hailslynn's reviews
235 reviews

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.

Comedic fantasy might just not be my cup of tea. Also just don't like that we've taken cozy fantasy to mean fantasy with surface level world building and boring character interactions

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I either hate Shakespeare retellings (false) or I just don't vibe with Olivie/Alexene's writing (true). It's not bad. I just find her writing style very flat and unemotional. Her characters are just also not developed enough for my liking, though this book had the best character development I've read from her! The premise of this book was great, and I enjoyed Viola and Jack's relationship. But I think this may have been my last chance for this author.

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense 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

4.25

Brynna Weaver performed a miracle and actually made me enjoy a marriage of convenience trope

Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 10 by Naoya Matsumoto

adventurous dark tense fast-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

3.5

2024 manga binge in full swing

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

3.25

it's okay. i enjoy emily henry's works as nice breaks of pace, but they aren't books i typically go out of my way to read. extremely fluffy and hallmark movie-esq. 

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-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

This. This. THIS!!!! This is what I want from a fantasy book. The magic system is unique, the characters are so intricate and well developed, the setting is deliciously spooky, and the plot is unpredictable and ensnaring. If you love the dark, ominous vibes of VE Schwab’s books but are looking for a little more tradition fantasy vibes, oh boy do you need to pick this up.

Our Dark Duet by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

5⭐️ book, 5⭐️ series

This series, specifically this book, DESTROYED ME. I have been in love with VE Schwab’s storytelling since I was introduced to her when Addie LaRue came out, and she just continuously hits it out of the park. Her ability to create seemingly familiar worlds and unique magical aspects just always leave me wanting more in a good way. I want to fall into her worlds the way people want to go to Narnia, even though 90% of the time it wouldn’t be a good idea. The characters she comes up with are complex and constantly developing so you see their achievements and mistakes, their ugly side, and their deepest desires. Her writing is just always my favorite thing to turn to when I need a good read. 

AND THIS SERIES?? Possibly up there in my top ten. If you’ve haven’t read Schwab before, this is a great place to start. I loved these protagonists and their relationship, and I really wish I could look forward to more of them. The underlying message in these books are very apparent, but it didn’t quite hit me what Schwab was saying until it was too late. Schwab also does a wonderful job of writing series that have a connecting overarching plot while having each book have a completed storyline, and it really shows how well she does that with these books.

This book ended with me crying, which isn’t a shocker, and very happy that I have finally read a VE Schwab title in 2024 because their stories are the exact type of stories I love to read over and over again.

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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

4.0

Honestly probably my favorite of the Dark Olympus Series. I think the romantic relationship itself could have been more developed and spread out throughout the book, but the smut itself was 10/10. I haven’t read #4 and #5 yet, but so far I have enjoyed this plot the most out of the 4 I have read. Katee Robert is one of my favorite erotica authors, so I never expect her to disappoint.

This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

VE Schwab just writes for me. I will absolutely devour everything they publish, and I’ll love it all the same. Quiet literally ate and left no crumbs.

I feel like this is one of her hidden gems because I very rarely see people talk about it and it’s just so god damn good. The setting and plot is immersive, the characters are delicious, and if I didn’t have to wait for my library hold to become available I would be reading book 2 right away.

Read this if you love mafia/gangster territory wars, post-apocalyptic worlds, rebellious teenagers, black cat girlfriends and golden retriever boyfriends, and monsters that feel a little too real.

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

dark emotional lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

LAUREN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE WORDS