“Of women, he’s heard it said: “She will be the end of me,” or “She will be my undoing.” None of that is true for Liska Radost. She is not the end of anything, but the beginning of everything. He has been dead a long time, and she is his resurrection.”

“The corner of his mouth pulls up in that laughing half-smile. ‘I do so love when you command me.”

“Liska realizes, in that moment, that she has misjudged herself. Through the Leszy’s eyes, she has seen something in herself that she could have never believed otherwise: strength, tenacity, kindness. In his eyes, she is ever-changing, different with every dawn but no less sincere. She is not defined by her magic, for better or for worse. She does not need to prove herself to him or to anyone else. She is simply… enough. She has always been enough. It is this discovery, more than anything, that brings Liska to life.”

“You were always so full of hope, so maddeningly tenacious. And then, oh, then, Liska, Liseczka, the worst thing of all happened.’ His voice cracks, and he looks away. ‘I fell in love.”

“Her worry is its own ghost, haunting her through the night.”

“I don’t think you’re a monster.’ He begins to smirk bitterly, but she touches her thumb to the corner of his mouth.”

“Well,” she says, flustered, “if you’re not here to help, then I suppose you’re here to eat me. Best get on with it, then.” The stag takes a step forward. His hooves leave luminous marks in the damp earth. “At least I’ll be feeding something lovely,”

“A czarownik with a tree for a heart, a meddling house-spirit, a rusałka with a newfound conscience, and Liska herself, a mere village girl, all living under the same semi-sentient roof.”

Liska snaps, frustrated. ‘We kissed, you incorrigible antlered tragedy!'

“She wants to cut his throat. She wants to kiss him.”

“It’s a part of the in-between, so it can do things other places cannot. Like hiding entire rooms, or betraying my secrets.’ He aims a vindictive glare at the ceiling. ‘Insolent pile of kindling.”

“The whole room smells of mystery, of old paper and wild berries and lively summer skies.”

The warden of the Driada and a not-so-clever fox

The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

“When you love someone, it's like building a library and filling the shelves. It doesn't matter how many years it's been since Austen wrote Emma or Fitzgerald wrote This Side of Paradise. We can still pull them from the bookcases and dive back into the words, the same as they day they were written. All the years and memories are still right there, cataloged inside us.”

I adored this book and it's lush diverse characters. The writing is such a treat. These pages are filled a bookish adventure of reluctant allies of a grumpy girl and a sunshine spirit, mysteries between the stacks in the library, juicy couture hauntings, dark academia seeped in black coffee, ghosts, secret passageways and a love that transcends the physical body and the ancient texts of restrictive tomes. This is for the romantics, lovers of books and those who bask in the beauty of the mundane, the magical and the mysterious. Matteo is the sweetest lover boy and Este was beautiful and real. The story was genuinely funny and had so many amazing and diverse side characters. This book felt like the crispy crunch of autumn leaves, and finally crying in the arms of someone who you trust. Beautiful, atmospheric and immersive prose. I love Este Dear and Matteo with my entire soul. I cannot wait to read Us in Ruins.

Deviant King by Rina Kent

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated

okay, I admit this whole world is entertaining but like a man would never talk to me like that and walk away unscathed. I thought I liked my book boyfriend's toxic but Aiden King.... Jesus Christ. He is the most manipulative character I have ever seen as a love interest and I had to keep reminding myself to stop judging Elsa for being annoying. I feel a little bad but also what the fuck.

Every time he would threaten her, she would fight against it so hard knowing she couldn't win and let him turn her life and her friend's life into chaos and then give in and have sex once it was too much to deal with? I think she either should have let him ruin every time or give in immediately to whatever he said. She always gave in anyway, why not save yourself the trouble? Also consent is like not a thing in the Rina Kent AU which I know goes along with her (if it's not for you, don't read it)

. Aiden was hot but like... scary. I would move out of the country away from someone who acted like him. Like they're first few interactions are literally nightmare fuel but only slightly hot. Elsa and Aiden are both in psychological shambles with some seriously questionable turn ons but it was entertaining. I really never know what's gunna happen in these books and the whole memory loss plot with Elsa and all of Aiden's weirdness, like I need to know what happened. I feel like Aiden could never find someone who accepts him with his craziness like Elsa does, they both are so messed up it works. They terrify me just a little bit. I just can't see Aiden going white picket fence but apparently all Rina Kent couple get happy endings. I enjoyed this but also not at the same time? All RK's books are like anxiety attacks and butterflies all at once.

I did like how Elsa finally stood up for herself to Silver, I can't believe that bitch gets her own story

I can't rate this but I will keep going. Aiden is fascinating in an insane way.

Content Warnings

Dear Little One by Nina Laden

Go to review page

inspiring lighthearted

absolutely stunning artwork, perfect for my earth day story time.

More...

samflowerv6's reviews 287 reviews

samflowerv6's reviews
287 reviews