Take a photo of a barcode or cover
t0ast_and_t3a's Reviews (494)
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology
Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-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:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Sage had me at Grumpy Cowboy, but doubled down with “Teddy Baby,” and then tripled down with “Saddle up” (iykyk😏).
In all seriousness, though, this was more than a romance. There’s found family, humor, and a great setting that only grows the more we stick with Rebel Blue. I love romances, but I especially love ones that hold up without the romance—and this one had that. But what I REALLY love is when that romance gives that story an even better ending. Teddy and Gus would have been fine without each other, but fine is not enough.
That said—GIVE ME CAM AND DUSTY!!
In all seriousness, though, this was more than a romance. There’s found family, humor, and a great setting that only grows the more we stick with Rebel Blue. I love romances, but I especially love ones that hold up without the romance—and this one had that. But what I REALLY love is when that romance gives that story an even better ending. Teddy and Gus would have been fine without each other, but fine is not enough.
That said—GIVE ME CAM AND DUSTY!!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Honestly, between 3.5-4🌟. The FMC is a bit frustrating, but I’m hoping as the story goes on she becomes a little less so—I saw some of that happening with Bodil’s character, so I have hope.
The twists were predictable, but I still enjoyed reading—mostly because I just screamed at the book like “how are you not getting this!! Open your eyes please”. But I’m invested enough to see what happens next.
The twists were predictable, but I still enjoyed reading—mostly because I just screamed at the book like “how are you not getting this!! Open your eyes please”. But I’m invested enough to see what happens next.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
Hazelwood is the master of these novellas. Quick, focused, and emotional (including ALL character, not just the mains). She has a way of building a detailed character in a short time that satisfies the story and purpose.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, was not expecting this one to be much better than the first two (was just expecting it to stay on course—3🌟 across the board, you know) but the last half of this book really amped up. Yeah, I guessed some stuff correctly, but how it happens is another story.
I’m not a fan of the random extra POVs, without them being recurring, but maybe that’ll change in the last book.
I honestly don’t know what to expect with book four, but I am here for the ride.
4/5🌟
4/5♥️
2.5/5🌶️
I’m not a fan of the random extra POVs, without them being recurring, but maybe that’ll change in the last book.
I honestly don’t know what to expect with book four, but I am here for the ride.
4/5🌟
4/5♥️
2.5/5🌶️
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
This was the most focused on worldbuilding I’ve felt Black has been throughout the entire series. There was SO much we didn’t see in prior books—about creatures, magic systems, and the overall makeup of Faerie.
That said, this wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t feel as drawn towards Oak and Wren as I was Jude and Cardan (them being in this book so much honestly saved it for me). The writing and story was there, but it was just missing something that drew me to the first 3.5 books.
That said, this wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t feel as drawn towards Oak and Wren as I was Jude and Cardan (them being in this book so much honestly saved it for me). The writing and story was there, but it was just missing something that drew me to the first 3.5 books.
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5🌟
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
Growl-y, twisty, and spicy. Like, very growl-y and spicy. There a decent plot, and by the end, your questions from book one will be answered, but you’ll just have a new list by the end for book three—which is exactly what Lee intended.
I have learned that I don’t like the overuse of the term “mate” though. It is used SO many times in this book—like, we get it already. (This is literally just a nit-picky thing for me, doesn’t take away from the overall story.)
And I guessed the big reveal while reading book one, but I still enjoyed how it was done. Looking forward to seeing if my theory for book three is correct.
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
Growl-y, twisty, and spicy. Like, very growl-y and spicy. There a decent plot, and by the end, your questions from book one will be answered, but you’ll just have a new list by the end for book three—which is exactly what Lee intended.
I have learned that I don’t like the overuse of the term “mate” though. It is used SO many times in this book—like, we get it already. (This is literally just a nit-picky thing for me, doesn’t take away from the overall story.)
And I guessed the big reveal while reading book one, but I still enjoyed how it was done. Looking forward to seeing if my theory for book three is correct.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love a good romantasy audiobook (especially one read by Teddy Hamilton!). This has so many tropes I don’t know if I can list them all, but “touch her and die” is the main one — so many growls when anyone mentions the FMC, just wow (LOL). Obviously there’s vampires, and obviously they’re rich, but there’s courts politics and mates and witches, and an interesting magic system. I’m invested in the characters enough to read the next.
emotional
mysterious
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
Not what I was expecting, but that speaks volumes when I bought this book for the sprayed edges (and I mean, the cover may have had a smidge to do with it👀). Spice, romance, and one hell of a third act twist. Not gonna lie, I wasn’t paying enough attention to the hints, so I got GOT in part 2.
Perfect for a palette cleanser (ever read a book that just breaks your brain—that was me), or just for some fucking golden get-me-out-of-reality entertainment.
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
3/5🌟
Perfect for a palette cleanser (ever read a book that just breaks your brain—that was me), or just for some fucking golden get-me-out-of-reality entertainment.
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
3/5🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There’s so much to unpack—nearly all of it would spoil something. So, I’m going to give you three words—Visceral, weird, brilliant.
I love when a book shocks me, especially one that has me constantly asking “what the actual fuck” as I’m going through.
I listened to the audiobook, but I really want to go back and physically read it. I think it’d be a different experience completely.
There are “Heathers” vibes for sure—but it’s the deep attention (attack?) of MFA programs that got me in the end. Honestly, I didn’t need to read this to know that MFA programs will either make or break your creativity(and I knew myself well enough to know I’d likely be the latter) but if I had read it before I made my decision to not continue with school after getting my bachelors, my decision might have been easier.
Some of the reviews I read for this book missed the biggest point—that nearly everything that happens is meant metaphorically, which is purposeful for both the FMC and the book as a whole. But also, missing this point is also a main theme in the book too, so well done, Awad—well fucking done.
Honestly, I think this is closer to a 4.5, but I’ll leave that decision for my reread.
**there is some triggering language and imagery throughout this book, so please check the warnings before diving in**
I love when a book shocks me, especially one that has me constantly asking “what the actual fuck” as I’m going through.
I listened to the audiobook, but I really want to go back and physically read it. I think it’d be a different experience completely.
There are “Heathers” vibes for sure—but it’s the deep attention (attack?) of MFA programs that got me in the end. Honestly, I didn’t need to read this to know that MFA programs will either make or break your creativity(and I knew myself well enough to know I’d likely be the latter) but if I had read it before I made my decision to not continue with school after getting my bachelors, my decision might have been easier.
Some of the reviews I read for this book missed the biggest point—that nearly everything that happens is meant metaphorically, which is purposeful for both the FMC and the book as a whole. But also, missing this point is also a main theme in the book too, so well done, Awad—well fucking done.
Honestly, I think this is closer to a 4.5, but I’ll leave that decision for my reread.
**there is some triggering language and imagery throughout this book, so please check the warnings before diving in**