You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
gnomereader's Reviews (127)
![Iron Flame (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/ancbk2dbqciv8ehe4goykswt6ohd)
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
I don’t even have the words to adequately express the pain I felt over this freaking book. Just when I thought I was hurt enough, I learned yet again how wrong I was.
I am shocked at the evil genius of these authors. You couldn’t have convinced me when I started this journey I would be as invested now as I am. I will just say this, I don’t know how much more hurt I can subject myself to! But I also can’t leave it unfinished, so on to the next one.
I am shocked at the evil genius of these authors. You couldn’t have convinced me when I started this journey I would be as invested now as I am. I will just say this, I don’t know how much more hurt I can subject myself to! But I also can’t leave it unfinished, so on to the next one.
fast-paced
Cora Crane is at it again with another fun and captivating adventure in Elderberry Falls.
Ecco is a siren who has found success as a pop star! But just when her career starts to really take flight, a stalker scare has her on edge. That’s when Graeme, a gargoyle who works in private security, is hired to keep Ecco safe as her personal bodyguard.
This book was just as fun and cozy as book 1 in the Elderberry Falls series (The Orc and The Innkeeper) and I had a great time with it. Cora has a unique ability of taking known fantasy elements- like a siren and a gargoyle- and reinventing them in such a fantastic way.
Yes, there is spice in this series and it does help to progress the plot, but if spice is not your thing, the way it’s written gives you the chance to move past those parts while still following the storyline. I love the character progression throughout this book in particular and I LOVED the way Ecco’s siren magic works.
Elderberry Falls feels like a warm hug of a place and I love spending time there through these books. If you enjoy romance with light fantasy (with some spice), cozy settings with Stars Hollow or Halloween Town vibes, and found family themes, check this one out!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I could find you with my eyes closed, even with miles and mountains between us. I will never lose sight of you.”
The Light We Lost is the second book in the Wallow Pines series and I loved it just as much as the first one (The Burns We Carry), maybe even a little more. It was incredibly good and so heart achingly beautiful.
Indy and Nolan were high school sweethearts that got married at 18 before chasing Nolan’s dreams of making it big with baseball. Life didn’t turn out the way they hoped and one divorce and 9 years later, Indy gets a shock when she finds out that their divorce is not as final as they both thought.
This is a second chance, slow burn romance with mental health rep, and dual POV, as well as dual timelines. Don’t let that scare you because it was so easy to follow and really helped to set the stage for the story to unfold. I felt so many emotions while reading and I cried several times- Marae just does an amazing job hitting you right in the heart with these storylines.
Character development is so strong for both books in this series. I get so invested and can’t help but root for them. The books in this series are just so good! If you like Abby Jimenez, I think you will really enjoy these, they have the same fantastic ability of pulling you in deep and making you care, all while making you laugh and cry along the way.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so interesting! The premise and setting held my attention and I found myself wanting to know more about where the book would take me. I haven’t read a lot of fantasy with Japanese inspired themes and elements and I appreciated the world building that helped me to feel immersed in what was happening.
There were a few times where I struggled to follow a scene as it progressed as there was a little bit of repetition in the actions and dialogue of the characters, and I was confused about one of the main character’s (Kilo) age. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but there were clues based on other characters around him that made his age seem relevant, and it seemed at times to contradict earlier statements that had established that detail in my mind. While that didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the book, it did take me out of the story just a bit.
Overall though, this was a strong start to a promising series. The characters were interesting and developed well, and I really felt their struggle for their moral code as things happened to challenge their beliefs. The protagonists are learning things about the antagonists as the story moves forward, so I believe the reader will also learn much more about them in the second book as the characters learn more. Because this is the first book in the series, it does end with a bit of a cliffhanger for the main conflict, but I am interested in continuing on to see what happens next!
There were a few times where I struggled to follow a scene as it progressed as there was a little bit of repetition in the actions and dialogue of the characters, and I was confused about one of the main character’s (Kilo) age. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but there were clues based on other characters around him that made his age seem relevant, and it seemed at times to contradict earlier statements that had established that detail in my mind. While that didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the book, it did take me out of the story just a bit.
Overall though, this was a strong start to a promising series. The characters were interesting and developed well, and I really felt their struggle for their moral code as things happened to challenge their beliefs. The protagonists are learning things about the antagonists as the story moves forward, so I believe the reader will also learn much more about them in the second book as the characters learn more. Because this is the first book in the series, it does end with a bit of a cliffhanger for the main conflict, but I am interested in continuing on to see what happens next!
