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teaand_tomes's reviews
506 reviews
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
I love dystopian sci-fi, and when I heard Ava Reid was writing one, I was so excited—her elevated writing style and gothic vibes always draw me in. The world-building in Fable for the End of the World was fascinating, with a deeply unsettling but realistic explanation of how society collapsed under Caerus’s control. The Gauntlet, the class system, and the ruthless spectacle of it all gave me Hunger Games vibes, while Melinoë’s reconditioning and lost memories reminded me of Dollhouse. It was such a compelling sci-fi premise.
That said, I struggled to fully connect with the characters, and by the end, I was left wanting more resolution. There were lingering questions that didn’t feel entirely answered, and I would have loved either a more conclusive ending or a sequel to flesh out the unfinished aspects. Despite that, Reid’s writing remains stunning as always, and I’ll absolutely continue reading everything she writes.
If you love dystopian worlds with a dark, thought-provoking edge, this one is definitely worth checking out!
dark
medium-paced
3.0
Thank you to Ava Reid, HarperCollins, and BookSparks for the free book!
I love dystopian sci-fi, and when I heard Ava Reid was writing one, I was so excited—her elevated writing style and gothic vibes always draw me in. The world-building in Fable for the End of the World was fascinating, with a deeply unsettling but realistic explanation of how society collapsed under Caerus’s control. The Gauntlet, the class system, and the ruthless spectacle of it all gave me Hunger Games vibes, while Melinoë’s reconditioning and lost memories reminded me of Dollhouse. It was such a compelling sci-fi premise.
That said, I struggled to fully connect with the characters, and by the end, I was left wanting more resolution. There were lingering questions that didn’t feel entirely answered, and I would have loved either a more conclusive ending or a sequel to flesh out the unfinished aspects. Despite that, Reid’s writing remains stunning as always, and I’ll absolutely continue reading everything she writes.
If you love dystopian worlds with a dark, thought-provoking edge, this one is definitely worth checking out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
Nevermore by Miranda Lyn
The exploration of the gods was particularly fascinating, adding depth to the worldbuilding. And then there’s Thorne—what a character! His dynamic with Paesha was incredible, full of tension and intrigue. Their reluctant partnership and the secrets they keep from each other had me hooked the entire time.
The story was full of twists, unexpected alliances, and high-stakes bargains that kept me on edge. I’m already excited for part two of Paesha’s journey! If you love romantasy with divine meddling, slow-burn tension, and immersive worldbuilding, this one is a must-read!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you to Miranda Lyn for the free book!
I loved being back in this world! Nevermore was an exciting dive into the realm of gods, bargains, and dangerous secrets. Paesha’s journey was filled with tension, mystery, and high stakes, making it impossible to put down.
The exploration of the gods was particularly fascinating, adding depth to the worldbuilding. And then there’s Thorne—what a character! His dynamic with Paesha was incredible, full of tension and intrigue. Their reluctant partnership and the secrets they keep from each other had me hooked the entire time.
The story was full of twists, unexpected alliances, and high-stakes bargains that kept me on edge. I’m already excited for part two of Paesha’s journey! If you love romantasy with divine meddling, slow-burn tension, and immersive worldbuilding, this one is a must-read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Death and Violence
Her Cruel Redemption by Hailey Jade
This dark take on Snow White is one of my favorite retellings ever. The tension, the betrayals, the sheer intensity of every relationship—it’s all woven together so masterfully. Rhiandra’s journey is raw and haunting, and I loved the way the themes of vengeance, redemption, and power played out.
If you love dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and a romance that will break you before it heals you, The Dark Reflection series is an absolute must-read. Highly, highly recommend!
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you, Hailey Jade, for the free book!
I have been obsessed with this series since book one, and Her Cruel Redemption was everything I hoped for—and more. I haven’t stopped thinking about Rhiandra and Draven’s story, wondering how on earth it could possibly end, and this conclusion did not disappoint. It was brutal, breathtaking, and ended in the only way that felt right, making it all the more satisfying.
This dark take on Snow White is one of my favorite retellings ever. The tension, the betrayals, the sheer intensity of every relationship—it’s all woven together so masterfully. Rhiandra’s journey is raw and haunting, and I loved the way the themes of vengeance, redemption, and power played out.
If you love dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and a romance that will break you before it heals you, The Dark Reflection series is an absolute must-read. Highly, highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: War
Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg
Now, onto the audiobook—phenomenal. Graham Halstead, Amanda Leigh Cobb, and Nicholas Boulton did such an incredible job bringing this world to life. Their inflections, accents, and pacing were perfect, matching the tone of the story flawlessly. The tension, the emotions, the humor—everything landed just right. I truly felt like I was living in the world of Whimbrel House, experiencing every moment alongside the characters.
This book reaffirmed why Charlie N. Holmberg is one of my favorite authors, and I cannot wait for the final installment. If you’re planning to read this, I highly recommend experiencing it on audio!
