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samandthebookstack's Reviews (99)
medium-paced
I devoured this book. The feminine rage was *chef's kiss*. The world-building was fantastic and infused with lots of celtic mythology. The enemies to lovers was of the sort that had me wiggling my toes. Butt he biggest thing about this book that brought me to love it from start to finish was the deeper message about how religion can and usually is weaponized against women. Aemyra is both fabulously flawed and unabashedly fierce and I loved her so very much.
This book is for lovers of dragons, real enemies to lovers, celtic culture and mythology, and feminine rage. Some loved tropes to look out for are forbidden romance, arranged marriage and forced proximity, touch her and die.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House/Delacorte, and Hazel McBride for sharing an eARC with me.
This book is for lovers of dragons, real enemies to lovers, celtic culture and mythology, and feminine rage. Some loved tropes to look out for are forbidden romance, arranged marriage and forced proximity, touch her and die.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House/Delacorte, and Hazel McBride for sharing an eARC with me.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I loved The God and the Gumiho so very much that when I saw The God and the Gwisin available on NetGalley, I didn't even read the synopsis, I just requested it because I KNEW I would love it. Guess what? I adored it even more than the first book. A newly reinstated god searching for his lost soulmate aboard a ship filled with the dead. Yes, please.
We still got a murder mystery but this book contained equal doses of hope and heartbreak, a touch of spice, and the return of some familiar characters. I can't write more or I'll accidentally include spoilers. Overall, I don't think this book could've been any more perfect that it already was.
Thank you a million times to Sophie Kim, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sharing an ARC of this book with me.
We still got a murder mystery but this book contained equal doses of hope and heartbreak, a touch of spice, and the return of some familiar characters. I can't write more or I'll accidentally include spoilers. Overall, I don't think this book could've been any more perfect that it already was.
Thank you a million times to Sophie Kim, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sharing an ARC of this book with me.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
The way I have been obsessed with this series. Ugh. I found myself mildly obsessed with Ada and Rian over the course of book 1 and 2, thus I drew out reading these 176 pages at a snail's pace because I wanted to spend as much time with those two idiots as possible. But man, oh man, do I have feelings.
The story was just as good. The banter was still top notch. The Ada as a mash-up of Commander Shepherd from Mass Effect and purple Hawke from Dragon Age 2 was still a thing and I still loved it. Rian's Garrus Vakarian but much more lawful good was still a thing. But I have to deduct a star for one reason and one reason only and it's a spoiler so I have to place it behind tags:I needed those two idiots to have their big moment. Fireworks. A culmination of three books worth of back and forth flirting and innuendo. But we didn't exactly get that.
In my little heart, I'm hoping Beth has another book planned because I'd gleefully spend a much longer amount of time reading Ada and Rian's story and listening to them banter.
The Chaotic Orbits series is perfect for Sci-Fi fans who love Mass Effect, banter, and enemies to lovers, or those who enjoy a quick story with themes of environmental protection and rebellion, and also happen to enjoy characters who are lovable idiots.
The story was just as good. The banter was still top notch. The Ada as a mash-up of Commander Shepherd from Mass Effect and purple Hawke from Dragon Age 2 was still a thing and I still loved it. Rian's Garrus Vakarian but much more lawful good was still a thing. But I have to deduct a star for one reason and one reason only and it's a spoiler so I have to place it behind tags:
In my little heart, I'm hoping Beth has another book planned because I'd gleefully spend a much longer amount of time reading Ada and Rian's story and listening to them banter.
The Chaotic Orbits series is perfect for Sci-Fi fans who love Mass Effect, banter, and enemies to lovers, or those who enjoy a quick story with themes of environmental protection and rebellion, and also happen to enjoy characters who are lovable idiots.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
After consuming Elise Kova's Married to Magic series like my life depended on it, I was absolutely stoked to dive in to Arcana Academy. I love Elise's writing style, her approach to world building, and her ability to write characters whom I have always end up very invested in. Arcana Academy might be my new favorite Elisa Kova title, and that's saying something because I have her entire catalog on my shelves.
I love dark academia settings but sometimes feel like stories set in such spaces lean toward feeling a tad juvenile but that was not the case here. This story was gritty, and the world building was not easy breezy, this is definitely a story that requires you to sink your teeth into it a bit but the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Though I did in fact fall in love with Clara and Kaelis, the most notable feature of this story for me was definitely the tarot based magic system. It reminded me slightly of One Dark Window, but it was so much more intricate and the way the magic system tied into the world building and the plot never felt forced, and that is a testament to Elise Kova's writing ability and a feature of her particular style. She presents her worlds in a way that never feels like information is being dumped on you only when its convenient to the plot.
Tropes to look out for: If you love dark academia settings, an enemies to lovers marriage of convenience, trials, unique magic systems, political intrigue, and found family, then Arcana Academy might be your new favorite read.
Many thanks to Elise Kova, Del Rey, and Netgalley for sharing an eARC of this book with me.
I love dark academia settings but sometimes feel like stories set in such spaces lean toward feeling a tad juvenile but that was not the case here. This story was gritty, and the world building was not easy breezy, this is definitely a story that requires you to sink your teeth into it a bit but the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Though I did in fact fall in love with Clara and Kaelis, the most notable feature of this story for me was definitely the tarot based magic system. It reminded me slightly of One Dark Window, but it was so much more intricate and the way the magic system tied into the world building and the plot never felt forced, and that is a testament to Elise Kova's writing ability and a feature of her particular style. She presents her worlds in a way that never feels like information is being dumped on you only when its convenient to the plot.
Tropes to look out for: If you love dark academia settings, an enemies to lovers marriage of convenience, trials, unique magic systems, political intrigue, and found family, then Arcana Academy might be your new favorite read.
Many thanks to Elise Kova, Del Rey, and Netgalley for sharing an eARC of this book with me.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I came across this book randomly while scrolling around on Instagram and the premise sounded interesting so I loaded it onto my Kindle and dove in with zero expectations.
Oh my gosh.
I was promised dark academia, enemies to lovers, a murder mystery, a unique setting...and what I got was all of that plus god tier banter, crossword puzzle foreplay (I have always loved crossword puzzles...new kink unlocked), a MMC who is half tortured soul/half cinnamon roll, and a FMC whose grumpy energy and snappy sarcasm made my own little sarcastic heart flutter.
I stayed up until 1 in the morning to finish this book and am currently bereft at 1:12 AM as I write this in the aftermath because I need book 2 like I need oxygen. This book will be my personality for the next 5-10 business days at a minimum. It might induce a book hangover that not even the most delicious fanfiction can cure. Someone send help. I need more books with this exact type of banter ASAP.
Two things to note before my mushy brain shuts down because I am SLEEEPY (it's the middle of the night and no one stopped me from binge reading so cut me some slack, will ya?), check the trigger warnings before you read this, and the book does end on a CLIFFHANGER. Be prepared.
Oh my gosh.
I was promised dark academia, enemies to lovers, a murder mystery, a unique setting...and what I got was all of that plus god tier banter, crossword puzzle foreplay (I have always loved crossword puzzles...new kink unlocked), a MMC who is half tortured soul/half cinnamon roll, and a FMC whose grumpy energy and snappy sarcasm made my own little sarcastic heart flutter.
I stayed up until 1 in the morning to finish this book and am currently bereft at 1:12 AM as I write this in the aftermath because I need book 2 like I need oxygen. This book will be my personality for the next 5-10 business days at a minimum. It might induce a book hangover that not even the most delicious fanfiction can cure. Someone send help. I need more books with this exact type of banter ASAP.
Two things to note before my mushy brain shuts down because I am SLEEEPY (it's the middle of the night and no one stopped me from binge reading so cut me some slack, will ya?), check the trigger warnings before you read this, and the book does end on a CLIFFHANGER. Be prepared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As always, I strive to write spoiler free reviews and this is going to be especially difficult for Onyx Storm, but I am going to try my best.
1. I love Violence Sorrengail. Homegirl had some character growth in Onyx Storm and I absolutely loved it.
2. The banter that we all loved between rider and dragon was present and absolutely perfect.
3. Xaden Riorson is still in my top 3 MMCs.
4. The friendship between Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer (as well as between other cadets) continued to be an integral part of the story and remains a favorite dynamic of this series for me.
5. This book did not wreck me as badly as the first two in terms of losses, but there were still moments. Read with tissues, a fuzzy blanket, snacks, and a warm beverage.
6. Rebecca. Rebecca. Rebecca. Thank you for this story and these characters. As someone with POTS and EDS, I see myself and my own struggles in Violet and I am so grateful for this representation in literature.
1. I love Violence Sorrengail. Homegirl had some character growth in Onyx Storm and I absolutely loved it.
2. The banter that we all loved between rider and dragon was present and absolutely perfect.
3. Xaden Riorson is still in my top 3 MMCs.
4. The friendship between Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer (as well as between other cadets) continued to be an integral part of the story and remains a favorite dynamic of this series for me.
5. This book did not wreck me as badly as the first two in terms of losses, but there were still moments. Read with tissues, a fuzzy blanket, snacks, and a warm beverage.
6. Rebecca. Rebecca. Rebecca. Thank you for this story and these characters. As someone with POTS and EDS, I see myself and my own struggles in Violet and I am so grateful for this representation in literature.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I have a tendency to gravitate towards books with **vibes**. I love feeling like a story has wrapped itself around me like a fuzzy blanket. I love writing that makes me forget that I'm actually sitting in a chair, in a house situated on a giant twirling ball suspended in space. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things is vibes + cozy writing + a really lovely story with equally lovely characters. Breanne Randall promised Pride and Prejudice and Charmed vibes and absolutely delivered. I loved the magic system in this story, memories fuel magic and each time magic is used a memory must be given up. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who loved The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, fans of Charmed & Pride and Prejudice, those who love a little mystery, enemies to lovers, and stories highlighting the bonds (and struggles) of sisterhood.
medium-paced
"I was made of earth and sky and endless waters. I was made to be loved fully, or not at all."
I am a big fan of lyrical, lush prose, and the first book in this series delivered as I was hooked within a few chapters. Book 2 of the series started out a little slower for me, but the writing was still as lush and beautiful as it was in book 1 and the payoff was absolutely worth a slower start. I absolutely loved the character development in this book. Sometimes I find that the second book in a series doesn't make me feel as excited or invested as the first book, but A Crown So Silver was exactly what I envisioned when I was impatiently waiting for the continuation of Fia's story.
I am happy to continue to recommend this series for fans of:
- Irish/Celtic mythology,
- books that feel a bit like a fairy tale fever dream
- love triangles
- complex characters who you kind of want to yell at sometimes, but love anyway
Many thanks to Lyra Selene, Orbit, and Netgalley for sharing an eARC copy of this book with me.
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
“Conversation over breadsticks, salad, honey wine and tea ensued, the way only women do: abundantly, and with the intention to leave each other better than how they came.”
This book was a vibe and I really had fun with it.
Ursula is 38 and unhappy in her relationship. Enter a magical invitation to move to the lost souls house in Salem.
This is a fun, quick read with fall vibes, found family and female friendships, a magical house, and a nice romance subplot that is a perfect addition to any cozy fall TBR.
“She thought briefly, that if men only knew what an unexpected forehead kiss could do to a woman, they would have unspeakable power at their fingertips”
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