rtl199973's reviews
257 reviews

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

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adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Two Twisted Crowns 


I loved this duology. I adored the characters, despised the villains, and the writing was stunning 😍 This series is like Defy the Night’s older goth sister. So if you liked Defy the Night but you want something with a little more spice and darker themes I HIGHLY recommend! 

The Magic System Rachel Gillig has created is so unique and like nothing I’ve ever read before. And the nightmare that speaks mostly in riddles adds so much mystery and intrigue. These are books you could read a hundred times and pick up on something new each time. 

Also, I loved Elm in the first book, but in THIS one? 😍👀

I did like the first book *slightly* more than this one, but overall still an incredible read 🖤

4.75 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

Favorite Quote: 
“You did not come all this way to yield to despair.” 







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The Elflaine Chronicles: Ballad of Dawn by Haley Hamilton

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5


This book is just 🤌🏻 It has the cozy fae fantasy vibes of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries in the setting of Brave. Throw in some romance, humor, and a dragon and you’ve got the Elfaine Chronicles. 
(Honestly do I need to say more?)

Now I’m not going to lie, I was worried for the first few chapters. There was a *certain* character who I just couldn’t stand (I still despise him tbh 😂). But I put my faith in Haley and MAN was it worth it. 

This book feels like you’re climbing a mountain and then right as you reach the peak the ground falls out from under you. Am I upset I don’t actively have the next book in my hands? Yes. Am I excited to see where this series goes? Absolutely.  

I think my favorite thing about this book is we get a female lead in her late twenties 🙌🏻  Not all fantasy books need to have main characters still going through puberty (don’t get me wrong I love my YA and NA fantasies, but it’s nice to have some variety)

Actually I lied. I think my favorite thing about this book is Callum 😍

If you’re a fan of fun and adventurous stories with lovable characters and folklore then you’re not going to want to miss this book. It comes out on June 20th! 

Haley, thank you so much for sending me an ARC copy. You’ve created a stunning world and I was sad to leave it, can’t wait to see what happens next! 

4.5 ⭐️
1🌶️

Favorite Quote: 

“His heart might had stopped at her suggestion. As long as he was living and breathing, that would not be any version of her future.” 
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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? No

4.5

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

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funny mysterious reflective 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

3.75

The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

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emotional funny sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

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

4.0

Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

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adventurous funny hopeful 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

4.75

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Should this realistically be a 4 star? Yes. Am I adding a .5 for nostalgia sake? Yes. 
Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer

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adventurous challenging funny sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I think this book gave me heart problems. These characters STRESSED me out. I need a break before reading the third one 
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

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funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0