skys_library's reviews
742 reviews

There's No Place Like Oz by Leann Belle

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

I received an advance listeners copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 

I really bloody enjoyed this one and I don't know if I will ever be able to look at The Wizard of Oz the same way again😂. I loved the characters and their developments throughout, the breaking down of a lot of walls and the bond they all created. There is definitely a nice balance between the plot and the spice, and the spice was definitely spicing🥵. The plot is a really interesting one and it gives a lot of homage to the original book, whilst giving it that edgier feel that keeps you on your toes waiting for the next twist. We get to have a look at character’s that we only hear off in the original book, which added a nice little layer to it. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and see if they also ruin the classics for me (all in a good way). 

Fifth Avenue Fling by Rosa Lucas

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.25

 I really enjoyed this one, I flew through it so quickly, which I was really surprised about considering its over 400 pages long. I loved the characters and their story, there was some really nice banter throughout, which balanced some of the heavier topics. There was a lot of time jumps at the end which made it feel a little rushed but I was glad to see that they got their happy ending. There was some interesting layers to the characters and getting to explore them, the bond that Clodagh built with Teagan was really sweet. Watching Killian build not only confidence and strength in his relationship with his daughter but also with Clodagh and how he lets some of his walls down to truly let her in, was gripping to watch. Definitely one that I recommend picking up. 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 This is probably one of the easiest 5 stars I have ever given. This book has absolutely crushed my soul, I have sobbed so hard at this book but I have also smiled and laughed. These 4 characters will forever hold a special place in my heart but especially Jude and Willem. This author has you so immensely immersed into this story that you just can't put the book down, she is so descriptive but it still kept surprising me at every turn. I could relate to Jude so much and with Willem at times. I have gotten so angry at characters and wanted to scream and shout at them. The author will keep breaking your heart to the very last page but I found it all to be done with so much grace and I was left at peace with the characters. I could easily see myself reading this book again and again, and I'm so eager to check out more of the authors work. One that I definitely recommend any reader to pick up but please check trigger warnings and put your mental health first, as there is a lot of very heavy and hard subjects/scenes to read. 

Wanted by the Alpha by Laxmi Hariharan

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

 I found this one to be rushed, like the author was trying to fit a lot into this prequel novella. There is a lot of spice for such a short book that it was taking away from the build up. There was also some scenes that gave me the creeps. Personally don't see myself picking up the rest of this series. 

Flock by Kate Stewart

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 I really enjoyed and loved this one and getting to meet these characters. I loved how it wasn't all in straight away and that there was some pacing to the characters relationship, even though there is the slightest little bit of insta love. The plot is interesting and definitely intrigued to see where the rest of the series goes after that cliffhanger. The characters themselves are interesting and definitely a lot more layers to unravel, especially with our MMCs, which I think will be explored a lot in the next book. 

All Shall Mourn by Ellie Marney

challenging informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 I received an advance review copy for free from Ellie Marney, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 

Well, I don’t know what I was expecting but it was not that. I have been with these characters from the start but the growth in this book alone was just insane. Both their professional and personal relationships shone through nicely in this book and balanced out really well. I was so happy for their ending together and think it was rounded out in the perfect place for them. Watching them both find their boundaries and where they felt comfortable in life, was really wholesome, knowing what they have been through. Now the story as a whole, I was on a roundabout the entire time and didn’t think I was ever going to get off at the right exit. That ending has had me shook and I mean the literal ending there, surely it can not just be left there like that, not after everything we have been through with all the characters, it just can’t be possible. I think that ending will forever haunt me knowing that it’s just been left like that, with so many possibilities. All Shall Mourn releases on 5th February, so now is the perfect time to catch up on the first two books in time for this release. 

Tempting Little Thief by Meagan Brandy

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 This wasn't a bad book, but if I'm being honest, I had no clue what happened there. I was so confused by the end with all the different reveals that I just couldn't keep up. The character's were okay but I was getting really frustrated with them and the way they would act in certain situations and with each other, would just give me weird vibes. Like I said it's not a bad book and you can tell the plot has been well thought out to be able to make all those reveals and connections, but it just wasn't for me. 

Kulti by Mariana Zapata

emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 I freaking loved this one and the characters so much. The tension between them was balanced so well the cute, banter moments, that when it all finally snapped, it was oh so perfect. I loved how their 'backstory' played such a subconscious part but those revelations at the end, literally had me gasping, I couldn't believe it. Kulti is just such a possessive asshole and I loved it such much, the things he did for Sal, literally had me smiling so much my cheeks hurt and I was tearing up like no tomorrow. Sal was such a realistic character and her thought process was just so relatable. Another instant 5 star read from Mariana Zapata, that I recommend checking out as soon as possible. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 It was nice to experience this classic outside of the movie, as I had already seen that. I listened to the audiobook but I’m not sure I liked the dramatised version, I personally felt it took away from the story a little bit. I enjoyed the characters and getting to see their different stories play out but how they still affected each other in little ways. Unlike other classic’s I’ve read, the writing in this one flowed really well, which made it so easy to read. 

Loot by Tania James
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.