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lauren_miller's reviews
754 reviews
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
I loved the first third with my whole heart. It was autumnal and magical and sweet and I LOVE a good isolated setting (in this case, the wedding venue). Then came the sex. So. Much. Sex. I'm all for physical attraction and a good explicit jaunt, sure, but there were at least three or four too many for me. I know the whole point is that they're basically soulmates and drawn to each other and all that, but after a few, I started fastforwarding as quickly as possible to get back to actual plot. Speaking of which... I definitely saw the conflict's true nature coming, and the "treatment" and subsequent resolution were nice but nothing really special? Idk. I did like Scott and Dina as a pair. I liked their chemistry. I just... am left feeling a little underwhelmed. This is a great witchy fall read if you're looking for something fun and fast, smutty, angsty, and perfectly happy by the end.
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
the stereotype used to be that demons are indifferent and cruel while angels are loving and compassionate; in recent years, popular media has definitely tried to subvert such expectations, and this one is no different; it subverts expectations spectacularly—centered around an emotionally charged and driven demon that nurtures her home city for centuries, watching empires rise and fall, burying the dead, filling the emptiness with tantrums and tears and heart-wrenching longing, only to begrudgingly accept the next wave of feeble humanity that takes root, like a child picking out her favorites and giving them her best, heedless (willfully ignorant?) of the disappointment that mortality brings, only to start the cycle all over again...
hypocrisy abounds, that's for sure. a demon who loves her city best, so empowered by both the memories of what her city was and also the inner vision of what her city will become that she hates fate, hates change beyond her control, wallows in the perceived perfection of the past and what—who—she has lost while childishly lashing out at who and what it is.
all the while under the watchful eye of a creature so heavenly that he stays with her despite everything. a creature so tainted by the sliver of her that his love, while holy in its strength, is so deep in its devotion that it is nearly human—such an antithesis of sanctity that you could argue it is nearly demonic...
this book spans centuries and yet is about nothing and everything. the pains of humanity mixed with the eccentricity of immortality; so pointless and powerful and pensive, and so wonderful and awful, so very soulful. stunningly written.
hypocrisy abounds, that's for sure. a demon who loves her city best, so empowered by both the memories of what her city was and also the inner vision of what her city will become that she hates fate, hates change beyond her control, wallows in the perceived perfection of the past and what—who—she has lost while childishly lashing out at who and what it is.
all the while under the watchful eye of a creature so heavenly that he stays with her despite everything. a creature so tainted by the sliver of her that his love, while holy in its strength, is so deep in its devotion that it is nearly human—such an antithesis of sanctity that you could argue it is nearly demonic...
this book spans centuries and yet is about nothing and everything. the pains of humanity mixed with the eccentricity of immortality; so pointless and powerful and pensive, and so wonderful and awful, so very soulful. stunningly written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Violence, and Grief
Minor: War
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
I think I've learned my lesson: anything Margaret Rogerson writes will become a new favorite. I really adored this one.
The turns of phrase, the faerie lore, the craft, the intimacy, the green well... All of it spoke to my little dragon heart; I tried to hoard the minutes, but I was so desperate to know more I listened to it as fast as I could... The only thing I'm still not sold on is the final conflict's resolution, but I did like the resulting twist, so that has left a slightly more positive taste in my mouth. Overall, if you need a cozy, whimsical little faerie stint, this will get the job done!
4.75 out of 5 stars, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The turns of phrase, the faerie lore, the craft, the intimacy, the green well... All of it spoke to my little dragon heart; I tried to hoard the minutes, but I was so desperate to know more I listened to it as fast as I could... The only thing I'm still not sold on is the final conflict's resolution, but I did like the resulting twist, so that has left a slightly more positive taste in my mouth. Overall, if you need a cozy, whimsical little faerie stint, this will get the job done!
4.75 out of 5 stars, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Words to Make a Friend: A Story in Japanese and English by Donna Jo Napoli, Naoko Stoop
this is cute, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting simple romanization; at the very least, maybe a romanized version alongside the hiragana or kanji. also, even for a picture book, it’s so short!! the art is lovely, though.
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.75
I adore this so much.
The Mummy meets Indiana Jones meets your favorite contemporary romance 🔥🌊🔪
The Mummy meets Indiana Jones meets your favorite contemporary romance 🔥🌊🔪
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Dewdrop by K. O'Neill
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
I've been meaning to read this for a while and I'm so glad I finally did!
For some reason, a lot of children's stories opt to use exclusion as a way to drive home the messages of friendship and belonging. I personally LOVE that this is not exclusionary at all; it's supportive, kind, and not at all transactionary. Such a beautifully drawn book, too! Having read most of their material, I've come to expect the best from Kay and I was not disappointed 😊
For some reason, a lot of children's stories opt to use exclusion as a way to drive home the messages of friendship and belonging. I personally LOVE that this is not exclusionary at all; it's supportive, kind, and not at all transactionary. Such a beautifully drawn book, too! Having read most of their material, I've come to expect the best from Kay and I was not disappointed 😊
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
This sent my head spinning in the best way. Like, Veronica Speedwell meets Conan Doyle. The mental faculties one must possess in order to keep up with all those strings… Impressive!
Legends by Lydia Sherrer
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
As a longtime follower of the author, I was hoping to enjoy this more than I did.
Fair warning, she writes just the way she speaks in her youtube videos—in platitudes, axioms, and generally flowery language. If you're British, even better from the North, you probably will drink it up, but for me, as an American reader, there were many little things (one off comments, descriptions) that felt strange or whose meaning was unclear. Sometimes, these issues are cleaned up between the UK and US versions, but unfortunately, what you see is what you get with this one. I could get past most of this, but I also struggled with the voice; that first 20-30% felt a little try hard?? Like it desperately wanted to be cozy and pretty.
Speaking of which... The first 20% irritated me to no end; simply put, Belle is a bit pathetic. There's lacking confidence and self-worth, and then there's Belle's level of insecure. Often, when you're driven by that much fear, it's more of an unconscious guide, causing you to hesitate and/or ruminate constantly; with her, it was very much a self-aware fear and yet she does NOTHING about it. And even when she starts trying to advocate for herself and gain more autonomy, she refuses to accept help from those around her, for some reason hellbent on being a martyr. What Belle's thoughts just before the scrying scene told me is that the girl needs THERAPY—no amount of support and love and positive affirmations is going to heal what has been hurt and constantly reaffirmed within her mind over the past 15 years.
The middle bits were fun. As I predicted, Arty was a sweetheart and the teaching scenes were some of my favorites. I actually really enjoyed the grimoire rhymes and catching all the foreshadowing. And I was pleased with Rune's development, although he's basically Dimitri Belikov with magic instead of martial arts skills. I would have loved to learn even more about Bonnie's specialty in herbal magic, and the potential paths for each element. I really liked the descriptions of Hecate House, although I wish it were a more sentient force in the story; it's implied that the house has a say in letting people in and such, but all we see is booby traps. I'm curious about the layout and wings too. That stint in the library was too short!!!
The ending was alright for me. I saw the conflict coming (not the sibling thing, but the who done it), so I was more curious about how Belle and the gang were going to handle it. I liked that Belle and Bonnie worked together (so ok, she's not a complete martyr), and that Ariadne was pulled into it. I liked that Belle came out injured (too often the protagonist magically wakes up and everything is peachy) but stronger, and I loved that Lunar Books got the owner it deserved.
All in all, my reading experience was kind of all over the place. 1-40% me would have absolutely said no to a second installment, but the 41-100% me is feeling warily open. I'm still curious about the worldbuilding and intrigued by how exactly the coven will move forward from this.
So, 3.5 I think. Satisfactory, with room for improvement.
Fair warning, she writes just the way she speaks in her youtube videos—in platitudes, axioms, and generally flowery language. If you're British, even better from the North, you probably will drink it up, but for me, as an American reader, there were many little things (one off comments, descriptions) that felt strange or whose meaning was unclear. Sometimes, these issues are cleaned up between the UK and US versions, but unfortunately, what you see is what you get with this one. I could get past most of this, but I also struggled with the voice; that first 20-30% felt a little try hard?? Like it desperately wanted to be cozy and pretty.
Speaking of which... The first 20% irritated me to no end; simply put, Belle is a bit pathetic. There's lacking confidence and self-worth, and then there's Belle's level of insecure. Often, when you're driven by that much fear, it's more of an unconscious guide, causing you to hesitate and/or ruminate constantly; with her, it was very much a self-aware fear and yet she does NOTHING about it. And even when she starts trying to advocate for herself and gain more autonomy, she refuses to accept help from those around her, for some reason hellbent on being a martyr. What Belle's thoughts just before the scrying scene told me is that the girl needs THERAPY—no amount of support and love and positive affirmations is going to heal what has been hurt and constantly reaffirmed within her mind over the past 15 years.
The middle bits were fun. As I predicted, Arty was a sweetheart and the teaching scenes were some of my favorites. I actually really enjoyed the grimoire rhymes and catching all the foreshadowing. And I was pleased with Rune's development, although he's basically Dimitri Belikov with magic instead of martial arts skills. I would have loved to learn even more about Bonnie's specialty in herbal magic, and the potential paths for each element. I really liked the descriptions of Hecate House, although I wish it were a more sentient force in the story; it's implied that the house has a say in letting people in and such, but all we see is booby traps. I'm curious about the layout and wings too. That stint in the library was too short!!!
The ending was alright for me. I saw the conflict coming (not the sibling thing, but the who done it), so I was more curious about how Belle and the gang were going to handle it. I liked that Belle and Bonnie worked together (so ok, she's not a complete martyr), and that Ariadne was pulled into it. I liked that Belle came out injured (too often the protagonist magically wakes up and everything is peachy) but stronger, and I loved that Lunar Books got the owner it deserved.
All in all, my reading experience was kind of all over the place. 1-40% me would have absolutely said no to a second installment, but the 41-100% me is feeling warily open. I'm still curious about the worldbuilding and intrigued by how exactly the coven will move forward from this.
So, 3.5 I think. Satisfactory, with room for improvement.
Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee, Fonda Lee
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.75
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had not previously read anything by Fonda Lee before picking this up, but if her other works are like this one, I know I'm in for an incredible ride. Fonda and Shannon have crafted a vivid and heart-wrenching tale of exile, betrayal, resilience, and faith. In a lot of ways, the middle bits reminded me immensely of Yu Yu Hakusho—a deadly tournament, odds NOT in favor of the protagonist(s), and friendships that somehow develop and strengthen in the most difficult of circumstances. Though to be clear, Jun is not the Yusuke you expect; in fact, Yin Yue gives me those vibes, I think. Jun feels like a really strange mix of Kuwabara and Genkai—somewhat foolish and self-absorbed but with an incredible heart and self-awareness strong enough to recognize the wisdom being imparted by those around him. It made for such an interesting, complex character arc.
And as someone who reads a lot of romance alongside fantasy, I was also surprised how much I did not care about the lack thereof. The little hints here and there were nice emotional pauses, but the lack of focus on it, and the supposed love triangle developing, was so refreshing. I love that Jun and Yin Yue's friendship was ultimately not impacted by their affections. I hope this remains the case in future installments.
Speaking of which, I am in physical pain thinking of how long I will have to wait for book 2!!! I cannot wait for more.
4.75 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had not previously read anything by Fonda Lee before picking this up, but if her other works are like this one, I know I'm in for an incredible ride. Fonda and Shannon have crafted a vivid and heart-wrenching tale of exile, betrayal, resilience, and faith. In a lot of ways, the middle bits reminded me immensely of Yu Yu Hakusho—a deadly tournament, odds NOT in favor of the protagonist(s), and friendships that somehow develop and strengthen in the most difficult of circumstances. Though to be clear, Jun is not the Yusuke you expect; in fact, Yin Yue gives me those vibes, I think. Jun feels like a really strange mix of Kuwabara and Genkai—somewhat foolish and self-absorbed but with an incredible heart and self-awareness strong enough to recognize the wisdom being imparted by those around him. It made for such an interesting, complex character arc.
And as someone who reads a lot of romance alongside fantasy, I was also surprised how much I did not care about the lack thereof. The little hints here and there were nice emotional pauses, but the lack of focus on it, and the supposed love triangle developing, was so refreshing. I love that Jun and Yin Yue's friendship was ultimately not impacted by their affections. I hope this remains the case in future installments.
Speaking of which, I am in physical pain thinking of how long I will have to wait for book 2!!! I cannot wait for more.
4.75 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail