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kfalsreads's reviews
289 reviews
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
As expected, this book did not disappoint. I had a great time. The plot had good pacing, the magical elements were unique, the character arcs were giving, the stakes were sufficiently high, and the relationship development between Sylina and Atrius (which I've seen some criticism on) was just right for me.
My only critique was that the ending was a bit underwhelming compared to the previous three books.
My favorite thing about this series is how Carissa takes a complex world with numerous kingdoms and gods and breaks it out into different couples' stories, each with their own journey toward what seems to be an impending great war.
I was excited to see a character (*think villain) from the "Serpent and the Wings of Night" duet appear in the epilogue, hinting at a future plotline.
My only critique was that the ending was a bit underwhelming compared to the previous three books.
My favorite thing about this series is how Carissa takes a complex world with numerous kingdoms and gods and breaks it out into different couples' stories, each with their own journey toward what seems to be an impending great war.
I was excited to see a character (*think villain) from the "Serpent and the Wings of Night" duet appear in the epilogue, hinting at a future plotline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, War
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Colonisation
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent
When in Rome by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
I ate this book up!!! I started reading it while recovering from an illness and was in the mood for a cozy romance, and this story delivered! Honestly, it was simply the right book at the right time.
There's something about a grumpy MMC who is also soft with everyone he loves that just hits for me. The tension and pining between Amelia and Noah were palpable š®āšØ, and I thought Sarah did a great job developing the reasons they held back on their feelings for as long as they did.
Both characters were mature, which I love. The side characters were well-developed and endearing. And even though this was a closed-door romance, I didn't miss it at all because of, again, the tension.š„µ I especially appreciated how the third act was handledāwith maturity and open communication.
This was my first book by Sarah Adams, and I immediately jumped into the rest of the series after finishing this one. If you enjoyed the Lovelight series, I recommend giving this series a try, as it has similar vibes. This one, in particular, reminded me a lot of āIn the Weeds.ā
There's something about a grumpy MMC who is also soft with everyone he loves that just hits for me. The tension and pining between Amelia and Noah were palpable š®āšØ, and I thought Sarah did a great job developing the reasons they held back on their feelings for as long as they did.
Both characters were mature, which I love. The side characters were well-developed and endearing. And even though this was a closed-door romance, I didn't miss it at all because of, again, the tension.š„µ I especially appreciated how the third act was handledāwith maturity and open communication.
This was my first book by Sarah Adams, and I immediately jumped into the rest of the series after finishing this one. If you enjoyed the Lovelight series, I recommend giving this series a try, as it has similar vibes. This one, in particular, reminded me a lot of āIn the Weeds.ā
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If there's one thing to take away from this review, it's that you should definitely listen to the audio version of this book. I found reading it physically quite challenging due to the third-person perspective, multiple points of view, and non-linear timeline. But once I switched to the audio version, my experience changed completely. Narrator January LaVoy brought so much life to the characters and the story that I genuinely feel you would miss out by reading it instead.
Despite LaVoy's excellent narration, I still struggled to connect with the story emotionally because it felt somewhat scattered, which I recognize was likely a creative choice and may definitely be a 'me' problem.
The characters are flawed, and their personal journeys are imperfect and a work in progress. However, there were some loose ends for certain characters that I wished I had more closure on.
It's been a long time since I read a character-driven, historical family saga, and this story rekindled my appreciation for family legacies. It also taught me a lot about two areas of labor that heavily relied on both enslaved and free Black people: the mass production of pottery in the American South and the crewing of ships sailing to and from American portsāboth of which Charmaine did extensive research on.
One final note, before reading, I would recommend checking trigger warnings, as this story addresses trauma, racism, and violence.
Despite LaVoy's excellent narration, I still struggled to connect with the story emotionally because it felt somewhat scattered, which I recognize was likely a creative choice and may definitely be a 'me' problem.
The characters are flawed, and their personal journeys are imperfect and a work in progress. However, there were some loose ends for certain characters that I wished I had more closure on.
It's been a long time since I read a character-driven, historical family saga, and this story rekindled my appreciation for family legacies. It also taught me a lot about two areas of labor that heavily relied on both enslaved and free Black people: the mass production of pottery in the American South and the crewing of ships sailing to and from American portsāboth of which Charmaine did extensive research on.
One final note, before reading, I would recommend checking trigger warnings, as this story addresses trauma, racism, and violence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Slavery, Murder
Minor: Rape
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
I would recommend that if youāre reading this for the first time, to read with your eyeballs and take your time, because it is a lot. But it is so worth it.
Happy reading! x
adventurous
challenging
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
I cannot believe I sat on this series for as long as I did! If you have heard about this recently due to the recent release of the third book in this series, let me just tell you that if you love fantasy, you MUST pick this up!
Thereās Arthurian lore, secret societies, magic, incredible character development, race/LGBTQ/gender identity/class representation, ancestral bonds (especially between mothers and daughters), grief and therapy rep, I meanā¦the list goes on and on. There was just so much depth poured into this story.
I think what I loved the most was how much of Breeās character development was central to the plot and was a big component of what drove the plot, which I thought was fast-paced for being so character-driven.
I had no idea I had such a thirst for a complex contemporary fantasy with a romantic sub-sub-plotālike the romance is barely there, but there is a hint of a possible future love triangle. I also appreciate how much time and effort you can tell Tracy put into building this world.
I would recommend that if youāre reading this for the first time, to read with your eyeballs and take your time, because it is a lot. But it is so worth it.
Happy reading! x
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Rape