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izzymannellasbookshelf's reviews
57 reviews
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i'm team gale 😔
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Child death and Death
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The first half was SO. SLOW. But it picked up. Finnick is hot, I get the hype.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For a romance book, this is DEEP. And the twists and turns took me all over the place in the best way. It was short and succinct (with SHORT CHAPTERS!!!), and yet everything tied together so nicely. It was written beautifully and constructed in a way that makes me want to reread it immediately after finishing it. And from someone who definitely enjoys a good spicy scene, I loved this smut-less book even more.
I genuinely did not expect to love this book so much. It really exceeded my expectations.
I genuinely did not expect to love this book so much. It really exceeded my expectations.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
I don’t know why I expected to finish this 600 page fantasy book in a day, but sure enough it took me like five. I think it’s gonna take me a few more to recover, too. And I’m genuinely still processing.
I WHIPPED THROUGH the first half of this book, though. It was giving Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in the best way possible. Part two was slower but still good. The ENDING was chaotic and insane and I need the next book immediately. IMMEDIATELY.
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
I can confidently say that Hannah Grace is my favorite romance author. I loved Icebreaker, but I loved Wildfire so much more. If you like tension and forced proximity and forbidden romance, you'll love this book. The characters work at a summer camp for children, so trust me when I say they can't do anything. Or can they...🤫
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, and Sexual content
toxic family relationships
Bring Me Your Midnight by Rachel Griffin
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. If you’re looking for a young adult cozy fantasy with forbidden magic and a forbidden romance subplot to make your heart happy, add this book to your tbr immediately.
The main character Tana has her life mapped out for her as the daughter of the witch island’s coven leader. She’ll marry the mainland’s governor’s son Landon, and she’s okay with it. The alliance will give the island and therefore her coven the protection and support it needs in a world that fears and hates witches. Everything goes as planned.
That is until she meets a boy on the island who shows her a side to her world she thought gone and dangerous, and things get far more complicated. Secrets are revealed, and suddenly, Tana doesn’t know who to trust. But she can’t deny her feelings or the alluring pull to a world she’s been taught will kill her.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main character Tana has her life mapped out for her as the daughter of the witch island’s coven leader. She’ll marry the mainland’s governor’s son Landon, and she’s okay with it. The alliance will give the island and therefore her coven the protection and support it needs in a world that fears and hates witches. Everything goes as planned.
That is until she meets a boy on the island who shows her a side to her world she thought gone and dangerous, and things get far more complicated. Secrets are revealed, and suddenly, Tana doesn’t know who to trust. But she can’t deny her feelings or the alluring pull to a world she’s been taught will kill her.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
please god give me more
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I had so much prior knowledge of this series and the characters when I went into it. I knew Dorian was gonna be my man. And I knew that Chaol might not be our ideal book boy. Regardless of what I knew or suspected of before flipping the beautiful cover, though, I loved this first installment of the Throne of Glass series, and I'll always enjoy another dip in the metaphorical pool of YA fantasy.
I loved the way this book started. It captured my attention right away. It's captivating and reads so easily while still feeling exciting and magical. It's been a while since I read an SJM book, and I forgot how comforting her stories feel. This book reminded me of how much I like and miss a good fantasy. I hadn't read a straight-up YA fantasy in so long, and this cured my little reading slump, I think.
Chaol isn't that interesting to me (surprise surprise), but I don't hate him. I thought the attraction between Chaol and Celaena was forced and unnecessary. Dorian, on the other hand…I was right. He's giving Maven Calore from Red Queen, or what we thought Maven was going to be. I cannot stress how much I loved him. The way he gave Celaena his favorite books to read so that they could talk about it? He'd have me wrapped around his little finger. Oh, and the billiard scene? Please!
I liked Celaena so much more than Feyre from the author's other series, A Court of Thorns and Roses. I loved Feyre, but there was something off. She didn't speak up for herself, and I think that's what bothered me. I loved Celaena's self confidence. She knows what she deserves. She knows her place. She talks back, and it's refreshing.
Overall, I think this book is worth the hype. It kept me engaged all the way through, and for someone with severe attention span issues, I consider that a major win.
I loved the way this book started. It captured my attention right away. It's captivating and reads so easily while still feeling exciting and magical. It's been a while since I read an SJM book, and I forgot how comforting her stories feel. This book reminded me of how much I like and miss a good fantasy. I hadn't read a straight-up YA fantasy in so long, and this cured my little reading slump, I think.
Chaol isn't that interesting to me (surprise surprise), but I don't hate him. I thought the attraction between Chaol and Celaena was forced and unnecessary. Dorian, on the other hand…I was right. He's giving Maven Calore from Red Queen, or what we thought Maven was going to be. I cannot stress how much I loved him. The way he gave Celaena his favorite books to read so that they could talk about it? He'd have me wrapped around his little finger. Oh, and the billiard scene? Please!
I liked Celaena so much more than Feyre from the author's other series, A Court of Thorns and Roses. I loved Feyre, but there was something off. She didn't speak up for herself, and I think that's what bothered me. I loved Celaena's self confidence. She knows what she deserves. She knows her place. She talks back, and it's refreshing.
Overall, I think this book is worth the hype. It kept me engaged all the way through, and for someone with severe attention span issues, I consider that a major win.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Slavery and Vomit
One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0