Scan barcode
megliz's reviews
236 reviews
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
It took 42 pages to complete grip me and drag me into this universe. In a steampunk, magical Cario, Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha'arawi has to solve a murder that unravels a large plot. For such a short novella, this is action for start to finish. If this is just a taste of what A Master of Djinn is, I can not wait to start that.
It took 42 pages to complete grip me and drag me into this universe. In a steampunk, magical Cario, Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha'arawi has to solve a murder that unravels a large plot. For such a short novella, this is action for start to finish. If this is just a taste of what A Master of Djinn is, I can not wait to start that.
Hunt the Wood by Anna Fury, Amy Pennza
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy
This was the way better than I thought it was gonna be. I did not go unexpecting much, but it ended up being a pretty good read.
Was it mostly smut? Yeah. Did it end up having a pretty good plot? Surprisingly, yeah. Right from the beginning, we started with smut. The prologue had smut in it. But there was a surprisingly sweet romance, and somebody got what they deserved. I ended up really liking the world building. It was kind of a dystopian fantasy world.
This was a little red riding hood retelling. Ryder has a little bit of magic and can see the future. He catches the eye of Wotan, who is a leader of one of the syndicates, and is some kind of nightmare monster. After lots of hot and kinky sex, they fall in love, add in a little bit of plot, and meeting the character for the next book, and you have the whole book.
🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy
This was the way better than I thought it was gonna be. I did not go unexpecting much, but it ended up being a pretty good read.
Was it mostly smut? Yeah. Did it end up having a pretty good plot? Surprisingly, yeah. Right from the beginning, we started with smut. The prologue had smut in it. But there was a surprisingly sweet romance, and somebody got what they deserved. I ended up really liking the world building. It was kind of a dystopian fantasy world.
This was a little red riding hood retelling. Ryder has a little bit of magic and can see the future. He catches the eye of Wotan, who is a leader of one of the syndicates, and is some kind of nightmare monster. After lots of hot and kinky sex, they fall in love, add in a little bit of plot, and meeting the character for the next book, and you have the whole book.
10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
🌶 spicy - closed door
As ridiculous as this premise sounds, I, too, would fake amnesia to get out of a social situation. While getting fired, Sam is injured because of his boss Jonathan, so to try to save his and his team's jobs, he fakes amnesia.
This is a silly 90s, romcom, that is british af but has a lot of heart. The romance is grumpy/sunshine, and I really like how love doesn't make Jonathan less of an asshole. He's still an asshole in the end, but Sam still falls in love with him. Sam doesn't really try to fix Jonathan. He just tries to show him a different point of view.
My only complaint is that I wish they had not gone together at the very end, and then the book ended. I wanted to see more of them being together. The same thing happened in Boyfriend Material. (We don't talk about Husband Material.) I just felt it was a lot of lead up, and then they got together, and that was it, I wanted more of an ending.
🌶 spicy - closed door
As ridiculous as this premise sounds, I, too, would fake amnesia to get out of a social situation. While getting fired, Sam is injured because of his boss Jonathan, so to try to save his and his team's jobs, he fakes amnesia.
This is a silly 90s, romcom, that is british af but has a lot of heart. The romance is grumpy/sunshine, and I really like how love doesn't make Jonathan less of an asshole. He's still an asshole in the end, but Sam still falls in love with him. Sam doesn't really try to fix Jonathan. He just tries to show him a different point of view.
My only complaint is that I wish they had not gone together at the very end, and then the book ended. I wanted to see more of them being together. The same thing happened in Boyfriend Material. (We don't talk about Husband Material.) I just felt it was a lot of lead up, and then they got together, and that was it, I wanted more of an ending.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This was a heartbreaking memoir. Check your trigger warnings because this covers a lot of very heavy topics.
I really appreciated the style this was written in. It is straightforward. There aren't flowery metaphors or silly stories. Everything you are told is to the point. McCudry writes the story as of she is that that age. Reading a 9-year-old being emotionally abused by a parent and her just saying, okay, Mommy, I love you was difficult. As an adult, you know what's happening, but reading a child, not understanding, made it so much more emotional. Every detail hit harder.
Even reading the After, where she's understanding that she was abused and that her life isn't healthy and that she still struggles was hard. McCurdy tells her truth in a very raw and honest style. I would really recommend the audiobook hearing Jeanette McCurdy read her own words and tell her own story was very powerful.
I really appreciated the style this was written in. It is straightforward. There aren't flowery metaphors or silly stories. Everything you are told is to the point. McCudry writes the story as of she is that that age. Reading a 9-year-old being emotionally abused by a parent and her just saying, okay, Mommy, I love you was difficult. As an adult, you know what's happening, but reading a child, not understanding, made it so much more emotional. Every detail hit harder.
