lauren_miller's reviews
761 reviews

Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

obviously everything previously hasn't exactly been a walk in the park... but something about this installment was miserable—and by that I mean dark, depraved, emphasizing the worst part of war. the blatant disrepect for human life was neither under- nor overstated; it felt very real and very cruel, and it hurt to read about. And that ending?? man, this series does not let you breathe but I am LOVING it.

solid 4.5 out of 5, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

 I really enjoyed this installment, despite the fact that there were several things that felt very convenient, particularly with regard to Morgan. I know we're in Jess's POV so technically he doesn't know anything either, but it's kind of frustrating to get no real background about how things are being done. On the other hand, I loved the strengthened friendship between Jess and Glain, the character arc of Wolfe's mother, Morgan's agony being back in the Iron Tower, the slight plot twist in the Black Archives that had me gasping, and the new location we'll be visiting in the next installment. Overall, I am still having so much fun reading these! 
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Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

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adventurous emotional 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

4.0

what can I say, other than I'm so happy to have finally picked up this series! it has a very nostalgic, old school adventure/action movie kind of vibe—think The Mummy or Indiana Jones but with a literary dystopian twist. it's been so long since I read a series where a) the main protagonist is male (this is coincidental, I think??) and b) I knew absolutely nothing going in. I really like Jess as the morally grey but ultimately gold-hearted MMC, and the nuanced cast of side characters. I loved how well-paced the story was (and the fact that for every lull, there was an equal and opposite explosion of action). I didn't mind the romantic subplot; I'm really curious to see how things develop now that they're where they are. Overall, I've been left confused and kinda stressed but itching for more (hence my already starting #2 before even writing this review lol). 
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The Hedge Witch of Foxhall by Anna Bright

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

this was quite different than I was expecting, but that wasn't a bad thing! it gave me strong Prydain Chronicles meets The Two Princesses of Bamarre meets the rambling quest sections of The Lord of the Rings—all that to say, a very magical and dark(ish) atmosphere coupled with young-minded/stubborn characters that go from being stuck in their ways to learning they can be much more. it definitely reads like YA, but in a whimsical way, not immature. the rhymes, especially, really drove home the vibe of the story. and
that description of the dyke breaking?? I was in tears. it felt so nostalgic and powerful, like a true homecoming and made my heart so happy.
most importantly, though, I had a good time; I would definitely consider picking up more from this author in the future!
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

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adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

this was super imaginative and such a great concept, but it felt very lacking in the end. "Healing fiction" has become a very popular genre these days, particularly in Korea, so I was hoping for something more along those lines, with more heartfelt lessons to be learned alongside all the fantastical elements. instead, it was a lot more simple than I was expecting. not necessarily a bad thing, just not what I'd hoped for. 
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

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hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? N/A

4.25

just as the moniker "healing fiction" would suggest, this book is slow, meandering, and rumative; it's about vibes and lessons, not a real plot. there's a lot to learn about books, or rather bookselling, but also about work-life balance, choosing a vocation, making friends, putting yourself first, depression and anxiety, comparing yourself to others, giving yourself grace, taking a vacation, and finding the places that your heart calls home. and most of it unconscious. the author's note rings true by the end: amongst all the musings and tendrils of wisdom, each character, despite feeling lost or uncertain or anxious, inches forward a step or two. they are always moving forward, even when, to society, it looks like they're standing still. 
How the Dukes Stole Christmas by Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, Tessa Dare, Joanna Shupe

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

"Meet Me in Mayfair" - 4.25
"The Duke of Christmas Present" - 3
"Heiress Alone" - 3.75
"Christmas in Central Park" - 2
The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

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adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

the first installment of Campus Diaries was practically vanilla in comparison to this one, and not just sexually. the stakes in this one are so much higher—
voyeur sex, domestic abuse, death of a parent
—and the elevated emotions and trauma bonding (note: not totally accurate given when the trauma takes place in the plot) would have been enough to keep me engaged; their banter, strong sexual chemistry, and quality characterization really just drove the nail home. by the end, I was so impressed by how strong and secure their relationship was. by how much they could trust and lean on one another. and by how much they had grown. I devoured this in less than 24 hours and can confirm it is definitely my favorite of the two. it pains me to wait for the next installment to drop!! 
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Outrunning the Light: Five Promises You Can Make for Living an Exceptional Life by Todd Copley

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No rating due to publisher affiliation.