rain_tea_and_books's reviews
241 reviews

Fates Illuminated by Aimee Vance

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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? No

5.0

 I finished this at 1am in the morning because it was such a fun read and I just couldn’t wait to see how it concluded. Everything about this novel was an absolute delight! I was drawn to this story first because of the protagonist – Shelbie Smith, 31 years old, and about to be thrown into a world she never expected. It was a breath of fresh air to read a more ‘relaxed’ fantasy with a protagonist who isn’t in their late teens/early twenties! Especially one who declares themselves a ‘Hot Mess Express’ (an expression I am going to be using for myself I am sure), and feels like she is drifting through life. The great characters didn’t stop with Shelbie either. I really enjoyed meeting them all as I read.

I loved the premise for this story. Late night, alcohol infused social media scrolling leading to the booking of spontaneous flights to Sweden – a trip filled with activities way outside Shelbie’s comfort zone. I loved how Shelbie decided to embrace the trip, even when things started to get whacky. She is thrown into a world that is not her own, and decides to roll with it, leading to a trip she never expected. The twist that throws Shelbie into this world kept me guessing right until the end. Wondering how it was all possible just as Shelbie was. I loved how she embraced what what was going on even while feeling confused and lost.

As the narrator of the story, Shelbie is hilarious. I love her inner voice, it’s relatable, and really fun to read. I was invested immediately. Especially with all the vibrant characters making this novel so good, Shelbie included. I loved that every character felt fleshed out, even those who weren’t the main focus of the story. I found myself laughing out loud while reading, but found myself really emotional the next moment. Aimee Vance writes beautifully, I really felt I was in the moment with Shelbie as she trundles through the new experiences life throws at her.

Fates Illuminated had me still grinning for ages after I finished reading, and I am still puzzling over the twist even now. If you are looking for a light-hearted, but still exciting fantasy read with wonderful characters and a steamy, slow-burn romance this is the novel for you!

Thank you to the author, Aimee Vance, for sending me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title will be published 26th April 2022. 

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I seem to get more emotional with each volume I read! I just love all these characters so much. Charlie and Nick’s relationship is so sweet. As are all the relationships, they feel real. I loved the whole school trip story line - reminded me of the chaos of the school trips I went on. Also the teachers are great, really made me laugh.

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I cried multiple times reading this. I think the mental health issues have been handled really well. From the perspectives of both Charlie and Nick. They care for each other so much! The way the story told is done so in such a genuine and honest way. Really wonderfully done!

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? N/A

5.0

My gosh, this volume made me so emotional! I can sense the amount of love and care put into these characters’ story. Plus Alice Osman’s art is so sweet! Also I love Charlie’s older sister Tori. She is slowly becoming one of my favourite characters.

Graphite and Turbulence by Jami Fairleigh

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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

5.0

It was so nice to dive back into the story of Matthew and his search to find his home. Especially now that he is travelling with Akiko, his adopted daughter. This sequel read quite similarly to it’s predecessor – in that it is a cosy, travel story which allows for the focus to be on the characters and their relationships. This is why I loved this so much – I find the novel to be more focused on character than plot (while the plot does hold it’s own).

This was an emotional rollercoaster of a read, I am so invested in these characters that this novel had me on edge – stressing about what would happen next. I love the false sense of security I get from the early chapters as I sit down to read about Matthew’s travels and then get hit with fear, chaos and confusion. This is all evened out though with the beautiful characters and the friendships they make. There are some wonderful additions to Matthew’s found family this novel, as well as some side characters I am going to miss. Jami Fairleigh has a knack for creating these really vibrant characters, which are some of my favourite parts of this novel.

As I said before, plot-wise, things got intense! I loved how the story continued on from the events of Oil and Dust (Book 1), and while it answered some questions, it also asked so many more. There is so much on the line for these characters, and I found that the story had a nice mix of stressful scenes as well as light hearted. Fairleigh writes beautifully, and really has created such an interesting and complex world for this story to unfold in.

I think one of my favourite things about this novel is the found family aspects. Found family makes me melt emotionally. Here, I am so invested it's not funny! I recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a cosy read with wonderful characters and an exciting plot. Though it goes without saying, read Oil and Dust first! You'll love it!

Thank you to BookSirens, the author, and the publisher for sending me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title was published 1st March 2022.

It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

This was an absolute delight to read! So sweet, so heartfelt, so honest! 

Full review to come!

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

4.0

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4.0

O Monte dos Vendavais by Emily Brontë

3.0

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

3.0