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thecaffeinatedlibrary's Reviews (290)
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
Such a perfect sequel that perfectly sets the tone for the final book, and the coming conflict!
I loved learning more about Lyrik & Rogue in this one, and their relationship with each other + others. Rogue, Ravyn & Silas’s journey to the other cities was rife with tension, and just perfectly paced. We met a lot of new characters that easily became loveable, despite only being present for a few scenes (Kinley, I’m looking at you). Back in Asteryn, the rest of the gang is navigating the aftermath of book one, and Amylia is also trying to heal after her ordeal in book one. Amylia’s healing in this was so well done, and is not brushed under the rug once. It’s a very real, palpable thing that haunts her even while she is learning how to navigate this new life. Let’s not forget about THAT twist either! Holy Dooley, what a roller coaster 🎢
Truly, my favourite thing about this series is how refreshing it is. Our main gang has no hidden agenda, they just want to protect each other. The male main characters aren’t dark and morally grey, but are are instead loveable, fierce, cinnamon rolls and the female main characters are badass while still being earnest, and relatable. The relationships in this series are just… *chefs kiss*
There is love here 🩷
I loved learning more about Lyrik & Rogue in this one, and their relationship with each other + others. Rogue, Ravyn & Silas’s journey to the other cities was rife with tension, and just perfectly paced. We met a lot of new characters that easily became loveable, despite only being present for a few scenes (Kinley, I’m looking at you). Back in Asteryn, the rest of the gang is navigating the aftermath of book one, and Amylia is also trying to heal after her ordeal in book one. Amylia’s healing in this was so well done, and is not brushed under the rug once. It’s a very real, palpable thing that haunts her even while she is learning how to navigate this new life. Let’s not forget about THAT twist either! Holy Dooley, what a roller coaster 🎢
Truly, my favourite thing about this series is how refreshing it is. Our main gang has no hidden agenda, they just want to protect each other. The male main characters aren’t dark and morally grey, but are are instead loveable, fierce, cinnamon rolls and the female main characters are badass while still being earnest, and relatable. The relationships in this series are just… *chefs kiss*
There is love here 🩷
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Torture
adventurous
funny
reflective
This book genuinely blew me away. I went in thinking I would get a fluffy romcom when what I actually got was a heartfelt love story in more ways than simply romantic love (though the romantic love was very, very good).
I immediately connected with Delilah, and then Claire, and related to each of these characters in very different ways. I loved that bad behaviours, and mistakes, are acknowledged and not just brushed under the rug. The character growth is superb, and just for our main characters either. Astrid growth and learning curve, and Delilah’s in unison with her sister was just so beautiful. Each character in this story was important, they all flowed together to create this perfect chaotic rhythm that was just miraculous to read about. Delilah and Claire both addressing their, albeit very different, traumas was truly heartfelt in a way not a lot of romcoms manage.
You can bet your bottom dollar that Bright Falls will be a new favourite place of mine.
I immediately connected with Delilah, and then Claire, and related to each of these characters in very different ways. I loved that bad behaviours, and mistakes, are acknowledged and not just brushed under the rug. The character growth is superb, and just for our main characters either. Astrid growth and learning curve, and Delilah’s in unison with her sister was just so beautiful. Each character in this story was important, they all flowed together to create this perfect chaotic rhythm that was just miraculous to read about. Delilah and Claire both addressing their, albeit very different, traumas was truly heartfelt in a way not a lot of romcoms manage.
You can bet your bottom dollar that Bright Falls will be a new favourite place of mine.
challenging
dark
tense
Poetic, literary prose and a magic system that is utterly enchanting.
Kasira’s story is rooted is heartbreak, and that tone is set very early on in the novel. Her inner turmoil is prevalent from the very first page, with these “Songs” both trying to out-sing the other. Kasira is both compassionate, and blood-thirsty, she revels in both of her gifts. Enter Veridian, a suave and gangly prince with family trauma and a pretty sword. The most unlikely of lovers, these two will have you laughing and crying in the same sentence.
I personally would have like to have felt closer to the side characters, Ina and Lhy especially. I found that we were incredibly close to both Kasira and Veridian, but felt a disconnect from other characters which lessened the emotional impact in certain scenes for me personally.
White clearly is a gifted writer, with a talent for poetic, lyrical prose and unique stories and I look forward to any sequels or future novels!
Thank you New Dawn for my ARC, apologies again for the late review!
Kasira’s story is rooted is heartbreak, and that tone is set very early on in the novel. Her inner turmoil is prevalent from the very first page, with these “Songs” both trying to out-sing the other. Kasira is both compassionate, and blood-thirsty, she revels in both of her gifts. Enter Veridian, a suave and gangly prince with family trauma and a pretty sword. The most unlikely of lovers, these two will have you laughing and crying in the same sentence.
I personally would have like to have felt closer to the side characters, Ina and Lhy especially. I found that we were incredibly close to both Kasira and Veridian, but felt a disconnect from other characters which lessened the emotional impact in certain scenes for me personally.
White clearly is a gifted writer, with a talent for poetic, lyrical prose and unique stories and I look forward to any sequels or future novels!
Thank you New Dawn for my ARC, apologies again for the late review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was at once nostalgic, action-packed and full of queer joy.
It is rife with unexpected twists, queer normality, epic action sequences and hidden secrets. The trials were each as captivating as each other, I was on the edge of my seat each time, fearing for the lives of these fictional children. The blend of mythology and culture Aiden incorporates into this story is awe-inspiring, each creature and setting was vivid and so real you could almost reach out and touch it!
Aiden touches on topics like classicism and generational trauma under the guise of petty teen rivalries, you really want to scream at these kids (it’s very realistic). The characters are loveable, in a way that is at times frustrating, I loved finding out more about each of the kids in the trials, I just wanted them all to be ok 🥺
If you’re chasing the high of a cliffhanger, the thrill of a Percy Jackson book and the intrigue and heartbreak of The Hunger Games, this is the book for you!
It is rife with unexpected twists, queer normality, epic action sequences and hidden secrets. The trials were each as captivating as each other, I was on the edge of my seat each time, fearing for the lives of these fictional children. The blend of mythology and culture Aiden incorporates into this story is awe-inspiring, each creature and setting was vivid and so real you could almost reach out and touch it!
Aiden touches on topics like classicism and generational trauma under the guise of petty teen rivalries, you really want to scream at these kids (it’s very realistic). The characters are loveable, in a way that is at times frustrating, I loved finding out more about each of the kids in the trials, I just wanted them all to be ok 🥺
If you’re chasing the high of a cliffhanger, the thrill of a Percy Jackson book and the intrigue and heartbreak of The Hunger Games, this is the book for you!
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Snarky, gripping, and unhinged. How To Get A Date With An Evil Queen is delightful chaos, and I need book 3 ASAP!
This was such an incredible sequel. I loved everything about it, and by love I mean that it hurt my soul. Sian and Trillin (and Bunny 🥺) deserve the WORLD(S), I will not stop until they’re safe and happy.
Cardno has a superb talent for writing, she manages to pack so much action and character development into a novella that it leaves whiplash. The prose is lush, and the settings vivid. You are so gripped by these characters that you are absorbed into the world, and then abruptly spat back out when it’s over, desperately needing MORE.
Thank you to the author for an ARC!
This was such an incredible sequel. I loved everything about it, and by love I mean that it hurt my soul. Sian and Trillin (and Bunny 🥺) deserve the WORLD(S), I will not stop until they’re safe and happy.
Cardno has a superb talent for writing, she manages to pack so much action and character development into a novella that it leaves whiplash. The prose is lush, and the settings vivid. You are so gripped by these characters that you are absorbed into the world, and then abruptly spat back out when it’s over, desperately needing MORE.
Thank you to the author for an ARC!
This was a fun experiment, but this book is firmly NOT for me 😅
hopeful
informative
inspiring
A heartfelt, inspiring and informative collection of essays that is speaks on some of Australia’s forgotten sapphics, and the Australian queer community’s history.
This book discusses many important issues in queer history, and how those events affected the sapphics of Australia. The author discusses everything from colonialism, the women’s suffrage movement and gay liberation — highlighting incredible (very fruity) poets, academics and trail blazers of Australia’s queer history and present.
If you live in Australia, and are a queer woman or feminine presenting person, I highly recommend picking this one up.
This book discusses many important issues in queer history, and how those events affected the sapphics of Australia. The author discusses everything from colonialism, the women’s suffrage movement and gay liberation — highlighting incredible (very fruity) poets, academics and trail blazers of Australia’s queer history and present.
If you live in Australia, and are a queer woman or feminine presenting person, I highly recommend picking this one up.
challenging
dark
emotional
WOW! I was so gripped by this book, and the characters journeys — I couldn’t put this down for a second.
Amylia’s journey is harrowing, and heartfelt and her Gryffon and Cecily? Omg perfection. I loved every single interaction these characters had. It was also so refreshing for a male main character to just be… good? No hidden agenda, no morally grey attitude, Gryffon is just a green flag of a man (so is Rogue). There is some killer feminine rage action in this book, and I ATE IT UP 🫡. THE FOUND FAMILY IN THIS IS ELITE 🥹.
The magic system, and world building, is flawless and I could see everything so clearly. I loved all of the unique animals/creatures we met, and the character’s interactions with them and the role the animals played in the story!
This did definitely get dark, so please check your TW but I found that nothing was there for shock value, and was handled with extreme care which made me feel very safe whilst reading.
If you are chasing a DARK fantasy romance, with great queer rep, snarky characters and feminine rage please check out Heliacle Rising
Amylia’s journey is harrowing, and heartfelt and her Gryffon and Cecily? Omg perfection. I loved every single interaction these characters had. It was also so refreshing for a male main character to just be… good? No hidden agenda, no morally grey attitude, Gryffon is just a green flag of a man (so is Rogue). There is some killer feminine rage action in this book, and I ATE IT UP 🫡. THE FOUND FAMILY IN THIS IS ELITE 🥹.
The magic system, and world building, is flawless and I could see everything so clearly. I loved all of the unique animals/creatures we met, and the character’s interactions with them and the role the animals played in the story!
This did definitely get dark, so please check your TW but I found that nothing was there for shock value, and was handled with extreme care which made me feel very safe whilst reading.
If you are chasing a DARK fantasy romance, with great queer rep, snarky characters and feminine rage please check out Heliacle Rising
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion