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tinynightingales's reviews
381 reviews
Odd Spirits by S.T. Gibson
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Lost God by Sheila Masterson
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
For fans of: Draw Down the Moon
Ceci is not like other girls. A born witch, she is trained as a warrior, but forced into the position of a court lady. Evey day she feels pulled into a million different directions, belonging to everyone, yet belonging nowhere. The only person who stands by her side is her guardian, Rainer, but even their friendship (relationship?) is complicated. With new enemies on the horizon and a gauntlet needing completion, Ceci must finally decide for herself who she is and where she will belong.
This book includes:
- bodyguard romance
- love triangle
- best friends and betrayal, foes and farce
- witches and warriors
- overbearing/overprotective male characters
- first time trope
This book has many great qualities I love about current romantasy trends. Characters are fun and familiar; if you're looking for an entertaining read, you may find it here.
However, I found the execution very poor. In general, I found this book to have:
- lack of romantic chemistry
- cheesy dialogue
- rushed and tactless character development
- a predictable plot
- two-dimensional and inconsistent characters
- "not like the other girls" FMC
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Sheila Masterson, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Ceci is not like other girls. A born witch, she is trained as a warrior, but forced into the position of a court lady. Evey day she feels pulled into a million different directions, belonging to everyone, yet belonging nowhere. The only person who stands by her side is her guardian, Rainer, but even their friendship (relationship?) is complicated. With new enemies on the horizon and a gauntlet needing completion, Ceci must finally decide for herself who she is and where she will belong.
This book includes:
- bodyguard romance
- love triangle
- best friends and betrayal, foes and farce
- witches and warriors
- overbearing/overprotective male characters
- first time trope
This book has many great qualities I love about current romantasy trends. Characters are fun and familiar; if you're looking for an entertaining read, you may find it here.
However, I found the execution very poor. In general, I found this book to have:
- lack of romantic chemistry
- cheesy dialogue
- rushed and tactless character development
- a predictable plot
- two-dimensional and inconsistent characters
- "not like the other girls" FMC
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Sheila Masterson, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Beyond Those Gilded Walls by Jessica S. Taylor
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
“Beyond those gilded walls” was such a disappointment for me. It included a lot of elements I typically enjoy such as:
- a protagonist with nothing to lose
- immediate life or death stakes
- a mysterious MMC
- a malevolent haunting
- will they won’t they
- a bargain
- powerful gods
However, I thought the book failed for me in plot and execution. The MMC had no personality and the stakes he fought against were both too high and too low. He “loved” the FMC, but didn’t know anything about her and didn’t really care to learn. The FMC was insufferable. She caused most of her problems herself by being dumb, clumsy, or brutish. I felt that she was impossible to root for. I fear this may be the prime example of beloved tropes begging strung together to form incoherent fluff. The storyline was crazy repetitive, and I never felt personally invested in any of the characters success.
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica S. Taylor, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- a protagonist with nothing to lose
- immediate life or death stakes
- a mysterious MMC
- a malevolent haunting
- will they won’t they
- a bargain
- powerful gods
However, I thought the book failed for me in plot and execution. The MMC had no personality and the stakes he fought against were both too high and too low. He “loved” the FMC, but didn’t know anything about her and didn’t really care to learn. The FMC was insufferable. She caused most of her problems herself by being dumb, clumsy, or brutish. I felt that she was impossible to root for. I fear this may be the prime example of beloved tropes begging strung together to form incoherent fluff. The storyline was crazy repetitive, and I never felt personally invested in any of the characters success.
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica S. Taylor, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
"What the Woods Took" is like if "Where the Wild Things Are" was a nightmare. Devin is a foster kid who is used to fending for herself. She has spent her entire life acting out and being sent from broken home to broken home, but when she is stolen from her bed and thrust into a Wilderness Explorer program for troubled teens, she's sure she has hit rock bottom. Armed with nothing, but her vicious words and a powerful right hook, she is determined to survive this program if only in spite of the system that chewed her up and spat her out, even if she has to suffer through horrible group mates, non-stop hiking, and gross food options. However, Devin soon finds that there is something about the forest that feels inexplicably strange. When the group leaders go missing Devin discovers that the forest is more dangerous than she ever could have imagined.
This book includes:
- troubled teens in a behavioral wilderness program
- nightmares come to life
- generational curses and broken spirits
- camaraderie
- LGBT protagonist
- TW mentioned but not on page: child abuse, drug abuse, depression, suicide
This book is WOW. I typically don't reach for thrillers or horror, but I am so glad I took a chance on "What the Woods Took." This book dives into nightmares both real and imagined. It has a compelling atmosphere of paranoia, dread, and anguish that entranced me and had me staying up late just to keep reading. The story has so much depth, to a degree I don't often expect from YA. If you're the type of reader who loves to be surprised and appreciates a good amount of suspense, I can't recommend this book enough.
