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shannonmreviews's reviews
492 reviews
Oh F*ck, A T-Rex by Chisto Healy
3.75
This was well thought out and well written. I enjoyed reading this one although not usually my style of book to grab. I will definitely be reading more Chisto Healy.
Ritual by Steve Stred
1.75
This was certainly a bunch of words in a book format… but I am still not sure what the plot/story is. I honestly had no idea what was going on for most of it — just a lot of confusing stuff in it, things that don’t really make sense. Not really a fan of this one.
Crackers by Kate DeJonge
4.25
My gosh, Kate! This was so good. I thoroughly enjoyed the story in Soup 2: Crackers! This story picks up right after Soup and gives more backstory to Ashley. Such an intriguing concept and it was executed perfectly.
A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernan
2.5
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The Important Highlights
Actual: 2.5 stars
This is being marketed as an adult loosely-based retelling of Red Riding Hood with fun tropes like werewolf romance, a stalker/prey dynamic, fated mates, and forced proximity. This is book one in a series but book 2 isn't out yet. I would say that the end is cliffhangery.
What I Liked
There were some interesting dynamics in the book such as whatever is going on with the FMC's sister and whoever these outsider wolves are. I didn't find the writing flowery, which in this case, I thoroughly enjoyed (some books need it, this one didn't). There was some decent banter and character development.
What I Didn’t Like
What in the fuck? This was such a time waste. Literally NOTHING happens in this book. If a climactic event is considered a 5, on a scale, this book stays around the 1, and the odd time goes up to a 3, and then back to a one. Until the last sentence, which is like a 4.5 on the same scale.
⚠️⚠️So I had a lot of very specific beef with this book. I have put in a spoiler tag though so read at your own risk.He went to go visit his younger brother who he saved but doesn’t trust, and they end up just saying “fuck you” to each other… but then he goes to visit his older brother, the alpha of his old pack… who “almost killed him” and it was just a bunch of telling each other “fuck you” as well.
“Someone” shows up at the bar and asks for Ruby, probably Knox, and nothing comes of that? We never find out who it is. It's just a guess.
The wolves chasing Ruby? Yeah Rafe kills them, immediately, and then the threat is just eliminated. There is no interrogation, we know nothing other than it “could be” Canadian wolves? WHAT?!
Ruby “suddenly” remembering that she “thinks” she had a vision sometime when she was a child and now they just assume she’s magical? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ABOUT?!
WHERE IS THE CONCLUSION TO ANY OF THESE STORYLINES?!
There was just no reason for this to be published yet, honestly. It’s not fully fleshed out, in my opinion. I hope she takes more time with the second one.
In Conclusion
I REALLY wanted to love this book. I kept reading because it was set up to be really good/interesting but every single time something interesting happened, I was disappointed. Anyone who just wants to read a quick romantasy, this might be great for you. That being said, I will not be continuing this when the second book comes out. I will also be selling my Fairyloot edition due to this being such a big disappointment.
The Important Highlights
Actual: 2.5 stars
This is being marketed as an adult loosely-based retelling of Red Riding Hood with fun tropes like werewolf romance, a stalker/prey dynamic, fated mates, and forced proximity. This is book one in a series but book 2 isn't out yet. I would say that the end is cliffhangery.
What I Liked
There were some interesting dynamics in the book such as whatever is going on with the FMC's sister and whoever these outsider wolves are. I didn't find the writing flowery, which in this case, I thoroughly enjoyed (some books need it, this one didn't). There was some decent banter and character development.
What I Didn’t Like
What in the fuck? This was such a time waste. Literally NOTHING happens in this book. If a climactic event is considered a 5, on a scale, this book stays around the 1, and the odd time goes up to a 3, and then back to a one. Until the last sentence, which is like a 4.5 on the same scale.
⚠️⚠️So I had a lot of very specific beef with this book. I have put in a spoiler tag though so read at your own risk.
“Someone” shows up at the bar and asks for Ruby, probably Knox, and nothing comes of that? We never find out who it is. It's just a guess.
The wolves chasing Ruby? Yeah Rafe kills them, immediately, and then the threat is just eliminated. There is no interrogation, we know nothing other than it “could be” Canadian wolves? WHAT?!
Ruby “suddenly” remembering that she “thinks” she had a vision sometime when she was a child and now they just assume she’s magical? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ABOUT?!
WHERE IS THE CONCLUSION TO ANY OF THESE STORYLINES?!
There was just no reason for this to be published yet, honestly. It’s not fully fleshed out, in my opinion. I hope she takes more time with the second one.
In Conclusion
I REALLY wanted to love this book. I kept reading because it was set up to be really good/interesting but every single time something interesting happened, I was disappointed. Anyone who just wants to read a quick romantasy, this might be great for you. That being said, I will not be continuing this when the second book comes out. I will also be selling my Fairyloot edition due to this being such a big disappointment.
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
I am finding this incredibly boring. There is a lot of repetition that feels wildly unnecessary -- do we really need to know the colour of the ocean, in a "mermaid" book, every other page? Yeah, this wasn't for me and now that's 2 books off my physical TBR (I'm not going to bother with the second book either, obviously).
Heart of Flames by Nicki Pau Preto
4.0
I am really enjoying this series, especially the audiobooks! I am kicking myself for not reading these sooner but am happy to be experiencing them for the first time. This stayed interesting throughout the entire book, which I was worried about with it being the middle child.
The Wolf and the Wildflower by Ella Fields
4.5
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The Important Highlights
We've got our jealous, controlling alpha-male, our mysterious little FMC, and a lot of secret identities. This story picks up kind of in the middle of book 1. They play really well together but this one should absolutely be read second. I was very interested to see how this one would go especially because the first book pointed to a part in this one.
What I Liked
There were quite a few twists that kept me interested. The pacing was fantastic and so was the writing.
What I Didn’t Like
This one wasn't as good as the first. I don't typically enjoy the insta-love trope, which is present in both of these books, but it wasn't as crisp as it was in the first book.
In Conclusion
Ella Fields might be one of my top auto-buy romantasy authors now! I MUST READ EVERYTHING!
The Important Highlights
We've got our jealous, controlling alpha-male, our mysterious little FMC, and a lot of secret identities. This story picks up kind of in the middle of book 1. They play really well together but this one should absolutely be read second. I was very interested to see how this one would go especially because the first book pointed to a part in this one.
What I Liked
There were quite a few twists that kept me interested. The pacing was fantastic and so was the writing.
What I Didn’t Like
This one wasn't as good as the first. I don't typically enjoy the insta-love trope, which is present in both of these books, but it wasn't as crisp as it was in the first book.
In Conclusion
Ella Fields might be one of my top auto-buy romantasy authors now! I MUST READ EVERYTHING!
The Savage & the Swan by Ella Fields
5.0
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The Important Highlights
This romantasy is marketed as Rumplestiltskin x Swan Princess vibes and y'all, it was. It has enemies to lovers. It has forbidden love. It has a strong heroine. The shapeshifting in this consists of wolves and a swan. This is book 1 of a duology and there really isn't a cliffhanger but there is definitely a nod to the second book in it.
What I Liked
Everything.
What I Didn’t Like
Nothing.
In Conclusion
My god, this was actually SO GOOD. This has been on my TBR since like 2021 and I’m so mad at myself for waiting this long to read it. Immediately starting book two!!!
The Important Highlights
This romantasy is marketed as Rumplestiltskin x Swan Princess vibes and y'all, it was. It has enemies to lovers. It has forbidden love. It has a strong heroine. The shapeshifting in this consists of wolves and a swan. This is book 1 of a duology and there really isn't a cliffhanger but there is definitely a nod to the second book in it.
What I Liked
Everything.
What I Didn’t Like
Nothing.
In Conclusion
My god, this was actually SO GOOD. This has been on my TBR since like 2021 and I’m so mad at myself for waiting this long to read it. Immediately starting book two!!!
When You Wish Upon a Star by Elizabeth Lim
4.0
So, I actually enjoyed this one quite a bit because it stayed true to the original Disney version (well, with the Pinocchio parts, I mean) but gave us a whole new view of the world. Elizabeth Lim is a fantastic storyteller and I am pleased that this one wasn't a DNF (Unbirthday and Mirror, Mirror).
Amid Clouds and Bones by Ella Fields
5.0
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The Important Highlights
If you are looking for the perfect romantasy, it's right here. This is one of Janessa's (meemo_reads) trifecta books (high fantasy with romance and some spice), which means you KNOW it hits. The main tropes in this are enemies-to-lovers, arranged/forced marriage, sword & sorcery, historical settings, magic and mythical creatures, and a virgin heroine. This is a standalone novel.
What I Liked
THE SPICE BE SPICIN'. Y'all, I literally choked on my Zoodles during the first interaction because DAMN, Atakan "Sit On Them" the Heartless. I loved all the twists in the book. It was a fantastic length. Seriously, I liked everything. The characters were all well developed and the writing was excellent.
What I Didn’t Like
I cannot think of a single thing and you can't make me try any harder than that. I won't. I shan't.
In Conclusion
This was absolute perfection for me. I need all my Romantasy books to be exactly this (but different though, because like, I have already read this). I had so much fun with this book and I am now going to read her entire backlist.
The Important Highlights
If you are looking for the perfect romantasy, it's right here. This is one of Janessa's (meemo_reads) trifecta books (high fantasy with romance and some spice), which means you KNOW it hits. The main tropes in this are enemies-to-lovers, arranged/forced marriage, sword & sorcery, historical settings, magic and mythical creatures, and a virgin heroine. This is a standalone novel.
What I Liked
THE SPICE BE SPICIN'. Y'all, I literally choked on my Zoodles during the first interaction because DAMN, Atakan "Sit On Them" the Heartless. I loved all the twists in the book. It was a fantastic length. Seriously, I liked everything. The characters were all well developed and the writing was excellent.
What I Didn’t Like
I cannot think of a single thing and you can't make me try any harder than that. I won't. I shan't.
In Conclusion
This was absolute perfection for me. I need all my Romantasy books to be exactly this (but different though, because like, I have already read this). I had so much fun with this book and I am now going to read her entire backlist.