serareadthat's reviews
328 reviews

A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.75

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

challenging emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

3.5

With Her Own Two Hands by Tasha L. Harrison

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

idk how evan winter does it but this book was even more soul crushing, heart wrenching, gut burning than the last one! and i loved every single second. 

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

this book was EVERYTHING! what a beautiful blend of history, fantasy, friendship, love, resilience and just so much more! 
I love every character more than the last! they were all so fun and unique! 
and the magic system WAS SO COOLL

the way this story talked about colorism and black history in regards to the black community was just so expertly well done. j can’t wait to read more by this author!!! 

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

this was a middle book. for sure. like just full of confusing info and world expansion. although i think what ruined it for me was that the narrator made the book feel like a YA book so if you read this, i would definitely recommend NOT going the audio book route if you can avoid it. 
i am kinda looking forward to the last book in the series tho, because the cliffhanger made me so mad LOL 

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.5

This book was an expertly woven tale of grief, shame, perseverance, and just, LIFE, all packaged into a fantasy book that traps you in its world building and ties your heart strings to the characters. 

If you are stuck at the beginning and the start feels sluggish, KEEP GOING! all of that will make sense. it will all be worth it. 

If you are coming to this book for the sapphic love, know that it is not forefront and it is a SLOW burn. it kinda hits you at the end as it’s one built from friendship and forced proximity. 

I’m off to go devour book 2 because THE CLIFF HANGER?! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, and Violence

The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.0

talia hibbert never misses. my standards shoot through the roof after every book i read from her! rahul is THAT MAN. the way he speaks about jasmine like poetry??? i’m obsessed

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

5.0

this book is so important. i love romance books that read you to filth and make your heart soar at the same time! I felt so many emotions when reading this one and i’m just in absolute awe. 

thank you berkley for the early copy !!