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hereiskyra's reviews
298 reviews
A Court of Thorns and Roses (Parts 1 & 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a SLOW book, which I thought I was prepared for but turns out I wasn’t.
Unfortunately, I am a little (or a lot) late to the game with ACOTAR and a few things have already spoiled for me. So… I think that affected my judgment when it comes to Feyre and Tamlin (and how much I can’t stand them together even though I really have no reason to feel that way… yet).
The overall story, when I look at it as a whole, had a lot of cool and exciting elements to it. I think the execution could have been better but it wasn’t terrible.
I just keep telling myself - THE NEXT ONE WILL BE BETTER.
Don’t let me down, Feyre. You better become the badass FMC that I know you can be.
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Beauty and the Beast Feels
Spice: 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
It was a little slow but it wasn’t the kind of slow I usually complain about… it was slow in the way that we are experiencing pieces of a very long life with Addie and learning about her 300 years on this earth, which takes time. So while the pacing and lead up to the conclusion felt slow, it wasn’t unbearable and it was necessary in a way.
As a whole, Addie’s character wasn’t anything overly special (I know, I know) but I think that is part of her charm. She is just a regular girl who wished one day that she could live life on what she thought would be her own terms. Ultimately, I think her humanity is what made her stand out and what made this story so easy to feel deeply about.
I almost found myself wishing that she and Luc would find a way to be happy (call me crazy, I’m aware) because even though he was the one who put her through a life of trouble, he provided something important for her over the years too and that was stability and some semblance of romance. I truly think he loved her in the only way he knew how, maybe the only way he was capable of, and I really expected things to end differently with them.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about the conclusion of this book. I’m happy she was able to give him his life back but at the same time, I wanted more for Addie.
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Spice: 🌶️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: War, Death, and Death of parent
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
If there is one thing about this author and this series, it’s that the twists and the “whodunnit” aspect is really hard to guess. I once again enjoyed the murder-mystery aspect of this book.
I have to admit, while I loved this book, the change in pace and added POV was a little challenging for my Signa/Death loving heart. I missed all of the dialogue and scenes with both of them and was wondering for half the book, “when did this become the Blythe show?!”
And then right at the end I was ready to admit how wrong I was because WOW did she give me exactly what I didn’t know I needed after that story. Proof:
April 2, 2024 –
96.0% "I’M SORRY FOR THE BLYTHE SLANDER"
This book is the definition of “trust the process” and it had me stressing! But that conclusion was worth the ride and the wait. 👏🏼
I’m excited to read the next and dive back into this world for some more.
Tropes:
(I genuinely have no idea)
Spice: 🌶️
I have to admit, while I loved this book, the change in pace and added POV was a little challenging for my Signa/Death loving heart. I missed all of the dialogue and scenes with both of them and was wondering for half the book, “when did this become the Blythe show?!”
And then right at the end I was ready to admit how wrong I was because WOW did she give me exactly what I didn’t know I needed after that story. Proof:
April 2, 2024 –
96.0% "I’M SORRY FOR THE BLYTHE SLANDER"
This book is the definition of “trust the process” and it had me stressing! But that conclusion was worth the ride and the wait. 👏🏼
I’m excited to read the next and dive back into this world for some more.
Tropes:
(I genuinely have no idea)
Spice: 🌶️
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Oh man, I loved this in all of the most unexpected ways! This was like the perfect mix of gothic, fantasy, thriller and romance.
It was a little slow in the beginning but once it picked up towards the halfway point, I was excited to see where it was going to go. And honestly, most of the lead up was necessary for context and story building - in hindsight.
I gotta say, a book that can make me root for death incarnate (literally) is doing something amazing. I just kept thinking “am I actually having feelings for… Death?” 😏
The overall “twist” about his overall form was also done in a really satisfying way.
And I didn’t expect the murder-mystery element in this book either, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The vibes absolutely “touch her and die” (literally, because he IS death) and I loved it.
And the “little bird” nickname made me absolutely swoooooon… 🫠
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers Vibes
Touch Her and Die
Spice: 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
The Dare by Harley Laroux
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Oh, my lord. Daddy Manson… 🥵
Honestly, that is all.
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Bully romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Blood
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The freaking banter is off the charts from the first damn conversation. These two stole every bit of my heart! They are both adorable and witty. From dates to forehead kisses to sitting in beanbags chairs at the mall to taking care of each other when they were sick, there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t love about their love story.
