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mikasana's reviews
182 reviews
Ghost Walk by Cassandra Gannon
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Aww I liked this!
Was it corny? Yes. Was it cringey? At times, yes. Did I have to suspend my disbelief for most of it? Yes. But it was charming, sweet and so zany it was a blast. I could hardly put it down and that is when I know I am having a good time.
Also, I would clarify that this a romance first and then a paranormal fantasy book all in one.
There’s the MMC who is a ghost of a pirate/American man from the 18th century who had been accused of serial murders and was executed for it. The FMC (former crime scene investigator) is trying to help clear his name, after they both discover she is the only one who can see and hear him in modern times. Oh and she comes from a long line of fanatical spell-casters and has an uncanny knack for time travel. And she and her Jamie Fraser-inspired man candy get down to ghostly business to try to find the real murderer from 200 years ago.
It gets wild.
Some time travel shenanigans occur.
Some odd ghostly fornication may or may not occur.
Who knows? Maybe you should find out.
4/5
Was it corny? Yes. Was it cringey? At times, yes. Did I have to suspend my disbelief for most of it? Yes. But it was charming, sweet and so zany it was a blast. I could hardly put it down and that is when I know I am having a good time.
Also, I would clarify that this a romance first and then a paranormal fantasy book all in one.
There’s the MMC who is a ghost of a pirate/American man from the 18th century who had been accused of serial murders and was executed for it. The FMC (former crime scene investigator) is trying to help clear his name, after they both discover she is the only one who can see and hear him in modern times. Oh and she comes from a long line of fanatical spell-casters and has an uncanny knack for time travel. And she and her Jamie Fraser-inspired man candy get down to ghostly business to try to find the real murderer from 200 years ago.
It gets wild.
Some time travel shenanigans occur.
Some odd ghostly fornication may or may not occur.
Who knows? Maybe you should find out.
4/5
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Cute but messy.
This is definitely romance first and fantasy second. I feel like the first 66% of the book is half plot half side quest MESS and trying to navigate through the tide of what’s actual plot vs what isn’t could get tiresome. I feel like the story was trying so hard to be whimsical that it often backfired and made some very convoluted plot decisions that always had a “just wait and see” element to it. It felt chaotically sporadic and often frustrating at times.
And while I do not get the crazy hype around Jacks himself, EvaJacks did have their cute moments especially towards the end. Standard two idiots in love being two idiots in love. I personally think Evangeline deserves better but I love her character and will cheer for her chosen love regardless.
4.5/5
This is definitely romance first and fantasy second. I feel like the first 66% of the book is half plot half side quest MESS and trying to navigate through the tide of what’s actual plot vs what isn’t could get tiresome. I feel like the story was trying so hard to be whimsical that it often backfired and made some very convoluted plot decisions that always had a “just wait and see” element to it. It felt chaotically sporadic and often frustrating at times.
And while I do not get the crazy hype around Jacks himself, EvaJacks did have their cute moments especially towards the end. Standard two idiots in love being two idiots in love. I personally think Evangeline deserves better but I love her character and will cheer for her chosen love regardless.
4.5/5
A Taste of Torment by Stacey Trombley
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think I would have liked this a lot more if the FMC did not become increasingly insufferable.
Whiney, cowardly, with an insane inferiority complex, and a control freak? Yeah no.
I loved the MMC though. And yeah this is a little too repetitive, a good 100-150 pages could be cut from the middle there with no plot movement too.
3.5/5
Whiney, cowardly, with an insane inferiority complex, and a control freak? Yeah no.
I loved the MMC though. And yeah this is a little too repetitive, a good 100-150 pages could be cut from the middle there with no plot movement too.
3.5/5
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.75
Beginning and ending were good but there was way too much fluff in the middle. I had a very hard time getting through it and almost considered dropping it in favor of other stories.
I like Evangeline. She is the noble FMC hero we all like to see in a fairytale. I also got some cinderella vibes initially between her and her stepsister/stepmother.
And the little bits of slowburn were nice but I am still not sold on Jacks and don’t get the obsession. Maybe that will change with book 2?
I like Evangeline. She is the noble FMC hero we all like to see in a fairytale. I also got some cinderella vibes initially between her and her stepsister/stepmother.
And the little bits of slowburn were nice but I am still not sold on Jacks and don’t get the obsession. Maybe that will change with book 2?
Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There’s a good story in here amongst the drabble. The beginning was fantastic and immediately pulled me in. I also found the world interesting and unique in comparison to most of what is out there regarding sirens/fae. But the minute I got somewhere in the middle the story started to drag. Badly. It wasn’t until much later in the story (near the end) when it had interesting events but not enough to pull me back in. I felt some parts could have been cut entirely to keep pacing on track.
The main character was interesting. I found her background even more-so, but I admit her motivations and mantra were extremely repetitive to the point where it became very grating. Rain was always her excuse but even she admitted it wasn’t all entirely for Rain—so which is it? Are you doing it all for Rain or are you doing it for you? Girl pick a struggle.
The MMC wasn’t super interesting either. He is immediately taken upon the FMC from the get-go and from then on is drawn to her. That’s probably the most interesting part about him to me. Would have liked a little more from him.
The other side characters never really had their moment to shine and when they did they fell pretty flat. I had trouble connecting to any of them.
Overall I feel like this one was an okay read to me but it had the potential to be even better with some more focus on its character building and its pacing.
3.25/5
The main character was interesting. I found her background even more-so, but I admit her motivations and mantra were extremely repetitive to the point where it became very grating. Rain was always her excuse but even she admitted it wasn’t all entirely for Rain—so which is it? Are you doing it all for Rain or are you doing it for you? Girl pick a struggle.
The MMC wasn’t super interesting either. He is immediately taken upon the FMC from the get-go and from then on is drawn to her. That’s probably the most interesting part about him to me. Would have liked a little more from him.
The other side characters never really had their moment to shine and when they did they fell pretty flat. I had trouble connecting to any of them.
Overall I feel like this one was an okay read to me but it had the potential to be even better with some more focus on its character building and its pacing.
3.25/5
Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 (The Novel) by Suji Kim
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ok before I say anything else, keep in mind this is a comic-turned-novel so it’s going to read exactly as a comic-turned-novel. Central plot? What’s that? For those who want strong world-building, characters, and main plot, you probably won’t find that here. You will have to wade past the filler and follow along through Maxi’s eyes because her experience IS the main plot.
I’d compare it best to a slice of life story but much darker, rampant sex every few pages, while set in a medieval world full of monsters, magic, kingdoms and rampant sexism. Think like, the Witcher, as a world setting and it’s pretty close.
Everything is pretty much fed to the readers in crumbs — especially the world-building. But you’re seeing everything through Maxi’s eyes and as a maiden who has been sheltered all her life, you’re learning things at the same time she is learning things—slowly.
HOWEVER, Maxi herself as a character is so fascinating. She has a noticeable speech impediment and possibly the worst self-esteem I have seen in a character to the point she will self-sabotage herself to save the face of others. I thoroughly enjoyed her journey and self-discovery seeing how she just started coming into her own sense of self.
And… the romance is… very… eh. Prepare for smut scenes every 10 pages or so. The first one starts VERY off-putting and had some veeery questionable moments in terms of consent, so do with that what you will. It’s also VERY patriarchal so latent misogyny is pretty rampant (fair warning).But there are a few hints that the surface level love they currently have may run deeper than they let on, especially from Riftan (iykyk), so I am sure more of that will be explored in volume 2.
Also I think as I read more the MORE I got interested in Riftan’s background based on some of the things he has brought up. And honestly if some of the things I suspect are true, he is going to win me over entirely. We will see…
That being said, I did enjoy this! I understand why the comic was so vastly popular and why it is written the way it is. Looking forward to volume 2 next year!
I’d compare it best to a slice of life story but much darker, rampant sex every few pages, while set in a medieval world full of monsters, magic, kingdoms and rampant sexism. Think like, the Witcher, as a world setting and it’s pretty close.
Everything is pretty much fed to the readers in crumbs — especially the world-building. But you’re seeing everything through Maxi’s eyes and as a maiden who has been sheltered all her life, you’re learning things at the same time she is learning things—slowly.
HOWEVER, Maxi herself as a character is so fascinating. She has a noticeable speech impediment and possibly the worst self-esteem I have seen in a character to the point she will self-sabotage herself to save the face of others. I thoroughly enjoyed her journey and self-discovery seeing how she just started coming into her own sense of self.
And… the romance is… very… eh. Prepare for smut scenes every 10 pages or so. The first one starts VERY off-putting and had some veeery questionable moments in terms of consent, so do with that what you will. It’s also VERY patriarchal so latent misogyny is pretty rampant (fair warning).
Also I think as I read more the MORE I got interested in Riftan’s background based on some of the things he has brought up. And honestly if some of the things I suspect are true, he is going to win me over entirely. We will see…
That being said, I did enjoy this! I understand why the comic was so vastly popular and why it is written the way it is. Looking forward to volume 2 next year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Child abuse and War
Ruin by Gillian Eliza West
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Sigh… DNF @ 30%
I could not connect with any of the characters and found them lacking any significant depth that could cater to my interests. Even the friendships I felt had no chemistry, as if the characterizations and personalities were underwhelming or missing altogether.
Everything else was there. The world was pretty cool and I loved the gothic vibes. The descriptions were great and all as well. It had so much going for it which is why I am beating myself up for not liking this more.
But character driven stories are my go-to and I just couldn’t get attached to any of them here. Others will enjoy this book, but it’s not for me.
I could not connect with any of the characters and found them lacking any significant depth that could cater to my interests. Even the friendships I felt had no chemistry, as if the characterizations and personalities were underwhelming or missing altogether.
Everything else was there. The world was pretty cool and I loved the gothic vibes. The descriptions were great and all as well. It had so much going for it which is why I am beating myself up for not liking this more.
But character driven stories are my go-to and I just couldn’t get attached to any of them here. Others will enjoy this book, but it’s not for me.
The Striker by Ana Huang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
You can look at this one of two ways
1) This was not good in the sense that there’s no magic, characters are flat, the romance has zero chemistry and the book drags on like a torturous game of “when will this get interesting”.
OR
2) This was great if you are having trouble sleeping. Just take 1 melatonin gummy and start this from the beginning. That’s the real magic right there.
DNF @ 15%
1) This was not good in the sense that there’s no magic, characters are flat, the romance has zero chemistry and the book drags on like a torturous game of “when will this get interesting”.
OR
2) This was great if you are having trouble sleeping. Just take 1 melatonin gummy and start this from the beginning. That’s the real magic right there.
DNF @ 15%
Fated to the Wolf Prince by April L. Moon
adventurous
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? Yes
3.75
I actually found the writing very pleasant. The characterizations were not too bad either though I do agree with another reviewer here that the FMC could be a little much considering her circumstances.
However, I would read more from this author especially knowing this was just a debut. The potential is there and I'm looking forward to more books from her.
However, I would read more from this author especially knowing this was just a debut. The potential is there and I'm looking forward to more books from her.