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indieandajean's reviews
391 reviews
Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5 Stars for me
I love a good enemies to lovers romance, and if you make it witchy, I'm probably sold! That said, this one had some hang ups for me that didn't allow for full marks.
The romance was spot on, I loved the magic system, but some of Reggie's resistance to believing in magic just felt forced.
Of course I think anyone would be surprised that magic suddenly exists in their lives, but the mental gymnastics were just a bit much for me and it didn't really do much for the plot after the first couple "they shouldn't encourage this poor old woman's delusions". This, in combination with the fact that she had to constantly be reminded by others not to believe her parents would ever change just made her seem really unlikeable and flat at times, which I don't think was the author's intention. I understand that a component of this comes from the fact that Reggie is inspired by Rey and that Rey wasn't nearly as well written as any of us would like in at least one of the three movies in which she appeared, but I think that this could have been remedied by being a bit more willing to move away from the canon/ head-canon sphere and more into the original space. This is remedied in the sequel where, even as a side character who only comes up a couple of times, Reggie feels more like her own character.
Otherwise I really enjoyed the plot, the other characters, the romance, and the humor of the story.
I'd recommend it to someone looking for a good witchy read, or to someone who likes Reylo and wants to read some pretty directly adapted fanfic.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance, and if you make it witchy, I'm probably sold! That said, this one had some hang ups for me that didn't allow for full marks.
The romance was spot on, I loved the magic system, but some of Reggie's resistance to believing in magic just felt forced.
Of course I think anyone would be surprised that magic suddenly exists in their lives, but the mental gymnastics were just a bit much for me and it didn't really do much for the plot after the first couple "they shouldn't encourage this poor old woman's delusions". This, in combination with the fact that she had to constantly be reminded by others not to believe her parents would ever change just made her seem really unlikeable and flat at times, which I don't think was the author's intention. I understand that a component of this comes from the fact that Reggie is inspired by Rey and that Rey wasn't nearly as well written as any of us would like in at least one of the three movies in which she appeared, but I think that this could have been remedied by being a bit more willing to move away from the canon/ head-canon sphere and more into the original space. This is remedied in the sequel where, even as a side character who only comes up a couple of times, Reggie feels more like her own character.
Otherwise I really enjoyed the plot, the other characters, the romance, and the humor of the story.
I'd recommend it to someone looking for a good witchy read, or to someone who likes Reylo and wants to read some pretty directly adapted fanfic.
Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This one was a fairly neutral read for me. Tessa Dare doesn't really "miss" for the regency romance reader, or at least she never misses for me, but this one wasn't my favorite of her books.
It reads as being pretty stock standard for a smutty regency, with the standout elements occurring mostly at the beginning of the book. I liked the characters fine, Amelia and Spencer were fun to read about, but I'd had about enough of Amelia's over-attached relationship with her brothers early on and it made it harder to enjoy the book on the whole.
There was almost too much going on and the plot turned into regency romance soup if not regency romance bingo between the murder, politics, financial hardships, potential social ruin, actual social ruin, etc. etc. etc.
At the end of the day it's a fine book, but nothing to write home about.
It reads as being pretty stock standard for a smutty regency, with the standout elements occurring mostly at the beginning of the book. I liked the characters fine, Amelia and Spencer were fun to read about, but I'd had about enough of Amelia's over-attached relationship with her brothers early on and it made it harder to enjoy the book on the whole.
There was almost too much going on and the plot turned into regency romance soup if not regency romance bingo between the murder, politics, financial hardships, potential social ruin, actual social ruin, etc. etc. etc.
At the end of the day it's a fine book, but nothing to write home about.
In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Murder, Gun violence, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Violence
What the Hex by Jessica Clare
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4/5
I actually liked the sequel better than book one! That's a rarity for me when it comes to romance series.
The enemies to lovers energy in this one was real and well done. The relationship development between Willem and Penny was handled well and the book did a great job balancing the plot with the spice. The stakes of their agreement felt real and the HEA feels earned and it was all around fun to read.
If Go Hex Yourself was not exactly what you wanted, I recommend giving What the Hex a shot because it's giving a lot of the same positives with far fewer faults.
I actually liked the sequel better than book one! That's a rarity for me when it comes to romance series.
The enemies to lovers energy in this one was real and well done. The relationship development between Willem and Penny was handled well and the book did a great job balancing the plot with the spice. The stakes of their agreement felt real and the HEA feels earned and it was all around fun to read.
If Go Hex Yourself was not exactly what you wanted, I recommend giving What the Hex a shot because it's giving a lot of the same positives with far fewer faults.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Classism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Animal death, Cursing, and Confinement
The Magnus Archives: Season 5 by Alexander J. Newall, Jonathan Sims
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Body horror, Violence, Death, War, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Gore, and Confinement
Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The perfect monster romance novella. It's got the humor, the spice, the strong independent woman, jealousy, and protectiveness. It's all that and a bag of chips talking sword. What more could you want?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
5/5
Bestill my death-positivity-movement-loving romance-obsessed heart, The Dead Romantics is a ghost romance I can get behind!
Normally "he's dead, she's not, they're in love" is not my cup of tea (blame all the vampire stories that were in vogue during my teen years) but enough positive reviews and the promise of a HEA was enough to get me to try this one, and I am so glad that I did because I needed this book.
Between the subtle star wars fandom references and the sweet and saucy moments of this novel, I found the messages of self-love (particularly valuing yourself more than what you can offer to others) and forgiveness to be particularly impactful.
Ultimately I found The Dead Romantics to be a fun, reflective and positive read with just the right amount of spookiness!
Bestill my death-positivity-movement-loving romance-obsessed heart, The Dead Romantics is a ghost romance I can get behind!
Normally "he's dead, she's not, they're in love" is not my cup of tea (blame all the vampire stories that were in vogue during my teen years) but enough positive reviews and the promise of a HEA was enough to get me to try this one, and I am so glad that I did because I needed this book.
Between the subtle star wars fandom references and the sweet and saucy moments of this novel, I found the messages of self-love (particularly valuing yourself more than what you can offer to others) and forgiveness to be particularly impactful.
Ultimately I found The Dead Romantics to be a fun, reflective and positive read with just the right amount of spookiness!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Death, Abandonment, and Bullying
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for this audiobook ARC of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree in return for an honest review!
In Bookshops & Bonedust we meet young Viv, an orc merc with a love of bashing skulls, in what at first seems like the lowest moment of her career. Injured and feeling abandoned, Viv is healing from a stab wound in the sleepy seaside town of Murk while her associates in Rackam's Ravens are off trying to hunt down a dangerous necromancer. As luck would have it, Viv's uncanny ability to make friends puts her firmly in the middle of a cozy business restoration (readers of Legends and Lattes will find this familiar, but no less charming) as well as in the crosshairs of trouble.
The book brings all the cozy fantasy energy that Legends and Lattes was praised for, with a more adventurous and involved plot. The bookshop elements up the cozy and familiar factor for readers in the best possible way, and with the lovable characters that fill the shops walls, it's easy to cheer for the inevitable happily ever after.
Travis Baldree's ability to create a fantasy world that feels believable without getting lost in the weeds of unnecessary/ excessive world-building is commendable and makes it easy for any reader to enjoy the novel without feeling out of depth. Readers need not enter into the book with a vast knowledge of fantasy creatures and tropes, as while the inclusions are fun for those familiar, it is primarily set dressing for the warm story of interpersonal dynamics.
This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes and can be read before or after the cozy coffeeshop fantasy. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a read that will make them feel warm and well cared for. This book, much like Legends and Lattes, is the literary equivalent of a blanket and cozy fireplace on a cold winters' night.
In Bookshops & Bonedust we meet young Viv, an orc merc with a love of bashing skulls, in what at first seems like the lowest moment of her career. Injured and feeling abandoned, Viv is healing from a stab wound in the sleepy seaside town of Murk while her associates in Rackam's Ravens are off trying to hunt down a dangerous necromancer. As luck would have it, Viv's uncanny ability to make friends puts her firmly in the middle of a cozy business restoration (readers of Legends and Lattes will find this familiar, but no less charming) as well as in the crosshairs of trouble.
The book brings all the cozy fantasy energy that Legends and Lattes was praised for, with a more adventurous and involved plot. The bookshop elements up the cozy and familiar factor for readers in the best possible way, and with the lovable characters that fill the shops walls, it's easy to cheer for the inevitable happily ever after.
Travis Baldree's ability to create a fantasy world that feels believable without getting lost in the weeds of unnecessary/ excessive world-building is commendable and makes it easy for any reader to enjoy the novel without feeling out of depth. Readers need not enter into the book with a vast knowledge of fantasy creatures and tropes, as while the inclusions are fun for those familiar, it is primarily set dressing for the warm story of interpersonal dynamics.
This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes and can be read before or after the cozy coffeeshop fantasy. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a read that will make them feel warm and well cared for. This book, much like Legends and Lattes, is the literary equivalent of a blanket and cozy fireplace on a cold winters' night.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Medical content, Violence, Blood, Animal death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder