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lastblossom's reviews
217 reviews
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A volatile romance with great cat-and-mouse moments, and plenty of drama.
Thoughts
It's rare that a book promising cat-and-mouse delivers quite as well as this one. Usually you only get a bit of banter before the kissing starts, but there are some real twists and deceptions locked up in this one, and I loved it. (Don't worry, there's also kissing.) Anyone looking for conflicted leads with angst and internal hurts will find plenty here to go around. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is volatile, with a dash of spice, and a really believable enemies-to-lovers(?)-to-enemies(?) roller coaster relationship. World building is effective, with rules about the use of magic explained with quick, but consistent strokes. Author's notes mention The Scarlet Pimpernel (a personal favorite) as a light inspiration, and I can totally see the spaces where it peeks through. I will say that I have never seen a character marked for death so obviously as [Name Redacted], and when they died I found myself somewhat relieved that it finally happened so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Recommended reading for fans of morally gray, complex relationships, hunter vs. hunted relationships, and a splash of dark fantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A volatile romance with great cat-and-mouse moments, and plenty of drama.
Thoughts
It's rare that a book promising cat-and-mouse delivers quite as well as this one. Usually you only get a bit of banter before the kissing starts, but there are some real twists and deceptions locked up in this one, and I loved it. (Don't worry, there's also kissing.) Anyone looking for conflicted leads with angst and internal hurts will find plenty here to go around. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is volatile, with a dash of spice, and a really believable enemies-to-lovers(?)-to-enemies(?) roller coaster relationship. World building is effective, with rules about the use of magic explained with quick, but consistent strokes. Author's notes mention The Scarlet Pimpernel (a personal favorite) as a light inspiration, and I can totally see the spaces where it peeks through. I will say that I have never seen a character marked for death so obviously as [Name Redacted], and when they died I found myself somewhat relieved that it finally happened so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Recommended reading for fans of morally gray, complex relationships, hunter vs. hunted relationships, and a splash of dark fantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Self harm
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Classism
The Princess Protection Program by Alex London
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
tl;dr
A fun fairy tale romp about taking control of your own story.
Thoughts
Fairy tale "twist" stories are almost as ubiquitous as as fairy tales at this point. Retellings, the "true" version, or even lightly inspired editions grace many a shelf (mine included). But Princess Protection Program is not a retelling. It's a what if? What if the characters from those tales saw their futures and wanted to opt out? And what if the opt out was just as restrictive as their original stories? When Rosamund decides to opt out, she learns she's not the only one - in fact, an entire school has been created for characters who want to avoid their preset, often tragic, endings. But the school feels more like a pause button than an escape, and Rosamund quickly finds herself wondering if her story will ever truly go anywhere. And therein lies the heart of this book - a tale not about escaping destiny, but taking control of it. I appreciated that the story also spent time discussing how everyone has their own story to pursue, even as we often are supporting cast in someone else's tale. All of it is written in a quickly-paced, whimsical book with lots of fun references and some playful pokes at life in "the real world." A great book for any middle grade reader who enjoys a good twist on an old classic.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
A fun fairy tale romp about taking control of your own story.
Thoughts
Fairy tale "twist" stories are almost as ubiquitous as as fairy tales at this point. Retellings, the "true" version, or even lightly inspired editions grace many a shelf (mine included). But Princess Protection Program is not a retelling. It's a what if? What if the characters from those tales saw their futures and wanted to opt out? And what if the opt out was just as restrictive as their original stories? When Rosamund decides to opt out, she learns she's not the only one - in fact, an entire school has been created for characters who want to avoid their preset, often tragic, endings. But the school feels more like a pause button than an escape, and Rosamund quickly finds herself wondering if her story will ever truly go anywhere. And therein lies the heart of this book - a tale not about escaping destiny, but taking control of it. I appreciated that the story also spent time discussing how everyone has their own story to pursue, even as we often are supporting cast in someone else's tale. All of it is written in a quickly-paced, whimsical book with lots of fun references and some playful pokes at life in "the real world." A great book for any middle grade reader who enjoys a good twist on an old classic.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement
Court of Claws by Briar Boleyn
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Fans of the first will probably like this one even more.
Thoughts
In my review of the previous installment in this series, I mentioned that it was already a bit too dark for my tastes. Well, it's gotten darker. That makes my personal opinion pretty clear, so I'll keep this brief. If you liked the first book and you want something with more twists, more action, and more SPICE, then come on in! I also lamented that Morgan didn't seem to push back much in the first book. She pushes back a lot more now, but maybe... too much? Perhaps her Goldilocks moment will come in the third installment where she'll push back the exact right amount. With a cliffhanger like that, I certainly hope so.
