megliz's reviews
236 reviews

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

This was such a fun time. I loved the humor of this book. It like literally cracked me up at times. Personally, I think it worked better listening to it on audiobook, then reading it. I think the humor and the overall silliness comes across better that way.

I liked getting the villain's point of view sporadically throughout. He is so down bad for her. The plot was pretty captivating, and the twist was really good. 

Some books I read for the plot or big world building. And others are you just for fun. This was a fun book. Don't take it too seriously. 

The Crumbling of a Nation and Other Stories by Ryan David Ginsberg

challenging dark emotional

4.0

Gave me chills at times made me want to throw up at others. One of the worst books, but the best and most important I've ever read. 

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a solid 4.5 stars, but after seeing Atwater's note on Goodreads and all the background information and research they did, it's definitely 5 stars for me. I love cute romance novels, but the fact that it is historically accurate makes it even better.

This is a regency era love story, but add fairies. Miss Theodora Ettings is missing half her soul due to an encounter with a fairy when she was younger. 
This leaves her unable to feel emotions like other people, making her to be considered odd in this time period. (Yes, this is a metaphor for neurodivergence.)

The best part of this is definitely the romance. It was so cute and had my swooning and kicking my feet. Elias and Dora are a perfect match. It's a very Mister Darcy/Elizabeth Bennett type of relationship. Elias isn't great at the start, but he melts for Dora. Their banter was top tier. The characters were also all very sweet, and I'm glad we got to see they get happily ever after.

This had a surprising amount of depth and git, which includes trauma from war, class consciousness, and era-typical workhouses. The plot ended up having some darker moments. 

If you're a fan of faries tales and of Bridgerton, this is the perfect mix of both.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

This was a really fun, cozy fantasy that I read during a blizzard, so the atmosphere really worked for me. I'm glad I decided to listen to the audio book because I'm not sure if I would have been able to read the academic style writing. However, it really worked in audiobook style. It was like someone reading an academic journal to me.

I really liked the cozy fantasy vibe with the field researching of Fae and the relationship brewing between Emily and Wendell. But when the plot came in and it really veered off track, it kind of lost me a little. It leaves the cozy vibes and jumps right into an adventure type fantasy. 

The rest of the series is definitely being added to my TBR.

Malice by John Gwynne

adventurous challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

I'll be honest. I couldn't tell you what really happened in this story. I understand the basic premise, the battle versus good and evil  that the series will be built upon. But if you ask me what happened in each individual chapter, I could not tell you to save my life.

That is not to say that this story was not beautifully written. The battle scenes are so well written. You feel like you are actually there. The world building was immensive, and the aetup for the overarching plot of the series was well laid out. But you are introduced to a lot of people right off the bat, and I still don't know the reason for everybody. 

It is just a lot up front, and this first book feels like a setup book that will pay off in the end.

I am definitely going to be continuing this with the series, and hopefully, who everyone is and their motives will be flushed out a little better for me.

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was such an amazing, cozy fantasy. Leo and Grimm have my heart. This was a slowburn, grumpy/sunshine romance that has Harry/Draco vibes. Two rivals become accidentally bonded due to a misread spell. This is a seriously slooow burn. 

I loved the magic system in this. Magic scribers write spells, and spellcasters can read and cast the spells. A person can only do one or the other. There are also some musically cast spells that sound so beautiful. The premise of the magic is really simple, spells are cast, but having to have two people do it is really unique. 

My only complaint is I don't really understand where the plot is going for a trilogy. There was no like underarching big bad or mystery that still needs to be solved. I'm really looking forward to that expanding. 

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

funny hopeful relaxing

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

One of my favorite comic series. Similarly to Heartstopper, it's one of my comfort reads. I read it at least once a year. Combines baking, hockey, and MM romance, which is the perfect combination.

Check, Please! Book 2: Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu

funny hopeful relaxing

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Such a sweet and amazing ending. I really love this story! This series is something I read over and over again every time I need something comforting. 

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

funny lighthearted medium-paced

2.5

Everything about this book was great. It was really working for me. I loved it. I was flying through it. 

But I couldn't get over the mother and her friend being just so terrible to Mariel, the FMC. I just couldn't. Everyone just walked all over her. Her mother was just emotionally abusive to her and treated her terribly, and I just couldn't stop screaming at Mariel to grow a backbone. My hatred of this just ruined the whole book for me. 

I skimmed the last forty percent of the book just to see if she would finally stand up for herself. When she did, it was not at all satisfying. The main plot is preventing the destruction of the forest, and I figured out who was doing it really easily. 

I was so disappointed because I really liked the world. I loved the characters. I loved the fake dating and the romance. So overall, the book isn't bad, but one part of it was bad for me and I could not get past it. 

I will not be reading the next one because I didn't like either of those characters that it is based on. I do still plan on reading the 3rd book in the series. 

Bro and the Beast 2 by L.C. Davis

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

More spice, more plot, more feelings. The series is getting better, as it goes.