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proseamongstthorns's reviews
913 reviews
Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch
4.0
Another really enjoyable instalment in this series. I took a break between books and it gently reintroduced me to what had happened. Loved the twists and always love learning more about this magic world.
Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk
adventurous
4.0
Read? More like devoured! I finished this in one day and loved every minute of it. This stand-alone fantasy introduces you to a unique magic system, a rich and expansive world and, of course, romance.
Shades of dark academia here. You have the lovable, slightly strange (secretly a prince) scholar and the ridiculously talented but scared of her gifts magician forced to compromise to help save her family. The whole quest is a hunt for knowledge, but rushing into things backfires when Trys (our prince) ends up becoming a monster.
My only issue with this book was the pacing. I wanted more time to get into these characters heads and understand their motivations. It's not quite insta-love, but it does give you whiplash a little with how quickly opinions and relationships change. Having said that, keeping this to a standalone of 350 pages must have been challenging enough so I can see why some of that background may have not made the cut.
And I do love that this was a standalone. Sometimes you just want to pick up a book and love it and then move on. The constant stream of never-ending series, especially in fantasy, is quite daunting as a book-buyer. These publishers are trying to bankrupt me! So this was a huge win for me.
The magic system is so interesting. The ability to create keys to any door with your tongue? The ability to make doors to anywhere? Weaving magical clothes with stories inside them? Having sonar for texts you're looking for? There's so, so many magic types and every single one of them was incredibly original. And yes, I just said being a standalone is great... but I'd be so interested to explore other characters in this universe to get a better idea of all the magic types, how they work and what else is out there.
Let's talk boss ass women. Elia is raising her siblings, working hard to make ends meet, talented, beautiful and never backs down. She faces an impossible nightmare and does not run or cower where others do. She has boss girl energy and she knows it. It's so refreshing to have the woman saving the man. It felt like a much more relatble and realistic FMC than in other books.
'Unlock the Dark' is an action-packed romance with morally complex characters with their own motivations in a high-stakes adventure. It'll suck you in to this world and you'll be disappointed to have to leave it at the end of the book.
Shades of dark academia here. You have the lovable, slightly strange (secretly a prince) scholar and the ridiculously talented but scared of her gifts magician forced to compromise to help save her family. The whole quest is a hunt for knowledge, but rushing into things backfires when Trys (our prince) ends up becoming a monster.
My only issue with this book was the pacing. I wanted more time to get into these characters heads and understand their motivations. It's not quite insta-love, but it does give you whiplash a little with how quickly opinions and relationships change. Having said that, keeping this to a standalone of 350 pages must have been challenging enough so I can see why some of that background may have not made the cut.
And I do love that this was a standalone. Sometimes you just want to pick up a book and love it and then move on. The constant stream of never-ending series, especially in fantasy, is quite daunting as a book-buyer. These publishers are trying to bankrupt me! So this was a huge win for me.
The magic system is so interesting. The ability to create keys to any door with your tongue? The ability to make doors to anywhere? Weaving magical clothes with stories inside them? Having sonar for texts you're looking for? There's so, so many magic types and every single one of them was incredibly original. And yes, I just said being a standalone is great... but I'd be so interested to explore other characters in this universe to get a better idea of all the magic types, how they work and what else is out there.
Let's talk boss ass women. Elia is raising her siblings, working hard to make ends meet, talented, beautiful and never backs down. She faces an impossible nightmare and does not run or cower where others do. She has boss girl energy and she knows it. It's so refreshing to have the woman saving the man. It felt like a much more relatble and realistic FMC than in other books.
'Unlock the Dark' is an action-packed romance with morally complex characters with their own motivations in a high-stakes adventure. It'll suck you in to this world and you'll be disappointed to have to leave it at the end of the book.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
adventurous
challenging
tense
5.0
That ending… Pierce Brown be held accountable for the emotional distress.
What a step up. This is phenomenal and I get why people love this series. Political intrigue, war, romance, friendship, betrayal and overthrowing government. What’s not to love?
What a step up. This is phenomenal and I get why people love this series. Political intrigue, war, romance, friendship, betrayal and overthrowing government. What’s not to love?
