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madison_mls's reviews
120 reviews
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I just want to hug Annie and punch Doug in the throat
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Another 5⭐️ read!!
This book was the pure definition of seduction and I completely devoured it. While its prose were insane and absolutely delectable (with very tasteful 👀 scenes might I add) I also feel like it did a great job at still demonizing and demonstrating an abusers power over their lover/victim. The genuinely heartbreaking moments where you wanted to rage for Constanta and the other brides that were mixed in with moments of tenderness provided an interesting depiction of the toxic relationship they were all stuck in and added dimension to it. Ugh I really liked this one
This book was the pure definition of seduction and I completely devoured it. While its prose were insane and absolutely delectable (with very tasteful 👀 scenes might I add) I also feel like it did a great job at still demonizing and demonstrating an abusers power over their lover/victim. The genuinely heartbreaking moments where you wanted to rage for Constanta and the other brides that were mixed in with moments of tenderness provided an interesting depiction of the toxic relationship they were all stuck in and added dimension to it. Ugh I really liked this one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me audibly laugh out loud, not just a little nose huff! The narrative voice that Gideon has is so sharp and quick that you fall in love with her within the first chapter. This story was definitely confusing at times and I know it’s notorious for being so, but Muir’s writing keeps you so invested that you just want to keep reading to figure it out. I can’t wait to start the second book! Absolutely obsessed and it might be a fave book of the year!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Gore, and Mental illness
North Woods by Daniel Mason
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did! The writing was beautiful and each story had such a unique voice and style, it tied in the passage of time so effectively. I was surprised that the story took a magical realism route but it made it all the more better in my opinion! Just a truly unique way to demonstrate human vs nature and how the history of a place always leaves a mark on it and us, or can even haunt us at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Definitely entertaining and I do understand the hype. The audiobook, however, might not have been the move. The narrator was kinda cringey and sometimes I’d be enjoying the smutty scenes and she’d change her voice to the male character and it just made me cackle
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun dabble into contemporary romance! I kinda liked that there were quite a few unexpected routes this book took with the darker themes. I do believe Emily Henry may be converting me to a romance girly
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Absolutely whimsical and charming! Brought me out of a too long reading slump
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I went into this book with the same expectations as the others; somewhat low but still looking for a good time. However, the world building got so convoluted and started to fall apart with plot holes everywhere that I came out of this one disappointed and frustrated. Everything worked out for every single character. As weird as I find it that I’m saying that (bc that’s what I want anyways when I’m reading a book) it just makes the story and the stakes of the plot so much less compelling. I stopped taking this huge war at the end seriously bc I knew that everyone would probably make it out alive and their mates would too, it dampened the experience.
Also, what the foook was the point of Jurian’s character? He seemed so integral and was deemed as this big threat at the end of book 2, but then only served a popcorn fart of a role as this book went on. I had a lot of issues with this one, just overall a little disappointed by this book.
Also, what the foook was the point of Jurian’s character? He seemed so integral and was deemed as this big threat at the end of book 2, but then only served a popcorn fart of a role as this book went on. I had a lot of issues with this one, just overall a little disappointed by this book.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
O’Farrell’s beautifully lyrical writing style is definitely on display with this story. While I think it was a titch too long (with some of the childhood portion dragging on a bit) it was still such a clever way to retell Lucre’s story. I also love how it ended so openly!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder