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raikowlreads's reviews
151 reviews
Tunnel of Bones by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am absolutely enjoying this series so much. I have missed Cassidy's and Jacob's story. In hope I'll get book #3 soon!
Paris was definitely a good choice for a haunting story. It kinda makes me want to go there again, and see the catacombs, instead of only wandering around for the art galleries.
"He seems happier, lighter, after sharing his story. I feel a little heavier after hearing it, but that's okay. That's how friendship works. You learn to share the weight." - p283.
Paris was definitely a good choice for a haunting story. It kinda makes me want to go there again, and see the catacombs, instead of only wandering around for the art galleries.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media, Recorded Books for giving me an advanced reader copy.
The story is about Venus, who makes money out of brewing illegal love potions. It's a dangerous business, and she gets in a lot of messed up situations after her mother get murdered. When the Grand Witcher, head of her coven, offers Venus the opportunity to avenge her mother's death, she must agree to a difficult demand: create harmful potions to control D.C.'s powerful politicians, all for the sake of justice.
Bethany knows how to write an emotion. The audiobook did a fantastic job of capturing these moments. Lynette R. Freeman knows how to voice act and drag you into the story, not letting you go. Her talent for voice acting truly brought the characters to life.
The Poisons we drink was high in my must-read list for 2024, and I was super honoured to see I got accepted for this copy. It exceeded all my expectations, leaving me eagerly anticipating owning a physical copy once payday rolls around. It took me a while to finish the book, pure because I lacked time, not because the book was slow paced. Furthermore, it was anything but slow paced. There are so many characters that you get to know. Some more likeable than others.
The story is about Venus, who makes money out of brewing illegal love potions. It's a dangerous business, and she gets in a lot of messed up situations after her mother get murdered. When the Grand Witcher, head of her coven, offers Venus the opportunity to avenge her mother's death, she must agree to a difficult demand: create harmful potions to control D.C.'s powerful politicians, all for the sake of justice.
Bethany knows how to write an emotion. The audiobook did a fantastic job of capturing these moments. Lynette R. Freeman knows how to voice act and drag you into the story, not letting you go. Her talent for voice acting truly brought the characters to life.
The Poisons we drink was high in my must-read list for 2024, and I was super honoured to see I got accepted for this copy. It exceeded all my expectations, leaving me eagerly anticipating owning a physical copy once payday rolls around. It took me a while to finish the book, pure because I lacked time, not because the book was slow paced. Furthermore, it was anything but slow paced. There are so many characters that you get to know. Some more likeable than others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Lesser Demons by Rose Card-Faux
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Thank you to Storygraph and Rose Card-Faux for the giveaway! It definitely made me find a gem of a book.
We follow the story through our main character: Zanny Monroe. She's the chosen one for this amazing secret human race called Painters. It's her destiny to save the world and her quiet little life, turns into chaos and a lot of training.
The story is written in first-person and even though I barely read in that set up lately, it was a really nice change. The descriptions, and how Zanny sees the new world she ends up with, were great. I absolutely loved the unique magic system. The particle manipulation classes in the book were fun to read, and I find this magic system also really well-thought-out. I honestly hope we get to see more of this amazing system, because the book was mainly focused on the difficult politics that the Painters have.
The last half of the book was really well-paced, it was super enjoyable and more in action, compared to the first half.
Maybe that romance will become an actual thing in the other books of the Way Reader series, because it slightly hints at it.
Overall, I think I will continue the series and support the author!
We follow the story through our main character: Zanny Monroe. She's the chosen one for this amazing secret human race called Painters. It's her destiny to save the world and her quiet little life, turns into chaos and a lot of training.
The story is written in first-person and even though I barely read in that set up lately, it was a really nice change. The descriptions, and how Zanny sees the new world she ends up with, were great. I absolutely loved the unique magic system. The particle manipulation classes in the book were fun to read, and I find this magic system also really well-thought-out. I honestly hope we get to see more of this amazing system, because the book was mainly focused on the difficult politics that the Painters have.
The last half of the book was really well-paced, it was super enjoyable and more in action, compared to the first half.
Maybe that romance will become an actual thing in the other books of the Way Reader series, because it slightly hints at it.
Overall, I think I will continue the series and support the author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Torture
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
The sound is awful for the audiobook, so I will try and get a physical version :)
Imaginary Strangers by Minka Kent
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advanced readers copy.
I would say that about 70-80% you get a bit info dumped about Camille's past and PTSD triggers. It sometimes got so much, that I started skimming over the too descriptive parts of the book.
However, Camille was definitely an interesting person to follow as a main character. More because Sociopaths are often seen in media as killers, not people who are very protective over the people they do care about.
I didn't expect the ending, but everything did click together once I started thinking more about it. I thought the ending part was more exciting to read, the reveal was great. Not everyone seems like they way they are.
I would say that about 70-80% you get a bit info dumped about Camille's past and PTSD triggers. It sometimes got so much, that I started skimming over the too descriptive parts of the book.
However, Camille was definitely an interesting person to follow as a main character. More because Sociopaths are often seen in media as killers, not people who are very protective over the people they do care about.
I didn't expect the ending, but everything did click together once I started thinking more about it. I thought the ending part was more exciting to read, the reveal was great. Not everyone seems like they way they are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Murder
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh. My. God. So much drama next to the actual good fcking romance?! I absolutely loved the sex and for once I felt their passion and love, instead of awkward and just skip those scenes like any other book. It means the characters were really fleshed out, and touched me.
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
2.0
I really disliked this whole story. It wasn't as good and as exciting to me as the first book, since nothing really happened. Yeah, the reveal wasn't expected, but at that point I really didn't care much about who was behind the new game.
Not so sure if I want to read the next book in this series.
Not so sure if I want to read the next book in this series.
The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
From the art to the characters Likable personality to the great plot. I can't wait to see this appear in my Comic store.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an early copy.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an early copy.