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oracle_of_madness's reviews
1325 reviews
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
4.5
I have to admit, I enjoyed the first book more. Molly the maid still has the unique characteristics that make her so loveable and such a warm presence, but I also feel like some of that was a bit lost. However, this mystery and Molly kept me reading, and overall, I loved this story.
The chapters jump between a young Molly and the present Molly, which I felt was the perfect setup for revealing the truths in this mystery because both contained the victim.
It's been a few years since the last book, and Molly is now head maid. When she prepares the hotels new tearoom for a special V.I.P. guest, she is not expecting him to drop dead. Molly, once again, is in the middle of an investigation, but can she prove her innocence this time?
I really loved this. Molly is an amazing character, and I would love to sit down and have a cup of tea with her. This is a series that is comforting and perfect for curling up with in the soon to come winter months!
Out November 28, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
The chapters jump between a young Molly and the present Molly, which I felt was the perfect setup for revealing the truths in this mystery because both contained the victim.
It's been a few years since the last book, and Molly is now head maid. When she prepares the hotels new tearoom for a special V.I.P. guest, she is not expecting him to drop dead. Molly, once again, is in the middle of an investigation, but can she prove her innocence this time?
I really loved this. Molly is an amazing character, and I would love to sit down and have a cup of tea with her. This is a series that is comforting and perfect for curling up with in the soon to come winter months!
Out November 28, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Mothtown by Caroline Hardaker
4.25
This atmospheric mind-bending tale completely caught me off guard. The characters, even characters just briefly mentioned, all play a huge role in how eerie this story is. And, the idea of a lifetime of disconnect from others, this feeling of never being understood, ran right off the pages deeply affecting me.
This is a horror story that left me guessing throughout the book and at the end. But, considering the story's plot, I feel like this was intentional and also used to great effect.
If you're looking for a strange, thought-provoking horror, then I definitely recommend this.
Out November 14, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
This is a horror story that left me guessing throughout the book and at the end. But, considering the story's plot, I feel like this was intentional and also used to great effect.
If you're looking for a strange, thought-provoking horror, then I definitely recommend this.
Out November 14, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
5.0
Okay. So, there's Jude, a scrumptious dude, a Commander of the knights. Ebony hair that's always falling in his eyes, one eye milky white, a mysterious scar. He's very growly, broody, and seems lost in his own pain and darkness. Then enter Kiara, beautiful red hair, honey colored eyes, and a fierceness that she can back up while smiling. She's a new recruit, and the commander can't seem to get her off his mind.
Yeah... it's romantic. Angst, ya'll.
So the whole story, which, by the way, is beautifully written with a great setting, is very slowly revealing the complexity of the plot. The world has been plunged into darkness for the past 50 years, with terrifying creatures growing in the dark mist. However, what slowly is revealed is how this came to be.
I really was just along for the ride on this one. All my guessing led me nowhere. The last 10% of this book had me feeling every single emotion. It was so intense. I absolutely loved this!
Out November 28, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Yeah... it's romantic. Angst, ya'll.
So the whole story, which, by the way, is beautifully written with a great setting, is very slowly revealing the complexity of the plot. The world has been plunged into darkness for the past 50 years, with terrifying creatures growing in the dark mist. However, what slowly is revealed is how this came to be.
I really was just along for the ride on this one. All my guessing led me nowhere. The last 10% of this book had me feeling every single emotion. It was so intense. I absolutely loved this!
Out November 28, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert
dark
mysterious
4.5
If you want to feel chills, if you want to feel that creepy feeling that makes you look around while reading alone, wondering what is hiding in the darkness, in the doorways... this book, ya'll!!!
Oh no. Just immediately, I was set on edge. A creepy train tunnel, dead bodies appearing in very not great ways. And just the nightmare fuel of this whole story had me in its terrifying grip! I'm not kidding. We all have different specific things in horror that we find scary, but for me, this encapsulates many different scary details and just ...I had no chance getting through this without feeling deeply scared at what is on these pages.
Really intense, scary read!
Out November 21, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Oh no. Just immediately, I was set on edge. A creepy train tunnel, dead bodies appearing in very not great ways. And just the nightmare fuel of this whole story had me in its terrifying grip! I'm not kidding. We all have different specific things in horror that we find scary, but for me, this encapsulates many different scary details and just ...I had no chance getting through this without feeling deeply scared at what is on these pages.
Really intense, scary read!
Out November 21, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
System Collapse by Martha Wells
5.0
Martha Wells took me on another eye-opening trip with Secunit while beautifully illustrating the good and the bad about humanity. Action-packed and possible of bringing out an emotion or two, System Collapse takes a unique look at trauma and the beginnings of recovery.
Secunit, Art, and Preservation humans are looking at a planet, hoping to make it a safer place when they realize that collectors may be coming to find new people to put into labor camps. When Secunit and Group find a hidden community on this planet, everything starts going sideways.
This book made me laugh out loud, which is not surprising. I am always so overwhelmed by the kindness and support between the humans and secunit, and Art, in this series. Always above and beyond with the Murderbot Diaries.
Highly recommend this series!
Out November 14, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Secunit, Art, and Preservation humans are looking at a planet, hoping to make it a safer place when they realize that collectors may be coming to find new people to put into labor camps. When Secunit and Group find a hidden community on this planet, everything starts going sideways.
