maggies's reviews
584 reviews

On Wings of Ash and Dust by Brittany Wang

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-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? No

5.0

This is a super fun, action-packed YA fantasy. The world-building is interesting but not overwhelming, the mysteries are engaging, and the characters are well-developed. The book stands on its own but sets things up nicely for book #2, which I'll definitely read.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Westport by James Comey

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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? No

3.0

I think this second book went slightly outside of Comey's wheelhouse, but it was still suitably interesting. Probably a bit far-fetched there at the end.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Weyward by Emilia Hart

Go to review page

emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

3.0

Weyward is a great testimony to the strength of women and how scary that is to the men in power. Well written with lots of interesting motifs (but personally too many bugs). The subject matter can be incredibly difficult at times. Also, while the three main characters—Altha, Violet, and Kate—had very different stories, I had a hard time distinguishing between them even through the middle of the book.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

A fun and yet also heart-rending story, as usual. I ❤️ Emma and Charlie.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective 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

5.0

What a glorious, heart-wrenching follow-up to Who's That Girl? Mhairi McFarlane continually outdoes herself. Edie and Elliot are so witty, so loving, so emotionally intelligent. They are realistic and also aspirational. And their speeches *swoon*
Who's That Girl? by Mhairi McFarlane

Go to review page

emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

I’m biased because she’s my favorite, but Mhairi McFarlane is inimitable. Holds up on re-read.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Beautiful writing, but I'm so uninterested in reading a story that begins with child marriage. Nope.
Central Park West by James Comey

Go to review page

informative 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

4.0

Truthfully, I wanted to see what kind of novelist James Comey is, and my verdict is he's not bad. It's clear he was drawing from his own experiences/perspective, and there were some awkward moments where he perhaps over-explained the legal system or legal jargon, but overall the mystery was interesting and the characters were multi-dimensional.
Oak King Holly King by Sebastian Nothwell

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Just wasn’t capturing me.
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious slow-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

4.0

I've never read a book quite like this. It took a while to get into it, but I'm so glad I pushed through! The irreverent tone was hilarious and engaging, and while there are lots of questions left unanswered, I'm very much looking forward to reading the second book in the duology. I have high expectations!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing my ARC in exchange for an honest review.