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samgroat's reviews
426 reviews
Saint by Sierra Simone
4.0
Of the four books in this series so far, this one was definitely the darkest.
I enjoyed getting to know both MMCs of this book and the way their own backgrounds shaped them and their relationship up to current time.
The discussion around religion was thoughtful and though at times a little preachy, it was a very integral part of the story and ultimately was used in a meaningful way.
Once again the spice level of these books is HIGH. I felt like the MM aspect of the spice was well written too.
I enjoyed getting to know both MMCs of this book and the way their own backgrounds shaped them and their relationship up to current time.
The discussion around religion was thoughtful and though at times a little preachy, it was a very integral part of the story and ultimately was used in a meaningful way.
Once again the spice level of these books is HIGH. I felt like the MM aspect of the spice was well written too.
Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent
4.0
This was a thiiiiiiiiic book to finish in one day, whew. Would not reccomend doing it that way hahah.
The story is extremely dense with detail. There is so much world building, info dumping, backstory-inv, foreshadowing going on… we are definitely in a complex story with complex characters and high fantasy vibes.
The way the storyline’s are weaves together is magic. Carissa’s ability to create such layered characters that you truely come to care for is a gift.
My one criticism of the story here is more a writing choice, but in this book we go from the 2 POV in the last book, to 3 POVs. The 3rd one is a different timeline of sorts. I became frustrated when one POV would end on a cliffhanger and we would jump to the other timelines POV. And this was happening FREQUENTLY. To the point I noticed it.
I understand the reasoning behind it but for me it pulled me out slightly.
Otherwise, 4 ⭐️ Carissa book again! Can’t wait to wrap the series with book 3
The story is extremely dense with detail. There is so much world building, info dumping, backstory-inv, foreshadowing going on… we are definitely in a complex story with complex characters and high fantasy vibes.
The way the storyline’s are weaves together is magic. Carissa’s ability to create such layered characters that you truely come to care for is a gift.
My one criticism of the story here is more a writing choice, but in this book we go from the 2 POV in the last book, to 3 POVs. The 3rd one is a different timeline of sorts. I became frustrated when one POV would end on a cliffhanger and we would jump to the other timelines POV. And this was happening FREQUENTLY. To the point I noticed it.
I understand the reasoning behind it but for me it pulled me out slightly.
Otherwise, 4 ⭐️ Carissa book again! Can’t wait to wrap the series with book 3
Helfyre by Mariel Pomeroy
4.0
I’m not even sure how to rate and review this book!
Enjoyment wise, I was LOVING this book. I found the beginning really hard to slog through the world building, and there were sections where the descriptiveness really worked against the writing rather than for it HOWEVER
The plot was super intriguing, the spice was well written, the MMC gave me the “do I love him or do I hate him” vibes the whole time.
We have fun shadow magic, a shadow puppy, hell equivalent, and the literal devil - plus a million more fun elements.
I did find the names and Lorena little but confusing: but once you’re into the crux of the story you’re able to just work it out.
Enjoyment wise, I was LOVING this book. I found the beginning really hard to slog through the world building, and there were sections where the descriptiveness really worked against the writing rather than for it HOWEVER
The plot was super intriguing, the spice was well written, the MMC gave me the “do I love him or do I hate him” vibes the whole time.
We have fun shadow magic, a shadow puppy, hell equivalent, and the literal devil - plus a million more fun elements.
I did find the names and Lorena little but confusing: but once you’re into the crux of the story you’re able to just work it out.
The Curse of the Seelie King by Chloe Everhart
3.0
3.5⭐️
I was able to receive this debut novel as an arc from the author and am very thankful.
The magic system and it’s use are very unique to this story, and whilst the overall premise is a well loved trope, the author managed to develop the story in a way that still felt fun albeit slightly predictable.
I enjoyed Declan’s character - our broody, Fae king MMC. I think watching him develop will be great throughout the series. As with Akers and Callum.
The FMC Roselyn was powerful in her own right which I loved, I just didn’t relate to her inner monologue very well and found her decision making process a little annoying at times.
For me I just wish the “enemies to lovers” aspect lasted a little longer than a few chapters as I’m not a fan of the more Insta-love aspects.
I did find a few times there pacing was a little off, in that scenes would change direction quite quickly with little to no explanation and i would be scrambling to work out what had happened.
I think the twist at the end was well done, and I would be interested to see where the series goes! Overall a solid debut novel
I was able to receive this debut novel as an arc from the author and am very thankful.
The magic system and it’s use are very unique to this story, and whilst the overall premise is a well loved trope, the author managed to develop the story in a way that still felt fun albeit slightly predictable.
I enjoyed Declan’s character - our broody, Fae king MMC. I think watching him develop will be great throughout the series. As with Akers and Callum.
The FMC Roselyn was powerful in her own right which I loved, I just didn’t relate to her inner monologue very well and found her decision making process a little annoying at times.
For me I just wish the “enemies to lovers” aspect lasted a little longer than a few chapters as I’m not a fan of the more Insta-love aspects.
I did find a few times there pacing was a little off, in that scenes would change direction quite quickly with little to no explanation and i would be scrambling to work out what had happened.
I think the twist at the end was well done, and I would be interested to see where the series goes! Overall a solid debut novel
Throttled by Lauren Asher
4.0
3.75⭐️
This was so cuteeeeee. The audacity of my parents not to birth an F1 Superstar brother for me though… rude.
This wasn’t the BEST sports romance I’ve ever read, however it was fun, sweet and a little bit spicy. Noah could bend me over his couch any day because THAT MAN
This was so cuteeeeee. The audacity of my parents not to birth an F1 Superstar brother for me though… rude.
This wasn’t the BEST sports romance I’ve ever read, however it was fun, sweet and a little bit spicy. Noah could bend me over his couch any day because THAT MAN
Collided by Lauren Asher
4.0
4.5 ⭐️
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this!
I am not usually a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope but god damn if Sophie x Liam didn’t make me SWOON.
Although I really enjoyed throttled, there was a maturity in Collieded that Lauren Asher seems to have honed in on whilst writing her second novel. I connected with this storyline quicker than the last however that could also be because I knew the characters already.
I love how LA dropped hints in for the next book already too - I love that they are all taking place at the same time so they are masterfully weaved in amongst each other!
Can’t wait to read Jax’s story!
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this!
I am not usually a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope but god damn if Sophie x Liam didn’t make me SWOON.
Although I really enjoyed throttled, there was a maturity in Collieded that Lauren Asher seems to have honed in on whilst writing her second novel. I connected with this storyline quicker than the last however that could also be because I knew the characters already.
I love how LA dropped hints in for the next book already too - I love that they are all taking place at the same time so they are masterfully weaved in amongst each other!
Can’t wait to read Jax’s story!
Redeemed by Lauren Asher
4.0
I’m so sad this series is over!!
Honestly the writing, the themes, the maturity just got better and better with each book. The story of Santiago and Chloe was hauntingly beautiful. It heavily featured one of my favourite romance tropes - fake dating. I love FD because we ALLLLLL know where it’s going to end up.
The third act conflict was a little predictable and the FMC response annoyed me a little but otherwise I really enjoyed this book!
Honestly the writing, the themes, the maturity just got better and better with each book. The story of Santiago and Chloe was hauntingly beautiful. It heavily featured one of my favourite romance tropes - fake dating. I love FD because we ALLLLLL know where it’s going to end up.
The third act conflict was a little predictable and the FMC response annoyed me a little but otherwise I really enjoyed this book!
King of Pride by Ana Huang
4.0
Kai is an unproblematic, British KINGGGGG and I will hear no slander!
This book was short, fun and I enjoyed reading it. Was it my favourite book ever? No. The plot wasn’t the most memorable either but the winner for me with this book was the characters .
I LOVEEEEEEEE Kai. He is literally so great both as a person and to our FMC in general. Speaking of, Isabella our FMC - it was refreshing for her to be suffering a NORMAL problem (writers block while completing her manuscript).
I am a Romantasy girl so I’m used to HIGH stakes, but it was nice to read something a bit lighter, more low stakes.
This book was short, fun and I enjoyed reading it. Was it my favourite book ever? No. The plot wasn’t the most memorable either but the winner for me with this book was the characters .
I LOVEEEEEEEE Kai. He is literally so great both as a person and to our FMC in general. Speaking of, Isabella our FMC - it was refreshing for her to be suffering a NORMAL problem (writers block while completing her manuscript).
I am a Romantasy girl so I’m used to HIGH stakes, but it was nice to read something a bit lighter, more low stakes.