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pageturning578's reviews
405 reviews
Slaying the Shadow Prince by Helen Scheuerer
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4 stars!
I started this book for a prompt for Get A Clue Readathon in November and I am so glad I made it a goal to finish it this month!
My plan for 2024 is to try more fantasy romance and I kind of dipped my toes in genre starting in November and December this year. I am still learning what I like and dislike since it is kinda new to me.
I did like this book and it is starting to make its rounds on Booktube. I've seen this one along with the companion series mentioned in multiple videos recently! I do wish I didn't put this one down when November ended and had started December with this one. I think splitting it up the way I did effected my over all enjoyment.
I thought the romance was good but also a little corny at times. I don't think there needed to be as many spicy time scenes I thought it took away from the storyline a little bit (I do realize this is part of fantasy romance) I did enjoy the main story / forbidden monster romance. I enjoyed getting to know the main and side characters and their journey of finding and fighting the Wraiths.
I loved the bad ass female main characters who fought for what they believed in. I loved the strong male characters who lead the way even through one of them was keeping a dark secret. I loved seeing Talimier's venerability as we discovered his secret of being half wraith. I loved the fighting and battle scenes. And how the characters found their found family in the end.
I would like to give the other books in this world a chance! Especially with these books making their rounds on booktube. I'm curious to see what the story is from the main series!
I started this book for a prompt for Get A Clue Readathon in November and I am so glad I made it a goal to finish it this month!
My plan for 2024 is to try more fantasy romance and I kind of dipped my toes in genre starting in November and December this year. I am still learning what I like and dislike since it is kinda new to me.
I did like this book and it is starting to make its rounds on Booktube. I've seen this one along with the companion series mentioned in multiple videos recently! I do wish I didn't put this one down when November ended and had started December with this one. I think splitting it up the way I did effected my over all enjoyment.
I thought the romance was good but also a little corny at times. I don't think there needed to be as many spicy time scenes I thought it took away from the storyline a little bit (I do realize this is part of fantasy romance) I did enjoy the main story / forbidden monster romance. I enjoyed getting to know the main and side characters and their journey of finding and fighting the Wraiths.
I loved the bad ass female main characters who fought for what they believed in. I loved the strong male characters who lead the way even through one of them was keeping a dark secret. I loved seeing Talimier's venerability as we discovered his secret of being half wraith. I loved the fighting and battle scenes. And how the characters found their found family in the end.
I would like to give the other books in this world a chance! Especially with these books making their rounds on booktube. I'm curious to see what the story is from the main series!
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
5 stars!
I read this book for the "Friend pick prompt" for Era's Readathon hosted by thewordn3rd! A few weeks ago my really good friend who knows my reading tastes pretty well gave me a list of 5 books to choose for this prompt! I read the synopsis for this book and it instantly caught my attention!
I really didn't know what to expect from this book going in. In a lot of ways I went in blind and I'm kind of glad I did because it made the explanations so much more magical in the end. I was curious about these characters throughout this story. There are a lot of layers to this one and I enjoyed exploring each one. I really enjoyed finding out who each character is and a little bit about their history!
It was a very engaging story and I feel like I learned so much in the last quarter! But I want to know more! These characters can't be dead! I loved the world building, magical elements, and not knowing who to trust!
I definitely want to continue this series in 2024!
I read this book for the "Friend pick prompt" for Era's Readathon hosted by thewordn3rd! A few weeks ago my really good friend who knows my reading tastes pretty well gave me a list of 5 books to choose for this prompt! I read the synopsis for this book and it instantly caught my attention!
I really didn't know what to expect from this book going in. In a lot of ways I went in blind and I'm kind of glad I did because it made the explanations so much more magical in the end. I was curious about these characters throughout this story. There are a lot of layers to this one and I enjoyed exploring each one. I really enjoyed finding out who each character is and a little bit about their history!
It was a very engaging story and I feel like I learned so much in the last quarter! But I want to know more! These characters can't be dead! I loved the world building, magical elements, and not knowing who to trust!
I definitely want to continue this series in 2024!
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 Stars!