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
That ending wrecked me. I forgot just how much I love these characters and this found family—it remains one of my absolute favorites in any book. Merritt and Owein’s bond is so sweet and heartwarming, and I adored Owein and Fallon together. The quiet comfort and peace they found in each other is exactly what everyone should hope to have in a relationship. And Silas Hogwood? Still one of the most terrifying villains ever. Every encounter with him had me on edge, holding my breath, wondering what nightmare was coming next.
Now, onto the audiobook—phenomenal. Graham Halstead, Amanda Leigh Cobb, and Nicholas Boulton did such an incredible job bringing this world to life. Their inflections, accents, and pacing were perfect, matching the tone of the story flawlessly. The tension, the emotions, the humor—everything landed just right. I truly felt like I was living in the world of Whimbrel House, experiencing every moment alongside the characters.
This book reaffirmed why Charlie N. Holmberg is one of my favorite authors, and I cannot wait for the final installment. If you’re planning to read this, I highly recommend experiencing it on audio!
Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
I loved this book so much! It had everything I adore in a fantasy romance—rich world-building, a swoon-worthy romance, and a magical setting filled with delightful creatures like ogres, goblins, and gryphons. Queen Saskia was such a fantastic lead—fierce, intelligent, and deeply protective of her people—while Fabian was the perfect mix of charming, mysterious, and secretly way in over his head. Their chemistry was absolutely chef’s kiss!
The world-building was incredible, blending classic fantasy elements with fresh, unique twists. The magic system felt both familiar and innovative, making it easy to fall into the story while still feeling excited by new discoveries. And while Lorelei frustrated me for a moment near the end, it didn’t last long enough to take away from how much I enjoyed the book.
This was such a fun, immersive read that I genuinely couldn’t put down. I can’t wait to continue the series and spend more time in this world! Highly recommend for fans of gaslamp fantasy, fierce heroines, and enchanting romances.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to Stephanie Burgis, Bramble Romance, and Goodreads for the free book!
I loved this book so much! It had everything I adore in a fantasy romance—rich world-building, a swoon-worthy romance, and a magical setting filled with delightful creatures like ogres, goblins, and gryphons. Queen Saskia was such a fantastic lead—fierce, intelligent, and deeply protective of her people—while Fabian was the perfect mix of charming, mysterious, and secretly way in over his head. Their chemistry was absolutely chef’s kiss!
The world-building was incredible, blending classic fantasy elements with fresh, unique twists. The magic system felt both familiar and innovative, making it easy to fall into the story while still feeling excited by new discoveries. And while Lorelei frustrated me for a moment near the end, it didn’t last long enough to take away from how much I enjoyed the book.
This was such a fun, immersive read that I genuinely couldn’t put down. I can’t wait to continue the series and spend more time in this world! Highly recommend for fans of gaslamp fantasy, fierce heroines, and enchanting romances.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Death of parent
The Bane Witch: A Novel by Ava Morgyn
Wow—this book was everything. The Bane Witch is a dark, spellbinding mix of Practical Magic and Gone Girl, with a murder mystery wrapped in a magical, feminist package. It was haunting, intense, and deeply compelling.
Piers Corbin’s story is one of survival, vengeance, and power. Her journey—from escaping an abusive marriage to discovering her birthright as a Bane Witch—was absolutely gripping. The lore behind the bane witches and their ability to consume poison to rid the world of dangerous men was so unique and fascinating. I loved the emphasis on female power, sisterhood, and justice.
That said, this book does not shy away from dark themes—there’s heavy content surrounding domestic, physical, and sexual violence, so proceed with caution. But if you love eerie, atmospheric stories with morally complex characters, this one is a must-read. I can’t wait to read more from Ava Morgyn!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to Ava Morgyn, St. Martin’s Griffin, SMP Early Readers, and NetGalley for the free book!
Wow—this book was everything. The Bane Witch is a dark, spellbinding mix of Practical Magic and Gone Girl, with a murder mystery wrapped in a magical, feminist package. It was haunting, intense, and deeply compelling.
Piers Corbin’s story is one of survival, vengeance, and power. Her journey—from escaping an abusive marriage to discovering her birthright as a Bane Witch—was absolutely gripping. The lore behind the bane witches and their ability to consume poison to rid the world of dangerous men was so unique and fascinating. I loved the emphasis on female power, sisterhood, and justice.
That said, this book does not shy away from dark themes—there’s heavy content surrounding domestic, physical, and sexual violence, so proceed with caution. But if you love eerie, atmospheric stories with morally complex characters, this one is a must-read. I can’t wait to read more from Ava Morgyn!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall
If you’re a fan of Charmed, this book is perfect for you! It’s got everything—Power of Three vibes, light and dark witches, ancient curses, and a swoon-worthy romance. I loved the sisterly dynamic between Calliope, Thalia, and Eurydice, and how their magic comes at a price—trading memories for spells added such an intriguing, emotional depth to the story.
