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sarahsbookstack's Reviews (2.59k)
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
This was a beautiful fantasy being based on the author's Grandparent's love story through an awful time of Japanese rule over Korea. It's portrayed as a Dragon ruled land and suppressing the Tiger people.
This is also a rich girl (Eunji), poor boy (Seung) story. Seung is a servant in the household of Eunji. In exchange for her helping him study for a test to get ki (powers) that he couldn't otherwise afford, Seung promises to help show her a life outside her current existence.
These two battle for finding the Last Tiger. Seung wants to save his family from ruin and Eunji pretty much for the same reason. Their journeys are separate until it forces them to work together. Seung holds a secret though and he's more powerful than he realizes.
This was an adventure to bring back a world without divide. It was an easy read but beautiful in the telling.
This is also a rich girl (Eunji), poor boy (Seung) story. Seung is a servant in the household of Eunji. In exchange for her helping him study for a test to get ki (powers) that he couldn't otherwise afford, Seung promises to help show her a life outside her current existence.
These two battle for finding the Last Tiger. Seung wants to save his family from ruin and Eunji pretty much for the same reason. Their journeys are separate until it forces them to work together. Seung holds a secret though and he's more powerful than he realizes.
This was an adventure to bring back a world without divide. It was an easy read but beautiful in the telling.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
I enjoy books about siblings and their dynamics with each other- man these guys are dealing with a lot and it's sometimes hard to feel sorry for them. I did enjoy this book though.
The siblings take a weekend vacation for the first time in years. Kathy wants to go to Rincón Bay to try and piece together a secret she's held onto for years. Pete is in kidney/liver failure after a lifetime of drug abuse so it's important to be at dialysis every 3 days but he reluctantly goes along. My heart felt the most for Corina as she battles with Alzheimer's and all that comes with that, the not always knowing of what's present and past. I honestly don't think about Becca much, I don't know why, she just skips my mind.. though she is dealing with a few things herself.
The siblings take a weekend vacation for the first time in years. Kathy wants to go to Rincón Bay to try and piece together a secret she's held onto for years. Pete is in kidney/liver failure after a lifetime of drug abuse so it's important to be at dialysis every 3 days but he reluctantly goes along. My heart felt the most for Corina as she battles with Alzheimer's and all that comes with that, the not always knowing of what's present and past. I honestly don't think about Becca much, I don't know why, she just skips my mind.. though she is dealing with a few things herself.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
In a world where 4 Gods rule in 4 noble houses and carry the powers of their Gods, Alma discovers she is a part of the house of the Dread Beast. Her father, who has never acknowledged her before, takes her arm to bind her to the house. Alma, along with her childhood imaginary friend Aster, took 8 years to train and take her revenge against her father.
Aster is very mysterious as he seems very real but can't be seen by anyone except Alma. There are trials to slay a "fallen star" and to become First Hand of the Beast that has Alma pitted against powerful people that have their own agendas, no matter who it might hurt.
I was taken by surprise at some of the ending and felt bad for Alma at some of these discoveries.
I loved that there were illustrations throughout the book. I was a tad disappointed in the end as it was a little lackluster after the journey throughout the rest of the book.
Aster is very mysterious as he seems very real but can't be seen by anyone except Alma. There are trials to slay a "fallen star" and to become First Hand of the Beast that has Alma pitted against powerful people that have their own agendas, no matter who it might hurt.
I was taken by surprise at some of the ending and felt bad for Alma at some of these discoveries.
I loved that there were illustrations throughout the book. I was a tad disappointed in the end as it was a little lackluster after the journey throughout the rest of the book.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
The author said this book follows the format of the Tim McGraw song (one my favorites of his) of the same name, so going in...I knew the structure of the story but didn't know exactly how much my heart strings would be pulled 🥹
London and Laney are just meant to be since they became friends at 11 and 19 respectively, but even then they didn't know what the toll of love would be for each of them. London takes the fall for a horrible moment gone wrong and is sent away and Laney doesn't see or hear from him until 6 years later.
London made a lot of mistakes and some of them I just couldn't believe that he chose them because each time, it hurt Laney so much and I just don't see how you can do that to your true love. The tension and the angst between these two was flawed and perfect at the same time.
There are many surprises along the way and one twist I was elated (if you knew which one but I can't spoil it, that might be a weird word to use) to know I was right about, only because I'm almost never right
London and Laney are just meant to be since they became friends at 11 and 19 respectively, but even then they didn't know what the toll of love would be for each of them. London takes the fall for a horrible moment gone wrong and is sent away and Laney doesn't see or hear from him until 6 years later.
London made a lot of mistakes and some of them I just couldn't believe that he chose them because each time, it hurt Laney so much and I just don't see how you can do that to your true love. The tension and the angst between these two was flawed and perfect at the same time.
There are many surprises along the way and one twist I was elated (if you knew which one but I can't spoil it, that might be a weird word to use) to know I was right about, only because I'm almost never right
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Ok this was cute. From the fun title (and the obvious, if you're a fan, of what it's based on) to the fun story of two book lovers who meet, decide to read books together and review them, to a podcast deal to do the same... it was just enjoyable!
Lily just up and quits her job, just like that.. not something most people could do! I love her impulsiveness. Ben just has this big heart and this drive to be his own person (and not to aspire to what people think was this ideal... like his father). I absolutely love the way they start their book talk.... the different style/approaches they have to a buddy read and the growth into a book club to include other residents of the building.
The side characters were honestly MY FAVORITE part of this book... especially Noah! I found myself happily going along, liking the story and then just breaking into a big smile when he came on page. Kylie, Sierra, and Jeremy are just fun people too.
Lily just up and quits her job, just like that.. not something most people could do! I love her impulsiveness. Ben just has this big heart and this drive to be his own person (and not to aspire to what people think was this ideal... like his father). I absolutely love the way they start their book talk.... the different style/approaches they have to a buddy read and the growth into a book club to include other residents of the building.
The side characters were honestly MY FAVORITE part of this book... especially Noah! I found myself happily going along, liking the story and then just breaking into a big smile when he came on page. Kylie, Sierra, and Jeremy are just fun people too.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Sara and her husband Gerald had quite the life. I had never heard of them so it was nice to go through the journey of their life with them. They lived in so many interesting places and met so many interesting people. I love to see the famous writers and artists that I do know and the times they all spent different places abroad with each other.
They lived through a lot of big things like the pandemic of the 20s/30s, the Crash and World War II. They had some tragic losses in their life and there were secrets that they had to hide from friends, family and the world. They even kept from sharing secrets with themselves. though it may not have always been easy, it seemed to me that they just lived a big full life and that's what they wanted to have lived.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Ginny is preparing a young man for a funeral..when he suddenly sits up, very much alive and Ginny quickly finds out that Jonas has lived a very long life, but she doesn't seem afraid. Why is she so calm about this?
Oh I love me some vampire Jonas! Oof the mouth and whole package of this man 🔥
Ginny, adorably wonderful Ginny. She is just fun. Having a job as a mortician just makes her pretty interesting, but the more you get to know her, you see how fun of a person she can be. Her weird friendship with Roksana, the vampire hunter, was a sight to behold. Elias and Tucker as Jonas' sidekicks were a fun addition to this cast of characters and I'm so eager to read each of their stories!
Oh I love me some vampire Jonas! Oof the mouth and whole package of this man 🔥
Ginny, adorably wonderful Ginny. She is just fun. Having a job as a mortician just makes her pretty interesting, but the more you get to know her, you see how fun of a person she can be. Her weird friendship with Roksana, the vampire hunter, was a sight to behold. Elias and Tucker as Jonas' sidekicks were a fun addition to this cast of characters and I'm so eager to read each of their stories!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
When Van's ID is found at a crime scene, she is pulled back into a forgotten cold case that happened in 1984 named The Laughing Dead killings because of the gruesome smile left on the victims faces. As time goes on, Van's past is slowly creeping back in to haunt/harm her.
This was a creepy yet fascinating read. Van is still such an interesting character to me. Her past is chilling (and her secret... very chilling!). The place and way she grew up and her special ability. Harry, though not knowing her biggest secret, is a great partner for her. I didn't get a chance to read book 2 yet so I don't understand some of the tension between the two in this book, but I felt satisfied anyway (after all they go through in this) at the end with how it left off.
This was a creepy yet fascinating read. Van is still such an interesting character to me. Her past is chilling (and her secret... very chilling!). The place and way she grew up and her special ability. Harry, though not knowing her biggest secret, is a great partner for her. I didn't get a chance to read book 2 yet so I don't understand some of the tension between the two in this book, but I felt satisfied anyway (after all they go through in this) at the end with how it left off.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
What was that ending?! OMG, it actually gave me chills and made me SUPER EXCITED to continue... book 2 should be so good! 🤞
I just happen to love a/this divide (even though one side always gets a bad deal) of mortals and Descended in this book because I really just enjoy seeing people rise up for what's right
Diem is a bit of a mystery wrapped inside a fiery woman. She will not back down for those she loves and the people she serves as a healer. When she heals the Princess, she gets access to the Palace that most mortals don't. Prince Luther, he's stony and guarded but there is a weight on him I felt and I love to see the little chips and hunks breaking down near the end.
I could just tell what was going to happen between these two MCs. There was just a delicious tension with them. I liked their non-relationship more than the relationship between Diem and her childhood love, Henri.
There are many heart pounding moments and some fiery kisses and I just want more.
I just happen to love a/this divide (even though one side always gets a bad deal) of mortals and Descended in this book because I really just enjoy seeing people rise up for what's right
Diem is a bit of a mystery wrapped inside a fiery woman. She will not back down for those she loves and the people she serves as a healer. When she heals the Princess, she gets access to the Palace that most mortals don't. Prince Luther, he's stony and guarded but there is a weight on him I felt and I love to see the little chips and hunks breaking down near the end.
I could just tell what was going to happen between these two MCs. There was just a delicious tension with them. I liked their non-relationship more than the relationship between Diem and her childhood love, Henri.
There are many heart pounding moments and some fiery kisses and I just want more.
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
This is a TOUGH read but there is a bit of hope at the end.
Lena comes through Ellis Island from Germany and the treatment is terrible. She gets separated from her mother and brother (who get sent back home) because of the awful Eugenics program. (I never heard about this being done here in school .. this is history that is sadly being repeated in different ways 😭).
Lena cares for her mother's cousin's kids in the Blue Ridge Mountains where they are constantly threatened by the government, children being stolen from their homes, and made to feel like they have "inferior genes". I don't know how she survived all that she goes through.
Like I said, this book is tough. It's a hard story to swallow but also just so readable. I really felt bad for all these characters. You must read the author's notes... it makes you really feel that saying "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." and we are repeating it sadly and it's just terrible 😔.
Lena comes through Ellis Island from Germany and the treatment is terrible. She gets separated from her mother and brother (who get sent back home) because of the awful Eugenics program. (I never heard about this being done here in school .. this is history that is sadly being repeated in different ways 😭).
Lena cares for her mother's cousin's kids in the Blue Ridge Mountains where they are constantly threatened by the government, children being stolen from their homes, and made to feel like they have "inferior genes". I don't know how she survived all that she goes through.
Like I said, this book is tough. It's a hard story to swallow but also just so readable. I really felt bad for all these characters. You must read the author's notes... it makes you really feel that saying "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." and we are repeating it sadly and it's just terrible 😔.