I read this book for the Era's Readathon which is a Taylor Swift inspired readathon hosted by Margret at thewordn3rd! Its literally my 2 favorite things (Taylor Swift and Books)! I happened upon this book during my search for Fantasy Romances published in 2019 which is one of the "Lover prompts" for this readathon!
I don't know much about Greek Mythology so I went in kind of blind for this one. But the tension and angst in this book worked for me! I am very new to this genera so my tastes may change as I read more books but this one worked for me! The main character Persephone was in College but still made some questionable decisions at times. I'm hoping that her character grows throughout this series because I am intrigued by this storyline and plan on continuing with this series into 2024!
I love Hades! I love his mysteriousness and I definitely want more of him and I'm excited to see things from his perspective and see his intentions with A Game of Fate in the next book in the series!
I'm curious to see which direction this series is going to go next. I am really intrigued by this storyline and I think there is potential to character growth and development in future books! I also want more storylines for the different Gods in future books!
I read this book for the Era's Readathon which is a Taylor Swift inspired readathon hosted by Margret at thewordn3rd! Its literally my 2 favorite things (Taylor Swift and Books)! I happened upon this book during my search for Fantasy Romances published in 2019 which is one of the "Lover prompts" for this readathon!
I don't know much about Greek Mythology so I went in kind of blind for this one. But the tension and angst in this book worked for me! I am very new to this genera so my tastes may change as I read more books but this one worked for me! The main character Persephone was in College but still made some questionable decisions at times. I'm hoping that her character grows throughout this series because I am intrigued by this storyline and plan on continuing with this series into 2024!
I love Hades! I love his mysteriousness and I definitely want more of him and I'm excited to see things from his perspective and see his intentions with A Game of Fate in the next book in the series!
I'm curious to see which direction this series is going to go next. I am really intrigued by this storyline and I think there is potential to character growth and development in future books! I also want more storylines for the different Gods in future books!
Furysong by Rosaria Munda
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
I am reading this book as part of my end of the year goodreads clean up! It also fits prompts for 2 readathons I'm participating in this month! The first being "The Sweet treats readathon" hosted by the sticker company Creating and Co! And the second being "A Court of Books" hosted by Katy at iwouldratherbereading I am waiting until the end of the month to see which book fits best with this readathons prompts!
I am so glad I decided to re-start this book with the audiobook this month! I soft DNF'ed this book back in September after trying to read it physically and just not vibing with it! I think I was just so used to the audiobook format from the first 2 books that that was what I was expecting. But now that I have listened to this book I can see what everyone was raving about months ago!
If you are looking for a fantasy series with found family, dragon action, fighting / standing up for what you believe in, making a difference, finding where you belong, and so much more I think you will enjoy this series!
This conclusion was a rollercoaster of emotions. Lots of life defining things happen to these characters. Their limits are definitely tested. This book made me feel everything that was happening to characters I had grown to love. It may not have been the ending I was expecting. But in the end it was the ending I had hoped for all along!
I am so happy that this series got so much love this year! And I can't wait to see what the next big series is going to be in 2024!
I am so glad I decided to re-start this book with the audiobook this month! I soft DNF'ed this book back in September after trying to read it physically and just not vibing with it! I think I was just so used to the audiobook format from the first 2 books that that was what I was expecting. But now that I have listened to this book I can see what everyone was raving about months ago!
If you are looking for a fantasy series with found family, dragon action, fighting / standing up for what you believe in, making a difference, finding where you belong, and so much more I think you will enjoy this series!
This conclusion was a rollercoaster of emotions. Lots of life defining things happen to these characters. Their limits are definitely tested. This book made me feel everything that was happening to characters I had grown to love. It may not have been the ending I was expecting. But in the end it was the ending I had hoped for all along!
I am so happy that this series got so much love this year! And I can't wait to see what the next big series is going to be in 2024!
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
4.75 stars!
I am so glad I was finally able to get around to this book! This book is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and the reason why it took me so long to get to was because I was waiting on the audiobook to come in on Libby!
