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spicycronereads's reviews
209 reviews
Yule with the wild God: A steamy winter solstice Romantasy novel by Maggie Maren
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
So much fun! This book adds a romantasy twist to the trademark. Maggie Maren humor, heart, and spice.
I want I’m to celebrate Yule the way these characters do! 😍🎄🥵
A fat witchy FMC meets a fish out it water ancient fertility MMC. He sees the magic in her right away. And they keep each other warm☺️
I want I’m to celebrate Yule the way these characters do! 😍🎄🥵
A fat witchy FMC meets a fish out it water ancient fertility MMC. He sees the magic in her right away. And they keep each other warm☺️
Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
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? Yes
4.25
The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
Did not finish book. Stopped at 1%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 1%.
Decided to re-read the first two books before reading this.
Gothikana by RuNyx
One plot point could be considered anti-choice
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I have two print copies of this book, so it was a relief when I finally read it and actually enjoyed it. But buckle up, because I have OPINIONS.
Let’s start with the good - the author is very good at setting the scene and establishing atmosphere. She writes rich, lush descriptions that engage all the senses.
Her depictions of Corvina were compelling and it was fun to see her character arc.
Some of the spicy scenes were quite good (the one in the Black Ball? 🔥).
All of that said, I have a lot of gripes about this one. Most of these things could have been fixed with a firm developmental and line edit.
The minor: As much as I love his aesthetic and possessiveness, Deverell is actually fairly flat as a character. Some of the spicy scenes are clumsy or downright terrible. The first seggs scene was awful and had me cringing for Corvina. 😬
As I mentioned above, the author is good at establishing atmosphere. The settings and descriptions establish Verenmore as almost out of time. Corvina seems a bit naive and even old fashioned, but then there would be these moments of dialogue that would completely change the tone. For example, Corvina telling Vad “good luck getting your 🍆 wet.” it was so out of place with the overall tone and voice, it was jarring. And there are dialogue moments like that throughout.
The pacing is a bit uneven, with certain scenes feeling rushed. They needed to be given more time to breathe. Like after finding the weird shack, it never comes up again until the end.
Which brings me to the book’s relationship to Gothic literature. *pushes glasses up the bridge of my nose* Based on the chapter heading artwork and epigraphs, it seems reasonable to assume that RuNyx is a fan of Gothic literature (though that Beetlejuice epigraph felt like a bit of a stretch…). So it was disappointing that the plot left several potentially supernatural loose ends. If the Gothic typically deals with allegory for social anxieties and the female gothic particularly centers on the power of seggsuality, there was such an opportunity to tie the “preternatural” events as she termed them to Corvina’s seggsuality. It could have been so seggs positive and affirming. But byleaving the possibility of Corvina having schizophrenia and the weird loose ends with the disappearances and five new skulls, it instead leaves medical and supernatural forces in play. Could have been cool social allegory. Instead it was just a spooky, ghost tale. A definite missed opportunity.
The book does have some representation of schizophrenia though I am not informed enough to know if it was a beneficial representation. No other diverse representation. Which is…strange…in this day and age.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It kept me entertained. I wish it had had one more pass with a firm editorial hand. Disappointing that Bramble didn’t have her work with an editor once they picked it up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Let’s start with the good - the author is very good at setting the scene and establishing atmosphere. She writes rich, lush descriptions that engage all the senses.
Her depictions of Corvina were compelling and it was fun to see her character arc.
Some of the spicy scenes were quite good (the one in the Black Ball? 🔥).
All of that said, I have a lot of gripes about this one. Most of these things could have been fixed with a firm developmental and line edit.
The minor: As much as I love his aesthetic and possessiveness, Deverell is actually fairly flat as a character. Some of the spicy scenes are clumsy or downright terrible. The first seggs scene was awful and had me cringing for Corvina. 😬
As I mentioned above, the author is good at establishing atmosphere. The settings and descriptions establish Verenmore as almost out of time. Corvina seems a bit naive and even old fashioned, but then there would be these moments of dialogue that would completely change the tone. For example,
The pacing is a bit uneven, with certain scenes feeling rushed. They needed to be given more time to breathe. Like after
Which brings me to the book’s relationship to Gothic literature. *pushes glasses up the bridge of my nose* Based on the chapter heading artwork and epigraphs, it seems reasonable to assume that RuNyx is a fan of Gothic literature (though that Beetlejuice epigraph felt like a bit of a stretch…). So it was disappointing that the plot left several potentially supernatural loose ends. If the Gothic typically deals with allegory for social anxieties and the female gothic particularly centers on the power of seggsuality, there was such an opportunity to tie the “preternatural” events as she termed them to Corvina’s seggsuality. It could have been so seggs positive and affirming. But by
The book does have some representation of schizophrenia though I am not informed enough to know if it was a beneficial representation. No other diverse representation. Which is…strange…in this day and age.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It kept me entertained. I wish it had had one more pass with a firm editorial hand. Disappointing that Bramble didn’t have her work with an editor once they picked it up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Twisted Ink by A.M. McCoy
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Read this as a buddy read. The spice was plentiful and it had character archetypes that I appreciate. However, the writing was painful to read. Every character is smirking all of the time. Except when their eyes are fluttering. It was extremely repetitive and needs a good, close edit for continuity.
Lady Killer by L.M. Ramirez
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Such a fun follow up to Virgin Sacrifice!
We learn more of Luz’s secrets but the mystery continues to deepen. We get to know more of the MMCs who are Luz’s love interests, including the unhinged (but also endearing?) Everest. And can I just say? I called it with regards to Lucian. 😊 Like book 1, this one ends on one heck of a cliffhanger.
There is slightly more spice in this one though the slow burn with delicious tension continues. 🌶️🌶️
The book maintains the diverse representation from book 1 with a multiracial Latina FMC and queer representation, including some new ace representation. The first book addresses issues germane to representation and justice and this one does the same - this time with regard to sexual assault and survivors.
All in all, it was a fun read that I blew through pretty quickly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️
We learn more of Luz’s secrets but the mystery continues to deepen. We get to know more of the MMCs who are Luz’s love interests, including the unhinged (but also endearing?) Everest. And can I just say? I called it with regards to Lucian. 😊 Like book 1, this one ends on one heck of a cliffhanger.
There is slightly more spice in this one though the slow burn with delicious tension continues. 🌶️🌶️
The book maintains the diverse representation from book 1 with a multiracial Latina FMC and queer representation, including some new ace representation. The first book addresses issues germane to representation and justice and this one does the same - this time with regard to sexual assault and survivors.
All in all, it was a fun read that I blew through pretty quickly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape and Fire/Fire injury
Hellbent by Maggie Maren
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
It was lovely to return to Pine Bluff for Dane and Maisie’s story! 🌲💕🌲💕 You don’t have to have read the prior two novels to read this one, but the experience is definitely enriched if you do.
We have met both characters before, in both Stormbound and Feverburn. Dane is the wise-cracking bad boy mechanic that has a reputation for providing *hospitality* for the women visitors to Pine Bluff, Maine. Maisie is the sarcastic, silly, and fiercely loyal BFF of Kaylee, the protagonist of Book 1. And Dane is best friends with Harley, the MMC of book 1. He owns a body shop. She owns an adult boutique.
When Maisie visits Pine Bluff for Kaylee and Harley’s rehearsal dinner, there are instant sparks, but not all the good kind.
These characters are so much fun. And they have so much depth and heart. They both have past traumas that are causing roadblocks. The way that the author writes their process of dealing with those and learning to find each other is so beautiful. Not to mention funny and spicy too! 💕
There are some great moments with secondary characters and the womxn’s friendships in Maggie Maren‘s work are always top-notch.
As previously mentioned, the spice is excellent. The author places a lot of emphasis on communication and consent in all of her books. That is still here and there are some other really progressive things that happen around the spice that just make me so happy to read. We don’t have to set ourselves back 50 years in order to enjoy a spicy romance. I am giving this one five peppers because there is one scene that I think about constantly. And I learned something new! 😂 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
In terms of diversity, some of the secondary characters are women of color and Maisie herself is multi racial with a Latinx father and white mother. There are also queer characters in the Pinebluff universe though they remain among the secondary characters. In thinking about diversity, I think it’s also important to acknowledge just how progressive and justice oriented. Maggie’s works are. While these aren’t necessarily factors in diverse representation, I think it’s still important that she casts a critical eye on patriarchy and oppressive social institutions and creates characters who are empowered to challenge those institutions. Her work is a joy to read and I never feel like a bad human for enjoying it. 😂
Overall, I really loved the story. Even though book 2, remains at the top spot in my heart, these two characters charmed me they made me cry, they made me laugh, and they made me swoon. OK, and they also made me squirm in my seat a little. 🥵
I gave this book 5 stars and five chili peppers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
We have met both characters before, in both Stormbound and Feverburn. Dane is the wise-cracking bad boy mechanic that has a reputation for providing *hospitality* for the women visitors to Pine Bluff, Maine. Maisie is the sarcastic, silly, and fiercely loyal BFF of Kaylee, the protagonist of Book 1. And Dane is best friends with Harley, the MMC of book 1. He owns a body shop. She owns an adult boutique.
When Maisie visits Pine Bluff for Kaylee and Harley’s rehearsal dinner, there are instant sparks, but not all the good kind.
These characters are so much fun. And they have so much depth and heart. They both have past traumas that are causing roadblocks. The way that the author writes their process of dealing with those and learning to find each other is so beautiful. Not to mention funny and spicy too! 💕
There are some great moments with secondary characters and the womxn’s friendships in Maggie Maren‘s work are always top-notch.
As previously mentioned, the spice is excellent. The author places a lot of emphasis on communication and consent in all of her books. That is still here and there are some other really progressive things that happen around the spice that just make me so happy to read. We don’t have to set ourselves back 50 years in order to enjoy a spicy romance. I am giving this one five peppers because there is one scene that I think about constantly. And I learned something new! 😂 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
In terms of diversity, some of the secondary characters are women of color and Maisie herself is multi racial with a Latinx father and white mother. There are also queer characters in the Pinebluff universe though they remain among the secondary characters. In thinking about diversity, I think it’s also important to acknowledge just how progressive and justice oriented. Maggie’s works are. While these aren’t necessarily factors in diverse representation, I think it’s still important that she casts a critical eye on patriarchy and oppressive social institutions and creates characters who are empowered to challenge those institutions. Her work is a joy to read and I never feel like a bad human for enjoying it. 😂
Overall, I really loved the story. Even though book 2, remains at the top spot in my heart, these two characters charmed me they made me cry, they made me laugh, and they made me swoon. OK, and they also made me squirm in my seat a little. 🥵
I gave this book 5 stars and five chili peppers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Library loan expired.
Somewhere We Are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings by Sonia Guiñansaca, Reyna Grande
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Paused for now