revengelyne's reviews
1923 reviews

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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emotional inspiring

4.75

 I just finished reading Britney's memoir and I am speechless. I never thought I would hate Justin Timberlake, Federline, her sister, and her parents as much as I did upon finishing this. They did her wrong. Never bothered with the effects it would have on her life and mental health and treated her as if she were an ATM they needed to gain money from.

Her father went low. He used her, belittled her, and made her work without a break and reaped the awards of his daughter's success. This was not a "fatherly concern" or a "fatherly worry" for his daughter's well-being but he saw dollar signs, a debt paid off, and a comfortable living when he sought to put her in a Conservatorship. He knew that he could force her to work.

I don't believe that Federline ever loved Britney. I think, much like her father, he saw dollar signs and the chance to further his own career without the thought of making Britney happy. This seemed to only further my suspicion when he dangled her kids on a stick while using the Conservatorship against her.

Even her mother and sister banked on her during her darkest times by writing novels to continue to paint Britney as unhinged and in need of help.

Her parents even tossed her into rehab when she would not even do what they wanted. This was a parental unit abusing its power to get what it wanted.

As for Timberlake, my respect for him was never there. I did not care for him even when he was NSYNC and when he went on his own solo career. He always seemed to come off as a cheater and an asshole and this book sort of confirms what I have always felt.

Final Thought:

While this book is short, it does offer you a glimpse into Britney's world. Her life under Conservatorship, the "unhinged" events of her shaving her head, and the darkness that filled her life. Britney proves she is resilient and strong as she continues to carve a place in this world. 
The Hollow Duet by DD Prince

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

0.5

 1st Book (Hollow):

I have always loved The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for as long as I can remember and I have recently become obsessed with any dark fantasy romance dealing with the Headless Horseman. Yes, yes I know. How does a headless body even find romance? There are many imaginative authors out there who could really pull you into their reimaginings and keep you to the very last page.

This book does not follow the story of Washington Irving. Rather, it changes it a bit. The horseman is still headless but there are no Icabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, or Brom Bones. In this book, the witch who normally manages to keep the horseman from terrorizing the residents of Drowsy Hollow has died. Her niece, who had tried to keep the evil away, ends up casting another spell entirely.

While leaving a party at an elementary, Isabella Krane finds herself walking down a dark road when her car breaks down. She knows the story of the headless horseman. The tales told earlier that afternoon with her students haven't left her mind. One tale speaks of a man killed on the battlefield before he is able to find the woman he is destined for.

As Isabella walks the darkened road, she realizes she is not alone. High above, she is being watched by a figure on a horse. And before she can even run, the monstrous horseman starts to hunt her.

Book one had a lot of potential. The plot was there. The characters were in place. But the book itself was way too short. The plot offered an established setting but the characters really did not have time to gain any character growth.

I found it way too short to develop any attachments to the characters. I would have loved it more if the story had been fleshed out a bit more, a backstory told, and growth of character development.

I will be reading the second book in this duet. So, maybe my opinion will change?

.5/5


2nd Book (Holden):

I could not finish this duet. I got halfway through this book and had to call it quits. I really wanted to like the storyline and its characters but I could not find anything about this book that was actually memorable. The characters seemed flat. The romance lacked the chemistry needed to make it feel real. The execution of the plot just did not seem to be climactic as I had hoped in the second book.

DNF @ 20%

Final Thought:

The book lacked the depth and emotional resonance that makes a story truly memorable. While it may be an entertaining read, it is not one that will stay with the reader long after finishing it. 

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The Haunted Forest Tour by Jeff Strand, James A. Moore

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 

In the desert town of Cromay, New Mexico, resident Mike Fradella returns home from a day of work and an evening of unwinding downing three beers. A tree meets his return coming up from his porch. At first, he considers this nothing more than a prank done by the local teenagers but there is still something unsettling about this. He calls the sheriff and upon his arrival, things start becoming weird as trees spring from the ground. As these trees appear all over the small town, the body count goes up.

Fast forward a few years later, A Haunted Forest Touring company offers a chance on Halloween to view the forest inside rather than around. Those lucky to manage to get their hands on a ticket will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the forest and its monsters up close and personal. But this tour is doomed from the start. Forced out of their tram, the group finds itself dwindling as the forest inhabitants decide to make them a tasty meal.

Honestly, I was surprised that I was able to devour this book so quickly. I won't lie when I say the entire storyline was filled with gruesome deaths, monsters both from the gates of hell to creatures right out of nightmares, and on the edge of your chair as survivors struggle to stay alive inside of being picked off by the monsters.

This was a unique take on the horror genre. I have read a lot of horror books in my past but I am going to say this one will stand out against all the others. The tale is unique. The deaths are filled with gore. The ending was not something I was expecting. Nevertheless, it was a bit satisfying but a bit anti-climactic.


Final Thought:

If you are looking for a tale of horror, then definitely pick this book up. It will be the perfect Halloween read. 


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Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

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dark 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? Yes

4.75

Amy is our female lead, who started working at Orsk Location #00108 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, an Ikea knockoff two-story box-like store. Unfortunately, the sales at this particular store have begun to see plummeting profits, and strange happenings during the late night hours have drawn concern from Basil, the deputy manager, that he calls in Ruth Anne and Amy. Both women believe that they are about the be fired but Basil offers something different - help him find the culprit to the late-night problems and he will pay them under the table.

As the three members meet up that night, strange occurrences begin to cause concern for our three characters. From writings on the bathroom wall to sections of the store changing position, Amy and her companions begin to see that there is more to the box store than what meets the eye. As the night wears on, sinister happens drawing them into a game of life and death. Can the group manage to stay alive long enough before the store opens?

Grady makes this book creepy. Even with the catalog style seemingly innocent between the pages, it still doesn't make things any less eerie. The descriptions of various items come across as disturbing, especially when combined with the ominous undertone that Grady sets throughout the book. From the contents of the mysterious basement to the unsettling behavior of the characters, there is a constant sense of unease that permeates the pages.

Furthermore, Grady does a fantastic job of building up suspense and keeping the readers guessing. Every reveal and twist feels earned, and the slow burn of the story is done so effectively that it feels like the tension is constantly mounting. The result is a book that is difficult to put down, despite how unsettling it may be.

Final Thought:

Grady uses various techniques to make this book creepy, such as unsettling descriptions, ominous undertones, and expert suspense-building. The result is a chilling read that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page. Pick up this book especially if you are looking for something during this Hallow's Eve. 
The Hunt by G.K. DeRosa

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

 I wish I could say that the female lead was badass. I wish I could say that her personality was not so one dimension and that she was likable and the reader would reach a connection with her.

I would be wrong. Her entire character was lackluster. There was nothing about her that would be memorable to me or any reader who picked up this book. She lacked depth and it was really hard to form any connection with her. Her laser focus on getting revenge was the entire storyline with no real action and certainly no memorable moments that I could point out that pushed the storyline even just a little bit.

Our female lead has a tragic past. Her parents were killed. She and her sibling managed to survive. And, lo and behold, she has a power the enemy had a chance to see and now he had been hunting her...trying to find her.

All the markings of an unimpressive recycled female character in an urban fantasy genre world.

Because you forced me to be your girlfriend, and it wasn't what I really wanted.


Gurrl, you could have said no. You just went along with it. You have a voice. You could have spoken up and said you were not interested. You weren't ready. Or you could have said that he was not someone you connected to. I mean, it may hurt his feelings but he would have understood and probably gotten over it and moved on.

So, this was on you and NOT him.

I just could not with this girl. I wanted to like her so much but I could not. I could find NOTHING likable about her.


Final Thought:

While I would discourage other readers from this book, I don't feel that is fair to those who might have a different opinion on this one. I do wish to warn any future reader that this story is painfully slow and the female lead has no character growth. 
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

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dark 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

4.5

 This book is a queer reimaging of the brides belonging to Dracula. You always hear about Dracula and his exploits but you never get a story about his brides. This book gives this to you. From the moment of her rebirth, Constanta's love for Dracula blurs between obsession and devotion. She believes in everything he has and she goes with whatever he wants to do. He even gives her leave to enjoy whatever city they are currently residing in as long as it allows him to be alone in his work. When Magdalena joins, Constanta finds herself jealous believing that Dracula has been keeping her a secret. It is nice to see that Constanta is capable of jealousy. It adds a layer to her character that makes her more human than she is meant to be. When Alexi joins the group, there is a triangle of emotions from all three of them - love and hatred until it all blurs into love. You feel all these raw feelings from them and it draws you further into their story until you find that you cannot put the book down until you have finished it.

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the character growth. The raw feelings from our narrator. A story that had never been told until now. This was definitely something different within the Dracula universe and it was a really nice edition. It needed to be told. It needed to be said. Our narrator needed a voice, a history, and raw feelings we could feel just as she did. And this book delivered every bit of it until the end.

I also saw that there is to be another book in this series and I am excited to see how it will go further. I want to see how things progress now with them and how things may or may not end in the future. So, I am definitely looking forward to reading it as well.

Final Thought:

Overall, A Dowry of Blood is definitely a book that you should pick up and read especially if you are interested in reading something from the Dracula universe. It is well worth the read and something you could enjoy this Halloween season. 
Burn for Jack by Aiden Pierce

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dark medium-paced

5.0

 Centuries ago, a sinful and wicked Jack Calloway made a pact with the deal to save the soul of his lover. In doing so, the Devil had placed Adaline Moore's soul back into her bloodline. Since then, the town of Hallow has whispered to never go up to the pumpkin patch during Halloween. The last Moore to do so came back naked and having lost her mind. But Adaline Moore has made a bet with the town's bully forcing her to dress like her ancestor and stay at the pumpkin patch. When Lucas sets fire to the patch, Adaline finds that the fire doesn't touch her and that Jack Calloway is not a myth.

I caught sight of this book being advertised off the author's page. The premise sounded interesting and I went seeking out the book. Let me say that I loved this book. I absolutely loved this twisted tale of a pumpkin-headed ghost coming back to lay claim to the soul of his lost lover. I loved how we got a small peak at the past from Jack's point of view. I would have loved to have seen just a bit more but again, this was meant to be a nice short little tale of Jack and Adaline.

Before Jack, Addie lived a life of Hell in Hallow Hill. Her mother was labeled a whore and this was also a label placed on Addie. Unfair as it was, I could see why Addie wanted to leave. Not only because of the label but because her bullies continued to make her life miserable because of her mother. They even made fun of her grandmother.

So, to see Jack appear and take revenge was the highlight of this story.

I loved the characters, the plot, and the romance. The latter was slow. It didn't happen all of a sudden. Although I do believe that Jack was already in love. Maybe because he believed that Addie would remember him.

I would love to see more of Jack and Addie especially something of the past. I would love to know how they met, fell in love, and the ending of their tale prior to his summoning by today's Addie.

Final Thought:

Overall, this was one of my favorite monster romances. Jack is as delicious as he had been before his death.
 
Bleed for Cupid by Aiden Pierce

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

4.0

 It is that time of year when we decide to jump headfirst into the realm of monster romances. After reading, Burn for Jack, I caught sight of this one and the premise sounded really interesting. A biblical-correct angel? This is really the first. I have never come across a dark romance that offers something biblically correct, so I had to dive into this book.

Robin has been working for Callum for three years while being the mole for a supernatural hate group that is trying to stop the production of a brand new line called Cupid's Arrow that would allow supernatural creatures and humans to mate. Unfortunately, the product is not quite ready, and is looking for a human test subject to try it on.

When Callum learns that Robin is the mole, he decides that he has found his test subject. Que the delicious monster sex.

I love monster romances. This is the first time I have actually come across one where the angel is biblically correct. You never find anything like this in other angel-related romances and I can see why they don't always want to use the corrected version. Often it may not fit the narrative but here it does. It adds a layer to Callum's character and history. A mix of angel and demon. Robin does not care who Callum is and she is trying to show him that remaining in his father's shadow isn't what he should be doing. He needs to make a name for himself.

Robin is the mole. She has been secretly giving information to the supernatural hate group. But she is also very much in love with her boss. She knows she is not supposed to be in love with him because they are two different species and they would not mix. But when she is forced to consume Cupid's Arrow, all she wants is him. She doesn't want him in his father's shadow and encourages him that he is not like his father. I liked her character because she was in love with him for him. Not for the company. Not for the shadow he lived in.

Final Thought:

I definitely enjoyed this story and I highly recommend this one and Burn for Jack especially if you are looking for something during the Halloween season.
 
Harvest Massacre by A. Briar

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

 This book had so much potential but the story being short as it is made it fall flat.

I understand the author was looking for a nice little short story but it made sure that the reader would have no connection to the characters and their storyline had no real depth or details that could have made it more engaging. By the end of the book, I still felt indifferent towards the characters and their outcome.

Additionally, the plot felt rushed and lacked a proper resolution. It felt like the author tried to fit too much into a short amount of pages which made the story feel cramped and incomplete. The pacing was also off, with some important events happening too quickly while others dragged on without much significance.

Final Thought:

Overall, while the premise of the story was promising, the execution left much to be desired. It felt like a rushed and underdeveloped story that didn't leave a lasting impression. 
Lilith by Nikki Marmery

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

4.75

 Lilith changes the story of one of the most controversial women in biblical mythology.

Lilith, often seen as a demonic figure in Judaism and Christianity, is said to have been the first wife of Adam. According to the Bible, Lilith refused to submit to Adam and his demands, choosing instead to flee from the Garden of Eden and live outside of human society. She has also been associated with various other evil deeds, including infanticide and sexual promiscuity.

However, in recent interpretations of the story, Lilith has been reimagined as a feminist icon and symbol of strength and independence. Some scholars argue that Lilith's refusal to submit to Adam was not a sign of disobedience, but rather a principled stance against inequality and oppression.

Others point to her association with the goddesses and spirits of ancient Mesopotamia as evidence of her pre-biblical origins and her status as a powerful female figure in early mythologies.

Regardless of the many interpretations of Lilith's story, one thing remains clear: she continues to fascinate and intrigue scholars and readers alike, serving as a potent symbol of female empowerment and rebellion against patriarchal authority.

Throughout the book, Lilith is portrayed as a strong and independent woman who refuses to be submissive to Adam and the patriarchy. She is punished for this defiance and banished from the Garden of Eden. However, Lilith does not forget her roots and continues to fight for her independence and her right to be treated equally.

As the story progresses, Lilith becomes intertwined with historical events such as the story of Abraham and Isaac, the birth of Jesus, and the Crusades. The author shows us Lilith's perspective on these events, giving us a unique and interesting interpretation of biblical stories that we are all familiar with.

The book is rich with symbolism, exploring themes of power, gender, sexuality, and religion. The author uses vivid imagery to create a magical and mystical world full of demons, angels, and supernatural beings.

Final Thought:

This book is a fascinating exploration of the mythology surrounding Lilith and how it has been interpreted in different cultures throughout history. It challenges our understanding of religion and gender roles and shows how powerful and influential stories can be in shaping our beliefs and perceptions.