This book also fits a prompt for the "A Court of books" Readathon hosted by Katy at Iwouldratherbereading on Youtube! This book also fits for multiple prompts so I will decide which prompt to put it towards once I am closer to getting a bingo!
After seeing some mixed reviews towards this book I was hesitant to pick it up to be honest...but I need to learn to not let others peoples opinions have such an effect on my reading because I really did enjoy this one and its probably going to be on my favorite books of the year list!
I love Singa and Death but I also really enjoyed the new character Fate! And I absolutely loved Blythe's perspective. I definitely want more from her in the last book I just love her as a character I think she brings so much to this story!
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this second book but the direction it went in was a pleasant surprise for me. I wanted more of Death and Signa but I did enjoy the interactions we got with them. I also loved seeing how Signa interacted with the spirits I thought that was a really cool element to the story.
I also really enjoy the family element to this series. The fact that Blythe was able to forgive Signa was huge. I think both female characters are strong and will do anything for the people they love and that is a big part of this storyline. Signa was willing to sacrifice her happiness to save Elijah. At the same time that Blythe sacrificed herself for Signa.
The situation with Fate is very complex and I feel like we don't know him 100% yet. I feel like book 3 is going to be Fate and Blythe's story and I am here for it!
I am so glad I was finally able to get around to this book! This book is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and the reason why it took me so long to get to was because I was waiting on the audiobook to come in on Libby!
This book also fits a prompt for the "A Court of books" Readathon hosted by Katy at Iwouldratherbereading on Youtube! This book also fits for multiple prompts so I will decide which prompt to put it towards once I am closer to getting a bingo!
After seeing some mixed reviews towards this book I was hesitant to pick it up to be honest...but I need to learn to not let others peoples opinions have such an effect on my reading because I really did enjoy this one and its probably going to be on my favorite books of the year list!
I love Singa and Death but I also really enjoyed the new character Fate! And I absolutely loved Blythe's perspective. I definitely want more from her in the last book I just love her as a character I think she brings so much to this story!
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this second book but the direction it went in was a pleasant surprise for me. I wanted more of Death and Signa but I did enjoy the interactions we got with them. I also loved seeing how Signa interacted with the spirits I thought that was a really cool element to the story.
I also really enjoy the family element to this series.
The situation with Fate is very complex and I feel like we don't know him 100% yet. I feel like book 3 is going to be Fate and Blythe's story and I am here for it!
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
Re-read (September 2024) 5 stars!
I decided to re-read this book to get ready for the new release for the Crowns of Nyasia series in November! This book did fit a prompt for Mystic Readathon hosted by New Diamond.
I absolutely loved this re-read I loved being back in this world! Oraya and Rahin really go through a journey in this book and it was an emotional journey for sure! Rahin may be my favorite male lead character of all time! I just love him and his undying faith in Oraya throughout this book! Even though Oraya was hated him for most of the beginning of this book he really proves himself to her by the end! I loved having his perspective throughout the book and I feel like this book was kinda his book in some ways!
Oraya is a bad ass and she really found herself in this story. She really came a long way and battled many different things both emotionally and physically. It took a little bit but she proved her undying loyalty to Rahin in the end! She also gets answers to her past from Vincents memories and I think she finally gets some closer to some things by the end.
I love the found family that is being built by the end of this book. These characters really go through it in multiple battle scenes in this one and they often don't know who's really on their side. Their tight nit group really come together and I'm curious what this will mean in future books!
There is still alot of evil left in their world and I'm very interested to see what this means for future books in this series! I am sad to see Oraya and Rahin go but I am very excited to continue with the up coming books in this series!
4.5 Stars!
I am so glad I decided to restart this book this month! I am very happy it fit a prompt for room 6 for Get a Clue Readathon for team plum!
I enjoyed this book so much more with the audiobook and I think I enjoyed it more this time because I knew what to expect. But I honestly don't understand what my issues were with this book the first time around. I just think my expectations were extremely high after Serpent that it wasn't what I was expecting. But this time around I was fully engaged in the story and really enjoyed where the story went and all the background information we got was really engaging.
