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mikasana's reviews
200 reviews
Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Twas a good time. Maybe a bit cringe at times but overall interesting plot, interesting characters and an interesting paranormal-ish world. I’d say it’s about 50% plot and 50% hedonistic smut.
The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman
adventurous
tense
fast-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
Messy, messy, messy. But the kind of messy I usually like when watching crazy reality tv drama! I finished this in just a handful of hours haha.
It’s giving very much some ACOMAF vibes from the parallels I did pick up on and I am very much enjoying the direction it’s going in.
I do agree with some other reviewers on this feeling mostly like filler. I appreciate good tension and yearning but I feel like while we did get some of that, it was mostly packed in between all this other filler. Knowing this is a trilogy I hope a lot of unresolved issues get wrapped up neatly in the end.
It’s giving very much some ACOMAF vibes from the parallels I did pick up on and I am very much enjoying the direction it’s going in.
I do agree with some other reviewers on this feeling mostly like filler. I appreciate good tension and yearning but I feel like while we did get some of that, it was mostly packed in between all this other filler. Knowing this is a trilogy I hope a lot of unresolved issues get wrapped up neatly in the end.
Arcana Academy, Volume 1 by Elise Kova
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Miss Elise, excuse me, what have you done to me? I underestimated this book. And I mean, unfathomably and unequivocally underestimated this book.
If you want a true fantasy romance, this is it. If you're looking for mostly a romance with sprinkles of magic, look the other way. This has a good balance of both with quite a bit of action, adventure and mystery thrown in the mix. Shocking twists, high stakes that will keep you on edge and tension that could cut you just as easily as a chef's knife.
Clara is a complex character whom is no stranger to tragedy nor betrayal, tossed into a dystopian world where a tarot magic system is used by the nobility and the gifted. Her history defines her future in her quest for both survival and triumph and her drive for justice pushes her through, riding the coattails of her own luck.
And as for the love interest? Ohhhh he had me from his introduction. Take a drink mixer and toss in a bit of the Darkling in there, maybe a bit of Rhysand and pepper it up with Ravyn Yew from One Dark Window. And some of his lines had me swooning when I least expected it.
It's not instalove between them, there is a bit of a slow burning romance kindling throughout the story but don't expect a typical love story with these two.
Other than Clara and her love interest, I do think I would have enjoyed just a bit more from all of them just to share a deeper connection. I felt like there were times when I felt like I was on the cusp with empathizing with some of them but I would have liked the full spectrum of emotion when experiencing their specific plights or happiness.
The magic system here is completely different from anything else I have read so far as well as incredibly intricate and thorough. The detail put into how magic works, how various cards are created and used, etc. could very well be their own separate book. If you're familiar with the various major and minor arcana from tarot and divination, this may make the story an even more enjoyable experience. There are a LOT of references used for it.
As for the plot itself, I really had no idea what was going to come. I had my suspicions for certain turns of events but I would always end up bamboozled by the end of it. Incredible. This was set up very well and I feel like the pacing benefited from it as well.
As a whole, wow. When I finished this I had to spend about 15 minutes staring at my ceiling, just absorbing everything while, trying to remember the Earth still tilts on the same axis. This is by no means a perfect story but it's perfect for me and readers like me.
Miss Elise, excuse me, what have you done to me? I underestimated this book. And I mean, unfathomably and unequivocally underestimated this book.
If you want a true fantasy romance, this is it. If you're looking for mostly a romance with sprinkles of magic, look the other way. This has a good balance of both with quite a bit of action, adventure and mystery thrown in the mix. Shocking twists, high stakes that will keep you on edge and tension that could cut you just as easily as a chef's knife.
Clara is a complex character whom is no stranger to tragedy nor betrayal, tossed into a dystopian world where a tarot magic system is used by the nobility and the gifted. Her history defines her future in her quest for both survival and triumph and her drive for justice pushes her through, riding the coattails of her own luck.
And as for the love interest? Ohhhh he had me from his introduction. Take a drink mixer and toss in a bit of the Darkling in there, maybe a bit of Rhysand and pepper it up with Ravyn Yew from One Dark Window. And some of his lines had me swooning when I least expected it.
It's not instalove between them, there is a bit of a slow burning romance kindling throughout the story but don't expect a typical love story with these two.
Other than Clara and her love interest, I do think I would have enjoyed just a bit more from all of them just to share a deeper connection. I felt like there were times when I felt like I was on the cusp with empathizing with some of them but I would have liked the full spectrum of emotion when experiencing their specific plights or happiness.
The magic system here is completely different from anything else I have read so far as well as incredibly intricate and thorough. The detail put into how magic works, how various cards are created and used, etc. could very well be their own separate book. If you're familiar with the various major and minor arcana from tarot and divination, this may make the story an even more enjoyable experience. There are a LOT of references used for it.
As for the plot itself, I really had no idea what was going to come. I had my suspicions for certain turns of events but I would always end up bamboozled by the end of it. Incredible. This was set up very well and I feel like the pacing benefited from it as well.
As a whole, wow. When I finished this I had to spend about 15 minutes staring at my ceiling, just absorbing everything while, trying to remember the Earth still tilts on the same axis. This is by no means a perfect story but it's perfect for me and readers like me.
Werewolves Only by Carrie Pulkinen
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was okay. The plot outside of the romance was pretty decent. The main female character got on my nerves a bit but overall was enjoyable.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
If pain were an art form this would be it.
And it was beautiful.
And it was beautiful.
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Surprising absolutely no one, Facebook (now Meta) leadership will sell their souls for both money and power/control on a world stage.
Also a personal and emphatic FUCK YOU to Joel at Meta for not only being a piece of shit, but for starting the entire concept of paid political ads on Facebook aka being directly the cause of Trump and co taking the 2016 election.
Excellent memoir. Have recommended it to friends and family. Keep speaking your truth, Sarah!!
Also a personal and emphatic FUCK YOU to Joel at Meta for not only being a piece of shit, but for starting the entire concept of paid political ads on Facebook aka being directly the cause of Trump and co taking the 2016 election.
Excellent memoir. Have recommended it to friends and family. Keep speaking your truth, Sarah!!
A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Scar in the Bone is the second installment in the A Fire in the Sky series and it picks up around a year after the last events. Tamsyn is still with the other dragons, having lost Fell, and is learning how to best cope with the loss while also trying to find her place in two very different worlds.
In this adventure I felt that the storytelling and pacing were stronger than the first book. It was easy to follow along with Tamsyn and watch her story unfold without pause or awkward stopping points. In fact I felt that the one of the only qualms I had were with its ending, it felt just a bit abrupt and not as satisfying as I would have liked and some of my questions were left unanswered.
Despite that, I think I had more fun with this book and was a little sad when it ended because I would have liked more. One of my favorite parts about this book vs its predecessor was its worldbuilding for the dragons as well as all the background stories involved with them. Sophie has created such a unique twist on dragon lore and culture it will have you wanting more and more.
A Scar in the Bone is the second installment in the A Fire in the Sky series and it picks up around a year after the last events. Tamsyn is still with the other dragons, having lost Fell, and is learning how to best cope with the loss while also trying to find her place in two very different worlds.
In this adventure I felt that the storytelling and pacing were stronger than the first book. It was easy to follow along with Tamsyn and watch her story unfold without pause or awkward stopping points. In fact I felt that the one of the only qualms I had were with its ending, it felt just a bit abrupt and not as satisfying as I would have liked and some of my questions were left unanswered.
Despite that, I think I had more fun with this book and was a little sad when it ended because I would have liked more. One of my favorite parts about this book vs its predecessor was its worldbuilding for the dragons as well as all the background stories involved with them. Sophie has created such a unique twist on dragon lore and culture it will have you wanting more and more.
Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge
adventurous
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? Yes
4.5
Disclaimer: I received a full ARC in exchange for an honest review. Not a sample, a full ARC.
Before I start my review, I just want to say ignore every other big-name book comparison made for this book. Wipe it clean. Now, with a fresh slate... picture a dystopian world where magical beasts of various descriptions and natures thrive. Have you ever thought of riding a flaming phoenix the size of a horse and then thought we could race these phoenixes competitively Formula 1 style? Me neither... until now!
Of Flame and Fury is very different from the majority of popular fantasy and romantasy already out. Our main character, Kelyn, is as stubborn as any girl trying to keep her family's legacy afloat. This is her story to tell.
The beginning throws you in, front row, to the mayhem that is phoenix racing and you are quickly spun up into the world and its dangers. From then on its a mix of character dynamics, conspiracy, and intense blink-and-you-miss-it racing action.
I did find the pacing after this flurry of activity and around 20% in a bit too slow for my liking, but it quickly starts picking up again. I also wasn't sold on the antagonist especially towards the end as they felt they had a bit too black of a moral compass and not enough of a grey area for my liking, but that's my personal preference. To me, the ending felt a little weak and not as strong as the beginning in terms of plot decisions. I also was a little confused by the ending and wasn't entirely clear if there was going to be more to follow (I am assuming there will be with a sequel).
Despite all that, I found the story easy to empathize with including its characters. There was a good amount of depth with our main characters and I liked how they seemed to balance each other out as a group. I also found the romance to be very natural, believable rivals-to-lovers with slow-burn. And if you love good back-and-forth snarky banter, you will love this! Keep in mind, this is a YA romance, they are both 17 and are forced to grow up way too fast in an unforgiving and dangerous world. Of that world, you will be introduced to pieces and fragments of its lands and dangers that will have you salivating for more. The plot itself was both complex and refreshing, with multiple twists that will keep you on your toes.
Overall, WHAT A DEBUT! This was a super fun and interesting read and I am very hopeful for a sequel! I definitely would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something a little outside the norm. I definitely plan on purchasing my own copy when it is released.
