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miyawakiss's reviews
139 reviews
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
I needed a break from my romantasy binge and Freida McFadden never disappoints! As usual, I really honestly thought that this time, THIS TIME, I had it all figured out. Of course, AGAIN, I was wrong!
However, the ending was a bit of a letdown. I was actually quite happy with how it was all unfolding and marvelling at the reveal of the actual killer.But then I had really hoped Tom would turn them in and live happily ever after with Sydney. Maybe I've read too many dark romances and I wanted to root for him. But I guess this way they all have their happily ever afters. The little gift at the end was actually a really nice way to tie it all together.
However, the ending was a bit of a letdown. I was actually quite happy with how it was all unfolding and marvelling at the reveal of the actual killer.
The Recessive Paradox by Leigh Stevens
funny
fast-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? No
2.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Can I just say, the writing right off bat is very akin to fanfiction style, a bit jumbled and unclear at moments and the insanely fast instalove was very Wattpad.
The characters are rather comically immature and sappily romantic. The dialogues were incredibly mushy and corny, and reminds me of young teens being in love which is funny as the MMC and FMC are adults - one being a police officer and the other a university professor iirc. Maybe if the mushiness was toned down a bit, I'd be able to take them more seriously. But because the mushiness is at the max, I'm taking them all in like I'm watching a trashy reality TV show. Mind you, that's not a bad thing. It's definitely entertaining.
The plot was also very predictable but that's fine since we already knew who the biological father is and how it would turn out. I really wish we had more friendship moments with Eve. She was sad about not having friends and at the end, it really did feel like her brother stole her new friend and now she was just a glorified babysitter. I believe she has her own book so maybe there's more friendship moments there.
Overall, was this well-written? No. Was this a well-developed romance between 2 mature adults? Not really. But was it BAD? Absolutely not. It was quite a fun and fast read. This gave me Wattpad and AO3 vibes and my inner teenage is rather satisfied with how everything turned out.
Can I just say, the writing right off bat is very akin to fanfiction style, a bit jumbled and unclear at moments and the insanely fast instalove was very Wattpad.
The characters are rather comically immature and sappily romantic. The dialogues were incredibly mushy and corny, and reminds me of young teens being in love which is funny as the MMC and FMC are adults - one being a police officer and the other a university professor iirc. Maybe if the mushiness was toned down a bit, I'd be able to take them more seriously. But because the mushiness is at the max, I'm taking them all in like I'm watching a trashy reality TV show. Mind you, that's not a bad thing. It's definitely entertaining.
The plot was also very predictable but that's fine since we already knew who the biological father is and how it would turn out. I really wish we had more friendship moments with Eve. She was sad about not having friends and at the end, it really did feel like her brother stole her new friend and now she was just a glorified babysitter. I believe she has her own book so maybe there's more friendship moments there.
Overall, was this well-written? No. Was this a well-developed romance between 2 mature adults? Not really. But was it BAD? Absolutely not. It was quite a fun and fast read. This gave me Wattpad and AO3 vibes and my inner teenage is rather satisfied with how everything turned out.
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A rare moment I pick up the sequel immediately after finishing the first book. And boy oh boy, the author opens the book by throwing us right into the deep end - no toe-dipping, no preparation, just YEET.
The entire time I was reading this book, there were MULTIPLE times where I wanted to scream. There were actually a few times I grabbed my pillow and screamed into it. It was infuriating, it was frustrating and it was exasperating!!! The back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth - IT WAS DRIVING ME SO MAD! I teared up a few times because of how aggravated I felt.
But it was also so so good, I loved how it all unfolded and how it all resolved. I wish the ending was fleshed out more. I would have loved to see the new reign of Rune and Gideon, I desperately wanted to see the future with their children and just them being happy in a society where everyone lived in peace and harmony.
Nevertheless, this was a step-up from the first book though it was a wild rollercoaster ride from the very first page. Was it a written masterpiece? No. Was it repetitive? Yes. Was it frustrating and annoying? Also yes. But did I enjoy the absolutely crazy ride? YES YES YES.
The entire time I was reading this book, there were MULTIPLE times where I wanted to scream. There were actually a few times I grabbed my pillow and screamed into it. It was infuriating, it was frustrating and it was exasperating!!! The back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth - IT WAS DRIVING ME SO MAD! I teared up a few times because of how aggravated I felt.
But it was also so so good, I loved how it all unfolded and how it all resolved. I wish the ending was fleshed out more. I would have loved to see the new reign of Rune and Gideon, I desperately wanted to see the future with their children and just them being happy in a society where everyone lived in peace and harmony.
Nevertheless, this was a step-up from the first book though it was a wild rollercoaster ride from the very first page. Was it a written masterpiece? No. Was it repetitive? Yes. Was it frustrating and annoying? Also yes. But did I enjoy the absolutely crazy ride? YES YES YES.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
3.5
Rune is a secret witch on a rescue mission. She lives in a society where her kind is persecuted daily by the new regime and she makes it her goal to try and rescue every witch she can.
Gideon is a witch hunter on his revenge arc. He's had a history with witches and makes it his life's goal to rid society of every single one of them. And he thinks the pretty socialite Rune might be a witch.
Pick this book up if you like:
⭐ Spells and witchcraft
⭐ Best friend's brother
⭐ Enemies to lovers
⭐ Political intrigue
⭐ TENSION
Might not be for you if you hate:
❌ Cliche storyline
❌ Spice (1 🌶️)
❌ 3rd person in dual POVs
❌ Heavy focus on romance
❌ Forced love triangle
❌ Rushed ending
🚨 Review (Minor Spoilers) 🚨
It started out really strong and I was really enjoying the ride but around page 350 onwards, it got very rushed. The characters suddenly became rather OOC, the build-up to the final climax was a bit hasty and the ending was not very satisfactory, and though I do understand it is a duology, it could have ended a bit better.
I do see why some people find that the story is quite cliche but that's ok, sometimes we want something cliche. And it is rather shallow in terms of a lot of tell not show. We never actually got to SEE Rune being the Crimson Moth. Some readers speculated if she is even the Crimson Moth despite her mentioning she is because we never see it. And we're told alot about how people suffered under the witch queens' rule but again, we never see it, not even in flashback scenes. Just in dialogue but we all know how unreliable a narrator can be. Maybe this was the author's tactic to make us suspicious of everyone and everything, I'm not sure.
I will say that the book was definitely enjoyable. At least I had an amazing time the first half of the book. The second half, especially towards the end, pulled down the rating as I really felt that it was quite rushed. Overall, I still liked this book and will recommend to anyone who wants a simple fun read. Can't wait to start the next one and see how it truly ends!
Gideon is a witch hunter on his revenge arc. He's had a history with witches and makes it his life's goal to rid society of every single one of them. And he thinks the pretty socialite Rune might be a witch.
Pick this book up if you like:
⭐ Spells and witchcraft
⭐ Best friend's brother
⭐ Enemies to lovers
⭐ Political intrigue
⭐ TENSION
Might not be for you if you hate:
❌ Cliche storyline
❌ Spice (1 🌶️)
❌ 3rd person in dual POVs
❌ Heavy focus on romance
❌ Forced love triangle
❌ Rushed ending
🚨 Review (Minor Spoilers) 🚨
It started out really strong and I was really enjoying the ride but around page 350 onwards, it got very rushed. The characters suddenly became rather OOC, the build-up to the final climax was a bit hasty and the ending was not very satisfactory, and though I do understand it is a duology, it could have ended a bit better.
I do see why some people find that the story is quite cliche but that's ok, sometimes we want something cliche. And it is rather shallow in terms of a lot of tell not show. We never actually got to SEE Rune being the Crimson Moth. Some readers speculated if she is even the Crimson Moth despite her mentioning she is because we never see it. And we're told alot about how people suffered under the witch queens' rule but again, we never see it, not even in flashback scenes. Just in dialogue but we all know how unreliable a narrator can be. Maybe this was the author's tactic to make us suspicious of everyone and everything, I'm not sure.
I will say that the book was definitely enjoyable. At least I had an amazing time the first half of the book. The second half, especially towards the end, pulled down the rating as I really felt that it was quite rushed. Overall, I still liked this book and will recommend to anyone who wants a simple fun read. Can't wait to start the next one and see how it truly ends!
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The book started out really slow. It took maybe 100 pages in for me to start to feel invested. But once I was... It was a magical ride.
I was rather skeptical about this book when I picked it up. I had geard good things about it but I'm not really a ghost/devil/phantom kind of girl. But Blackwell... swoon. The chemistry between Blackwell and Ophelia was magnetic and the sexual tension was immaculate. The mouth on this man was... drool-worthy. Also, there's a ghost cat, how can anyone resist!
The plot twist had me backtracking and blinking in disbelief. I honestly didn't see it coming, I didn't even guess there was going to be a plot twist. But the way it unravelled was beautiful.
Do pick up Phantasma if you love:
⭐ Trials and games
⭐ Great smut
⭐ Danny Phantom ;) and devils, ghosts, etc.
⭐ Mysteries and secrets
⭐ HEA
Phantasma might not be for you if you hate:
❌ Slow starts
❌ Amnesiac characters
❌ Constant flirting (even with non-love interests)
❌ Necromancy
❌ Classic annoying-for-no-reason antagonists
I was rather skeptical about this book when I picked it up. I had geard good things about it but I'm not really a ghost/devil/phantom kind of girl. But Blackwell... swoon. The chemistry between Blackwell and Ophelia was magnetic and the sexual tension was immaculate. The mouth on this man was... drool-worthy. Also, there's a ghost cat, how can anyone resist!
The plot twist had me backtracking and blinking in disbelief. I honestly didn't see it coming, I didn't even guess there was going to be a plot twist. But the way it unravelled was beautiful.
Do pick up Phantasma if you love:
⭐ Trials and games
⭐ Great smut
⭐ Danny Phantom ;) and devils, ghosts, etc.
⭐ Mysteries and secrets
⭐ HEA
Phantasma might not be for you if you hate:
❌ Slow starts
❌ Amnesiac characters
❌ Constant flirting (even with non-love interests)
❌ Necromancy
❌ Classic annoying-for-no-reason antagonists
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Wow... Where do I even begin?
First of all, Ms Nisha sure knows how to start a story! The booktok girlies weren't kidding when they said you would be hooked from the start. Our girl, Lor and her siblings have spent the past 12 years in prison and they don't know why. Or at least, Lor doesn't. Sidenote: as much as I love smut, the spicy scene in the prison was really unnecessary and weirdly timed. She dreams of a day where she and her siblings can live freely and when she can finally take revenge on the King of Aurora, the man who threw them in here in the first place. But then, she is whisked away to Faerieland, where everything is rich and gold and shiny, and she has the opportunity to win the Sun King's hand in marriage. She actually has real incentive to want to win - she wants to free her siblings who are still in prison and fulfill her revenge.
But then... we meet the Sun King, Atlas. And can I just say, this is like Tamlin from ACOTAR all over again! But worse!!! Everytime he graces my pages, I am covered in slime, oil and grease. Everytime he murmurs honeyed words, everytime he touches Lor, everytime they get intimate, I just want to go and scrub myself clean. It's a classic case of extreme isolation, lovebombing and gaslighting. Usually I'd be so annoyed if the FMC falls for these tactics but here, it makes sense. Lor has been deprived all her life; she is socially inept, never had much exposure to the faerie allure and is so starved of any kind of affection and positive attention, so naturally she falls for it. In her shoes, I would have fallen for it too. But even though she does, a part of her brain questions it over and over again, which I like because it shows that she's smart and has good instincts. Although it takes her almost the whole book, she does eventually see through the facade and break away from the illusions. Hell yeah for our girl!
Lastly, as readers, we knew exactly who would be the endgame MMC as we're given his POV from the getgo. Unfortunately, we don't see much of him and he gets a grand total of one interaction eith the FMC. So to see more of our guy Nadir, off to the next book we go!
I gave this book a 3.5 ⭐ mainly because Atlas took up a big protion of the book and he grossed me out so much. Tbh, I nearly DNFed the book because of Atlas. I had to look away and gag, and even took breaks just to breathe because seeing the way he was lovebombing and gaslighting Lor was so disgusting. But this just means that this narc ssistic character was very well written.
