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justkarlah's reviews
94 reviews
The Locked Door by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
Fast-paced but also feels like not much is happening. FMC is supposed to be a smart surgeon yet somehow makes the dumbest decisions. The twist was okay, not the best, but it still wasn't who I expected until closer to the reveal. Definitely left some unanswered questions.
The Coworker by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.75
Saw some of the twists coming, although there were some that were still a surprise. Wasn't a big fan of this one but it was pretty entertaining toward the end.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This book had me guessing all the wrong answers, which was great. I never suspected the ending.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for a suspenseful book full of twists.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for a suspenseful book full of twists.
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
dark
3.0
There was so much wrong with the things that happened in this book. I feel icky just thinking about it.
Didn't expect that twist at the end.
Not really a mystery/thriller like I expected, either.
Didn't expect that twist at the end.
Not really a mystery/thriller like I expected, either.
One By One by Freida McFadden
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Got hooked pretty much from the beginning, couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know who was behind all these deaths. The twist was surprising, but the motive was kinda weak (it just felt like a letdown).
Still enjoyed reading it for the most part!
Still enjoyed reading it for the most part!
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The worldbuilding was amazing. It kept me wanting to read until the very end. The characters were mostly great too, especially the way friendships developed between them. The romance wasn't my favorite, but I do like both main characters, so it was still cute to read about them.
Will definitely be reading the next book!
Will definitely be reading the next book!
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wish we had gotten more Jacks interactions. I liked the POV from Apollo and the spiral he went on, but it was kind of disappointing not having those POVs be from Jacks. Apollo being the person he loves most was a nice touch, since it was mentioned in OUABH how obsessed he was with himself.
The flow of the story was a lot more different than the first two in the series. I feel like we were left with so many unanswered questions, and a super quick little ending.Like, we were just TOLD why Jacks had the kissing curse and it was so...underwhelming? It just felt like there was so much potential, so much that could've happened, and it didn't quite get there. I'm hoping this means we'll get more Eva Jacks in the future, but who knows.
Still a 4.5⭐️ for me though cause I'm obsessed with the Magnificent North.
The flow of the story was a lot more different than the first two in the series. I feel like we were left with so many unanswered questions, and a super quick little ending.
Still a 4.5⭐️ for me though cause I'm obsessed with the Magnificent North.
Dark Artificer by Ember Holt
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
▫️Dual 1st person POV▫️
I just want to start my review by saying that I have not read the first two books in the series. I went into it not knowing anything about the first two princesses or their stories. It didn't make the plot or world building too confusing, and I was able to follow along with the story for the most part. The only thing I did have some trouble with was all the characters that had multiple names/were referred to by different names.
Alyse was a strong-willed FMC with a passion for helping her people. She was pretty naive at the beginning, which makes sense since she's a princess, so it was nice to see her grow both in maturity and in delving into/developing her powers.
Kazimir is the definition of a possessive, overprotective MMC with a dark side. He was an interesting character to read about, and it would have been cool to learn more about his past and his progress to becoming a scribe at the castle. I loved that he created mechanisms that helped him use his powers to the best of their ability.
The story progressed at a pretty normal pace, although it did feel like some events passed by too quickly (almost like they had to cut them down to make the book shorter?).
There's a ton of tension between the two main characters, a large amount of sexual content, as well as some non-consensual scenes. I would definitely recommend checking the TWs before reading!
If you're looking for a fantasy book with forbidden love, revenge, and strong princesses, then this might be the book for you!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just want to start my review by saying that I have not read the first two books in the series. I went into it not knowing anything about the first two princesses or their stories. It didn't make the plot or world building too confusing, and I was able to follow along with the story for the most part. The only thing I did have some trouble with was all the characters that had multiple names/were referred to by different names.
Alyse was a strong-willed FMC with a passion for helping her people. She was pretty naive at the beginning, which makes sense since she's a princess, so it was nice to see her grow both in maturity and in delving into/developing her powers.
Kazimir is the definition of a possessive, overprotective MMC with a dark side. He was an interesting character to read about, and it would have been cool to learn more about his past and his progress to becoming a scribe at the castle. I loved that he created mechanisms that helped him use his powers to the best of their ability.
The story progressed at a pretty normal pace, although it did feel like some events passed by too quickly (almost like they had to cut them down to make the book shorter?).
There's a ton of tension between the two main characters, a large amount of sexual content, as well as some non-consensual scenes. I would definitely recommend checking the TWs before reading!
If you're looking for a fantasy book with forbidden love, revenge, and strong princesses, then this might be the book for you!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Drug use, Body shaming, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Animal cruelty
Minor: Slavery
Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
▫️Dual 1st person POV▫️
It felt like so much was happening, but at the same time, nothing was? There were some moments that were interesting, like the traitors being revealed. But it just felt like a lot of arguing/sex between the two main characters, with some death thrown in to keep it interesting.
I'm hoping the third book has more plot, this story has potential to go somewhere with all the interesting characters and their abilities.
It felt like so much was happening, but at the same time, nothing was? There were some moments that were interesting, like the traitors being revealed. But it just felt like a lot of arguing/sex between the two main characters, with some death thrown in to keep it interesting.
I'm hoping the third book has more plot, this story has potential to go somewhere with all the interesting characters and their abilities.
In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
▫️1st person POV▫️
⭐️⭐️⭐️.⁷⁵/5
🌶/5
I liked the beginning of this book, the way the two MCs meet, and the circumstances that lead to them vacationing together. It had some cute and funny moments. You can definitely tell there's physical attraction between Sloane and Charlie right away, and an interest to learn more about each other beyond that, too.
I was not a big fan of the clearly illegal, sexist interview Sloane went through (it felt so, so icky). The ending felt rushed and the problem seemed to be "resolved" in just a couple of paragraphs.
I understand it was a part of her character growth, but seeing how many times Sloane could have explained something out loud and didn't was frustrating. So much miscommunication, even when Charlie initiated/tried to initiate conversations.
It was a mostly fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in vacation romances, supportive MMCs, fake dating, and healing from heartbreak.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.⁷⁵/5
🌶/5
I liked the beginning of this book, the way the two MCs meet, and the circumstances that lead to them vacationing together. It had some cute and funny moments. You can definitely tell there's physical attraction between Sloane and Charlie right away, and an interest to learn more about each other beyond that, too.
I was not a big fan of the clearly illegal, sexist interview Sloane went through (it felt so, so icky). The ending felt rushed and the problem seemed to be "resolved" in just a couple of paragraphs.
I understand it was a part of her character growth, but seeing how many times Sloane could have explained something out loud and didn't was frustrating. So much miscommunication, even when Charlie initiated/tried to initiate conversations.
It was a mostly fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in vacation romances, supportive MMCs, fake dating, and healing from heartbreak.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny