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shcleveland's reviews
165 reviews
Leadership is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say -- and What You Don't by L. David Marquet
4.0
Her Dreadful Will by Rebecca F. Kenney
4.0
Better review to come, but I can tell you that this book did nothing for my intense discomfort with dentists' offices.
How to Train Your Goblin King by Erin Vere
4.0
How to Train Your Goblin King was quite delightful. I really enjoyed the Gaslamp vibe. The footnotes are just THE BEST and frequently made me laugh. The book is a an interesting take on goblin stories and the tales of labyrinths with plenty of sass and fairytale endings. Still, it also dealt with a lot of the issues we don't always think about so much in the Gaslamp-ish settings--the effects of empire on anyone besides the ruling country.
I did get a little annoyed with Floss towards the end, but it worked out. Although, I do wish the ending hadn't been quite so quick. It felt a little too abrupt, honestly. Still, I'm all for a sweet happily-ever-after.
I did get a little annoyed with Floss towards the end, but it worked out. Although, I do wish the ending hadn't been quite so quick. It felt a little too abrupt, honestly. Still, I'm all for a sweet happily-ever-after.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
5.0
I consumed this book in one day. It's just... the VIBES. And the story is so engaging despite having "low stakes" as the tagline on the cover puts it. Being able to make an enjoyable plot out of "opening a coffee shop" is an impressive feat. Plus, the characters are utterly charming. The romance is subtle, but there, and oh so well done. I want more high fantasy like this.
Bits & Pieces by Dawn Hosmer
5.0
All the content warnings. Just, all of them. There is a lot of intense in this book, so be prepared for that going in.
That said, Bits & Pieces is so good. I'm not normally a thriller person--it's just not my genre--but I was thoroughly engrossed with this one from beginning to end. I suspect the spec fic aspect of it helped keep me, a long-time fantasy reader, engaged.
Hosmer does an excellent job through the reader red herrings and some major curve-balls as the book progresses. If you think you know what's going on... I promise you don't. There were a few things that were really unexpected towards the end that just hit in a really powerful way. I literally sobbed.
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, but I think I'm going to need a month to decompress first.
That said, Bits & Pieces is so good. I'm not normally a thriller person--it's just not my genre--but I was thoroughly engrossed with this one from beginning to end. I suspect the spec fic aspect of it helped keep me, a long-time fantasy reader, engaged.
Hosmer does an excellent job through the reader red herrings and some major curve-balls as the book progresses. If you think you know what's going on... I promise you don't. There were a few things that were really unexpected towards the end that just hit in a really powerful way. I literally sobbed.
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, but I think I'm going to need a month to decompress first.
Mirrors and Ashes: A Snow White Retelling by Cat Bowser
3.0
I loved the themes in this book. They include powerful topics such as found family; healing from trauma; confronting and cutting off toxic influences in your life; and rebuilding yourself as your own person after abuse. There’s so much goodness crammed into this book and juxtaposed with some of humanity’s worst tendencies.
It kills me that I can’t give this book a glowing 5/5 review. I genuinely enjoyed the story and the world the author has built. However, I feel that with the difficulties I had, giving that perfect, glowing review would cause more harm than being honest. While I greatly enjoyed the book, and think it is absolutely worth reading, I do not want to send readers its way that will be extremely bothered by the editing. That’s a recipe for unpleasant and unfair reviews.
I sincerely hope that the author will continue to write and that her next launch will be less fraught. My hopes for her next book remain high despite my frustration with this one.
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I doubled checked the Goodreads review guidelines, so say this should be okay. For full context and additional thoughts, please feel free to check out my in-depth review on my blog
https://www.sara-cleveland.com/self-publishing-woes/mirrors-ashes/
It kills me that I can’t give this book a glowing 5/5 review. I genuinely enjoyed the story and the world the author has built. However, I feel that with the difficulties I had, giving that perfect, glowing review would cause more harm than being honest. While I greatly enjoyed the book, and think it is absolutely worth reading, I do not want to send readers its way that will be extremely bothered by the editing. That’s a recipe for unpleasant and unfair reviews.
I sincerely hope that the author will continue to write and that her next launch will be less fraught. My hopes for her next book remain high despite my frustration with this one.
---
I doubled checked the Goodreads review guidelines, so say this should be okay. For full context and additional thoughts, please feel free to check out my in-depth review on my blog
https://www.sara-cleveland.com/self-publishing-woes/mirrors-ashes/
Blood of the Wicked by L.B. Black
5.0
A solid follow-up to the first book! I really enjoyed the growth in Evie's relationships with both Lawrence and her father. There was plenty of action, a dash of spice, and plenty of twists to go around.
The 13th Zodiac: Book One by L. Krauch
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
2.0
The 13th Zodiac has a lot of potential with interesting worldbuilding and lore. I found the general premise to be intriguing and was excited to read it. Unfortunately, the actual execution of the book is somewhat lackluster. Overall, the writing, characters, and plot lacked the polish I would hope to see in a published work, indie or otherwise. I found myself struggling to get through the book and often confused. I also failed to connect meaningfully with any of the characters. I didn't care about them enough to want to keep reading.
At this time, I don't plan on picking up the next book in the series. However, if this one is ever revised and re-released, I would consider trying again. I'd love to see the author give all the cool lore the storytelling it deserves.
At this time, I don't plan on picking up the next book in the series. However, if this one is ever revised and re-released, I would consider trying again. I'd love to see the author give all the cool lore the storytelling it deserves.