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imcourtneymarie's reviews
126 reviews
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
I feel like it might be one of those books that grows on you the more time you have to digest. But maybe that’s just the optimist in me wanting to like it.
I liked Leo and wished we actually had more of him and his story.
The epilogue moved me. The part where Stephanie is imagining Leo at Lila’s side when she’s getting married specifically. 🥺
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
idk what i’m supposed to take away from this book…
The first 45% of this book was a slog and i would have DNFed if not for it being this month’s book club book. I’m glad I stuck with it, but if this is what lit fic is like count me out in the future 🥱. I didn’t connect with most of the characters or really care about their financial/familial woes. I didn’t find any excitement in the plot and there were a lot of side characters that, yes, ultimately had purpose in this tale but could have been told without their pov.
i guess it’s about finding the strength to be yourself???? To stand on your own????
“You don’t need to be anybody’s mirror.”
Idk it was fine.
I feel like it might be one of those books that grows on you the more time you have to digest. But maybe that’s just the optimist in me wanting to like it.
The epilogue moved me. The part where Stephanie is imagining Leo at Lila’s side when she’s getting married specifically. 🥺
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Addiction
The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.25
For the first 60% of this book I kept asking myself “why the HELL are you still trying to finish?” I wish I knew definitively what it was that kept me going when I was not hooked in the way I’ve been with other stories.
But something in me said to keep going and I am going to continue the trilogy.
If you like easy world building, this is not the book for you. The terminology, GRRM-level character introductions, and politicking take a lot more time to come together. This is a character-first, world-heavy novel. There’s not a lick of romance (for those that care!).
However, if you love stories with vibrant, thoughtful world building, don’t mind a slow burn, and like the political intrigue, I can see this one becoming a favourite.
For me, I just found the first 40% dragged on and too many plot points being introduced that might have importance down the line, but didn’t feel wholly necessary to tell the main story. I am curious to see where the next book goes but not in a “I need to devour this immediately” kind of way like I wish so badly it was.
But something in me said to keep going and I am going to continue the trilogy.
If you like easy world building, this is not the book for you. The terminology, GRRM-level character introductions, and politicking take a lot more time to come together. This is a character-first, world-heavy novel. There’s not a lick of romance (for those that care!).
However, if you love stories with vibrant, thoughtful world building, don’t mind a slow burn, and like the political intrigue, I can see this one becoming a favourite.
For me, I just found the first 40% dragged on and too many plot points being introduced that might have importance down the line, but didn’t feel wholly necessary to tell the main story. I am curious to see where the next book goes but not in a “I need to devour this immediately” kind of way like I wish so badly it was.
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies meets Harry Potter magic.
The magic system is neat, the world building pretty good, and the characters engaging enough that you care about their story under the Blood Veil.
Very villainous characters!
I didn’t know this was a duology so beware that it ends abruptly on a cliffhanger. Another 100-200p and it could have been wrapped up in a single book. 🙄
The magic system is neat, the world building pretty good, and the characters engaging enough that you care about their story under the Blood Veil.
Very villainous characters!
I didn’t know this was a duology so beware that it ends abruptly on a cliffhanger. Another 100-200p and it could have been wrapped up in a single book. 🙄
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I know this book gets a lot of hate because Coriolanus is not even really morally grey and he falls into the President Snow role seemingly very fast but I actually really loved the pacing and thought his character development made a lot of sense given everything that happens.
It drags quite a lot and while I wouldn’t necessarily cut anything specific, I think it could have been 200pgs shorter and still conveyed the same story.
It drags quite a lot and while I wouldn’t necessarily cut anything specific, I think it could have been 200pgs shorter and still conveyed the same story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Child death, and Classism
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
All i have to say is: chef’s kiss 🤌🤌 what a stellar ending to a stellar series
Ok i will add that i think the ithan and tharion storylines were quite dull and i’m not sure on this first read how important they were. I guess they were redemption arcs more than anything so that’s why i dropped it down to a 4/5
Also OBSESSED with how the worlds are all connected! So cool. So interesting even if everyone is now OP hahaha. I do wonder if Ithan is Fenrys’ descendant. LOVE!!!!!
Also OBSESSED with how the worlds are all connected! So cool. So interesting even if everyone is now OP hahaha. I do wonder if Ithan is Fenrys’ descendant. LOVE!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual content and Slavery
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I simply love everything Ava Reid writes!!!!! 😮💨
Fantasy but more like a mystery with a touch of the lore of Fairy, A Study in Drowning has maybe one of the most raw and unique FMC I’ve read. Effy is anxious and emotional and dealing with severe trauma. She’s medicated and told she’s crazy. She dreams of writing because of her favourite author but she’s stuck in a life she doesn’t want and chasing a career she wants even less. She feels so real and relatable. I think that’s what makes her growth and passion such a win. I love Preston too ok.
Maybe a little predictable but the story is sweet, the world vivid, the writing delectable, and the romance (because of course there’s a romance) enchanting.
If you like Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, I think you’ll also like A Study in Drowning.
Fantasy but more like a mystery with a touch of the lore of Fairy, A Study in Drowning has maybe one of the most raw and unique FMC I’ve read. Effy is anxious and emotional and dealing with severe trauma. She’s medicated and told she’s crazy. She dreams of writing because of her favourite author but she’s stuck in a life she doesn’t want and chasing a career she wants even less. She feels so real and relatable. I think that’s what makes her growth and passion such a win. I love Preston too ok.
Maybe a little predictable but the story is sweet, the world vivid, the writing delectable, and the romance (because of course there’s a romance) enchanting.
If you like Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, I think you’ll also like A Study in Drowning.
“I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“…You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Beautiful prose but meh story towards the end. It started out so much more mysterious and intriguing before falling unfortunately flat. That being said, I did like the ending, I just wish for something more.
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a love story first with very light fantasy, so if you’re looking for an easy fantasy world to jump into, this could be for you! If you like plot-first stories then ehhhhhh you’ll probably not love it.
I’m not normally a romance-first reader but Emily Thiede’s characters and world were quick to fall for. I find that English novels that incorporate a foreign language can often feel forced and like it was a way to make a character more interesting (like “oooooh the tall, dark, handsome MMC speaks Spanish so it doesn’t matter that he’s dull!!!”). It didn’t feel like that for most of This Viscous Grace. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing epigraphs before each chapter and Dante’s use of Italian/“old language”.
I do wish that it was a standalone novel and think it would have been strong enough to stand on its own pre-chapter 54. But you know I’ll be reading the sequel anyway. 🤪
For people who care, this is not a smutty romance (which should quickly become apparent when you meet Alessa lol) but lots of ✨tension✨
I’m not normally a romance-first reader but Emily Thiede’s characters and world were quick to fall for. I find that English novels that incorporate a foreign language can often feel forced and like it was a way to make a character more interesting (like “oooooh the tall, dark, handsome MMC speaks Spanish so it doesn’t matter that he’s dull!!!”). It didn’t feel like that for most of This Viscous Grace. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing epigraphs before each chapter and Dante’s use of Italian/“old language”.
I do wish that it was a standalone novel and think it would have been strong enough to stand on its own pre-chapter 54. But you know I’ll be reading the sequel anyway. 🤪
For people who care, this is not a smutty romance (which should quickly become apparent when you meet Alessa lol) but lots of ✨tension✨