Little things that I absolutely loved:
Justin on the pool floaty 🦄 🍩
Any mention of the docking station 😭
Surveys and questionnaires 📋
I went into this not even knowing it would be connected to my favorite Abby Jimenez book, Part of Your World. I love that! This is quite possibly my new favorite, or at least tied for favorite. It’s so damn good. Ahhhhhhh!
Emma is the girl who deserves the world and gets nothing but scraps her whole life and takes them with a smile. She is the embodiment of childhood trauma and going along with her journey of finding her way out of it was magical (and super depressing 🙂). I loved that this was so much deeper than a “curse” and a love story. It had all the depth in the world and included so many important and different subjects.
Listening to Justin struggle to come to terms with his own mothers betrayal and how it affected his life but home too. I never understand people who are able to forgive those that don’t even understand they need to apologize.
Emma’s mom always just chose wrong and yet she continued to forgive her and give her another shot, even though she put her in danger more than once and abandoned her both physically and emotionally. I don’t think I’ll ever look at carrots the same way.
She just wanted that love and acceptance from her mom. I get it.
“Always choose empathy”
“I wish I could do that, I wish I could go on with my life and not hold a grudge against mom”
Me too, Justin. Me too.
I think I identify with this story the most and it’s not because I experienced it but in a way, I do relate to her relationship with her mother.
Some of that really hit home. Being left by your mother at a young age is awful and I didnt starve and I wasn’t scared because I had my grandparents… which broke a little bit of my heart because Emma could’ve had hers and so much more family and support and love but didn’t because her mother was so selfish.
I’m glad she finally had enough. Good riddance!
And honestly… Fuck you, Amber.
“She wasn’t my burden anymore. And I hadn’t even realized how heavy she’d been for me to carry because I’d done it for so long. I’d finally set her down and that started with me forgiving her.”
On a (semi) happier note… This is the one and only time I fully support and think that a third act breakup makes sense. Emma desperately needed some time with her family and on her own to find her way through the grief she was experiencing. And she knew it wasn’t fair to put Justin or his family through the trauma of going through that grief.
She thought she was like Amber because she ran but her walking away was the most unselfish thing she could have done for everyone she cared about.
I love the relationship she had with his siblings and I thought her picking his sister up at the school when she got her period was just about the most perfect way the story could have come back together.
I love imagining a world in which all my favorite characters are thriving and living their best lives. These two deserved everything and I couldn’t love the ending they got more.
“Not just for the summer?”
“No, forever this time.”
Tropes:
Sunshine/Sunshine
Fake Dating
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Little things that I absolutely loved:
Justin on the pool floaty 🦄 🍩
Any mention of the docking station 😭
Surveys and questionnaires 📋
I went into this not even knowing it would be connected to my favorite Abby Jimenez book, Part of Your World. I love that! This is quite possibly my new favorite, or at least tied for favorite. It’s so damn good. Ahhhhhhh!
Emma is the girl who deserves the world and gets nothing but scraps her whole life and takes them with a smile. She is the embodiment of childhood trauma and going along with her journey of finding her way out of it was magical (and super depressing 🙂). I loved that this was so much deeper than a “curse” and a love story. It had all the depth in the world and included so many important and different subjects.
Listening to Justin struggle to come to terms with his own mothers betrayal and how it affected his life but home too. I never understand people who are able to forgive those that don’t even understand they need to apologize.
Emma’s mom always just chose wrong and yet she continued to forgive her and give her another shot, even though she put her in danger more than once and abandoned her both physically and emotionally. I don’t think I’ll ever look at carrots the same way.
She just wanted that love and acceptance from her mom. I get it.
“Always choose empathy”
“I wish I could do that, I wish I could go on with my life and not hold a grudge against mom”
Me too, Justin. Me too.
I think I identify with this story the most and it’s not because I experienced it but in a way, I do relate to her relationship with her mother.
Some of that really hit home. Being left by your mother at a young age is awful and I didnt starve and I wasn’t scared because I had my grandparents… which broke a little bit of my heart because Emma could’ve had hers and so much more family and support and love but didn’t because her mother was so selfish.
I’m glad she finally had enough. Good riddance!
And honestly… Fuck you, Amber.