If you like these, you would eat this book up:
⭐ Faeries
⭐ Strong badass FMC
⭐ Trials and games
⭐ A little political intrigue
⭐ Mysteries and secrets
⭐ Smut and sexual tension (with a gross King)
If the following things aren't your cup of tea, this book is probably not for you:
❌ Lovebombing / gaslighting
❌ A narcissistic love interest (kinda)
❌ Small screentime with MMC
❌ Mean girls and cliques
❌ A lot of unlikeable characters
First of all, Ms Nisha sure knows how to start a story! The booktok girlies weren't kidding when they said you would be hooked from the start. Our girl, Lor and her siblings have spent the past 12 years in prison and they don't know why. Or at least, Lor doesn't. Sidenote: as much as I love smut, the spicy scene in the prison was really unnecessary and weirdly timed. She dreams of a day where she and her siblings can live freely and when she can finally take revenge on the King of Aurora, the man who threw them in here in the first place. But then, she is whisked away to Faerieland, where everything is rich and gold and shiny, and she has the opportunity to win the Sun King's hand in marriage. She actually has real incentive to want to win - she wants to free her siblings who are still in prison and fulfill her revenge.
But then... we meet the Sun King, Atlas. And can I just say, this is like Tamlin from ACOTAR all over again! But worse!!! Everytime he graces my pages, I am covered in slime, oil and grease. Everytime he murmurs honeyed words, everytime he touches Lor, everytime they get intimate, I just want to go and scrub myself clean. It's a classic case of extreme isolation, lovebombing and gaslighting. Usually I'd be so annoyed if the FMC falls for these tactics but here, it makes sense. Lor has been deprived all her life; she is socially inept, never had much exposure to the faerie allure and is so starved of any kind of affection and positive attention, so naturally she falls for it. In her shoes, I would have fallen for it too. But even though she does, a part of her brain questions it over and over again, which I like because it shows that she's smart and has good instincts. Although it takes her almost the whole book, she does eventually see through the facade and break away from the illusions. Hell yeah for our girl!
Lastly, as readers, we knew exactly who would be the endgame MMC as we're given his POV from the getgo. Unfortunately, we don't see much of him and he gets a grand total of one interaction eith the FMC. So to see more of our guy Nadir, off to the next book we go!
I gave this book a 3.5 ⭐ mainly because Atlas took up a big protion of the book and he grossed me out so much. Tbh, I nearly DNFed the book because of Atlas. I had to look away and gag, and even took breaks just to breathe because seeing the way he was lovebombing and gaslighting Lor was so disgusting. But this just means that this narc ssistic character was very well written.
If you like these, you would eat this book up:
⭐ Faeries
⭐ Strong badass FMC
⭐ Trials and games
⭐ A little political intrigue
⭐ Mysteries and secrets
⭐ Smut and sexual tension (with a gross King)
If the following things aren't your cup of tea, this book is probably not for you:
❌ Lovebombing / gaslighting
❌ A narcissistic love interest (kinda)
❌ Small screentime with MMC
❌ Mean girls and cliques
❌ A lot of unlikeable characters
Obliviate by JessalynMichele
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I Shall Master this Family, Season 3 by Antstudio, Mon, Kim Roah
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Picked this up on a whim and I can definitely see why people like this! I'm actually not a Sci-Fi girl and I'm not into monster romance or alien romance but why was this so good? The beginning of the book was written really well - the atmosphere of how serious things were and how dark their situation was really made me wonder how the romance would come in. But once it did.... I was 100% onboard. The MMC is such a sweetheart and I can see why the FMC was won over so quickly. I would too.
The pregnancy trope shocked the heck out of me cos it was so damn sudden. Like damn, it's only been a few days since yall started boinking. Has it even been a week?!
But I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books! Will definitely take my time and use this series as buffer between my longer and more serious reads.
But I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books! Will definitely take my time and use this series as buffer between my longer and more serious reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Trafficking, Kidnapping
Minor: Pregnancy