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gremlinkait's reviews
57 reviews
Riftborne by Parker Lennox, Bree Grenwich
4.0
“People had always been able to sense my otherness”
This was a solid romantasy and an enjoyable time with some very intriguing concepts! I think the world building was really well done and easy to digest.
This book seemed to be more character/dialogue driven, at least in the first half, which really helped to establish the deeper connections and relationships, especially with Ma and Osta. You feel like you are right there with them. The downside of that is I can see how this can be viewed as being slow and uneventful as you go through the day to day of the MC, which some people will not be a fan of.
I think my biggest issue was the pacing overall. Some parts seemed very slow and drawn out and while I was having a good time and loved being there, I didn’t feel glued to the pages or itching to pick it back up until about 65% where it was suddenly action packed but felt more rushed. I think some really interesting things were starting to happen but they were so glossed over as we rolled down the hill towards the ending and I found myself like “wait! I wanted more of that”
I was definitely a big fan of Fia as an FMC. One of my favorite aspects of the book was watching her powers unfold and the discovery of learning all the different things she could do and watching her confidence and sense of purpose and self grow with that. It feels intimate because you get to see how she interacts with others closely and the inner workings of her mind, and I really feel like I know her on a deep level compared to other books I’ve read.
I liked the aspect of the found family but honestly found Raine and Briar a bit annoying at times, which was a turn off for me.
They did some things that irked me and I’m like, “you deserve better Fia
This was a solid romantasy and an enjoyable time with some very intriguing concepts! I think the world building was really well done and easy to digest.
This book seemed to be more character/dialogue driven, at least in the first half, which really helped to establish the deeper connections and relationships, especially with Ma and Osta. You feel like you are right there with them. The downside of that is I can see how this can be viewed as being slow and uneventful as you go through the day to day of the MC, which some people will not be a fan of.
I think my biggest issue was the pacing overall. Some parts seemed very slow and drawn out and while I was having a good time and loved being there, I didn’t feel glued to the pages or itching to pick it back up until about 65% where it was suddenly action packed but felt more rushed. I think some really interesting things were starting to happen but they were so glossed over as we rolled down the hill towards the ending and I found myself like “wait! I wanted more of that”
I was definitely a big fan of Fia as an FMC. One of my favorite aspects of the book was watching her powers unfold and the discovery of learning all the different things she could do and watching her confidence and sense of purpose and self grow with that. It feels intimate because you get to see how she interacts with others closely and the inner workings of her mind, and I really feel like I know her on a deep level compared to other books I’ve read.
I liked the aspect of the found family but honestly found Raine and Briar a bit annoying at times, which was a turn off for me.
They did some things that irked me and I’m like, “you deserve better Fia
Bones by K.L. Speer
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Bones, why do you have to save everybody but yourself?”
To say I am utterly destroyed is an understatement. My heart hurts. This took a piece of me with it, and I will never be the same.
This book is an exploration of trauma and its complexities at its core. This is DARK and gritty. If you are looking to have a lighthearted good time, this is not for you lol.
This story takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting and follows our main character, Bones, who was found/abducted when she was only 10 years old by a vile group and their leader, Juck. He discovers she has magical healing abilities and he uses it to his advantage. She becomes his “secret weapon” and has been used as an object and pawn her entire life. All she knows is surviving. She endures his severe abuse and trauma for over a decade until she finally escapes. Only to be captured by another group…
I have to say, I think selling this book as a ‘romantasy’ is doing it a disservice— this is SO much more meaningful and raw and real and moving and powerful than what the genre has become. Or maybe this can pave the path and set the standard for what a romantasy should be.
The depth and character work in this is absolutely phenomenal. I have been searching and yearning for fully fledged characters that you are emotionally invested it, genuinely care about, and feel like you know personally. Because of this, the found family element and romance is so touching and beautiful and impactful. Let me just say, Trey Mason is absolutely everything to me.