Even reading the After, where she's understanding that she was abused and that her life isn't healthy and that she still struggles was hard. McCurdy tells her truth in a very raw and honest style. I would really recommend the audiobook hearing Jeanette McCurdy read her own words and tell her own story was very powerful.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 stars
This was a great action-packed novella that had me grip from start to finish. Eveen is an assassin who isn't a cat, nor does she have a tail but is, in fact, dead. Brought back to life and service of a God, she must complete any contract put before her, but what happens when her newest contract makes her remember her old life.
In 200 pages, Clark creates an immersive world with interesting characters and a dizying plot that keeps you guessing. The ending is not what you think. For being a man, Clark wrote some really great, badass female characters. Eveen is snarky and fierce, but also smart and caring. My only complaint is I wish it was longer.
This was a great action-packed novella that had me grip from start to finish. Eveen is an assassin who isn't a cat, nor does she have a tail but is, in fact, dead. Brought back to life and service of a God, she must complete any contract put before her, but what happens when her newest contract makes her remember her old life.
In 200 pages, Clark creates an immersive world with interesting characters and a dizying plot that keeps you guessing. The ending is not what you think. For being a man, Clark wrote some really great, badass female characters. Eveen is snarky and fierce, but also smart and caring. My only complaint is I wish it was longer.
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.5
⭐️⭐️.5 stars
This felt so generic. Rosie just irked me, and Ford was so boring. For most of the book, Rosie just felt kinda like a brat. Their banter felt really childish and annoying. The only time I liked it was the emails to each other. Those were fun and snarky. The paint ended up being kinda cute with the art tag, but man, that would have really pissed me off.
I get that the story is mostly character driven, but I feel like there was no actual development. My biggest positive was the relationship growing between Ford and Cora. I think I would have rather read a book about them becoming closer as father and daughter than dealing with Rosie.
This felt so generic. Rosie just irked me, and Ford was so boring. For most of the book, Rosie just felt kinda like a brat. Their banter felt really childish and annoying. The only time I liked it was the emails to each other. Those were fun and snarky. The paint ended up being kinda cute with the art tag, but man, that would have really pissed me off.
I get that the story is mostly character driven, but I feel like there was no actual development. My biggest positive was the relationship growing between Ford and Cora. I think I would have rather read a book about them becoming closer as father and daughter than dealing with Rosie.
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
This was a great sequel. Start shortly after the first one, and Emily and Wendell are off on another adventure. Adding to this one is Emily's niece, Ariadne, and Farris Rose, another professor. I'm glad we got to see Poe again, and I love the new creepy fox fae.
I wanted more romance in the first book, and we definitely got it in this book, but it didn't overshadow the plot. Both Emily and Wendell save each other. I always start each book with not liking either of the characters, and then by the end, loving them. Emily is so uptight and irritating, but then she's also strong and determined and loves very deeply. Wendell can't take anything seriously, except for Emily. It's an interesting dynamic, but it really does work.
I still really like the journal entry style that this book is written in. It works really well as an audiobook. The ending of this one was really interesting, and I can't wait to see what the third book brings.
This was a great sequel. Start shortly after the first one, and Emily and Wendell are off on another adventure. Adding to this one is Emily's niece, Ariadne, and Farris Rose, another professor. I'm glad we got to see Poe again, and I love the new creepy fox fae.
I wanted more romance in the first book, and we definitely got it in this book, but it didn't overshadow the plot. Both Emily and Wendell save each other. I always start each book with not liking either of the characters, and then by the end, loving them. Emily is so uptight and irritating, but then she's also strong and determined and loves very deeply. Wendell can't take anything seriously, except for Emily. It's an interesting dynamic, but it really does work.
I still really like the journal entry style that this book is written in. It works really well as an audiobook. The ending of this one was really interesting, and I can't wait to see what the third book brings.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars
A geology based magic, all right, sign me up.
The amount of world building that was fit into one book was astonishing. From the ground up, the history and culture were all explained in such an engaging narrative structure. However, where other stories can get bogged down in the world building, this one intertwines that with an amazing character driven story.
Essun is our main character, and the story starts with her finding her son dead, killed by her husband. From there, we jumped between the different timelines following Essun's life. Her backstory is heartbreaking, and the author does not hold back about how bad this world is.
This was top-tier world building, characters, plot, and the magic system. Everything about this book was amazing. It also has a lot of diverse representation. I didn't expect a polyamorous relationship, but I got it. My only issue was that the jumping between timelines got a little confusing, and I'm not a fan of second tense, which is just a me thing.
