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shcleveland's reviews
165 reviews
A Tale of Ice and Ash by Katherine Macdonald
5.0
I really enjoyed this one. Eirwen is a strong, kind character. She's self-reliant at times, but also willing to admit when she needs help. The main romantic relationship was a little weird given the characters were technically step-siblings (although not raised together) but I think it worked alright. The plot was engaging and often surprising. The twists on the fairytale were excellent and made clever use of the story's original elements while maintaining the princess's agency and self-determination.
Prince of Foxes by H.L. Macfarlane
5.0
I picked it up this evening planning to just read a few chapters... 4 hours later I've read the entire book and have to immediately go put the sequel in my Amazon cart. The writing is beautiful and the worldbuilding is sublime. The author's love for the land and the folklore comes through on every page.
The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of the best examples of the enemies to lovers trope I've encountered. The character development, plot and pacing are excellent. The world-building is also interesting and rich. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Incest, Infertility, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Kidnapping
Dibs by Allison Martine
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed Dibs. I found the main character (Olivia) and her struggles to be relatable. At first, I really despised a character I'm going to dub "Orange Soda" for the purposes of this review, but she grew on me by the end.
The back and forth, push and pull of the central relationship kept the pages turning for me. While the romance is technically sort of a whirlwind (the major events of the book take place over the course of a two-week company training event), it is a slow burn in the sense that the author takes the time to build it over the course of the entire book. I also enjoyed the characters' humor.
I was kind of disappointed there wasn't just a little more steam, but that's not a prerequisite for enjoying a book. Still, if you're looking for steamy, this one might not be for you.
Contemporary romance usually isn't my jam, but Dibs has me hooked and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The back and forth, push and pull of the central relationship kept the pages turning for me. While the romance is technically sort of a whirlwind (the major events of the book take place over the course of a two-week company training event), it is a slow burn in the sense that the author takes the time to build it over the course of the entire book. I also enjoyed the characters' humor.
I was kind of disappointed there wasn't just a little more steam, but that's not a prerequisite for enjoying a book. Still, if you're looking for steamy, this one might not be for you.
Contemporary romance usually isn't my jam, but Dibs has me hooked and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
Enchanting Fate by Ashley Evercott
medium-paced
4.0
Evercott's Enchanting Fate is an interesting twist on the Beauty and the Beast story. It's a solid read for fans of romantic fairytale retellings.
Our beast, Henri, comes into his foul temperment after years of abuse at the hands of his stepmother. The abused is now the abuser, and Henri's ill temper curses his staff to also live as beasts. He is, quite frankly, the worst sort of drunken asshole by the time the story begins in earnest with the arrival of Beauty aka Marguerite. She is the daughter of a merchant with poor business sense and through a series of unfortunate events, finds herself trapped at Henri's estate with him and his cursed servants.
The big twist to the story would be a too big of a spoiler for an Amazon review. I guessed it kind of early, but that didn't take away my enjoyment of the book. I will say that didn't find myself devouring it as I usually do with these sorts of retelligs, however. I'm not sure if it was the pacing or what, but for that reason I can't quite give it 5 stars.
Our beast, Henri, comes into his foul temperment after years of abuse at the hands of his stepmother. The abused is now the abuser, and Henri's ill temper curses his staff to also live as beasts. He is, quite frankly, the worst sort of drunken asshole by the time the story begins in earnest with the arrival of Beauty aka Marguerite. She is the daughter of a merchant with poor business sense and through a series of unfortunate events, finds herself trapped at Henri's estate with him and his cursed servants.
The big twist to the story would be a too big of a spoiler for an Amazon review. I guessed it kind of early, but that didn't take away my enjoyment of the book. I will say that didn't find myself devouring it as I usually do with these sorts of retelligs, however. I'm not sure if it was the pacing or what, but for that reason I can't quite give it 5 stars.
A Breath of Sunlight by Sydney Winward
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Initially, I had this book at 4 stars, but after thinking about it for a while I wanted to come back and give my written review and realized I really need to give it 3 (3.5 on platforms that will allow it). Let me explain.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun little fantasy romance that met my expectations for the genre. That's an automatic 3 stars. I liked it. It's a fun book that is worth reading if fantasy romance is your jam. I would definitely pick up another book by the author.
The Pros:
The writing was fun and snappy. There were a lot of neat little world-building details, such as the cultural meaning of tattoos. Calle was a sweetheart and the relationship between him and Skaja was fun to read.
There was so much cool potential in the worldbuilding and premise here that I think it could have easily been turned into a much beefier fantasy novel. I don't think that was the author's intent though. I think the intent was to deliver a fun, easy-to-read fantasy romance, and that was what I got.
Skaja's trauma around the truth of her parentage was handled in a way that I thought was fairly believable.
The Cons:
Calle suffered immensely and didn't seem to really have any long-term lasting effects from that. So while Skaja's trauma was handled pretty well, his was glossed over.
I feel like the Valkyries needed more development. The Valkyries here are different from their mythological inspiration. I would say the author just borrowed the name, which is fine. I think the mythological Valkyries would probably approve, honestly. However, there are some serious cult-like issues with the Valkyries that I think could have been handled differently. WHY they hate men and live as they do wasn't adequately explained, in my opinion.
The fact that Skaja WENT BACK to what was essentially a cult and was allowed to leave again at the end was probably the single most unbelievable thing in a book about fae and people with wings.
Besides that, the more I sat with my thoughts on the book, the more I think the plot did really fall apart a bit towards the end. The telepathy that drives the start of the climax was so out of left-field. I think if there'd been any kind of establishment of that as an ability earlier in the book it would have been a dramatic improvement. It kinda felt like the author wrote themselves up to "oh well, time to storm the castle" but then didn't really know how to deal with storming the castle. And honestly, that is a position that sucks, believe me, I've done that twice myself. I'm just speculating here, but it FELT like the niece's telepathy was a get out of jail free card for a difficult plot point.
Having said all that, I did really enjoy the book and look forward to reading the next one, since I believe this is the start of a series.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun little fantasy romance that met my expectations for the genre. That's an automatic 3 stars. I liked it. It's a fun book that is worth reading if fantasy romance is your jam. I would definitely pick up another book by the author.
The Pros:
The writing was fun and snappy. There were a lot of neat little world-building details, such as the cultural meaning of tattoos. Calle was a sweetheart and the relationship between him and Skaja was fun to read.
There was so much cool potential in the worldbuilding and premise here that I think it could have easily been turned into a much beefier fantasy novel. I don't think that was the author's intent though. I think the intent was to deliver a fun, easy-to-read fantasy romance, and that was what I got.
Skaja's trauma around the truth of her parentage was handled in a way that I thought was fairly believable.
The Cons:
Calle suffered immensely and didn't seem to really have any long-term lasting effects from that. So while Skaja's trauma was handled pretty well, his was glossed over.
I feel like the Valkyries needed more development. The Valkyries here are different from their mythological inspiration. I would say the author just borrowed the name, which is fine. I think the mythological Valkyries would probably approve, honestly. However, there are some serious cult-like issues with the Valkyries that I think could have been handled differently. WHY they hate men and live as they do wasn't adequately explained, in my opinion.
The fact that Skaja WENT BACK to what was essentially a cult and was allowed to leave again at the end was probably the single most unbelievable thing in a book about fae and people with wings.
Besides that, the more I sat with my thoughts on the book, the more I think the plot did really fall apart a bit towards the end. The telepathy that drives the start of the climax was so out of left-field. I think if there'd been any kind of establishment of that as an ability earlier in the book it would have been a dramatic improvement. It kinda felt like the author wrote themselves up to "oh well, time to storm the castle" but then didn't really know how to deal with storming the castle. And honestly, that is a position that sucks, believe me, I've done that twice myself. I'm just speculating here, but it FELT like the niece's telepathy was a get out of jail free card for a difficult plot point.
Having said all that, I did really enjoy the book and look forward to reading the next one, since I believe this is the start of a series.
The Moonlit Warrior: A Young Adult Fantasy Romance by E.P. Stavs
adventurous
fast-paced
5.0
I went into this with Lilly and Draven as my favorite couple in the series, but Fia and her love interest definitely gave them a run for their money. It was a beautiful story about both love and healing set against a sweep of epic and fantastical events. And that's all I can say without mild spoilers. Carry on at your own risk.
*** SPOILERS BELOW ***
Going into this final volume I was extremely skeptical. Afterall, the previous books had seemingly set up Fia for a love story with Bade, and well, he was the villain! And I just couldn't see how he was going to have a redemption arc that would make it okay for him to be with one of our heros at the end.
And then in walked Cashel. And my skepticism grew.
But it worked. I really enjoyed how Cashel and Fia grew together. Granted, there was that brief period of time where I thought Cashel was going to listen to same pretty terrible advice, but it all worked out in the end.
And I actually ended up being happy about Bade's redemption. It definitely did not take a form that I expected. I think he got the best ending he possibly could of.
I *think* this might be my favorite book in the series. Kinda sad it's over.
*** SPOILERS BELOW ***
Going into this final volume I was extremely skeptical. Afterall, the previous books had seemingly set up Fia for a love story with Bade, and well, he was the villain! And I just couldn't see how he was going to have a redemption arc that would make it okay for him to be with one of our heros at the end.
And then in walked Cashel. And my skepticism grew.
But it worked. I really enjoyed how Cashel and Fia grew together. Granted, there was that brief period of time where I thought Cashel was going to listen to same pretty terrible advice, but it all worked out in the end.
And I actually ended up being happy about Bade's redemption. It definitely did not take a form that I expected. I think he got the best ending he possibly could of.
I *think* this might be my favorite book in the series. Kinda sad it's over.
A Rose of Steel by Katherine Macdonald
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
At the time of this writing, this is my favorite of Macdonald's books I've read so far. Like her previous works, A Rose of Steel is full of lyrical writing and witty banter. Although it is something of a slow burn--which Macdonald is known for--there's still plenty of action to drive the plot forward while the characters figure out their feelings. And while this is nominally a beauty and the beast retelling, the steampunk aesthetic adds a fun and interesting dimension. It's a great first in series and I look forward to book 2.