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lauren_miller's reviews
760 reviews
To Steal from Thieves by M.K. Lobb
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
OK so,
I enjoyed the fact that this is legit enemies with a hint of lovers; there's passion, betrayal, and revenge at the heart of Kane and Zaria's relationship, and it's not pretty. in fact, everything about this story is pretty brutal. there's violence and murder, stealing and deception, power and obsession, all the makings of a tragedy when you're under the thumb of a kingpin like Ward. is this a heist novel? technically. but it reads more like a mafia story with a hint of thievery; it's more about the relationships that the MMC and FMC are desperate to protect, at the cost of their own safety and desires.
I really enjoyed the magic system and how it goes beyond the basic concept of alchemy to require so much of the maker. it was just as cruel as the rest of the elements in the story but oh so beautiful. I don't blame Jules for wanting to take at least some of the burden when the effects are so awful. And I love that Kane plays the piano. it has no real bearing on the story, but that scene, out of the entire story, I would dare say, is him at his most human; despite the ending, it gave me hope for him.
ALL THAT SAID, the writing and story were good, but the overall atmosphere and plot were super heavy, dark, and not really to my taste. I would definitely recommend it, but I don't really have any desire to continue on in the series.
3.75 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed the fact that this is legit enemies with a hint of lovers; there's passion, betrayal, and revenge at the heart of Kane and Zaria's relationship, and it's not pretty. in fact, everything about this story is pretty brutal. there's violence and murder, stealing and deception, power and obsession, all the makings of a tragedy when you're under the thumb of a kingpin like Ward. is this a heist novel? technically. but it reads more like a mafia story with a hint of thievery; it's more about the relationships that the MMC and FMC are desperate to protect, at the cost of their own safety and desires.
I really enjoyed the magic system and how it goes beyond the basic concept of alchemy to require so much of the maker. it was just as cruel as the rest of the elements in the story but oh so beautiful. I don't blame Jules for wanting to take at least some of the burden when the effects are so awful. And I love that Kane plays the piano. it has no real bearing on the story, but that scene, out of the entire story, I would dare say, is him at his most human; despite the ending, it gave me hope for him.
ALL THAT SAID, the writing and story were good, but the overall atmosphere and plot were super heavy, dark, and not really to my taste. I would definitely recommend it, but I don't really have any desire to continue on in the series.
3.75 out of 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Grief, Fire/Fire injury
The Floating World by Axie Oh
adventurous
hopeful
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? No
5.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I may have squealed LOUDLY when I got approved for this ARC because I've said it aloud and I'll say it now in written form—Axie Oh is one of my go-to authors; everything she writes, I have loved and this was NO exception.
The Floating World gives me Studio Ghibli vibes in the best way. It mixes the technological dystopia of Howl's Moving Castle and the environmental and warlike chaos of Princess Mononoke with the royal magic of Castle in the Sky, coming together to form a well-paced, engaging, and almost cozy(?) narrative about two protagonists that give me intense Sheeta and Ashitaka vibes!!
I loved how pure Sunho and Ren were. They're not perfect, by any means—Sunho is a mercenary and Ren is literally running away from her "responsibilities" as a princess in favor of a simple life—but their motivations are so genuine and realistic. You can't help but root for them and the cast of secondary characters, whether they be friend or foe. And while some plot points were either convenient or easy to infer, they never took me out of the story and away from the characters. The emotional arcs that both Sunho and Ren go on are well worth a little bit of cliché.
I could go on and on... My overall reading experience for this was SO positive, and I truly cannot wait for the next installment. If you are a fan of YA dystopias, then sir/mam, this is for YOU. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!!
I may have squealed LOUDLY when I got approved for this ARC because I've said it aloud and I'll say it now in written form—Axie Oh is one of my go-to authors; everything she writes, I have loved and this was NO exception.
The Floating World gives me Studio Ghibli vibes in the best way. It mixes the technological dystopia of Howl's Moving Castle and the environmental and warlike chaos of Princess Mononoke with the royal magic of Castle in the Sky, coming together to form a well-paced, engaging, and almost cozy(?) narrative about two protagonists that give me intense Sheeta and Ashitaka vibes!!
