rae_bookmarkchronicles's reviews
705 reviews

The Ending Fire by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

This was definitely a satisfying ending to the trilogy even if I did agree with all of the choices made. I especially love the final part of the book and how she wrote it

A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.

I really can't get over the excessive lust that they feel for each to the point where they are ready to bang on the dining room table in front of company
That and Aubrey annoys the hell out of me with

the narrative that because her parents relationship didn't work out then hers won't either

The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko

adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

I love being back in Aritsar! Something about the way that Ifueko writes just gives me everything that I need in a fantasy. This is a young adult fantasy romance inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Howl's Moving Castle. This is very much a slowburn and if you've read the Raybearer trilogy you will see some familiar faces along with some loveable new ones. Ifueko does a great job writing social commentary in an accessible way and also having the best found family that just makes you instantly fall in love with the characters. 
I will say that I was able to predict a few things including the true identity of the Crocodile.

His character is someone that I strongly disliked in Redemptor and I hate that she made me care about him and his happiness lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Minor: Homophobia

Second Tide's the Charm by Chandra Blumberg

lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

I love a second chance romance. However, the reason for the break up was so fucking stupid you're just asking "but what was the point" the entire time. Also I hate that

Hope keeps saying things like "I can't trust him anymore" when she was the one that cause the damn breakup in the first place. I can understand not wanting to follow in your parents footsteps but she had no valid reason to think that that would ever happen. Her "fear" of having to put her dreams and career on hold for Adrian were completely unfounded because he literally never asked her to do that. Also Zuri really isn't a great friend. She consistently says the absolute wrong thing at the wrong time and for what????

Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar J. Perry

adventurous challenging sad tense 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

4.25

Slay by Brittney Morris

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

4.25

The Blood Gift by N.E. Davenport

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

3.75

This was okay but frankly I am a little disappointed in the ending and how some things had no conclusion. Honestly, one more book would have been great. First and foremost I hate the fact that

that traitorous bitch isn't dead. Ikenna had the opportunity multiple times and should have taken it when she had the chance. Secondly, what do you mean "oh yeah the gods are returning but the end" like so are we getting a spin-off or something???

Also, I liked the romance subplot at first but please can we not focus on this when we are at literal war ffs

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Charish Reid

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed this, thought it was super cute and would recommend for people who like grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity/workplace romances

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Death of parent

Figure of Speech by Kasha Thompson

tense medium-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

2.0

At no point in this book did I like Teddy and my jaw literally dropped when he

called her "a broken bitter bitch who's going to die alone" He never cared about the impact that their relationship would have on her personally or professionally as long as he got what he wanted. Frankly, there's no coming back from what he said to her in my opinion but the fact that he didn't even apologize for it is wild.