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Courtney Gould, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
This book includes:
- troubled teens in a behavioral wilderness program
- nightmares come to life
- generational curses and broken spirits
- camaraderie
- LGBT protagonist
- TW mentioned but not on page: child abuse, drug abuse, depression, suicide
This book is WOW. I typically don't reach for thrillers or horror, but I am so glad I took a chance on "What the Woods Took." This book dives into nightmares both real and imagined. It has a compelling atmosphere of paranoia, dread, and anguish that entranced me and had me staying up late just to keep reading. The story has so much depth, to a degree I don't often expect from YA. If you're the type of reader who loves to be surprised and appreciates a good amount of suspense, I can't recommend this book enough.
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Courtney Gould, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
A Vile Season by David Ferraro
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
This book includes:
- vampires, werewolves, ghouls etc
- a competition for the honor of the Duke's hand in marriage
- family drama
- a plot for revenge
- irredeemable acts
- forbidden love
- LGBT
An ancient and cruel man, Count Lucian is a vampire-turned-human with a vendetta to punish the vampire hunters who destroyed his home and ended his immortal reign. To earn back his immortality, he must enter and win a competition to earn the future Duke's hand in marriage. On top of that, he must also uncover the identities of the members of the vampire hunting guild that attacked him, and deliver a list of their names to the King of vampires. Easy!
Bridgerton (the show not the books) meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this satirical, but action-packed book. Lucian is so funny and his dry sarcasm is so fun to read. Getting to watch him interact with so many unique and quirky characters is very entertaining and you can't help but root for him (even though he is basically a villain). I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of fun, romance, and paranormality. My only issue was in the final act, which felt a bit reductive. Oh well.
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, David Ferraro, and Page Street Publishing for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- vampires, werewolves, ghouls etc
- a competition for the honor of the Duke's hand in marriage
- family drama
- a plot for revenge
- irredeemable acts
- forbidden love
- LGBT
An ancient and cruel man, Count Lucian is a vampire-turned-human with a vendetta to punish the vampire hunters who destroyed his home and ended his immortal reign. To earn back his immortality, he must enter and win a competition to earn the future Duke's hand in marriage. On top of that, he must also uncover the identities of the members of the vampire hunting guild that attacked him, and deliver a list of their names to the King of vampires. Easy!
Bridgerton (the show not the books) meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this satirical, but action-packed book. Lucian is so funny and his dry sarcasm is so fun to read. Getting to watch him interact with so many unique and quirky characters is very entertaining and you can't help but root for him (even though he is basically a villain). I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of fun, romance, and paranormality. My only issue was in the final act, which felt a bit reductive. Oh well.
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, David Ferraro, and Page Street Publishing for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Kidnapping
Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book includes:
- political intrigue and court machinations
- an outsider
- vampires
- an enteral king
- conspiracy
- subterfuge
- LGBT
- a murder unsolved
- moral grayness galore
"Mistress of Lies" follows two characters Samuel and Shan as they both attempt to navigate the cutthroat world of vampires and blood magic. Shan grew up in aristocratic circles and is an expert at navigating the ruthlessness necessary in her struggle for power. However, her position in court is precarious due to her family's involvement in a political scandal and her mixed heritage. Samuel, on the other hand, is the bastard heir to the royal family. He grew up in extreme poverty but is getting pulled into the world of politics and royalty despite his attempts to remain an outsider. After a string of violent murders, Samuel and Shan are coerced into working together and grapple with the possibility that they may have more in common than they may have thought.
This book will surely have many fans. It has yearning, drama, vampires, mystery, and a complex political world that instantly draws readers in. "Mistress of Lies" expertly subverts typical male/female characteristics in a way that I think will make the book very popular. Shan is intensely loyal to the point of lethal ruthlessness, and Samuel is empathetic and vulnerable. Both characters are well-developed and show great personal development. The book wasn't a hit for me because the pacing was a bit slow for me, but it's a good book overall.
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, K. M. Enright, and Orbit Books for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- political intrigue and court machinations
- an outsider
- vampires
- an enteral king
- conspiracy
- subterfuge
- LGBT
- a murder unsolved
- moral grayness galore
"Mistress of Lies" follows two characters Samuel and Shan as they both attempt to navigate the cutthroat world of vampires and blood magic. Shan grew up in aristocratic circles and is an expert at navigating the ruthlessness necessary in her struggle for power. However, her position in court is precarious due to her family's involvement in a political scandal and her mixed heritage. Samuel, on the other hand, is the bastard heir to the royal family. He grew up in extreme poverty but is getting pulled into the world of politics and royalty despite his attempts to remain an outsider. After a string of violent murders, Samuel and Shan are coerced into working together and grapple with the possibility that they may have more in common than they may have thought.
This book will surely have many fans. It has yearning, drama, vampires, mystery, and a complex political world that instantly draws readers in. "Mistress of Lies" expertly subverts typical male/female characteristics in a way that I think will make the book very popular. Shan is intensely loyal to the point of lethal ruthlessness, and Samuel is empathetic and vulnerable. Both characters are well-developed and show great personal development. The book wasn't a hit for me because the pacing was a bit slow for me, but it's a good book overall.
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, K. M. Enright, and Orbit Books for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Murder
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0