I loved how pure Sunho and Ren were. They're not perfect, by any means—Sunho is a mercenary and Ren is literally running away from her "responsibilities" as a princess in favor of a simple life—but their motivations are so genuine and realistic. You can't help but root for them and the cast of secondary characters, whether they be friend or foe. And while some plot points were either convenient or easy to infer, they never took me out of the story and away from the characters. The emotional arcs that both Sunho and Ren go on are well worth a little bit of cliché.
I could go on and on... My overall reading experience for this was SO positive, and I truly cannot wait for the next installment. If you are a fan of YA dystopias, then sir/mam, this is for YOU. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Trafficking, Abandonment, War
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic: Deluxe Edition by J. Penner
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
this was cozy, magical, mouth-watering, incredibly wholesome, and (sickeningly) sweet.
there's minimal conflict other than self-doubt and the occasional intervention by secondary characters. the relationships and friendships are very by-the-book but cute (yes, it's insta-lovey, but soul bonds are wont to be, so...). and the overall plot and character arcs are super predictable. all that should mean boring, right?? but somehow, it never lost my interest! there were some lovely, supportive queer characters; despite the fact that Doli and Jez's vibe has been done a million times before, they still felt fresh and important to Arleta's growth; and Theo... I think I have a new book boyfriend. sure, he's pretty one dimensional in his chivalry and appearance, but I still found all his little gestures adorable. and I'm also feeling the itch to bake, which is VERY out of character for me...
overall, I had a really fun reading experience; i devoured it over a 2H flight and may have missed my suitcase going round the conveyor belt once because I had to finish the epilogue 😂 that should really tell you everything you need to know—sometimes, you don't have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to mold it to fit your specific method of narrative transport.
3.75 ⭐️s
this was cozy, magical, mouth-watering, incredibly wholesome, and (sickeningly) sweet.
there's minimal conflict other than self-doubt and the occasional intervention by secondary characters. the relationships and friendships are very by-the-book but cute (yes, it's insta-lovey, but soul bonds are wont to be, so...). and the overall plot and character arcs are super predictable. all that should mean boring, right?? but somehow, it never lost my interest! there were some lovely, supportive queer characters; despite the fact that Doli and Jez's vibe has been done a million times before, they still felt fresh and important to Arleta's growth; and Theo... I think I have a new book boyfriend. sure, he's pretty one dimensional in his chivalry and appearance, but I still found all his little gestures adorable. and I'm also feeling the itch to bake, which is VERY out of character for me...
overall, I had a really fun reading experience; i devoured it over a 2H flight and may have missed my suitcase going round the conveyor belt once because I had to finish the epilogue 😂 that should really tell you everything you need to know—sometimes, you don't have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to mold it to fit your specific method of narrative transport.
3.75 ⭐️s
Love Languages by James Albon
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As someone who speaks two languages and is attempting to learn a third, the utter chaos that was the mix of languages throughout this story hit superrr hard. Like, those visuals are what my brain feels like sometimes. I found the gradual development of understanding between Sarah and Ping to be very organic and fun to watch. Sarah's moment of realization that she was instinctually starting to think in Cantonese was so perfect—I remember the first time I ever dreamed in French and was conjugating in my sleep; it was such a cool yet also surreal experience!
That said, I didn't really find there to be romantic chemistry between Sarah and Ping at all. Even their friendship felt very slow to start. Ultimately, they felt like close friends, or the platonic equivalent of the "they were roommates" meme lol. So if you're inclined to pick this up because of the queer romantic subplot, you will likely be disappointed. And I also didn't love the art style, but that's just a preference thing. On the flip side, if you're someone who's really interested in languages or cross-cultural exchange, I would recommend picking it up!
As someone who speaks two languages and is attempting to learn a third, the utter chaos that was the mix of languages throughout this story hit superrr hard. Like, those visuals are what my brain feels like sometimes. I found the gradual development of understanding between Sarah and Ping to be very organic and fun to watch. Sarah's moment of realization that she was instinctually starting to think in Cantonese was so perfect—I remember the first time I ever dreamed in French and was conjugating in my sleep; it was such a cool yet also surreal experience!
That said, I didn't really find there to be romantic chemistry between Sarah and Ping at all. Even their friendship felt very slow to start. Ultimately, they felt like close friends, or the platonic equivalent of the "they were roommates" meme lol. So if you're inclined to pick this up because of the queer romantic subplot, you will likely be disappointed. And I also didn't love the art style, but that's just a preference thing. On the flip side, if you're someone who's really interested in languages or cross-cultural exchange, I would recommend picking it up!