“She wasn’t my burden anymore. And I hadn’t even realized how heavy she’d been for me to carry because I’d done it for so long. I’d finally set her down and that started with me forgiving her.”
On a (semi) happier note… This is the one and only time I fully support and think that a third act breakup makes sense. Emma desperately needed some time with her family and on her own to find her way through the grief she was experiencing. And she knew it wasn’t fair to put Justin or his family through the trauma of going through that grief.
She thought she was like Amber because she ran but her walking away was the most unselfish thing she could have done for everyone she cared about.
I love the relationship she had with his siblings and I thought her picking his sister up at the school when she got her period was just about the most perfect way the story could have come back together.
I love imagining a world in which all my favorite characters are thriving and living their best lives. These two deserved everything and I couldn’t love the ending they got more.
“Not just for the summer?”
“No, forever this time.”
Tropes:
Sunshine/Sunshine
Fake Dating
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit, Excrement, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
Stealing Home by Grace Reilly
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I think this is my new favorite of the series. I’d take way more more pining men like Seb over his brothers who were a little crass (even though yes, eventually I fell for them too).
Pretty sure we’ve all loved Sebastian since the first book and wanted his happy ending (😏). Mia has commitment issues but that doesn’t stop our boy from putting up a fight and trying to win her over.
These two were so fun while they were falling for one another and I loved almost every second.
Her family bothered me to no end and I don’t even think they deserved Sebastian trying as hard as he did to make sure they all stayed on good terms but man was it endearing. He’s such a good one.
I love that this series has female characters that can think for themselves and don’t give up their lives to follow a boy around. Can’t wait for the last installment!
Tropes:
Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
Friends with Benefits
Spice: 2.5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Ugh! These two were adorable and knew exactly how to pull at my heart strings.
I’m a sucker for history between MC’s and these two seemed to have a lot of it as well as chemistry. I always say I’m not the biggest fan of fake-dating but if it’s done right, I absolutely love it.
The pining is always what gets me the most. That inner monologue is VITAL! I need it like the air I breathe.
Caleb might be one of the sweetest book boyfriends there ever was and these two are perfect. Him ordering cakes just to see her? 🥺
Ohhh and the praise? This boy knows what’s up.
Imagining Caleb in his little Hawaiian shirt sitting at the bakery now.
Even the small third act breakup didn’t ruin it for me! He was just patiently waiting like the perfect golden retriever he is. 🥰
Tropes:
Fake-Dating
Friends to Lovers
Sunshine x Sunshine
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
I FREAKING KNEW IT!
F U Sal!
Also F U, 24 year old mistress who sucks as a person and did not deserve what she ended up with.
This one was good, though. Jennifer Hillier has not disappointed me yet! Even though I knew what was coming to an extent, there was a TON I didn’t have a clue about. And this was just a good one.
The cheating part is the only bit that gets on my nerves, but I also recognize that there wouldn’t really have been a story without it.
Definitely close to a 5 star read for me. It was super enjoyable and I needed to know what was going to happen.
F U Sal!
Also F U, 24 year old mistress who sucks as a person and did not deserve what she ended up with.
This one was good, though. Jennifer Hillier has not disappointed me yet! Even though I knew what was coming to an extent, there was a TON I didn’t have a clue about. And this was just a good one.
The cheating part is the only bit that gets on my nerves, but I also recognize that there wouldn’t really have been a story without it.
Definitely close to a 5 star read for me. It was super enjoyable and I needed to know what was going to happen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Death
There Is No Devil by Sophie Lark
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
The first 25-50% of this book was not my cup of tea but it really picked up in the last half and I enjoyed the more thriller elements and less of the weird back and forth psycho romance nonsense (sorry, their relationship is a little odd).
I think the longer we get to see Mara and Cole grow as characters, I liked them both less. I’m not sure why but Mara’s personality gets on my nerves.
But, like I said, the last half of the book was great so it really brought it all together well and made up for a little bit of the weird vibes.
Tropes/themes:
Stalker/Obsessive MMC
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I think the longer we get to see Mara and Cole grow as characters, I liked them both less. I’m not sure why but Mara’s personality gets on my nerves.
But, like I said, the last half of the book was great so it really brought it all together well and made up for a little bit of the weird vibes.
Tropes/themes:
Stalker/Obsessive MMC
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Murder