This book made me laugh out loud, which is not surprising. I am always so overwhelmed by the kindness and support between the humans and secunit, and Art, in this series. Always above and beyond with the Murderbot Diaries.
Highly recommend this series!
Out November 14, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Calamity by Constance Fay
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
This was such a fun, sexy and action-packed read! Perfect if you like snarky banter, a steamy romance, and some amazing fight scenes.
Temper is captain of a shakey but well loved ship, The Quest. When a member of one of the Families temporarily joins the crew for a mission, Temper's strengths and weaknesses both are tested. In this hot enemies-to-lovers romance, the author also builds an amazing story that continued to surprise me. This quick read is more than meets the eye!
I was caught up in this in so many ways. The romance was romancing, the other members of the crew were giving such good found family vibes, and the scifi , the world, was so fun to read about.
Definitely recommend this!
Out November 14, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Temper is captain of a shakey but well loved ship, The Quest. When a member of one of the Families temporarily joins the crew for a mission, Temper's strengths and weaknesses both are tested. In this hot enemies-to-lovers romance, the author also builds an amazing story that continued to surprise me. This quick read is more than meets the eye!
I was caught up in this in so many ways. The romance was romancing, the other members of the crew were giving such good found family vibes, and the scifi , the world, was so fun to read about.
Definitely recommend this!
Out November 14, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa
3.0
I wanted to like this, but unfortunately, I couldn't get past the tiktok references. It was this one specific thing that bothered me too much for me to enjoy the book, and I had to just put it down. The characters are interesting, and I enjoyed their backstories. I feel like if this hadn't started so heavy with social media references, I would have really enjoyed it.
However, this is just my opinion. I urge anyone to pick this up and give it a go!
Out November 14, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
However, this is just my opinion. I urge anyone to pick this up and give it a go!
Out November 14, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
4.5
This is a really sweet historical romance between Penn and Raff. Both are hiding big secrets about who they are but also sharing some very sensitive topics. I want to make a content warning about abuse really just talking about some severe abuse in this book.
I enjoyed this, but I did have a little trouble believing this fast connection between them. However, it's so sweet, so I did like it.
Out November 7, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
I enjoyed this, but I did have a little trouble believing this fast connection between them. However, it's so sweet, so I did like it.
Out November 7, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
Omg, how I love Ali Hazelwood!!! This is her first romp into ya romance, and it stayed true to that, fading to black. I was unsure bc the main characters Mal and Nolan are 18 and 20, respectively. But, even so, this was so romantic. Another just wonderful, makes my heart happy, makes my life complete, romance!
I adored the look into the world of chess. Especially, the insight about gender in this world and how male dominated it can be. I felt like this was a perfect transition for Hazelwood from STEM to chess while keeping it relevant and making some great points.
Mal has been taking care of her family, working in a garage after graduating high school, for the money to pay bills and care for her sick mom and her two adorable sisters. She grew up playing chess with her father, even attending many tournaments until age 14 when her father mysteriously was not part of her narrative anymore. What happened with him is revealed, but it clearly is reflected in her dislike of chess now and her inability to fully trust.
When her friend Easton invites her to a chess tournament, Mal's life is tipped over after she beats the #1 chess champion Nolan Sawyer. (Who is also very cute).
I loved this so much and definitely recommend it!
Out November 7, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
I adored the look into the world of chess. Especially, the insight about gender in this world and how male dominated it can be. I felt like this was a perfect transition for Hazelwood from STEM to chess while keeping it relevant and making some great points.
Mal has been taking care of her family, working in a garage after graduating high school, for the money to pay bills and care for her sick mom and her two adorable sisters. She grew up playing chess with her father, even attending many tournaments until age 14 when her father mysteriously was not part of her narrative anymore. What happened with him is revealed, but it clearly is reflected in her dislike of chess now and her inability to fully trust.
When her friend Easton invites her to a chess tournament, Mal's life is tipped over after she beats the #1 chess champion Nolan Sawyer. (Who is also very cute).
I loved this so much and definitely recommend it!
Out November 7, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
5.0
Holy cow! This ending left me speechless! Just... I honestly don't know exactly what is happening, but I'm so excited to find out in the sequel. This was so good. So good. I love this book from beginning to middle to end. Absolutely great storytelling that kept my attention the whole time.
Plus, Egypt! Egypt going through major changes. The British are colonizing and taking over government jobs. Egyptians themselves now have very little power in their own country. It's become a popular tourist destination and for explorers ready to make big money on the priceless "treasures" to be found in hidden tombs.
All of this is being well described as the heroine takes a ship to Alexandria from Buenos Aires to find out the truh behind her parents' death. However, she finds out so much more than she expects but deals with everything with strength and endurance. I have to mention Whit, ruggedly handsome, British, sarcastic, and yet there's more to him than you may think!
Amazing read!
Out October 31, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Plus, Egypt! Egypt going through major changes. The British are colonizing and taking over government jobs. Egyptians themselves now have very little power in their own country. It's become a popular tourist destination and for explorers ready to make big money on the priceless "treasures" to be found in hidden tombs.
All of this is being well described as the heroine takes a ship to Alexandria from Buenos Aires to find out the truh behind her parents' death. However, she finds out so much more than she expects but deals with everything with strength and endurance. I have to mention Whit, ruggedly handsome, British, sarcastic, and yet there's more to him than you may think!
Amazing read!
Out October 31, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!