The enemies-to-lovers romance between Calliope and Lucien was chef’s kiss—full of tension, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of angst. And of course, Saskia Maarleveld’s narration was phenomenal as always. She completely brought the characters to life and made the audiobook such an immersive experience.
This book was spicy, action-packed, and full of magic and heart. Highly recommend for fans of witchy fantasy romance with strong sisterhood bonds and high-stakes magic!
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you to Breanne Randall and PRH Audio for the free audiobook!
If you’re a fan of Charmed, this book is perfect for you! It’s got everything—Power of Three vibes, light and dark witches, ancient curses, and a swoon-worthy romance. I loved the sisterly dynamic between Calliope, Thalia, and Eurydice, and how their magic comes at a price—trading memories for spells added such an intriguing, emotional depth to the story.
The enemies-to-lovers romance between Calliope and Lucien was chef’s kiss—full of tension, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of angst. And of course, Saskia Maarleveld’s narration was phenomenal as always. She completely brought the characters to life and made the audiobook such an immersive experience.
This book was spicy, action-packed, and full of magic and heart. Highly recommend for fans of witchy fantasy romance with strong sisterhood bonds and high-stakes magic!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved that the protagonists were older—middle-aged gamers finding love through an online guild was such a unique and refreshing premise! Maggie and Aiden’s dynamic was really sweet, and I especially appreciated how Maggie helped Aiden learn to stand up for himself while Aiden fully accepted Maggie for who she was. Their relationship felt strong and healthy, which was wonderful to see.
That said, I wanted a little more from their story. Aiden’s family drama felt overly complicated, and I think it would have been more effective if it had been streamlined. The gaming aspect was fun, but I would have loved to see it play a bigger role in the story.
The audiobook narration by Chris Brinkley and Elyse Dinh was great—I really enjoyed their performances! While this wasn’t a perfect read for me, I still appreciated the heartfelt romance and the refreshing representation of older characters finding love. If you enjoy grumpy/sunshine dynamics, online friendships turning into something more, and mature romance, this might be worth picking up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Chronic illness
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
4.75
Thank you to Laura Steven, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the free book!
I was completely drawn into this book’s premise. Our Infinite Fates delivers an intriguing, unique, and beautifully crafted story of love, fate, and the relentless pull of two souls across lifetimes.
Evelyn and Arden’s dynamic was fascinating—she’s endlessly hopeful, while he’s a jaded poet, and their connection felt inevitable yet tragic. I especially loved how the flashbacks moved backward in time, slowly unraveling the mystery of their origins. The tension between them, balancing love and danger, kept me hooked the entire time.
The ending wasn’t quite what I was hoping for—I wanted to feel a bit more fulfilled—but I appreciated that it was fitting for the story and, in its own way, happy for all involved. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Laura Steven in the future! Highly recommend for fans of sweeping, time-spanning love stories with a touch of darkness.
I was completely drawn into this book’s premise. Our Infinite Fates delivers an intriguing, unique, and beautifully crafted story of love, fate, and the relentless pull of two souls across lifetimes.
Evelyn and Arden’s dynamic was fascinating—she’s endlessly hopeful, while he’s a jaded poet, and their connection felt inevitable yet tragic. I especially loved how the flashbacks moved backward in time, slowly unraveling the mystery of their origins. The tension between them, balancing love and danger, kept me hooked the entire time.
The ending wasn’t quite what I was hoping for—I wanted to feel a bit more fulfilled—but I appreciated that it was fitting for the story and, in its own way, happy for all involved. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Laura Steven in the future! Highly recommend for fans of sweeping, time-spanning love stories with a touch of darkness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Pinquickle's Folly: The Buccaneers by R.A. Salvatore
Pinquickle’s Folly is a swashbuckling high-seas adventure set in Salvatore’s signature world of Corona, introducing a new region filled with pirates, rebels, and the looming threat of the Xoconai empire. The story brings together a misfit crew—once enemies, now allies—banding together in a fight for freedom.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
3.0
Thank you to R.A. Salvatore and Saga Press #SagaSaysCrew for the free book!
Pinquickle’s Folly is a swashbuckling high-seas adventure set in Salvatore’s signature world of Corona, introducing a new region filled with pirates, rebels, and the looming threat of the Xoconai empire. The story brings together a misfit crew—once enemies, now allies—banding together in a fight for freedom.
I’ll admit, the beginning was a bit of a struggle. Keeping track of the characters took some time, and the history and conflict with the Xoconai felt a little underdeveloped at first. But once the players fell into place, the story picked up fast. It’s an action-packed, fun, and sometimes delightfully silly adventure. The pacing felt a bit rushed in places, but overall, it was engaging enough that I flew through the bulk of the book much faster than those initial chapters.
The audiobook narration was enjoyable, with distinct character voices that didn’t rely on exaggerated falsettos for female characters—a detail I really appreciated.
While not perfect, Pinquickle’s Folly is an entertaining pirate fantasy that’s worth sticking with if you enjoy high-seas adventure and camaraderie among unlikely allies.