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Fans of the first will probably like this one even more.
Thoughts
In my review of the previous installment in this series, I mentioned that it was already a bit too dark for my tastes. Well, it's gotten darker. That makes my personal opinion pretty clear, so I'll keep this brief. If you liked the first book and you want something with more twists, more action, and more SPICE, then come on in! I also lamented that Morgan didn't seem to push back much in the first book. She pushes back a lot more now, but maybe... too much? Perhaps her Goldilocks moment will come in the third installment where she'll push back the exact right amount. With a cliffhanger like that, I certainly hope so.
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Physical abuse, Violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
An immersive narration with a bit of everything - romance, mystery, action, and just a dash of magic.
Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I thought "fans of The Mummy would probably like this." And then I discovered it's one of the comps, so, you know. Uh, I guess I agree. To be more precise, this is for fans of prickly romances featuring an intelligent but sheltered young woman and a dashing self-assured man with a military history, all set in Egypt while a bunch of rich colonizer types try to steal artifacts. The action pieces are big and high energy, with mysterious deaths, a secret dig, museum rivalries, and illegal artifact sales, all described in beautiful immersive detail. Also, there is magic. And if it sounds like I threw that in there as a casual aside, it's because the book kind of does too. There's magic in the world, even if no one remembers how to control it. But pieces of it here and there are common enough that it's no big deal. At least, not yet. The story seems to imply that magic is going to be a much bigger deal in future installments, and truly I am hoping for future installments. Because that cliffhanger? Dang.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
An immersive narration with a bit of everything - romance, mystery, action, and just a dash of magic.
Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I thought "fans of The Mummy would probably like this." And then I discovered it's one of the comps, so, you know. Uh, I guess I agree. To be more precise, this is for fans of prickly romances featuring an intelligent but sheltered young woman and a dashing self-assured man with a military history, all set in Egypt while a bunch of rich colonizer types try to steal artifacts. The action pieces are big and high energy, with mysterious deaths, a secret dig, museum rivalries, and illegal artifact sales, all described in beautiful immersive detail. Also, there is magic. And if it sounds like I threw that in there as a casual aside, it's because the book kind of does too. There's magic in the world, even if no one remembers how to control it. But pieces of it here and there are common enough that it's no big deal. At least, not yet. The story seems to imply that magic is going to be a much bigger deal in future installments, and truly I am hoping for future installments. Because that cliffhanger? Dang.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Final Word by Janet Sumner Johnson
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Another entry in the grand tradition of stories about squabbling rich families and the fallout over a will.
Thoughts
Anyone looking for the cocktail of mysterious benefactors, strange mansions, treasure hunts with cryptic clues, and a high-stakes competition will find all that and more. Final Word is not shy about its inspiration - even referencing The Westing Game within its own text. And while there are certainly a lot of similar beats, this one opts to pick a more serious tone. The competition for the money is interspersed with themes of grief, family trauma, hurt, and forgiveness. The main character is surprisingly cynical (maybe TOO cynical?) for a pre-teen, but at least her level of savvy saves the reader from having to yell at her naiveté. The puzzles were all very clever and fun to try to figure out, and I appreciated all the literary references as well. Of note, this appears to be the first in a series, despite the main competition wrapping up in this volume. I will be curious to see where it goes from here.
Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Another entry in the grand tradition of stories about squabbling rich families and the fallout over a will.
Thoughts
Anyone looking for the cocktail of mysterious benefactors, strange mansions, treasure hunts with cryptic clues, and a high-stakes competition will find all that and more. Final Word is not shy about its inspiration - even referencing The Westing Game within its own text. And while there are certainly a lot of similar beats, this one opts to pick a more serious tone. The competition for the money is interspersed with themes of grief, family trauma, hurt, and forgiveness. The main character is surprisingly cynical (maybe TOO cynical?) for a pre-teen, but at least her level of savvy saves the reader from having to yell at her naiveté. The puzzles were all very clever and fun to try to figure out, and I appreciated all the literary references as well. Of note, this appears to be the first in a series, despite the main competition wrapping up in this volume. I will be curious to see where it goes from here.
Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Cells at Work! Lady 1 by Shigemitsu Harada, Akari Otokawa, Akane Shimizu
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
tl;dr
Another solid installment in the series with plenty of science to learn. This time with a butler.
Thoughts
The Cells at Work series has always been peak edutainment for me. The original was fun, Code Black was a great twist, and now we have a new installment - Lady? The most evident change is that they story now follows Macrophage instead of a Red Blood Cell, stylized as an ikemen butler (in fact, nearly all the characters in this are ikemen of some sort). The plot follows a lot of the usual virus-busting, but it also covers things like menstruation, dieting, anemia, and a physical exam. But most interesting to me is the relationship that the characters have with the body. The original series didn't touch on this too much, and Code Black was a person who actively did damage to their body. In this case, Macrophage raises a prayer of gratitude every time the body does something to take care of itself, even if it's a small token like a hot bath. But having an anthropomorphized reminder that your body will thank you if you take care of yourself is kind of nice. As usual, there's plenty to learn, all packaged in a fun storytelling device. Fans of the series will enjoy this one too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Another solid installment in the series with plenty of science to learn. This time with a butler.
Thoughts
The Cells at Work series has always been peak edutainment for me. The original was fun, Code Black was a great twist, and now we have a new installment - Lady? The most evident change is that they story now follows Macrophage instead of a Red Blood Cell, stylized as an ikemen butler (in fact, nearly all the characters in this are ikemen of some sort). The plot follows a lot of the usual virus-busting, but it also covers things like menstruation, dieting, anemia, and a physical exam. But most interesting to me is the relationship that the characters have with the body. The original series didn't touch on this too much, and Code Black was a person who actively did damage to their body. In this case, Macrophage raises a prayer of gratitude every time the body does something to take care of itself, even if it's a small token like a hot bath. But having an anthropomorphized reminder that your body will thank you if you take care of yourself is kind of nice. As usual, there's plenty to learn, all packaged in a fun storytelling device. Fans of the series will enjoy this one too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside 1 by Kumagae
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
tl;dr
A pleasant read about the joy of growing things and finding balance in your life.
Thoughts
The title and some of the narrative riff on the fact that living in the countryside is practically "another world" compared to busy city life. But the longer I read, the more I wonder if the city is the strange alternate reality instead. Yohei Sakuma is an exhausted manga editor, doing his job one day at a time simply because he must. When his division is shut down, he realizes he'd rather be anywhere but here, and takes up rice farming as a hobby just to get a change of pace. And it's here that he finds the joy of growing things. The narrative makes sure to point out that this isn't a romanticized "escape to the country life" story (there's a Starbucks just down the road, after all), but more about finding balance. Yohei and the reader are introduced to the concept of "half farmer/half x," someone who grows enough food for themselves, and spends the rest of their time pursing a career based on their own interests. It's a message that probably resonates with everyone, but seems especially sharp in the high-pressure world of manga publishing. The story meanders through these thoughts at an easy pace, and I found myself cheering for Yohei and his excellent wife (she cosplays and I love her), but also examining the balance in my own life. I can't wait to read more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A pleasant read about the joy of growing things and finding balance in your life.
Thoughts
The title and some of the narrative riff on the fact that living in the countryside is practically "another world" compared to busy city life. But the longer I read, the more I wonder if the city is the strange alternate reality instead. Yohei Sakuma is an exhausted manga editor, doing his job one day at a time simply because he must. When his division is shut down, he realizes he'd rather be anywhere but here, and takes up rice farming as a hobby just to get a change of pace. And it's here that he finds the joy of growing things. The narrative makes sure to point out that this isn't a romanticized "escape to the country life" story (there's a Starbucks just down the road, after all), but more about finding balance. Yohei and the reader are introduced to the concept of "half farmer/half x," someone who grows enough food for themselves, and spends the rest of their time pursing a career based on their own interests. It's a message that probably resonates with everyone, but seems especially sharp in the high-pressure world of manga publishing. The story meanders through these thoughts at an easy pace, and I found myself cheering for Yohei and his excellent wife (she cosplays and I love her), but also examining the balance in my own life. I can't wait to read more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Super Morning Star, Vol. 1 by Kara Aomiya
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
If you like your romance with a side of messy high school feelings, this one's for you.
Thoughts
I love a "secret identity" plot, and I went into this expecting all sorts of slice of life hijinks with a side of romcom goodness. Turns out, it's almost all romance, and very few hijinks. It's also extremely messy with emotions. Honda hasn't yet realized he likes guys, and this manifests itself in some incredibly hurtful ways. Thankfully his friends are actually pretty great, and they call him out on it. But wow! That's not an attractive side of you, man. Kaido on the other hand is very sweet and should be protected at all costs. No complaints here. The art is nice, with delicate lines and some good tones. Honda's friends are little bit indistinct in their designs, but both the leads stand out and are very attractive.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
If you like your romance with a side of messy high school feelings, this one's for you.
Thoughts
I love a "secret identity" plot, and I went into this expecting all sorts of slice of life hijinks with a side of romcom goodness. Turns out, it's almost all romance, and very few hijinks. It's also extremely messy with emotions. Honda hasn't yet realized he likes guys, and this manifests itself in some incredibly hurtful ways. Thankfully his friends are actually pretty great, and they call him out on it. But wow! That's not an attractive side of you, man. Kaido on the other hand is very sweet and should be protected at all costs. No complaints here. The art is nice, with delicate lines and some good tones. Honda's friends are little bit indistinct in their designs, but both the leads stand out and are very attractive.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese: How to Explore It, Pair It, and Love It, from the Creamiest Bries to the Funkiest Blues by Tenaya Darlington
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
tl;dr
Fun and informative, this book will also really really spark your appetite.
Thoughts
If I didn't already know the author was a blogger, I'd probably guess, because the cadence of the book hits that perfect sweet spot of enthusiastic people sharing slices of knowledge in inviting vignettes. I already like cheese. But even as a fan of all things cheese, this covered so much more knowledge than I already had. History, science, geography - all the things that make cheese such a varied and exciting food. I was only a few pages in before had to hit pause and check to see if there were any local cheesemakers I could check out. And I think that's the strength of this book. It's informative, sure. But mostly it's inspiring. It makes me want to learn more, try new flavors, and have friends along for the ride. And honestly, that's pretty great.
Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Fun and informative, this book will also really really spark your appetite.
Thoughts
If I didn't already know the author was a blogger, I'd probably guess, because the cadence of the book hits that perfect sweet spot of enthusiastic people sharing slices of knowledge in inviting vignettes. I already like cheese. But even as a fan of all things cheese, this covered so much more knowledge than I already had. History, science, geography - all the things that make cheese such a varied and exciting food. I was only a few pages in before had to hit pause and check to see if there were any local cheesemakers I could check out. And I think that's the strength of this book. It's informative, sure. But mostly it's inspiring. It makes me want to learn more, try new flavors, and have friends along for the ride. And honestly, that's pretty great.
Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Court drama and romance with a touch of magic in a tasty revenge plot.
Thoughts
I love a good "I was wronged and murdered and have been sent back in time to get my revenge before I'm wronged again" plot. A prevenge plot? Sure! I love a good prevenge plot. And this certainly is a fun one. The story wastes no time dropping us into the plot, and Mingshin wastes no time making different choices. She also stays pretty firmly locked into her goal, even with the distractions of romance and a sudden alteration in the timeline. That's not to say she ignores romance entirely. Jieh is a pretty big part of the storyline, and he checks all the boxes as far as love interests go: hot, strong, totally arrogant, and eventually incredibly soft. I confess, I prefer his sister, though. She's probably my favorite character in the whole thing, and would make a great lead character in her own drama. The political maneuvering is top notch, with the MC and her opponents all cleverly matched against each other. Anyone looking for machinations and plot twists will find lots of tasty moments here. The ending ties up several threads in a satisfying manner, but revenge is a long process, and there are definitely more questions that need answers. I hope we get future installments!
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Court drama and romance with a touch of magic in a tasty revenge plot.
Thoughts
I love a good "I was wronged and murdered and have been sent back in time to get my revenge before I'm wronged again" plot. A prevenge plot? Sure! I love a good prevenge plot. And this certainly is a fun one. The story wastes no time dropping us into the plot, and Mingshin wastes no time making different choices. She also stays pretty firmly locked into her goal, even with the distractions of romance and a sudden alteration in the timeline. That's not to say she ignores romance entirely. Jieh is a pretty big part of the storyline, and he checks all the boxes as far as love interests go: hot, strong, totally arrogant, and eventually incredibly soft. I confess, I prefer his sister, though. She's probably my favorite character in the whole thing, and would make a great lead character in her own drama. The political maneuvering is top notch, with the MC and her opponents all cleverly matched against each other. Anyone looking for machinations and plot twists will find lots of tasty moments here. The ending ties up several threads in a satisfying manner, but revenge is a long process, and there are definitely more questions that need answers. I hope we get future installments!
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide