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mandikaye's reviews
943 reviews
How to Protect Bookstores and Why: The Present and Future of Bookselling by Danny Caine
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Everyone should read this book.
True Love Bites by Joy Demorra
This book left me immediately craving more, and thankfully there are novellas to follow. A standout in paranormal romance that proves the genre can be both steamy and profound.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
"Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites" is that rare gem that manages to be both a sweeping paranormal romance and an intimate character study. At its heart are Nathan, a disabled werewolf war veteran, and Vlad, a vampire noble whose chemistry ignites the page. But what sets this book apart is how it handles their relationship with extraordinary tenderness and authenticity.
The romance between Nathan and Vlad unfolds with beautiful complexity. Their first intimate scene is written with such artistry that it feels less like spice and more like poetry. The author shows particular skill in portraying Vlad's journey of vulnerability, with Nathan's gentle guidance through feelings of shame about submission being one of the most touching character arcs I've read. It's refreshing to see LGBTQ+ relationships and power dynamics portrayed with such normalcy and depth.
Beyond the central romance, the book delivers a rich tapestry of political intrigue, adventure, and found family dynamics. The introduction of Lady Ursula adds fascinating layers to the story, opening the door to polyamory themes that are handled with the same care as every other relationship in the book.
The world-building is seamlessly integrated into a story that manages to be both epic in scope and deeply personal. This isn't just another vampire-werewolf romance – it's a thoughtful exploration of love, acceptance, and finding one's place in a changing world.
Perfect for readers who want:
- Beautifully crafted intimate scenes
- Complex, emotionally mature characters
- Rich world-building with political intrigue
- Authentic LGBTQ+ representation
- Found family themes
- Adventure mixed with romance
This book left me immediately craving more, and thankfully there are novellas to follow. A standout in paranormal romance that proves the genre can be both steamy and profound.
Black Silk by Letizia Firmani
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Cons:
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
DNF at 50 pages - 2/5 stars
While "Black Silk" offers an intriguing premise—a vampire hunter falling for a vampire while investigating werewolf deaths—the execution makes it difficult to continue reading. The writing suffers from significant plot holes and pacing issues that break immersion. In one early scene, Cassandra asks if she can call her friend Asmo for help; Talulla deflects, and they go for coffee instead. Yet somehow, Asmo appears later down the same page, fully aware of the situation and armed with solutions, despite never being called.
While "Black Silk" offers an intriguing premise—a vampire hunter falling for a vampire while investigating werewolf deaths—the execution makes it difficult to continue reading. The writing suffers from significant plot holes and pacing issues that break immersion. In one early scene, Cassandra asks if she can call her friend Asmo for help; Talulla deflects, and they go for coffee instead. Yet somehow, Asmo appears later down the same page, fully aware of the situation and armed with solutions, despite never being called.
The romance feels equally rushed and underdeveloped. The instant, overwhelming chemistry between Talulla and Flynn lacks the build-up needed to make their forbidden attraction believable. Combined with unmemorable characters and rough writing that needs professional editing, I had to set the book aside.
This might appeal to die-hard paranormal romance fans willing to overlook technical issues, but the story needs significant polishing to reach its potential.
Pros:
- Promising premise mixing academia and supernatural elements
- Interesting concept of duty versus desire
Cons:
- Plot holes and inconsistent scene transitions
- Rushed, unbelievable romance
- Unpolished writing
Radio Apocalypse by Kayleigh Gallagher
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.0
This one had a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite come together for me. Considering it’s self-published by an 18-year-old, there’s definitely raw talent here. But I can’t help thinking a good editor would have made all the difference.
The biggest issue is the lack of world-building. There’s constant mention of the apocalypse, but we’re never given any real insight into what actually happened. Rachel and Lota both have secrets about their parents, but those threads just… disappear. And the creatures? They had so much promise. Jeremy might’ve been human once, but then there are the floating giants with all the eyes—straight-up biblically accurate angel vibes. We even see one of them fight something from underground, hinting at an angel versus demon kind of situation, but we’re left guessing.
The relationship between Rachel and Lota developed at warp speed, which felt a bit jarring. But I guess, if you’ve been alone your entire life, maybe falling for the first person you meet is realistic. Still, it doesn’t explain why Rachel would leave a high-tech bunker and cross the ocean in a tiny boat to meet Lota after just two conversations. It’s a pretty big leap without more context.
The ending felt rushed too. Lota’s encounter with what might be God was over in a blink, and instead of any big revelation, she just gets a quick fix for her anxiety and that’s it. There’s definitely creativity here, but the story needed more depth. 3 stars.
The biggest issue is the lack of world-building. There’s constant mention of the apocalypse, but we’re never given any real insight into what actually happened. Rachel and Lota both have secrets about their parents, but those threads just… disappear. And the creatures? They had so much promise. Jeremy might’ve been human once, but then there are the floating giants with all the eyes—straight-up biblically accurate angel vibes. We even see one of them fight something from underground, hinting at an angel versus demon kind of situation, but we’re left guessing.
The relationship between Rachel and Lota developed at warp speed, which felt a bit jarring. But I guess, if you’ve been alone your entire life, maybe falling for the first person you meet is realistic. Still, it doesn’t explain why Rachel would leave a high-tech bunker and cross the ocean in a tiny boat to meet Lota after just two conversations. It’s a pretty big leap without more context.
The ending felt rushed too. Lota’s encounter with what might be God was over in a blink, and instead of any big revelation, she just gets a quick fix for her anxiety and that’s it. There’s definitely creativity here, but the story needed more depth. 3 stars.