice. The ending. THE ENDING. I need book 2, immediately.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to review this book. These opinions are my own.
I should tell you how it’s a unique take on fae and magic, on tyrannical kings & entire missing courts. We should talk about how the FMC is clearly more than she appears, about how certain magic appears on your skin in a physical form. We should talk about the sort-of love triangle, what I assume is a fated mate, the hidden identities that are slowly coming to light. The betrayals, the miscommunication, the attitudey, naive FMC who is absolutely not here to fuck spiders. We should talk about it all, about how I loved it, mostly. There was a few spots I felt were draggy (is that a word, idk, my heart and mind are destroyed), and a few that felt not needed, which is why it’s not a full 5 star. We should. But I can’t.
Because I kept reading. I read, and my heart rate increased. And then it shattered. It shattered twice. The ending. THE ENDING. I need book 2, immediately.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to review this book. These opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Vivid Avowed by Kaydence Snow
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0