It's a Love/Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
this is everything I would've wanted in a sapphic YA romance as a teen. it has sports, it has supportive friends, it has chill parents, it has an adorable romance, and most importantly, it has a main character that feels so freaking real. I, as a 30-year-old woman, still identified so much with Charlie and her silly and sometimes irresponsible attitude at odds with her incredible determination and ability to lock in and challenge herself. I was absolutely rooting for her the whole time, and despite knowing that there would be some kind of third act conflict regarding their performance, was totally convinced that Charlie would make it through. Some people may complain that this ending is too happy, too convenience, too unrealistic—to which I say, sapphic stories deserve cliché HEAs too!! It makes me want to be a librarian—to have the ability to put this in the hands of queer kids and watch them enjoy reading while also feeling seen and represented. I seriously love and recommend picking this up!!
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this! What an incredibly imaginative story, reminiscent (in vibes only) of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea meets Nettle & Bone. The pawn shop was such a cool setting (though the time we spent there was too short!) and Hana's characterization felt very akin to the shop—sterile, dutiful, lonely. I also adored the museum setting and Haruto's craft. Plus, the village of stars was dripping with that magical, Ghibli quality. There were so many small moments that felt special (I *need* a fully developed fairytale-esque story about the ryokan!!) and side characters or functions of the world building that felt unique and purposeful... and yet I still came away slightly disappointed. Like many other reviews, I found the chemistry between Hana and Keishin lacking. I probably would have preferred a more hands-off, slow burn approach to their romance, if at all; for once, this is a couple that might actually have benefited from the "I'm cold and uptight, you're playful and open" archetypes. I also had so. many. questions. concerning the ending. Convenient is the wrong word, but it's pretty close to how I feel. So many things got glossed over in the last couple pages... Anyway, I did have a good time, but I can't help thinking that there are other stories out there with the same fantastical energy that are tighter in plot, higher in stakes, and stronger in characterization. This wasn't bad by any means!! but it wouldn't be my first choice of recommendation.
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this! What an incredibly imaginative story, reminiscent (in vibes only) of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea meets Nettle & Bone. The pawn shop was such a cool setting (though the time we spent there was too short!) and Hana's characterization felt very akin to the shop—sterile, dutiful, lonely. I also adored the museum setting and Haruto's craft. Plus, the village of stars was dripping with that magical, Ghibli quality. There were so many small moments that felt special (I *need* a fully developed fairytale-esque story about the ryokan!!) and side characters or functions of the world building that felt unique and purposeful... and yet I still came away slightly disappointed. Like many other reviews, I found the chemistry between Hana and Keishin lacking. I probably would have preferred a more hands-off, slow burn approach to their romance, if at all; for once, this is a couple that might actually have benefited from the "I'm cold and uptight, you're playful and open" archetypes. I also had so. many. questions. concerning the ending. Convenient is the wrong word, but it's pretty close to how I feel. So many things got glossed over in the last couple pages... Anyway, I did have a good time, but I can't help thinking that there are other stories out there with the same fantastical energy that are tighter in plot, higher in stakes, and stronger in characterization. This wasn't bad by any means!! but it wouldn't be my first choice of recommendation.
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
it was fine, but I put the audio down for a day or two and then felt zero pull to pick it back up. wasn't totally sold on the developing chemistry either. looking forward to more M/M sports romances though!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
I was impressed by the concept and literal writing of the first ~70%, though I found myself kind of meh in terms of attachment. but that last 30%??? I was locked in and ended up sobbing like a baby. V.E. Schwab just knows the way to my heart...
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
unfortunately, instead of cozy and charming, I found this kind of a chore. Kiela was an exhausting protagonist. instead of relatable and sweet, I found her martyr tendencies and lack of self-confidence really irritating. Larran was alright, but we really glossed over his childhood and the connection he had with Kiela back then; I wanted WAYY more anecdotes about their time together beyond just that single cove interaction. the other members of the pinecone society kind of blended together in terms of characterization. it was kind of ridiculous that Fen-however-you-spell-his-name laid it all out there for the captain and there were literally NO consequences?? the different creatures were interesting and the overall use of spells was cool, but nothing in the book wow'd me or spoke to my heart. basically, I found myself very underwhelmed and not really itching for book two.
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0