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lillieslibraryy's reviews
446 reviews
The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher
dark
emotional
mysterious
3.0
To be completely honest, this is one of my least favourite T. Kingfisher books so far. That being said, it was still a great book.
Kingfisher's humor really shines through The Twisted Ones, with the jokes helping take the edge of how horrifying and creepy this book can be. This made me so anxious in so many ways. Both with the horror elements and some stuff with the MC's dog. TWO is such an unsettling read and is something you'll need to read with the lights on.
I think my dislike with this book was more on me than the book? I really struggled to get through this and was just struggling to read at the time. But, there still wasn't anything in this book that gripped me and made me want to keep reading.
If you're looking to explore horror and T. Kingfisher, this would be a good starting point. It just unfortunately didn't hit as much for me.
Kingfisher's humor really shines through The Twisted Ones, with the jokes helping take the edge of how horrifying and creepy this book can be. This made me so anxious in so many ways. Both with the horror elements and some stuff with the MC's dog. TWO is such an unsettling read and is something you'll need to read with the lights on.
I think my dislike with this book was more on me than the book? I really struggled to get through this and was just struggling to read at the time. But, there still wasn't anything in this book that gripped me and made me want to keep reading.
If you're looking to explore horror and T. Kingfisher, this would be a good starting point. It just unfortunately didn't hit as much for me.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
3.5
This was such a sweet and fun read. I absolutely loved the audiobook narration with this, it really added to the story.
This is the perfect witchy and cosy found family read.
This is the perfect witchy and cosy found family read.
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
5.0
wowowowowowoowow
I would read anything M.L. Rio writes at this point.
Graveyard Shift was a compelling and creepy story that is perfect for the spooky season. Her characters are all so well crafted and fleshed out, I instantly fell for them.
The format of this story (being a novella), really worked. I loved that it was set over a night and how we got to sit with what was happening and guess at where everything was going, all the while getting answers quite quickly.
This was creepy and wonderful and weird and just beautiful. Hands down a new favourite. It's something I can see myself rereading every October. Or on nights when I can't sleep.
I would read anything M.L. Rio writes at this point.
Graveyard Shift was a compelling and creepy story that is perfect for the spooky season. Her characters are all so well crafted and fleshed out, I instantly fell for them.
The format of this story (being a novella), really worked. I loved that it was set over a night and how we got to sit with what was happening and guess at where everything was going, all the while getting answers quite quickly.
This was creepy and wonderful and weird and just beautiful. Hands down a new favourite. It's something I can see myself rereading every October. Or on nights when I can't sleep.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
4.75
This was beautiful and harrowing.
I've been meaning to read this for ages and have had so many people tell me it would be something I would love. They were right and I should have gotten to this so much earlier.
The writing in this is so beautiful and flowery, it painting such a beautiful and disturbing picture of the world and its characters. This book drew me in from the get go and was something I didn't want to put down. The secret is something buried so deep that you don't even know if you want it to be uncovered as you read, and when it was revealed I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing that I was right in my guess. I loved the relationships in this book as well, they were so visceral and devastating.
This is harrowing, beautiful and painful. In true gothic fashion I felt like I devoured this book and in the process it took a part of me too.
Such a beautiful read. If you're a fan of secrets, coming of age stories and gothic lit, this is a must read.
I've been meaning to read this for ages and have had so many people tell me it would be something I would love. They were right and I should have gotten to this so much earlier.
The writing in this is so beautiful and flowery, it painting such a beautiful and disturbing picture of the world and its characters. This book drew me in from the get go and was something I didn't want to put down. The secret is something buried so deep that you don't even know if you want it to be uncovered as you read, and when it was revealed I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing that I was right in my guess. I loved the relationships in this book as well, they were so visceral and devastating.
This is harrowing, beautiful and painful. In true gothic fashion I felt like I devoured this book and in the process it took a part of me too.
Such a beautiful read. If you're a fan of secrets, coming of age stories and gothic lit, this is a must read.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
4.75
This was my first full-length novel from Harrow and it won't be my last. Her novella The Six Deaths of the Saint is one of my all time favourites. I just love her writing, it's always so atmospheric and beautiful. Her character work was flawless as well. I just always feel so immersed in her worlds and love every second I spend in them. I cannot wait to read more of her books.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
3.0
I really hate to be writing this review, but I don't think these books are for me unfortunately.
I think if I had read these as they were releasing, I would have enjoyed them infinitely more. This has great bones, a unique and interesting world and concept, interesting characters and an impending war and revolution. Unfortunately, I didn't vibe with the authors writing. The characters also very much fell into 2014 YA sterotypes, being pretty/good looking and not knowing and some of the insta love/ love triangle vibes.
I wish I felt strongly either way about this, but it just missed the mark for me and isn't a series I feel like continuing.
I think if I had read these as they were releasing, I would have enjoyed them infinitely more. This has great bones, a unique and interesting world and concept, interesting characters and an impending war and revolution. Unfortunately, I didn't vibe with the authors writing. The characters also very much fell into 2014 YA sterotypes, being pretty/good looking and not knowing and some of the insta love/ love triangle vibes.
I wish I felt strongly either way about this, but it just missed the mark for me and isn't a series I feel like continuing.
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine
5.0
I don't think I'll ever read a better space opera. Arkady is such an amazing writer, I can't believe someone can come up with all of this.
Desolation expands upon the events of AMCE in the best way possible. We have the political intrigue, some romance, an alien invasion/war and all the stuff happening with Mahit and Yskandr. I don't think I can even put into words how much I love these books.
If you want a great political space opera the Teixcalaan books are a must read!
Desolation expands upon the events of AMCE in the best way possible. We have the political intrigue, some romance, an alien invasion/war and all the stuff happening with Mahit and Yskandr. I don't think I can even put into words how much I love these books.
If you want a great political space opera the Teixcalaan books are a must read!
How to Get the Girl (And Not Destroy the World) by Marie Cardno
4.5
I'm in awe of how much Marie can fit in to such a small book. This was heart-warming and heartbreaking at the same time. I love how much Sian and Trillin fight for eachother and how much they love eachother too.
The world building and magic and everything in this was just perfection. It was such an amazing expansion on the series. As sad as I am for it to end, this was the perfect conclusion.
Thanks Marie for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
The world building and magic and everything in this was just perfection. It was such an amazing expansion on the series. As sad as I am for it to end, this was the perfect conclusion.
Thanks Marie for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
How to Get a Date with the Evil Queen by Marie Cardno
3.75
This was so fun and so cute! I think I preferred book one slightly more, but still really enjoyed this!
Trillin and Sian are such fun characters and I can't wait to see what book 3 explores.
Trillin and Sian are such fun characters and I can't wait to see what book 3 explores.