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spellbinding_steph's Reviews (65)
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am way above the target audience for this series and very behind on reading it but it was an enjoyable read. Better than the movie and after reading the book I can say the movie lacked a lot especially when it comes to Peeta! I will definitely continue with the rest of the series and both prequels.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As always Emily Henry's writing was immaculate, she has a true talent with words. Unfortunately the book itself just wasn't it. I loved the idea but the story within the story caused some pace issues. I would rather have heard Margaret's story through dialoge between the characters than in separate chapters that felt almost disconnected from everything else. The way it was presented felt like I was reading 2 books at once and while I ultimately understood the connection it didn't flow right for me. It was more plot than romance which is not an issue at all but the issue I did have was what seemed like a lack of development on the love story, almost like adding in the romantic element was an after thought. Overall, it was still an enjoyable read.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The final installment of this trilogy and my favorite by far! I feel like Fionn and Rose had more growth than the other couples. As much as I loved Rowan and Lachlan, because the Kane brothers are probably all perfect, Fionn felt more real. I loved seeing Rose spending time with Lark and Sloan and how easily she melded into the family. And the Epilogues!! Everything felt full circle and also not, in a good way...IYKYK.
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Dedicated to the angry feminist” I needed more anger. I needed more rage. I just needed more from these stories. I love the idea of what these are meant to be and meant to represent: Feminism, women not being saved by men, women fighting against a world run by men, women saving themselves and each other, and in a very basic way they accomplished all of that. I know they’re short stories but I just felt unfulfilled when they were done.
Thanks BookwormBook for the ARC.
Thanks BookwormBook for the ARC.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! I enjoyed seeing Calliope and Lucien gradually open up to each other in ways deeper than physical attraction. It was a perfectly cozy read and you can really see Breanne’s influences and inspirations shine through the story. Calliope and her sisters’ characters makes a lot of sense to me, maybe because I understand how she felt growing up without her mother and how that affects you, even into adulthood and in different ways. I look forward to exploring Thalia and Eurydice’s stories in the next installments. I think my only complaint is I could’ve gone without being told Lucien smelled like apples so many times.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF at 11% (100ish pages). Holy metaphors and repetition! I really wanted to enjoy this book but I could not get past the main character’s inner thoughts sounding like a bad sitcom being narrated by the characters. I feel like 100 pages is a good effort for a 700 page book but I could not tell you what was going on after those 100 pages. There’s no background, no world building, it felt very scattered. I was also bothered by how some chapters were numbered and others were titled.
Received from Bookworm Books.
Received from Bookworm Books.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review from Tales and Teacups PR
The book was a 3 star at 70% but that last 30% just went down hill. Honestly the whole book had some flow issues on various levels. It was a 600 page book that could’ve been cut down to 300 or 400 if you took out a lot of the repetition. The dialogue of the characters randomly sounded like it was written in medieval times but then switched back to a more modern dialogue. The syntax of the sentences often felt weird. It almost felt like there were several ideas smushed into one and this was also the case in some parts where the author would describe something one way and in the next paragraph describe it a different way, almost like she couldn’t make up her mind. It’s book 1 of what looks like is supposed to be a 4 book series, there were cliffhangers but I don’t see myself reading the rest of the books because with how this one dragged, I just don’t care what happens.
The book was a 3 star at 70% but that last 30% just went down hill. Honestly the whole book had some flow issues on various levels. It was a 600 page book that could’ve been cut down to 300 or 400 if you took out a lot of the repetition. The dialogue of the characters randomly sounded like it was written in medieval times but then switched back to a more modern dialogue. The syntax of the sentences often felt weird. It almost felt like there were several ideas smushed into one and this was also the case in some parts where the author would describe something one way and in the next paragraph describe it a different way, almost like she couldn’t make up her mind. It’s book 1 of what looks like is supposed to be a 4 book series, there were cliffhangers but I don’t see myself reading the rest of the books because with how this one dragged, I just don’t care what happens.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review
I love a good fairytale retelling and this was a perfectly sweet and spicy twist of a well known tale. Seraphine and Korven are both lovable characters and I enjoyed learning their history and watching them grow. I can’t even try to pick a favorite part. It was the perfect palate cleanser for something quick, fun, and easy to read. Fiola was also a fun character and I hope she comes back in more of the series. My only complaint is that I’m not a fan of the repeating phrases. Otherwise, I very much look forward to the next installments of this series!
I love a good fairytale retelling and this was a perfectly sweet and spicy twist of a well known tale. Seraphine and Korven are both lovable characters and I enjoyed learning their history and watching them grow. I can’t even try to pick a favorite part. It was the perfect palate cleanser for something quick, fun, and easy to read. Fiola was also a fun character and I hope she comes back in more of the series. My only complaint is that I’m not a fan of the repeating phrases. Otherwise, I very much look forward to the next installments of this series!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review for Love Notes PR.
I almost DNF’d this book several times, including when I started the epilogue (but that was more a trope hating issue on my part). It took way too long to get to the connection from the prologue to the plot. The plot twist at almost 90% felt completely unnecessary (as did many other parts of the story). I felt like somethings were mentioned that could’ve been touched on again or explained better but weren’t (again unnecessary fluff). The way the MCs acted at times felt unrealistic just to add more conflict to the story. The idea was there but I just felt like it wasn’t executed well.
I almost DNF’d this book several times, including when I started the epilogue (but that was more a trope hating issue on my part). It took way too long to get to the connection from the prologue to the plot. The plot twist at almost 90% felt completely unnecessary (as did many other parts of the story). I felt like somethings were mentioned that could’ve been touched on again or explained better but weren’t (again unnecessary fluff). The way the MCs acted at times felt unrealistic just to add more conflict to the story. The idea was there but I just felt like it wasn’t executed well.
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book read like an episode of Criminal Minds with hints of romance and spice. The plot twist was completely out of left field which is exactly what a plot twist should be. I loved how both Crew and Aspen desired to care for the other without infringing on who they were as individuals. It definitely had me kicking my feet and giggling at parts. The slow burn was brutal at times but when it finally caught flame it was worth the wait. I can only assume the series will revolve around the Lawless siblings and I look forward to reading the rest!
Thanks Love Notes PR and Amanda for the ARC!
Thanks Love Notes PR and Amanda for the ARC!