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pages_with_panda's reviews
165 reviews
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.0
✅ Finished Nov 18, ‘22
After the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz has lost her father and her home. Desperately trying to regain some stability, she marries Don Rodolfo Solórzano despite the rumors around his first wife’s death.
But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.
After Rodolfo leaves for work at the capital, Beatriz finds herself alone in a house none of the servants want to enter and with no one willing to share why. She only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will help her.
I really loved this book. Can't say I've read any other Mexican Gothic books so I can't for sure how well this fit that genre; but the creepy story, the mystery, the characters were all amazing. Sad I couldn't read this before Halloween season ended! Not horror per se, but definitely a suspenseful, mysterious book with creepy scenes. The author did well to set up the scenes and give the house its personality.
Andres was amazing as well, and I liked how well he and Beatriz worked together. I actually liked the back and forth between the past and the present as well, it set up the mystery nicely.
I borrowed this from the library but will be getting my own copy; I enjoyed it so much!
Check content warnings!
After the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz has lost her father and her home. Desperately trying to regain some stability, she marries Don Rodolfo Solórzano despite the rumors around his first wife’s death.
But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.
After Rodolfo leaves for work at the capital, Beatriz finds herself alone in a house none of the servants want to enter and with no one willing to share why. She only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will help her.
I really loved this book. Can't say I've read any other Mexican Gothic books so I can't for sure how well this fit that genre; but the creepy story, the mystery, the characters were all amazing. Sad I couldn't read this before Halloween season ended! Not horror per se, but definitely a suspenseful, mysterious book with creepy scenes. The author did well to set up the scenes and give the house its personality.
Andres was amazing as well, and I liked how well he and Beatriz worked together. I actually liked the back and forth between the past and the present as well, it set up the mystery nicely.
I borrowed this from the library but will be getting my own copy; I enjoyed it so much!
Check content warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, War
This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A Snake Falls To Earth by Darcie Little Badger
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.25
An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
✅ Finished Nov 9, ‘22
Give me any kind of story set in the midst of a Shakespearean play, throw in enemies-to-lovers, an assassination plot, and mistaken identities/cross-dressing? I'm here for it. 100%. I really enjoyed this book!
Synopsis: "When Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission--kill the queen herself. Her opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is it’s a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
Behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another.”
Fun read for me full of murder and spies and lies. I loved how Katherine (or Kit when she's undercover as a boy) and Toby were forced together by the play and how well the double-entendre of their dialogue worked in 'The Tempest.' I also enjoyed the historical aspect of the story and getting to meet the Bard himself. I especially liked the chemistry between the two leads and the growth between their relationship. The stolen glances, the lies, the protectiveness between them. It was great.
The ending felt a bit rushed though, and even though the story is told in dual POVs, we didn't get enough from both characters there at the end. It was disappointing, but still a fun read.
Give me any kind of story set in the midst of a Shakespearean play, throw in enemies-to-lovers, an assassination plot, and mistaken identities/cross-dressing? I'm here for it. 100%. I really enjoyed this book!
Synopsis: "When Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission--kill the queen herself. Her opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is it’s a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
Behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another.”
Fun read for me full of murder and spies and lies. I loved how Katherine (or Kit when she's undercover as a boy) and Toby were forced together by the play and how well the double-entendre of their dialogue worked in 'The Tempest.' I also enjoyed the historical aspect of the story and getting to meet the Bard himself. I especially liked the chemistry between the two leads and the growth between their relationship. The stolen glances, the lies, the protectiveness between them. It was great.
The ending felt a bit rushed though, and even though the story is told in dual POVs, we didn't get enough from both characters there at the end. It was disappointing, but still a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Stalking
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent
The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
✅ Finished Nov 5, ‘22
Despite two stars, I enjoyed this book. The author lists the tropes and Content Warnings at the beginning, which I loved because it meant nothing unexpected. Honestly read a bit like a fanfic because of that though (not that that's a bad thing!)
Super simple story, a bit too short and I was a little disappointed in the bedroom scenes. The main characters was a bit quick to jump into this relationship which I found a bit unrealistic given her history, but also she married a dragon so who cares.
Fun read, check the warnings!
Despite two stars, I enjoyed this book. The author lists the tropes and Content Warnings at the beginning, which I loved because it meant nothing unexpected. Honestly read a bit like a fanfic because of that though (not that that's a bad thing!)
Super simple story, a bit too short and I was a little disappointed in the bedroom scenes. The main characters was a bit quick to jump into this relationship which I found a bit unrealistic given her history, but also she married a dragon so who cares.
Fun read, check the warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy
Minor: Blood, Murder
The Getaway by Lamar Giles
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
You've Lost a Lot of Blood by Eric LaRocca
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0