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readsforlove's reviews
828 reviews
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
5.0
This was one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. It was pretty slow paced, but I almost didn't even notice it because of how god damn interesting the book was. I was so hooked from the first line. I wanted to know all about everything--about Masquapaug and their customs, about dragons, about Anequs and her family and her desires. And the book took its time showing me all the rich depths Blackgoose had crafted in this story. The layers of racism are shocking, and Anequs was so much more graceful than I think I ever could have been in her position. She met every hardship with a clear, level head, not standing for certain talk while not blowing up in anger. She was an incredible protagonist to follow, and I can't wait for her next adventure!
Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis
5.0
THIS WAS TERRIFYING. But so so good. I've followed the artist on Instagram for a while and didn't actually realize this was his book at first, but loved the cover and thought the art looked like his. (I got an ARC on NetGalley.)
Every story is so creepy and unsettling. The last one especially had my heart pounding. I almost threw my phone across my bed cause it freaked me out so much! Perfect for horror fans or if you're in the mood to get unsettled and creeped out by normal, every day things with a twist.
Every story is so creepy and unsettling. The last one especially had my heart pounding. I almost threw my phone across my bed cause it freaked me out so much! Perfect for horror fans or if you're in the mood to get unsettled and creeped out by normal, every day things with a twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicide
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking
She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
I'm not a fan of books that are hinged on a lie, and I didn't realize this was one of those books. As much as I love a hot sapphic ghost, and the eerie atmosphere of this story, I just can't get through it. I also didn't love the MC. I found her cold and mean, though her life circumstances were very removed from my own, so that was likely a big factor. Overall, this just wasn't the book for me.
Court Of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco
5.0
Okay, listen. If you read and adored the first book, you will read and adore this book, even though they are both quite different. Book one was quite action packed, while this is much slower and more mystery-based as opposed to fighting action (though there are several action scenes, don't get me wrong! Just not as many as book one). The thing about this sequel is the /tenderness/ of the relationship between our main three. Chapter one resolves the conflict of book one's ending, and then the whole rest of the book is just them learning how to love each other more deeply and beautifully, taking care of each other and knowing each other and what the others need. And it is so. fucking. beautiful.
Remy is leaning into his confidence, learning that it's okay to be loved and to love in return, and that he IS worthy of good things, of gentleness and care and adoration. He's dealing with his own anxieties and griefs through the whole book, but Malekh and Xiaodan are right there with him for every step of the way, comforting him through nightmares and supporting him through everything. And he, in turn, is there for them as Xiaodan wrestles with understanding who she is without her sun, and Malekh as he takes on the first court's memory. They are all so tender and gentle with each other, giving endless support through everything and being so fucking /good/. If romance was like this in other books, I wouldn't read anything else.
The relationship is definitely the best part of this book, though I really do wish we'd had some more of them at the end, but oh well. I really liked Remy's journey with the Night Empress too though, and all that was revealed through that. It was heart breaking but beautiful and brought a much richer depth to the story. His resolution with his father was good as well, though complicated given their history.
The writing was beautiful, as always, the mystery heart-stopping and intriguing. Lots more spice here, though once again so touching and beautiful because of how richly emotional this book is. Easy 5 stars again. My only regret is that I've started 2024 with reading this duology because it has completely ruined me for any other books! Would that there were a thousand books like these that could touch my heart so deeply and make me so irrevocably in love with fictional characters. I'm not being dramatic when I say that I will spend the rest of my life trying to find books like these.
Remy is leaning into his confidence, learning that it's okay to be loved and to love in return, and that he IS worthy of good things, of gentleness and care and adoration. He's dealing with his own anxieties and griefs through the whole book, but Malekh and Xiaodan are right there with him for every step of the way, comforting him through nightmares and supporting him through everything. And he, in turn, is there for them as Xiaodan wrestles with understanding who she is without her sun, and Malekh as he takes on the first court's memory. They are all so tender and gentle with each other, giving endless support through everything and being so fucking /good/. If romance was like this in other books, I wouldn't read anything else.
The relationship is definitely the best part of this book, though I really do wish we'd had some more of them at the end, but oh well. I really liked Remy's journey with the Night Empress too though, and all that was revealed through that. It was heart breaking but beautiful and brought a much richer depth to the story. His resolution with his father was good as well, though complicated given their history.
The writing was beautiful, as always, the mystery heart-stopping and intriguing. Lots more spice here, though once again so touching and beautiful because of how richly emotional this book is. Easy 5 stars again. My only regret is that I've started 2024 with reading this duology because it has completely ruined me for any other books! Would that there were a thousand books like these that could touch my heart so deeply and make me so irrevocably in love with fictional characters. I'm not being dramatic when I say that I will spend the rest of my life trying to find books like these.