Wow! That was such a ride! The twists and turns had my head reeling and it was really well done! Sometimes thrillers can be far fetched enough that I’m removed from the story but I felt the way this resolved worked really well. There were so many elements that caught me by surprise and I love when a thriller has me hooked until the last page.
I listened to the audiobook for this one and for me, that added to the experience. The narrator did a great job. I had a few lingering questions that I wish had been cleared up, but ultimately this was a solid thriller.
I listened to the audiobook for this one and for me, that added to the experience. The narrator did a great job. I had a few lingering questions that I wish had been cleared up, but ultimately this was a solid thriller.
fast-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
This cozy fantasy romance was so good! I adored that this is modern but has a strong fantasy feel to it. It’s a great blend of the two in a way I found refreshing. Normally fantasy books set in an urban world are too hard for me to immerse myself in, but The Orc and The Innkeeper is set in a world where there are human focused cities with modern amenities (such as cars and freeways) and then there is Elderberry Falls, a sanctuary for magical beings and humans alike. Elderberry Falls felt a lot like Stars Hollow was plopped into a Dungeons & Dragons game in the absolute best way. It was magical, cozy, unique, and inviting and I can’t wait to revisit this world!
The setting was fantastic, but even that would have fallen flat without great characters, the likes of which were definitely present here. I loved that this took a bully trope and turned it on its head. I typically don’t like a bully romance because I find them to be demeaning or degrading, so I really loved the way that Cora Cane was able to make Thorak’s character someone you wanted to root for. I liked that Mariah felt relatable given her history with Thorak, but also how she chooses to handle herself now that they are back in each other’s orbit ten years later.
This book does contain spice, however that was not at the expense of the plot and I felt the balance was good. It was also done in such a way that should you decide that’s not for you, those moments could be skipped relatively easily without sacrificing vital story elements.
I highly enjoyed this story. It was a quick, fun, and cozy read and made me excited to venture further into Elderberry Falls in future books. Thank you BookSirens and Cora Crane for this ARC!
The setting was fantastic, but even that would have fallen flat without great characters, the likes of which were definitely present here. I loved that this took a bully trope and turned it on its head. I typically don’t like a bully romance because I find them to be demeaning or degrading, so I really loved the way that Cora Cane was able to make Thorak’s character someone you wanted to root for. I liked that Mariah felt relatable given her history with Thorak, but also how she chooses to handle herself now that they are back in each other’s orbit ten years later.
This book does contain spice, however that was not at the expense of the plot and I felt the balance was good. It was also done in such a way that should you decide that’s not for you, those moments could be skipped relatively easily without sacrificing vital story elements.
I highly enjoyed this story. It was a quick, fun, and cozy read and made me excited to venture further into Elderberry Falls in future books. Thank you BookSirens and Cora Crane for this ARC!
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Wow, what a ride this was!
Ava is a teenager living in a world where virtual reality is supreme. Daily life consists of little else outside of the virtual realm of The Haven, where humans attend school, work, and relax while the alien race currently controlling the earth slowly strip away more of humanity’s rights, all in favor of “a better, healthier planet.” But all is not what it seems and when Ava’s father is arrested and taken away as a rebel, she decides she will do anything to bring him home.
I absolutely loved the world building in this book. There is so much detail and adventure packed into these pages that it was exhilarating, nerve wracking, and exasperating to learn, along with Ava, exactly what is really going on in the world. The book moves through moments in the virtual reality of The Haven, as well as in the real world and I loved the transitions between these times.
Ava is such a strong character with spunk, conviction in her beliefs, and faith in her father and it was inspiring to see her face each new challenge head on. She is brave and determined and I think that made for an excellent story.
This is book one of a trilogy and I am totally invested in the journey and can’t wait to read book 2.
Ava is a teenager living in a world where virtual reality is supreme. Daily life consists of little else outside of the virtual realm of The Haven, where humans attend school, work, and relax while the alien race currently controlling the earth slowly strip away more of humanity’s rights, all in favor of “a better, healthier planet.” But all is not what it seems and when Ava’s father is arrested and taken away as a rebel, she decides she will do anything to bring him home.
I absolutely loved the world building in this book. There is so much detail and adventure packed into these pages that it was exhilarating, nerve wracking, and exasperating to learn, along with Ava, exactly what is really going on in the world. The book moves through moments in the virtual reality of The Haven, as well as in the real world and I loved the transitions between these times.
Ava is such a strong character with spunk, conviction in her beliefs, and faith in her father and it was inspiring to see her face each new challenge head on. She is brave and determined and I think that made for an excellent story.
This is book one of a trilogy and I am totally invested in the journey and can’t wait to read book 2.