To me, this book is for those that have found themselves in a dark place and feel like there’s no way out. The survivors, the warriors, the ones with built up walls, the ones that are a shell of who they once were, the ones who try to save everyone else but themselves, the ones that feel so alone and hopeless in this world and who never had a choice, the ones who have been through past trauma or are now going through it and only know pain and hurt. The ones that are still “good” despite it all. And it’s about the power of unconditional love, of trust, of connection, of opening up and letting people in
“Bones, why do you have to save everybody but yourself?”
To say I am utterly destroyed is an understatement. My heart hurts. This took a piece of me with it, and I will never be the same.
This book is an exploration of trauma and its complexities at its core. This is DARK and gritty. If you are looking to have a lighthearted good time, this is not for you lol.
This story takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting and follows our main character, Bones, who was found/abducted when she was only 10 years old by a vile group and their leader, Juck. He discovers she has magical healing abilities and he uses it to his advantage. She becomes his “secret weapon” and has been used as an object and pawn her entire life. All she knows is surviving. She endures his severe abuse and trauma for over a decade until she finally escapes. Only to be captured by another group…
I have to say, I think selling this book as a ‘romantasy’ is doing it a disservice— this is SO much more meaningful and raw and real and moving and powerful than what the genre has become. Or maybe this can pave the path and set the standard for what a romantasy should be.
The depth and character work in this is absolutely phenomenal. I have been searching and yearning for fully fledged characters that you are emotionally invested it, genuinely care about, and feel like you know personally. Because of this, the found family element and romance is so touching and beautiful and impactful. Let me just say, Trey Mason is absolutely everything to me.
To me, this book is for those that have found themselves in a dark place and feel like there’s no way out. The survivors, the warriors, the ones with built up walls, the ones that are a shell of who they once were, the ones who try to save everyone else but themselves, the ones that feel so alone and hopeless in this world and who never had a choice, the ones who have been through past trauma or are now going through it and only know pain and hurt. The ones that are still “good” despite it all. And it’s about the power of unconditional love, of trust, of connection, of opening up and letting people in
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
5.0
small town • single dad • slow burn
set in the ‘90s
This book feels like home. a warm hug. a pastry.
If you love Gilmore Girls you will absolutely love this guaranteed and it is the PERFECT read for the ‘ber months. (It goes through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
The premise itself is perfection but this book truly over delivered for me going far beyond my expectations.
Much like a certain pastry, this story has layers and so much depth. It feels like I hopped through a portal and fell into a moment in time where this was real and I was there experiencing it. I want to know these people and be among them in my own life. The writing was so beautiful I feel like I highlighted the whole book.
The last 10% had me crying my eyes out which was not expected. I think it was just from the true connection that I formed with these characters and the wrapping up of everything. And of course by the end, I didn’t want to finish it because I didn’t want to leave!!! Now I have separation anxiety *cries*
So many things I loved—
The personification of Rocket and watching their relationship grow over time
Cliff’s weird baker thing of trying to figure out her favorite pastry throughout the book
ok just Cliff in general, duh
The spice scenes oml
set in the ‘90s
This book feels like home. a warm hug. a pastry.
If you love Gilmore Girls you will absolutely love this guaranteed and it is the PERFECT read for the ‘ber months. (It goes through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
The premise itself is perfection but this book truly over delivered for me going far beyond my expectations.
Much like a certain pastry, this story has layers and so much depth. It feels like I hopped through a portal and fell into a moment in time where this was real and I was there experiencing it. I want to know these people and be among them in my own life. The writing was so beautiful I feel like I highlighted the whole book.
The last 10% had me crying my eyes out which was not expected. I think it was just from the true connection that I formed with these characters and the wrapping up of everything. And of course by the end, I didn’t want to finish it because I didn’t want to leave!!! Now I have separation anxiety *cries*
So many things I loved—
The personification of Rocket and watching their relationship grow over time
Cliff’s weird baker thing of trying to figure out her favorite pastry throughout the book
ok just Cliff in general, duh
The spice scenes oml