I love Oraya and Reign so much! And the side characters were also very strong in this book. The fighting scene at the end was intense and I was fully absorbed...I also had tears in my eyes the last 30 or so pages of this book! I am very interested to see where Carissa Broadbent is going to take the next House of characters.
I will miss Oraya and Reign but I just feel there are a lot of directions this series can go and I am totally here for it!
There is still a month left of the year and right now I have no idea how I'm going to choose a favorite book of the year! I can't wait to see where my reading is going to take me next!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
Re-read (September 2024) 5 stars!
I decided to re-read this book to get ready for the new release for the Crowns of Nyasia series in November! This book did fit a prompt for Mystic Readathon hosted by New Diamond.
I absolutely loved this re-read I loved being back in this world! Oraya and Rahin really go through a journey in this book and it was an emotional journey for sure! Rahin may be my favorite male lead character of all time! I just love him and his undying faith in Oraya throughout this book! Even though Oraya was hated him for most of the beginning of this book he really proves himself to her by the end! I loved having his perspective throughout the book and I feel like this book was kinda his book in some ways!
Oraya is a bad ass and she really found herself in this story. She really came a long way and battled many different things both emotionally and physically. It took a little bit but she proved her undying loyalty to Rahin in the end! She also gets answers to her past from Vincents memories and I think she finally gets some closer to some things by the end.
I love the found family that is being built by the end of this book. These characters really go through it in multiple battle scenes in this one and they often don't know who's really on their side. Their tight nit group really come together and I'm curious what this will mean in future books!
There is still alot of evil left in their world and I'm very interested to see what this means for future books in this series! I am sad to see Oraya and Rahin go but I am very excited to continue with the up coming books in this series!
4.5 Stars!
I am so glad I decided to restart this book this month! I am very happy it fit a prompt for room 6 for Get a Clue Readathon for team plum!
I enjoyed this book so much more with the audiobook and I think I enjoyed it more this time because I knew what to expect. But I honestly don't understand what my issues were with this book the first time around. I just think my expectations were extremely high after Serpent that it wasn't what I was expecting. But this time around I was fully engaged in the story and really enjoyed where the story went and all the background information we got was really engaging.
I love Oraya and Reign so much! And the side characters were also very strong in this book. The fighting scene at the end was intense and I was fully absorbed...I also had tears in my eyes the last 30 or so pages of this book! I am very interested to see where Carissa Broadbent is going to take the next House of characters.
I will miss Oraya and Reign but I just feel there are a lot of directions this series can go and I am totally here for it!
There is still a month left of the year and right now I have no idea how I'm going to choose a favorite book of the year! I can't wait to see where my reading is going to take me next!
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
4 stars!
I really wanted to love this book more than I did...This was my most anticipated book of the year and I put it off long enough! I have been avoiding instagram spoilers for weeks! I am so glad I was able to fit this book for a prompt for Get A Clue Readathon for room 5 for team Plum!
I don't know why I thought that Evangeline with no memories was going to be a better character than Evangeline with her memories....The first half of this book just didn't work for me. I thought Evangeline was annoying as ever...I tried to cut her some slack but I already have mixed feelings about Evangeline as a main character from the pervious books...her decision making skills and rash decisions are just cringe worthy! She may be my least favorite main character from Stephanie Garber's world...
Thankfully this series has amazing side characters and storylines that kept me intrigued! I love that this series has multiple villains who carried this book for me. I wanted to know what they were going to do next! Obviously I Love Jacks and all this mysteriousness! And Apollo, Lala, and the Valors also have strong storylines as well!
I am glad that Evangeline and Jacks had their happy ending!
I would love a spinoff from either Lala or one of the Valors because I would love to continue in this world I feel like there is a lot more to explore!
I really wanted to love this book more than I did...This was my most anticipated book of the year and I put it off long enough! I have been avoiding instagram spoilers for weeks! I am so glad I was able to fit this book for a prompt for Get A Clue Readathon for room 5 for team Plum!
Thankfully this series has amazing side characters and storylines that kept me intrigued! I love that this series has multiple villains who carried this book for me. I wanted to know what they were going to do next! Obviously I Love Jacks and all this mysteriousness! And Apollo, Lala, and the Valors also have strong storylines as well!