Before I start my review, I just want to say ignore every other big-name book comparison made for this book. Wipe it clean. Now, with a fresh slate... picture a dystopian world where magical beasts of various descriptions and natures thrive. Have you ever thought of riding a flaming phoenix the size of a horse and then thought we could race these phoenixes competitively Formula 1 style? Me neither... until now!
Of Flame and Fury is very different from the majority of popular fantasy and romantasy already out. Our main character, Kelyn, is as stubborn as any girl trying to keep her family's legacy afloat. This is her story to tell.
The beginning throws you in, front row, to the mayhem that is phoenix racing and you are quickly spun up into the world and its dangers. From then on its a mix of character dynamics, conspiracy, and intense blink-and-you-miss-it racing action.
I did find the pacing after this flurry of activity and around 20% in a bit too slow for my liking, but it quickly starts picking up again. I also wasn't sold on the antagonist especially towards the end as they felt they had a bit too black of a moral compass and not enough of a grey area for my liking, but that's my personal preference. To me, the ending felt a little weak and not as strong as the beginning in terms of plot decisions. I also was a little confused by the ending and wasn't entirely clear if there was going to be more to follow (I am assuming there will be with a sequel).
Despite all that, I found the story easy to empathize with including its characters. There was a good amount of depth with our main characters and I liked how they seemed to balance each other out as a group. I also found the romance to be very natural, believable rivals-to-lovers with slow-burn. And if you love good back-and-forth snarky banter, you will love this! Keep in mind, this is a YA romance, they are both 17 and are forced to grow up way too fast in an unforgiving and dangerous world. Of that world, you will be introduced to pieces and fragments of its lands and dangers that will have you salivating for more. The plot itself was both complex and refreshing, with multiple twists that will keep you on your toes.
Overall, WHAT A DEBUT! This was a super fun and interesting read and I am very hopeful for a sequel! I definitely would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something a little outside the norm. I definitely plan on purchasing my own copy when it is released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal cruelty, Blood
It's Just Business by Willow Winters, Lauren Landish
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A simple, quick read. Predictable as are most billionaire romances but I enjoyed the story for what it was. It was more smut than actual romance for my liking but there was nothing wrong with that. I appreciated the fact that the writing was easy to follow and the story itself had great pacing.
I would happily read more by this author.
I would happily read more by this author.
Sparrow and Vine by Sophie Lark
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
** NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW **
Sparrow and Vine is the first installment of a series where the two main characters are from rival families in an arranged marriage. The premise itself is very interesting and sounds almost like a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet with family dynamics and dramatics coming into play.
However, when it comes to the actual story I really struggled with the writing style and found it to be flat and one-dimensional. I couldn't find myself caring for any of the characters or empathizing for any of them. I also felt myself checking the category (YA vs New Adult) because some of the writing choices for similes felt a bit too juvenile for me personally.
And then I came upon some dialogue that stopped me in my tracks and I could not continue reading.
Chapter 8:
""I don't want to sound ignorant," I say to Sadie as we ascend the gentle slope up to the vines, "but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?"
"Sometimes there is." Sadie bites the edge of her lip. "We're a little short on cash this year.""
This scene needs to be taken out or changed. This is an incredibly insensitive and demeaning line between two characters where the second character indirectly agrees with the first character's racist dog whistle of a remark. It would be different if the second character checked the first character for making such a statement, but that doesn't happen. It does not give me a great impression of the author and I feel like this is a direct jab towards Mexican immigrants. I must emphasize its need for removal because this will alienate a substantial portion of readers.
All in all, I had to drop this book which is a shame, because I was very excited for it. However, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to my audience.
Thank you to Bloom Books for allowing me the opportunity to review.
Sparrow and Vine is the first installment of a series where the two main characters are from rival families in an arranged marriage. The premise itself is very interesting and sounds almost like a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet with family dynamics and dramatics coming into play.
However, when it comes to the actual story I really struggled with the writing style and found it to be flat and one-dimensional. I couldn't find myself caring for any of the characters or empathizing for any of them. I also felt myself checking the category (YA vs New Adult) because some of the writing choices for similes felt a bit too juvenile for me personally.
And then I came upon some dialogue that stopped me in my tracks and I could not continue reading.
Chapter 8:
""I don't want to sound ignorant," I say to Sadie as we ascend the gentle slope up to the vines, "but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?"
"Sometimes there is." Sadie bites the edge of her lip. "We're a little short on cash this year.""
This scene needs to be taken out or changed. This is an incredibly insensitive and demeaning line between two characters where the second character indirectly agrees with the first character's racist dog whistle of a remark. It would be different if the second character checked the first character for making such a statement, but that doesn't happen. It does not give me a great impression of the author and I feel like this is a direct jab towards Mexican immigrants. I must emphasize its need for removal because this will alienate a substantial portion of readers.
All in all, I had to drop this book which is a shame, because I was very excited for it. However, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to my audience.
Thank you to Bloom Books for allowing me the opportunity to review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism