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tipsy_tbr's reviews
222 reviews
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.0
Quicksilver was an enjoyable read, and I can see why it’s so popular among romantasy fans. However, I couldn’t help but find it rather unoriginal. Every major plot point in this book seemed like it was pulled straight from the first two books of A Court of Thorns and Roses. The characters, relationships, and even the world-building felt like ACOTAR in a different font—just distinct enough to avoid copyright issues. While the writing itself was engaging, and the romance had its moments, I struggled to immerse myself in a story that felt so close to another. It’s great for readers new to the genre, but for those familiar with ACOTAR, it might feel like déjà vu.
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff is nothing short of a masterpiece, seamlessly blending the gritty, atmospheric storytelling of The Witcher Season 1 with the gothic elegance of Interview with the Vampire. Kristoff’s worldbuilding is unparalleled, creating a richly detailed and immersive universe where sunlight has failed, plunging humanity into a relentless battle against the vampiric dark.
Told through the fragmented, confessional voice of Gabriel de León—a weary, haunted protagonist—it masterfully weaves past and present narratives, adding layers of intrigue and depth. The prose balances poetic beauty with raw brutality, while Kristoff’s unique voice breathes life into every page.
This is not just a story of blood and battle; it’s a deeply emotional exploration of love, loss, loyalty, and betrayal. Gabriel’s journey is both epic and intimate, a tale of humanity’s resilience and the darkness that lies within. For fans of morally complex heroes, intricate plots, and unforgettable worldbuilding, Empire of the Vampire is an instant classic that will sink its teeth into your soul and leave you craving more.
Gleam by Raven Kennedy
4.0
Gleam is by far the best book in the series so far. Everything in the first and second books feels like a build-up for what finally unfolds in the third installment. The pacing is spot on, with all the tension and mystery from the previous books coming to a head. The world expands in fascinating ways, and the characters experience real growth, especially Auren, who finally starts stepping into her own power.
And let’s talk about the smut—it’s absolutely amazing. Kennedy really knows how to write steamy scenes that feel earned and add depth to the characters’ relationships, while still fitting into the plot seamlessly. The chemistry is off the charts, and those moments don’t just serve to spice up the story, they also play a role in the emotional and personal development of the characters.
Gleam strikes the perfect balance between action, world-building, and romance. It’s gripping, sexy, and satisfying in all the ways you’d want from a romantasy series. It leaves you eager to see what comes next in the journey.
And let’s talk about the smut—it’s absolutely amazing. Kennedy really knows how to write steamy scenes that feel earned and add depth to the characters’ relationships, while still fitting into the plot seamlessly. The chemistry is off the charts, and those moments don’t just serve to spice up the story, they also play a role in the emotional and personal development of the characters.
Gleam strikes the perfect balance between action, world-building, and romance. It’s gripping, sexy, and satisfying in all the ways you’d want from a romantasy series. It leaves you eager to see what comes next in the journey.
The Road of Bones by Demi Winters
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.0
The Road of Bones is a unique entry in the romantasy genre that combines Vikings with an intriguing magic system, setting it apart from the usual tropes. The world-building is rich, filled with Norse-inspired elements that pull you into a dark, atmospheric setting. The story has plenty of action, and the romance aspect, while not groundbreaking, has an engaging dynamic that complements the plot well. Unfortunately, the smut is quite basic—it’s there, but it doesn’t go far enough to be memorable. Some of the plot twists feel predictable, lacking the punch that would elevate the story to the next level. However, as the book progresses, it manages to hit its stride, building up to a satisfying ending that leaves just enough mystery and intrigue to make you curious about the next installment. If you’re a fan of Viking-themed romantasy and don’t mind a few predictable moments, The Road of Bones is worth a read and sets up what could be a promising series.
The Night Ends With Fire by K.X. Song
3.0
I’m having a hard time rating The Night Ends with Fire. It wasn’t quite a 3-star or a 4-star read for me—it’s somewhere in between. There were parts I genuinely liked, but I found myself getting bored in the middle and kept checking how much I had left. Then, just as I was ready to give up, I got reabsorbed, and suddenly, it was over.
As a historical romantasy retelling of Mulan, it has some nice elements—the setting, the blend of romance and fantasy, and the familiar yet fresh storyline. But the violence and misogynistic society felt predictable and didn’t offer much in terms of surprise. In fact, the most surprising aspect was how absolutely idiotic the main character could be at times, making decisions that had me shaking my head.
The pacing probably would have benefited from splitting this into two books, allowing more room for the story to breathe, or by adding some spicy scenes to break up the slow middle sections. Despite its flaws, though, I’m still intrigued. The world is interesting enough to keep me curious, and I’ll likely continue with the rest of the series, hoping for more depth and better pacing ahead.
As a historical romantasy retelling of Mulan, it has some nice elements—the setting, the blend of romance and fantasy, and the familiar yet fresh storyline. But the violence and misogynistic society felt predictable and didn’t offer much in terms of surprise. In fact, the most surprising aspect was how absolutely idiotic the main character could be at times, making decisions that had me shaking my head.
The pacing probably would have benefited from splitting this into two books, allowing more room for the story to breathe, or by adding some spicy scenes to break up the slow middle sections. Despite its flaws, though, I’m still intrigued. The world is interesting enough to keep me curious, and I’ll likely continue with the rest of the series, hoping for more depth and better pacing ahead.
The Coven by Harper L. Woods
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
As a fan of this author’s other series, I came into The Coven with high expectations. However, I’m finding myself ending the journey here. Body positivity is important, but the approach in this book didn’t resonate with me. There’s a line between promoting self-love and veering into territory that feels like overexplanation or objectification, which unfortunately, this book crossed for me.
In a moment meant to celebrate the character’s self-confidence, the focus becomes strangely fixated on weight in a way that doesn’t feel empowering but rather uncomfortable and unneeded. Describing an entire scene around whether someone can physically carry her seemed counterproductive to authentic body positivity.
I wanted to love this series, but this paragraph and others like it have pushed me to stop reading. It’s not what I’m looking for in terms of representation or storytelling. I’ll stick to the author’s other works but will be moving on from The Coven.
In a moment meant to celebrate the character’s self-confidence, the focus becomes strangely fixated on weight in a way that doesn’t feel empowering but rather uncomfortable and unneeded. Describing an entire scene around whether someone can physically carry her seemed counterproductive to authentic body positivity.
I wanted to love this series, but this paragraph and others like it have pushed me to stop reading. It’s not what I’m looking for in terms of representation or storytelling. I’ll stick to the author’s other works but will be moving on from The Coven.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
3.0
Phantasma starts off with promise, drawing you into its intriguing world and setting the stage for what seems like a captivating dark romance. However, as the story unfolds, the plot twists become painfully predictable, and the narrative takes on the vibe of an underdeveloped Wattpad story. While the smut is present, it feels lackluster compared to the vivid and engaging scenes you’d find in more popular BookTok recommendations. The pacing falters toward the end, and the characters lose some of their earlier appeal. Overall, it’s a decent read, but it doesn’t live up to its initial potential or stand out among its competitors.
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
5.0
A Sky Beyond the Storm is everything you could want in a series finale. It delivers the perfect balance of closure and heart-pounding action, while still throwing in twists, turns, and unexpected reveals that keep you on edge until the very last page. The stakes are incredibly high, and the characters go through absolute hell, leaving you emotionally reeling as you experience their triumphs and losses right alongside them.
The emotional depth of the characters is more powerful than ever. Every struggle, every sacrifice feels earned, and their growth throughout the series culminates beautifully here. The plot doesn’t let up, and even in the darkest moments, there’s hope, love, and resilience that shine through.
It’s rare for a finale to satisfy every expectation, but this book does just that. It ties up loose ends while maintaining the intensity that made the series so gripping. If you’ve followed Laia, Elias, and Helene on their journey, A Sky Beyond the Storm will give you everything you need and more—just be prepared to feel every emotion along the way!
The emotional depth of the characters is more powerful than ever. Every struggle, every sacrifice feels earned, and their growth throughout the series culminates beautifully here. The plot doesn’t let up, and even in the darkest moments, there’s hope, love, and resilience that shine through.
It’s rare for a finale to satisfy every expectation, but this book does just that. It ties up loose ends while maintaining the intensity that made the series so gripping. If you’ve followed Laia, Elias, and Helene on their journey, A Sky Beyond the Storm will give you everything you need and more—just be prepared to feel every emotion along the way!
Sweetling by S.E. Wendel
Sweetling is a fantastic addition to the Monstrous World Series, blending delicious smut, a cozy atmosphere, and humor from quirky animal companions. Loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast, it delivers a fresh, heartwarming twist on the beloved tale. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling, with a perfect balance of tenderness and spice. However, this is not a standalone read—spoilers for the first two books appear early on, making it essential to start from the beginning of the series. Fans of the Monstrous World will adore the continued character development and world-building, while enjoying the cozy, romantic escape this book provides.
funny
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
4.0
Sweetling is a fantastic addition to the Monstrous World Series, blending delicious smut, a cozy atmosphere, and humor from quirky animal companions. Loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast, it delivers a fresh, heartwarming twist on the beloved tale. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling, with a perfect balance of tenderness and spice. However, this is not a standalone read—spoilers for the first two books appear early on, making it essential to start from the beginning of the series. Fans of the Monstrous World will adore the continued character development and world-building, while enjoying the cozy, romantic escape this book provides.
The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Courting of Bristol Keats is a solid entry into romantasy, but it shows growing pains as part of the author’s first adult series. While the premise and world-building are intriguing, the slow pacing in the first half makes it difficult to stay invested, and the romantic connection feels underdeveloped, coming seemingly out of nowhere. These issues likely stem from the author’s transition from YA to adult fiction, and the tonal shift may not resonate with readers who adored her previous works. If you loved her earlier books, this one may feel like a departure, both in execution and depth. That said, her signature prose and creative flair shine through, offering promise for future adult projects once she finds her footing.