The Horsea Marina Murders by Pauline Rowson, Pauline Rowson
fast-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. It felt super fast paced, much quicker than previous books. I think there was less focus on the characters here, but we still get to know more about them and their relationships to each other.
I’m still loving this series and hope to carry it on. Fantastic narrator for the audiobook.
I’m still loving this series and hope to carry it on. Fantastic narrator for the audiobook.
The Horror of Haglin House by M.R.C. Kasasian
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I really really enjoyed this one!
It’s such a fun, quirky take on the historical crime fiction genre. We have an apologetic, strong female character making her way through a world that wants to write her off.
The only flaw was the confusion around what happened in her head and what was real. Her imaginary characters were wonderful, but it took a while for it to become clear that they weren’t actually real. And there were moments throughout the book where, again, it just wasn’t made clear.
But, it was also one of the best features of the book! It was such a fun relationship between our protagonist and her imagination. And the moments where the ‘real people’ seem to interact with them were brilliantly funny.
I wanted to spend more time with this one. I expected to have more time with our characters at the end, those final few chapters felt a little rushed. But, the crime elements were impeccably written, with great twists and characters you can’t help but love.
It’s such a fun, quirky take on the historical crime fiction genre. We have an apologetic, strong female character making her way through a world that wants to write her off.
The only flaw was the confusion around what happened in her head and what was real. Her imaginary characters were wonderful, but it took a while for it to become clear that they weren’t actually real. And there were moments throughout the book where, again, it just wasn’t made clear.
But, it was also one of the best features of the book! It was such a fun relationship between our protagonist and her imagination. And the moments where the ‘real people’ seem to interact with them were brilliantly funny.
I wanted to spend more time with this one. I expected to have more time with our characters at the end, those final few chapters felt a little rushed. But, the crime elements were impeccably written, with great twists and characters you can’t help but love.
The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
From the very first pages this book hooks you and makes it so hard to put down. Think Hunger Games with monsters not people and rags-to-riches but at what cost.
Lau has a beautiful writing style and really paints a vivid picture of the world we find ourselves in. You’re gently introduced to the way of life here and the slow and steady pace of world-building prevents you feeling overwhelmed.
I’d have loved to have seen more of the mythology side in the book. It’s quite heavily used early in the book, but takes a back seat later on. Having said that, the beasts they face are brilliantly written and always has you on the edge of your seat.
I loved seeing the growth and development of our protagonists. From desperate to escape their debt, to a hunger for fortune and fame at any cost and then forced to confront their moral compass. It’s a beautiful journey we take with them.
I wasn’t expecting the ending of the book, it totally came out of nowhere in the best way. It’s almost like a fable with the powerful message and life lessons it concludes with.
This is such an impressive debut. It’s vivid and original, gripping and powerful. A wonderful YA book perfect for fans of Hunger Games, mythology and friendship. This is definitely one to check out!
Lau has a beautiful writing style and really paints a vivid picture of the world we find ourselves in. You’re gently introduced to the way of life here and the slow and steady pace of world-building prevents you feeling overwhelmed.
I’d have loved to have seen more of the mythology side in the book. It’s quite heavily used early in the book, but takes a back seat later on. Having said that, the beasts they face are brilliantly written and always has you on the edge of your seat.
I loved seeing the growth and development of our protagonists. From desperate to escape their debt, to a hunger for fortune and fame at any cost and then forced to confront their moral compass. It’s a beautiful journey we take with them.
I wasn’t expecting the ending of the book, it totally came out of nowhere in the best way. It’s almost like a fable with the powerful message and life lessons it concludes with.
This is such an impressive debut. It’s vivid and original, gripping and powerful. A wonderful YA book perfect for fans of Hunger Games, mythology and friendship. This is definitely one to check out!
A Love Story for Bewildered Girls by Emma Morgan
medium-paced
3.0
I didn’t really care for the characters and as this is so character focused I just didn’t really get into the book!
The Duchess of Kokora by Nikhil Prabala
4.0
My only problem with this one was how suddenly it ended!
Loved the world and our characters and can’t wait to see where it goes.
Loved the world and our characters and can’t wait to see where it goes.