Scan barcode
imcourtneymarie's reviews
137 reviews
The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I wanted to love this so badly and kept hoping I would find the magic Orbit authors usually make with their worlds. Unfortunately, even as I finish it I can’t help but feel like it was just ok.
Although beautifully written in theory, i found the purple prose a bit of an eye roll. If it had grown in line withFia growing her greenmark and finding out about her connection to the forest , I think that would have made sense and been a fantastic literary device.
Ultimately, it’s not BAD, just not as captivating as I had hoped.
I’m going to pretend this is a standalone. It ended on such a wistful note that a sequel is wholly unnecessary. Let standalones exist!!!
Although beautifully written in theory, i found the purple prose a bit of an eye roll. If it had grown in line with
Ultimately, it’s not BAD, just not as captivating as I had hoped.
I’m going to pretend this is a standalone. It ended on such a wistful note that a sequel is wholly unnecessary. Let standalones exist!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Torture
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was the one to finally get me out of a reading slump 🙌
Mysterious and engaging from the beginning. Especially fun FFO of the maasverse or One Dark Window. Orbit never misses!!!
Romance is second to the plot and barely visible. 0 spice, so if that’s what you’re after, maybe give it a skip. Could the plot be deeper? Sure, but I think it tells us the necessary context to lead readers through this twisty turny catacombs.
I’m curious and nervous and excited to see where book two goes!
Mysterious and engaging from the beginning. Especially fun FFO of the maasverse or One Dark Window. Orbit never misses!!!
Romance is second to the plot and barely visible. 0 spice, so if that’s what you’re after, maybe give it a skip. Could the plot be deeper? Sure, but I think it tells us the necessary context to lead readers through this twisty turny catacombs.
I’m curious and nervous and excited to see where book two goes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Ava Reid, ya did it again.
I can’t remember reading Macbeth in school, but I’m glad I got to experience it through Roscilla, Lady Macbeth, Queen Hereafter.
Her pain and fear and bravery and cleverness rolls off the page with such vividness and grit that it’s hard not to get tangled up in her plight.
The Coda at the end was a lightbulb realization as well. Don’t skip it!
I can’t remember reading Macbeth in school, but I’m glad I got to experience it through Roscilla, Lady Macbeth, Queen Hereafter.
Her pain and fear and bravery and cleverness rolls off the page with such vividness and grit that it’s hard not to get tangled up in her plight.
The Coda at the end was a lightbulb realization as well. Don’t skip it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity and War
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
If you’ve read and enjoyed stories like OUABH this standalone story rich with Welsh folklore and landscapes needs to be your next read. Honestly, even if you’ve never touched OUBAH this should be in your TBR lineup.
Charming, sweet, sad. Some surprising twists and turns. Cozy. Some kissing and soft romantasy elements. Nature and kindness and magic. Dragons! Drama. Friendship.
I was genuinely hooked from the first chapter!!!
I’m glad this is a standalone but I’m going to miss Ffion, Tal, Dafydd and everyone else.
Charming, sweet, sad. Some surprising twists and turns. Cozy. Some kissing and soft romantasy elements. Nature and kindness and magic. Dragons! Drama. Friendship.
I was genuinely hooked from the first chapter!!!
I’m glad this is a standalone but I’m going to miss Ffion, Tal, Dafydd and everyone else.
Nocturne by Alyssa Wees
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The prose is STUNNING. Truly captivating and vivid.
The story is fine. Nothing spectacular that keeps me hungry to know more. But it’s not bad.
The writing is what makes this book worth the read. Alyssa Wees’ has a way with words that took my breath away at times.
The story is fine. Nothing spectacular that keeps me hungry to know more. But it’s not bad.
The writing is what makes this book worth the read. Alyssa Wees’ has a way with words that took my breath away at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and War
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
I get the hype around this book!
Yeah, there is some vivid storytelling going on that isn’t for the faint of heart, the romcom is delightful. Love Rowan and Sloane and love the way their story is told. A little fucked up, but nothing a seasoned Criminal Minds or murder-y podcast pro can’t stomach.
I thought this was going to be too spicy for me given what the internet has said but there’s really only a few truly spicy chapters (and even they are not THAT spicy).
A truly fun book and I can’t wait for the next.
Yeah, there is some vivid storytelling going on that isn’t for the faint of heart, the romcom is delightful. Love Rowan and Sloane and love the way their story is told. A little fucked up, but nothing a seasoned Criminal Minds or murder-y podcast pro can’t stomach.
I thought this was going to be too spicy for me given what the internet has said but there’s really only a few truly spicy chapters (and even they are not THAT spicy).
A truly fun book and I can’t wait for the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I hate how bored I was throughout the whole thing. I know that the rest of the Elfhame are billed as YA but this one felt truly for children.
The internal warring from Oak was fine the first time, but quickly grew old.
It was also very difficult to jump back into this tale months after finishing the first part of Wren and Oak’s story. There weren’t any reminders or call backs. It felt like I was expected to just remember every single character and plot point that had happened in the past 4 books.
I was left finishing it just to finish it (and it IS an easy read if that’s what you’re after) but I am left uninspired and (sadly) uninterested in further Elfhame tales.
The internal warring from Oak was fine the first time, but quickly grew old.
It was also very difficult to jump back into this tale months after finishing the first part of Wren and Oak’s story. There weren’t any reminders or call backs. It felt like I was expected to just remember every single character and plot point that had happened in the past 4 books.
I was left finishing it just to finish it (and it IS an easy read if that’s what you’re after) but I am left uninspired and (sadly) uninterested in further Elfhame tales.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse