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mariah_readssometimes's reviews
383 reviews
Origins of an Academy Bully by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
4.0
This novella is not imperative to read for new information in the series. But it is a good read for further insight into Darius' & Orion's guardian bond.
The best time (imo) to read this is after book #2, when you have been given the background of the events that are covered in this novella.
I hate that I want to like Darius. But I guess I kinda like Darius, lol.
The best time (imo) to read this is after book #2, when you have been given the background of the events that are covered in this novella.
I hate that I want to like Darius. But I guess I kinda like Darius, lol.
Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
3.0
The cheesiness I love is still there.
I don't feel as connected to these characters as I did ZA. I am reading in the order suggested, so this is #4 for me. And I just miss my twins and my heirs (oddly?)
I'm sorry, but the boys need to go to horny jail. I was so annoyed reading their povs because all of them wanted to bone Elise. She's awesome, I get it. But let's take a step back lol.
I still really like the magic, I really like the magic school atmosphere. The plot is decent.
I don't feel as connected to these characters as I did ZA. I am reading in the order suggested, so this is #4 for me. And I just miss my twins and my heirs (oddly?)
I'm sorry, but the boys need to go to horny jail. I was so annoyed reading their povs because all of them wanted to bone Elise. She's awesome, I get it. But let's take a step back lol.
I still really like the magic, I really like the magic school atmosphere. The plot is decent.
The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
3.5
The reckoning happens in this book. And I have been patiently awaiting it.
We get a lot of answers, but now I have more questions. They sure know how to keep my interest.
The romance is getting messy. Keeping politics and relationships separate is pricing too be very hard.
The smut is appearing. Which, meh. I personally don't care for it but it doesn't take away from the story.
Daddy Acrux can s my d.
Orders? I'm still thinking elysian mates. I need answers!
We get a lot of answers, but now I have more questions. They sure know how to keep my interest.
The romance is getting messy. Keeping politics and relationships separate is pricing too be very hard.
The smut is appearing. Which, meh. I personally don't care for it but it doesn't take away from the story.
Daddy Acrux can s my d.
Orders? I'm still thinking elysian mates. I need answers!
Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
4.0
I still have more questions than answers for this series. I'm going to be reading it forever, it seems 😅
What I liked: the girls are finding more of their power. They're proving themselves worthy. The romance felt less icky and forced. There's a lot more mutual feeling this time around instead of the boys using it to get what they want. Also, pacing is very very fast.
What I didn't like: I know we don't need to see every second of their days, but sometimes the timing seems off. Gives small plot holes. I also just don't like the boys, but that's a personal choice.
Also do we possibly have some elysian mates going on here???
What I liked: the girls are finding more of their power. They're proving themselves worthy. The romance felt less icky and forced. There's a lot more mutual feeling this time around instead of the boys using it to get what they want. Also, pacing is very very fast.
What I didn't like: I know we don't need to see every second of their days, but sometimes the timing seems off. Gives small plot holes. I also just don't like the boys, but that's a personal choice.
Also do we possibly have some elysian mates going on here???
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
This book was just as cringey (fire professor named Pyro. Water professor named washer?) as I was told it would be.
BUT I ate it up. This is the type of series I would have eaten up in high school, and the nostalgia is 100% part of why I liked it more than I thought I would.
The writing is a bit juvenile in comparison to other romantasy books I've read. But it just makes it that much quicker to read.
I am so invested in the story, I want to know more. Yesterday.
I hate the heirs.
I love the twins.
I have so many questions.
I NEED more.
BUT I ate it up. This is the type of series I would have eaten up in high school, and the nostalgia is 100% part of why I liked it more than I thought I would.
The writing is a bit juvenile in comparison to other romantasy books I've read. But it just makes it that much quicker to read.
I am so invested in the story, I want to know more. Yesterday.
I hate the heirs.
I love the twins.
I have so many questions.
I NEED more.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The storytelling in this book is marvelous. Reminds me why contemporary literature can be so important. When you start reading, there's no way you would guess where it is going nor the outcome. As the book progressed, I made the connections and knew what was going on, but I kept reading because I wanted to know how it affected or characters.
I have to admit, I absolutely hated Cameron's character, but I still wanted his happiness. He was dealt a crappy hand, and Sowell Bay is more than just answers for him. It's proof that he can change and grow.
I know that he was just the glue, but I wanted more Marcellus. His insights were refreshing, and it was a reminder that animals are more than just cute creatures.
I also want to admit, I was scared at the beginning that this was going to be a Tova-falls-in-love-with-the-octopus story.. I was pretty close to putting it down. But after a bit, I realised fascination doesn't have to mean infatuation. I've been reading too much romance, lol.
I have to admit, I absolutely hated Cameron's character, but I still wanted his happiness. He was dealt a crappy hand, and Sowell Bay is more than just answers for him. It's proof that he can change and grow.
I know that he was just the glue, but I wanted more Marcellus. His insights were refreshing, and it was a reminder that animals are more than just cute creatures.
I also want to admit, I was scared at the beginning that this was going to be a Tova-falls-in-love-with-the-octopus story.. I was pretty close to putting it down. But after a bit, I realised fascination doesn't have to mean infatuation. I've been reading too much romance, lol.
Isle of Wolves: Hunt or Die by Tiffany Daune
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
I received an ARC copy of this book by BookSirens, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is a great YA fantasy with witches, werewolves, and other dark creatures. It gave me teen wolf x pretty little liars vibes.
WARNING it does end with quite a surprise and with more questions than answers, which really just makes me want book 2 yesterday!
The pacing was good. Each chapter ended in such a way that kept you wanting to continue reading.
The world building and character development was good--yet some details are confusing. I really enjoyed the werewolf premise but still don't understand how you're born with the wolf inside of you. But also, magic doesn't always have to explain itself.
I enjoyed the different personalities the characters had. The romance was minimal yet still a part of the plot, which was nice.
The Slavic folklore was neat. However, the amount of times I had to reference the Ukranian dictionary at the beginning of the book was a bit absurd. I liked the terms, it gave it that extra touch. But (and maybe it's just my brain lol) the terms were all so very similar that the first half of the book I had to flip back n forth often.
Overall a fun and interesting read, I hope to catch book 2 if/when it becomes available!
This is a great YA fantasy with witches, werewolves, and other dark creatures. It gave me teen wolf x pretty little liars vibes.
WARNING it does end with quite a surprise and with more questions than answers, which really just makes me want book 2 yesterday!
The pacing was good. Each chapter ended in such a way that kept you wanting to continue reading.
The world building and character development was good--yet some details are confusing. I really enjoyed the werewolf premise but still don't understand how you're born with the wolf inside of you. But also, magic doesn't always have to explain itself.
I enjoyed the different personalities the characters had. The romance was minimal yet still a part of the plot, which was nice.
The Slavic folklore was neat. However, the amount of times I had to reference the Ukranian dictionary at the beginning of the book was a bit absurd. I liked the terms, it gave it that extra touch. But (and maybe it's just my brain lol) the terms were all so very similar that the first half of the book I had to flip back n forth often.
Overall a fun and interesting read, I hope to catch book 2 if/when it becomes available!
The First Stone (The First Dryad) by Teshelle Combs
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Once again, a wonderfully built world and wonderfully complex characters were the name of the game.
Sanaa is possibly one of the greatest characters I have ever read. She is the epitome of growth coming from a land like Rote, which was bland and boring and conforming and harsh and emotionless and just mute. Not to mention, women were just a means for creation and power. Blegh.
Her shift after moving to Caram, which is very loud and colorful and flavorful and challenging and strong and equal. It just led to her ultimate power and badassery.
I loved the relationship between Sanaa and Taeyo. The banter was perfect. The respect was perfect. They just really matched well. They pushed each other's boundaries but not in a way that made the other feel unloved.
The additional characters. There are always so many, but Tess really makes sure you learn about and love each and every one. This is possibly one of my favorites of the First series.
To continue on about the characters... literally, there's a frog named Mus that has a big part to Sanaa's story. A FROG.
Sanaa is possibly one of the greatest characters I have ever read. She is the epitome of growth coming from a land like Rote, which was bland and boring and conforming and harsh and emotionless and just mute. Not to mention, women were just a means for creation and power. Blegh.
Her shift after moving to Caram, which is very loud and colorful and flavorful and challenging and strong and equal. It just led to her ultimate power and badassery.
I loved the relationship between Sanaa and Taeyo. The banter was perfect. The respect was perfect. They just really matched well. They pushed each other's boundaries but not in a way that made the other feel unloved.
The additional characters. There are always so many, but Tess really makes sure you learn about and love each and every one. This is possibly one of my favorites of the First series.
To continue on about the characters... literally, there's a frog named Mus that has a big part to Sanaa's story. A FROG.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This book is more than I thought it would be. I was worried it would be exactly like the first where there wasn't a lot of excitement. Ooooh boy. There is plenty of excitement this time around.
There's deception. There's star crossed love. There's despair. I cried a few times. Rebecca really made you love the characters she wrote. Everything that happens feels personal.
I'm so glad I stuck it out for the second book.
There's deception. There's star crossed love. There's despair. I cried a few times. Rebecca really made you love the characters she wrote. Everything that happens feels personal.
I'm so glad I stuck it out for the second book.