the_library_of_mary's reviews
130 reviews

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

I'm not much of a horror reader, but this seemed interesting to me. I have seen Cassandra Khaw's other work, but never read them, so I thought a short book would be a good introduction. The grotesque descriptions throughout this book were the highlight for me ( as strange as that seems). This author embraces animalistic attributes of not only our mermaid but of the human characters as well. The brutal nature of mankind is easily broken and the way she portrays that it fascinating. 

The pacing was quick and the development between our plague doctor and mermaid appropriately matches that. You can tell this is a story of gore and brutality covering it's core as a love letter. The realization and impracticability of love in this book was done so well. 

I don't know if I will venture into her other books, again this isn't my normal type of reading but I did enjoy it as a quick read to branch out. 

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

This book was a roller coaster for me, but not with emotions. Instead it was a roller coaster of my interest. This is not a bad book, the characters are loveable and the plot has political navigating and lots of romantic longing. I just felt at time we got a little caught in the mud. 


Niamph is a sweet FMC and I liked how she is a bit older and has a career that she is skilled in. She is THE people pleaser, I swear this girl spent half the book saying sorry and offering to do things for people. She is sweet and I did like her for most of the book but sometimes her personality came on a little strong. 

Her and Kit's relationship takes a bit of time, the longing-ness of it is definitely a key aspect of the book. I did feel like their relationship dragged a little in the middle. It felt like we were getting some repeats of scenes and I was just begging them to just be honest with each other. 

The surrounding cast of characters are all interesting and I enjoyed the different queer identities of characters and the balance between a "regency" inspired standards and a more modern opinion. 

Overall this was a good enough book, but it felt a bit long. I enjoyed the story, fantasy concept, and characters though. 

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I could not put this down. I'm coming out of a reading slump and wanted something that I didn't have to "learn" to much of the setting for. Obviously we know from the original series that Haymitch wins  and we also know the rough plot points we are going to hit. There will be a reaping, interviews, and then the games. 

I was still surprised and wanted desperately to know how we got to the Haymitch of the original series. Everytime I had to put the book down I was frustrated. Haymitch was never my favorite character from the original series, I didn't hate him but I preferred others. This shows him in such a human and real light. My heart breaks for this man and what he goes through in the series. 

For hunger games lovers I would definitely recommend. I forgot how much I enjoyed this series and the writing style. The fast pace and characterization keep me interested. 

Magical Midlife Madness [Dramatized Adaptation] by K.F. Breene
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

I honestly only borrowed this from the library because it was available and it was a "Graphic Audio" production. I love the full cast readings of audiobooks and this sounded kinda up my alley ( fantasy-esque). But it couldn't hook me at all. I could tell it was trying to go the romcom route, but even the comedy wasn't landing and seemed just...meh. Someone else may enjoy this, but it just wasn't hooking me and seemed kinda boring. 

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

I loved this and am so happy that I picked it up from the library. I noticed this while browsing my library's available audiobooks and I am so glad I did. Sapphic vampires, I'm sold. 

I have not read the original Carmilla, but this story obviously takes from the story. Following Lenore through her awakening as a person, feeling the anger and betrayal that she is forced to confront from within herself. Perfection. The language is grotesque and grim, while being delicious and beautiful at the same time. I was hooked on every description and action that was taking place. 

Lenore as a narrator and you could argue that she is an unreliable one ( but I wouldn't) was the perfect lens for this story. She is a woman that has molded herself into whatever version is palatable for others. She lives to fill a role in other's stories and she doesn't even fully realize how much of herself she has dedicated to it. I truly just loved her reactions and thoughts on everything that goes on. 

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

This was good fun. I am on a romance kick right now and I saw one of my booktubers reading this series, so I gave the first book a go. I will continue to read the next couple, the third book was the the one that I saw online. 

This gives me similiar energy to Bridgerton ( the tv show). There is a comedic moments, genuine connection, and steamy sessions. It has a great balance, as long as you go in knowing that this is a ROMANCE. 

I enjoyed that our MMC was blind, ( is enjoyed the right word?). His disability was obviously a large part of him and his character, but it wasn't the entirety of his personality and their relationship. It played a part for sure, but they had their own issues and moments that weren't always centered around it. 

I love a forced proximity, and kind of "reluctant" love stories, thought I'm not sure that is the right word. I like it when the characters have a tension or dislike between them in the beginning and as they spend time together they realize that they connect more than they thought they would. 

Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

A cute, sapphic, come of age story set in a summer camp. Priya and Juliette are high schoolers attending a summer camp for their last year before college. They are "enemies" to friends to lovers and it was a cute story. I was expecting a little more romance, not even physically, just yearning or realizing their feelings. It took a long while for Juliette to even acknowledge that she may be queer. They dynamic is sweet and the relationships with the other characters also had some moments to shine. 

I think more than a romance, it really was a romantic coming of age. There is a reflective tone that is throughout the book, Juliette is constantly thinking about her last moments at camp. Coming to terms with that and change were important aspects to the story. 

As a side note, it didn't bother me to much, but this is a book that will be time dated. There are a LOT of memes and pop culture references throughout the story. Which was funny at times, you definitely will know when it was written haha. 

This was a sweet story, nothing to crazy, but I did enjoy listening to it and going through this summer with the characters. Their little happy ending made me smile. 

Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.

It just wasn't keeping my interest, has everything I should want. Maybe I'll give it a try later but for now it just seemed....meh 

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Loved this book, as much as the first one. Although not a sequel, it seems to be set in the same world as Dungeons & Drama. Another high school romance with a nerdy DND setting, I loved it. This book has "forbidden romance" ( used lightly, because its a modern day high school haha) and Quinn is battling her insecurities and trauma from past friendships and relationships. 

The cast of characters are great, I love the dynamics between them all. Even if some of the characters aren't the star of the show, they feel fleshed out enough that I know what kind of character they are. I also love how "high school" this book feels, and I felt the same way about Dungeons & Drama. High school vibes in a good way though. It is a sweet kind of love, even though there is drama. 

Sometimes you just need a romcom, and I have felt myself about to enter a bit of  reading slump with some other fantasy books that aren't doing it for me. I REALLY needed something fun and sweet, with just a tiny bit of drama. 

Mother of Death and Dawn by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This is a conflicting review for me. I will start by saying that I really loved this series. The characters and the world were done so well, and the stakes always felt real and appropriate. I didn't feel like any of these characters had plot armor, when they were saved from crisis the reason felt realistic. This book includes a lot of messiness within characters ( in a good way) I truly love a morally gray character. I felt satisfied by the ending each of these characters got. 

In a shocking statement from myself, I felt like this book was to long. It's weird because for the most part it didn't feel like there was a lot of filler. Most of the scenes had a purpose to push the story along, but with the audiobook being over 20 hours long I found just hoping for it to end. Which sucks because the story was amazing! I was about 80% through the book when I realized I was ready for it to be done.

I continued to love Aoife. She and Cadwan have my heartstrings, they are both so messy in the clearest way. I just loved their growth and moments throughout the book. Again, I love a grey character it makes things more interesting.  

I wouldn't let this deter you from this series. I truly enjoyed these characters and this story. I will be looking into this authors other works because the emotion and worldbuilding that they create is amazing. 

I fully thought that Max was going to die at the end. There is a chapter that ends with him like passing out. I fully thought he died and was shocked when he was alive, but happy for it. 

Aoife and Cadwan, my heart. These two tragically beautiful characters and their tragic love. I am pleased with their ending, i think death was the kindest thing for them both. I did tear up a little bit during their final scenes.