I'm curious what the overarching plot of the trilogy will be. I'm a little confused about who the good guys are, who the bad guys are, or if the 5th season itself, the apocalypse, is the bad guy.
In all, this book was beautifully written, completely unique, and unforgettable. I can't wait to continue the series.
A geology based magic, all right, sign me up.
The amount of world building that was fit into one book was astonishing. From the ground up, the history and culture were all explained in such an engaging narrative structure. However, where other stories can get bogged down in the world building, this one intertwines that with an amazing character driven story.
Essun is our main character, and the story starts with her finding her son dead, killed by her husband. From there, we jumped between the different timelines following Essun's life. Her backstory is heartbreaking, and the author does not hold back about how bad this world is.
This was top-tier world building, characters, plot, and the magic system. Everything about this book was amazing. It also has a lot of diverse representation. I didn't expect a polyamorous relationship, but I got it. My only issue was that the jumping between timelines got a little confusing, and I'm not a fan of second tense, which is just a me thing.
I'm curious what the overarching plot of the trilogy will be. I'm a little confused about who the good guys are, who the bad guys are, or if the 5th season itself, the apocalypse, is the bad guy.
In all, this book was beautifully written, completely unique, and unforgettable. I can't wait to continue the series.
The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
This was just a fun, really cute romance to read on Valentine's Day. Emilie gets stuck in a time loop, having to relive her shitty Valentine's day over and over again. However, everything she plans keeps going horribly wrong, except for the fact that she keeps running into Nick Stark, her grumpy broody chem partner.
I didn't really go into this with any crazy expectations, so I had a really good time. It was really insta-lovey and at times really silly, but an enjoyable read. Nick Stark was a really amazing character, and there was a much deeper backstory that was surprisingly very emotional.
Extra points for all the Taylor Swift references.
This was just a fun, really cute romance to read on Valentine's Day. Emilie gets stuck in a time loop, having to relive her shitty Valentine's day over and over again. However, everything she plans keeps going horribly wrong, except for the fact that she keeps running into Nick Stark, her grumpy broody chem partner.
I didn't really go into this with any crazy expectations, so I had a really good time. It was really insta-lovey and at times really silly, but an enjoyable read. Nick Stark was a really amazing character, and there was a much deeper backstory that was surprisingly very emotional.
Extra points for all the Taylor Swift references.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
A Sherlock and Watson style dynamic set in a bio-punk fantasy world. Ana Dolabra is an eccentric neurodivergent investigator who hires an assistant, Dinios Kol, a neurodivergent bisexual disaster. Together, they solve a murder that uncovers a larger conspiracy.
While the series is really grounded in the murder mystery, it is set in this insane fantasy world. I call it bio-punk because the magical elements are biologically based. People in this world are enhanced using biological contagions and blood of creatures called Leviathans. Kol is an engraver who possesses a perfect memory. Others can be enhanced to have better sense is a smell or be stronger. The world has contagions that are all biologically plant based. Even the way they live, the houses they live in are plant based. This world was just really unique and fascinating to read.
At its core, the story is a murder mystery. It just so happens to be set in a fantasy world. The mystery is the main focal point of the story. This wasn't a mystery that you could see hints of and solve halfway through. You only uncovered things as the character told you. I like to be solving the mystery with them instead of kinda just being told the answers. However, it was still gripping and exciting with a lot of twists to keep me entertained.
I am very excited for book 2 to come out. I don't know if there's an overarching plot between all of the books or if they're just going to be individual mysteries, but I am still counting down the days.
A Sherlock and Watson style dynamic set in a bio-punk fantasy world. Ana Dolabra is an eccentric neurodivergent investigator who hires an assistant, Dinios Kol, a neurodivergent bisexual disaster. Together, they solve a murder that uncovers a larger conspiracy.
While the series is really grounded in the murder mystery, it is set in this insane fantasy world. I call it bio-punk because the magical elements are biologically based. People in this world are enhanced using biological contagions and blood of creatures called Leviathans. Kol is an engraver who possesses a perfect memory. Others can be enhanced to have better sense is a smell or be stronger. The world has contagions that are all biologically plant based. Even the way they live, the houses they live in are plant based. This world was just really unique and fascinating to read.
At its core, the story is a murder mystery. It just so happens to be set in a fantasy world. The mystery is the main focal point of the story. This wasn't a mystery that you could see hints of and solve halfway through. You only uncovered things as the character told you. I like to be solving the mystery with them instead of kinda just being told the answers. However, it was still gripping and exciting with a lot of twists to keep me entertained.
I am very excited for book 2 to come out. I don't know if there's an overarching plot between all of the books or if they're just going to be individual mysteries, but I am still counting down the days.