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kristens_bookshelf's reviews
144 reviews
Trial of Bronze and Blood by M.K. Deoradhán
4.0
Four deadly trials will reunite them. One secret will tear them apart.
...and that secret...oooohhhh weeeeeee it's a doozy!
Dagger throwing FMC...magic...dragons...gladiators...political intrigue
This was an incredibly captivating gladiator romantasy. There were so many plot points happening at the same time that kept me sucked in and flipping pages so fast! This was a solid final read of 2024!
This publishes April 15th! I don't know how long I have to wait til book 2 but I need it right now right now!
...and that secret...oooohhhh weeeeeee it's a doozy!
Dagger throwing FMC...magic...dragons...gladiators...political intrigue
This was an incredibly captivating gladiator romantasy. There were so many plot points happening at the same time that kept me sucked in and flipping pages so fast! This was a solid final read of 2024!
This publishes April 15th! I don't know how long I have to wait til book 2 but I need it right now right now!
The Enchanted Isles by Alycia E. Anderson
4.0
This was such a fun story with great banter, an epic quest with the highest of stakes and a love square where at different moments I was changing my mind on who I wanted the FMC to choose.
I really enjoyed this story. The plot was fast-paced, the characters were lovable and there are some fun twists and turns that made the story compelling. By the time it ended, I wanted about 30 more chapters. I am really looking forward to where the series takes us next.
I really enjoyed this story. The plot was fast-paced, the characters were lovable and there are some fun twists and turns that made the story compelling. By the time it ended, I wanted about 30 more chapters. I am really looking forward to where the series takes us next.
The Elf Witch by Jacquelyn Gilmore
2.0
This hurts my heart but I have to do it, DNF at 25%
There is a one of a kind great story in this book but I can't trudge through the sludge to find it. The family dynamic in the beginning was super interesting and the magic system was fantastic with magic branding and elves that soul draw and all kinds of wicked cool things. I was just so confused 99% of the time reading. So much information is just dumped and not explained. I was flipping thru looking for a world map or glossary or something to help me out but there was nothing. There was a section of about 50 pages that I had to read twice because I thought maybe I had skipped pages or something. There seems to be so much beautiful lore and world history connected to this story but it's missing.
There is a one of a kind great story in this book but I can't trudge through the sludge to find it. The family dynamic in the beginning was super interesting and the magic system was fantastic with magic branding and elves that soul draw and all kinds of wicked cool things. I was just so confused 99% of the time reading. So much information is just dumped and not explained. I was flipping thru looking for a world map or glossary or something to help me out but there was nothing. There was a section of about 50 pages that I had to read twice because I thought maybe I had skipped pages or something. There seems to be so much beautiful lore and world history connected to this story but it's missing.
The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes
4.0
After reading this, I need to get back into reading more Latine stories and get back to my roots.
The author brought such a captivating blend of magic, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling to this book. I was fully immersed in a world filled with deep family bonds, ancient traditions, and a touch of the supernatural. The blend of Mexican mythology, family drama and romance was perfection.
It did lag in pacing a little in the middle but it was still very much enchanting.
The author brought such a captivating blend of magic, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling to this book. I was fully immersed in a world filled with deep family bonds, ancient traditions, and a touch of the supernatural. The blend of Mexican mythology, family drama and romance was perfection.
It did lag in pacing a little in the middle but it was still very much enchanting.
The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes
4.0
This story was a perfect companion to The Enchanted Hacienda! I hope the author keeps giving us stories for all the sisters and cousins! A look back into the lives of the mom and aunt would be fantastic too! I even would love a novella about the owner of the coffee shop, Pasaporte.
Based on the previous book, I was thinking Lily was the sister/cousin that had life mostly put together and yet from this story we find she may just have been the most broken. I loved digging into her past with Sam and watching their story unfold.
The continued weaving of mexican mythology and the magical flower farm kept me locked into the story. I think I read 80% of the book in 1 sitting. This book released earlier this week and I definitely recommend adding it to your TBR!
Based on the previous book, I was thinking Lily was the sister/cousin that had life mostly put together and yet from this story we find she may just have been the most broken. I loved digging into her past with Sam and watching their story unfold.
The continued weaving of mexican mythology and the magical flower farm kept me locked into the story. I think I read 80% of the book in 1 sitting. This book released earlier this week and I definitely recommend adding it to your TBR!
The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn
3.0
Check trigger warnings as the story touched on several explicit DV situations.
This story has some great potential and gave some compelling themes about power and self-discovery, but it didn't blow me away. There were some captivating moments but I had a hard time staying engaged with the story. If you’re a fan of witchcraft and dark paranormal elements, it’s worth a read, but don’t expect a flawless journey.
This story has some great potential and gave some compelling themes about power and self-discovery, but it didn't blow me away. There were some captivating moments but I had a hard time staying engaged with the story. If you’re a fan of witchcraft and dark paranormal elements, it’s worth a read, but don’t expect a flawless journey.
The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer
3.0
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC of The Ravenswood Witch.
This book is very well written! I will definitely be looking into other books by this author. The concept of the story was super interesting and right up my alley. The world building and character discovery in the beginning was well laid out and got me excited for what I was about to read.
However, the story started to nose dive for a long time. Some of the scenes were good but there was a lot of "fluff" and stuff that could have been left out. The book was 293 pages and it wasn't until page 261 that the "who done it" part came to light. That left the most exciting part of the story super rushed along with the wrap up. And at that point I had trudged thru so much that the ending kinda fell flat and I was left saying "oh, ok".
Overall, it was a quick read with compelling characters and a great atmosphere. This is more of a palate cleanser of a book if you need one but not one to rush to the top of your TBR.
This book is very well written! I will definitely be looking into other books by this author. The concept of the story was super interesting and right up my alley. The world building and character discovery in the beginning was well laid out and got me excited for what I was about to read.
However, the story started to nose dive for a long time. Some of the scenes were good but there was a lot of "fluff" and stuff that could have been left out. The book was 293 pages and it wasn't until page 261 that the "who done it" part came to light. That left the most exciting part of the story super rushed along with the wrap up. And at that point I had trudged thru so much that the ending kinda fell flat and I was left saying "oh, ok".
Overall, it was a quick read with compelling characters and a great atmosphere. This is more of a palate cleanser of a book if you need one but not one to rush to the top of your TBR.
The Story Collector by Evie Woods
5.0
Whew, I am NOT a crier but I am still wiping tears from my eyes after just finishing this book! I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this book but I got 100x more than expected. I feel like a small part of my heart that needed healing, which I didn't know needed it, was healed after reading this story. I need a prequel...I need a sequel...I need supporting novellas...I need them all!
The author has created a tale that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the stories that define us. Central to the novel is the theme of the power of stories themselves — how they shape lives, connect people across generations, and reveal universal truths.
This would make an incredible movie...Benicio del Toro needs to read this book!
The author has created a tale that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the stories that define us. Central to the novel is the theme of the power of stories themselves — how they shape lives, connect people across generations, and reveal universal truths.
This would make an incredible movie...Benicio del Toro needs to read this book!
The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah
3.0
This was a good story! I really loved how we got to see things thru the Mirrors perspective. I thought that was such a neat concept.
The story did get a bit slow in the middle and I did find myself skimming a few chapters but the ending was good and left on a cliffhanger so it appears we will get another book.
Overall, I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either. It was a good solid story and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next book!
The story did get a bit slow in the middle and I did find myself skimming a few chapters but the ending was good and left on a cliffhanger so it appears we will get another book.
Overall, I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either. It was a good solid story and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next book!
The Undoing of Violet Claybourne: A Novel by Emily Critchley
3.0
As always, thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this ARC!
This story was just OK for me. It was an interesting story that kept me engaged because for the most part it was was decently paced, but all of the characters except for Violet were boring and one dimensional. I was disappointed at how blatantly obvious and predictable every single plot twist was. The best part of the book happened in the very last chapter where I was laughing and saying "lets goooooo". But then at the same time, one of the people that deserved some kind of karma coming back to them the most, got to ride off into the sunset. This book had some great potential but fell flat for me overall.
This story was just OK for me. It was an interesting story that kept me engaged because for the most part it was was decently paced, but all of the characters except for Violet were boring and one dimensional. I was disappointed at how blatantly obvious and predictable every single plot twist was. The best part of the book happened in the very last chapter where I was laughing and saying "lets goooooo". But then at the same time, one of the people that deserved some kind of karma coming back to them the most, got to ride off into the sunset. This book had some great potential but fell flat for me overall.