racheyreads's reviews
87 reviews

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

3.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

This is the first novel I've read written by Emilia Hart, and after making her debut in 2023 with 'Weyward,' I can see why she's celebrated as a talented author. 'The Sirens' follows Lucy in 2019 split with sequences of twin sisters Mary and Eliza in 1800. Lucy is experiencing odd dreams of these two sisters from over 200 years ago being sent to Australia from Ireland on a convict ship. She has no idea why, and after a startling incident of sleepwalking, Lucy decides to try and track down her older sister Jessica to see if she can get some answers.

To say this novel is drenched in atmosphere is an understatement. It was a constant looming presence over the entire duration of this novel, and I loved the uncertain, mystical energy it created. Definitely the strongest point of this novel next to Emilia's writing. Phenomenal.

My only gripe with the story was the implementation of Mary and Eliza abruptly ending when Lucy and Jessica end up together. It made their involvement and story almost meaningless as this novel could be told entirely without their perspectives and still make sense. There was a huge emphasis on these two girls, and for them to get shafted made them seem almost trivial or an afterthought to make the story fantastical. I would have liked to have seen them integrated into Lucy and Jess's discovery solidifying their linked storylines.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny relaxing

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was truly a tale I was hoping for. It felt like listening to a bed time story read by my dad. I loved the writing and adored the narration. Looking forward to exploring more books written by Brandon. This is one I can see myself coming back to over and over again.

Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

3.0

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks

5.0

Adored! I can't say much other than it was a beautifully written friends to lovers romance sprinkled with amazingly witty humour and fun character leads. 

Basically devoured in one sitting, I had to finish this story. I loved the approach to death and grieving this book had as well. It is a heavy theme throughout the book and, the respect it is given was beautiful. I definitely appreciated the dark humour that was peeking in there too!

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

Down a peg from my 5 Star rating of Fourth Wing. I struggled at times slogging through this book. It was evident that a lot of what was put into the novel was there to pad it out and elongate it for the third book, from memory this was originally marketed as a Duology. The first 200 pages to me realistically didn't even need to be there, and the gaps between actual story progression were dull and drawn out. I did however still love the narrative and am excited to continue on with Onyx Storm when it releases. 

The Garden by Tomi Adeyemi

1.0

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

adventurous hopeful mysterious relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Beautifully written and enchanting! I did personally find it to be a bit too long for my attention at times, I did get a little bored by the 70% mark. That being said, the story as a whole was very interesting and solidified itself to me as a 'modern' fairytale. I loved the concept and the entire story being broken up at parts to include first person modern day passages made the whimsical happenings all the more tangible.

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Some of the most fun I've had reading a science fiction novel. I loved the banter and sarcasm which came from all of the characters. The premise of an 'Expendable', albeit depressing, turned out to be a funny way to explore this new world given to us. I also appreciated the blunt social commentary in regards to war, religion and climate. If you're looking for something whitty, filled with dark humour and has the capability to hand you some juicy philosophical nuggets to chew on, I truly believe you would like this book.

12 Steps to a Long and Fulfilling Death by Sarah Smith

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Great concept. However, I felt the execution was off. The pacing was slow. By the end of it, I was bored and felt this could have easily been a novella. So much seemed to happen, but not a lot of it realistically mattered. I will continue to look out for this author, as I liked her writing style and ability to write characters. Even if they were, for the most part, insufferable.

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? No

4.5