I would love a spinoff from either Lala or one of the Valors because I would love to continue in this world I feel like there is a lot more to explore!
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
I feel like I've given out a lot of 5 star reads this year but I'm not complaining because I'm starting to discover my reading taste and what I enjoy in a story!
I am so glad I was able to get this book to fit a prompt for Get A Clue Readathon for room 4 for Team Plum! I read Fourth Wing back in June and I am so glad I read this book this week before everyone else's opinions of this book influenced my reactions. I LOVED this book possibly even more than Fourth Wing! It was action packed, intense, and kept me engaged throughout the story. I was intrigued from chapter 1.
I love Xaden and Violet but if I'm being honest I'm hear for the story not necessarily the romance so I was happy with what we got when it came to this relationship. They are far from perfect and I think thats why I like them as a couple. They aren't afraid to fight. Wether it be for one another or in an argument!
A lot of things happen in this book and I think its better to read the book and experience it for yourself then sit here and list everything. I love Violet and I also love the side characters! There is battle and deception, but also alliances and family. I think Rebecca does a great job getting the reader to love and hate these characters and I honestly didn't want anyone (but the bad guys) to die. But that is not the case with this book. I'm not going to post spoilers but I'm just warning the reader not to get to attached and get ready for a wild ride!
I am so glad I was able to get this book to fit a prompt for Get A Clue Readathon for room 4 for Team Plum! I read Fourth Wing back in June and I am so glad I read this book this week before everyone else's opinions of this book influenced my reactions. I LOVED this book possibly even more than Fourth Wing! It was action packed, intense, and kept me engaged throughout the story. I was intrigued from chapter 1.
I love Xaden and Violet but if I'm being honest I'm hear for the story not necessarily the romance so I was happy with what we got when it came to this relationship. They are far from perfect and I think thats why I like them as a couple. They aren't afraid to fight. Wether it be for one another or in an argument!
A lot of things happen in this book and I think its better to read the book and experience it for yourself then sit here and list everything. I love Violet and I also love the side characters! There is battle and deception, but also alliances and family. I think Rebecca does a great job getting the reader to love and hate these characters and I honestly didn't want anyone (but the bad guys) to die. But that is not the case with this book. I'm not going to post spoilers but I'm just warning the reader not to get to attached and get ready for a wild ride!
Spy x Family, Vol. 2 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars...
I continued reading this series for Prompt 3 of Get A Clue Readathon! I really enjoyed this continuation and the direction this series is going! I think it is a very unique concept and they are action packed and engaging. I am really interested to see where each characters storyline is going to go! And each mission is so fun to read about!
I continued reading this series for Prompt 3 of Get A Clue Readathon! I really enjoyed this continuation and the direction this series is going! I think it is a very unique concept and they are action packed and engaging. I am really interested to see where each characters storyline is going to go! And each mission is so fun to read about!
Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat
challenging
emotional
informative
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
I have my in real life friend and Get A Clue Readathon to thank for bringing me this graphic novel! I read this book to fit prompt 2 for Team Plum!
I know nothing about the sport of Fencing but as a retired competitive swimmer this story worked for me. I remember how intense it was behind the blocks at swim meets. And I remember how much time and effort went into training everyday and I remember getting in my own head at times. Trying to earn your spot into a competitive team isn't always an easy feat. And add in assholes like Seiji and it makes it that much more challenging and overwhelming.
I hope Nicholas can find a way to get out of his head. This one ended on such a cliffhanger and I'm intrigued to see what happens with the tryout competition!
I know nothing about the sport of Fencing but as a retired competitive swimmer this story worked for me. I remember how intense it was behind the blocks at swim meets. And I remember how much time and effort went into training everyday and I remember getting in my own head at times. Trying to earn your spot into a competitive team isn't always an easy feat. And add in assholes like Seiji and it makes it that much more challenging and overwhelming.
I hope Nicholas can find a way to get out of his head. This one ended on such a cliffhanger and I'm intrigued to see what happens with the tryout competition!