iowa_reads's reviews
656 reviews

The Veiled Kingdom by Holly Renee

5.0

Thoughts: Why have a waited so long to read this? It has all the things I love - feisty FMC, touch her and die dark MMC, fantasy, magic, plot, betrayal, and spice. THIS IS THE ONE FOLKS - go read it. 5 stars. Immediately yes. 

Tropes:

touch her and die/"you're mine", forced proximity, "one" bed (kinda)

Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn

4.0

Thoughts: Short, cute, and minimal spice! Actually questioning if there was any spice..... But it follows two characters who write letters back and forth during the holidays in a small town! Definitely a fast read if you just need to unwind. 

Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness

4.0

Thoughts: This was such a fun continuation to the series. I loved getting to know more of Marcus' past! And getting to know Phoebe and the twins! Plus all the family members are still around which makes me so happy. 

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

5.0

Thoughts: This is the book I wanted book 2 to be. Adorable, wonderful, AMAZING character building. No weird food but honestly after B&B, anything else isn't shocking 😂. Rose and Fionn might officially be my favorite couple. 

Triggers & Tropes:

friends with benefits, forced proximity, small town, domestic abuse/sexual assault (off page), detailed medical trauma

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

5.0

Thoughts: I'm so glad the author took the time to clear up all the loose ends, and used a realistic ending! This was an excellent ending to the formal trilogy, even if I am somewhat sad to leave them behind. Witches, vampires, demons, backstabbing, a little mystery, and some ghosts all merge into a wonderful story. 

Only Us by Susan Mallery

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

A rather enjoyable little novella! Not a lot of plot, since it's only 75 pages, but you get an idea of the town and the characters! 

Babel by R.F. Kuang

challenging emotional informative

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Okay - this book is set up in 5 "books". Books 1 and 2 are DRAINING - so wordy, so much world building - like, there was 2 pages dedicated to scones....WHY!? But it really picks up about halfway through book 3, I'd say.  So if we could just skim 1&2, it'd be a pretty good book! 

If you like historical London and Oxford, where words come from, and historical fiction - I'd say give this one a go. 

Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright

slow-paced

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

3.0

Thoughts: I wanted to love this, but it fell a little flat for me. It was a lot to dive into with a whole world and vocabulary, plus politics? It was....a lot. And very dense. And honestly - the plot could have fit in half the length.  Still going to read book 2 but this was a fight to the finish for me. 

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

inspiring mysterious

4.0

Thoughts: So many plot twists! Time travel, love, vampires, and witches. I'm really enjoying this series and the different places it takes me. 

Etched in Frost by L.R. Friedman

emotional hopeful lighthearted

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

5.0

Thoughts: I first fell in love with L.R.'s writing with Celestial Haven and I have to say - she did it again. The absolute joy I have in her work, from the characters I fall in love with to the world building, is what I love about reading. I can't wait to see who comes next in this series of harbingers.  This one is a Jack Frost retelling with ballerinas in DC, and I STRONGLY recommend it. 

Tropes: forbidden love, fated mates, shifter/mortal