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urbookishamiga's reviews
4 reviews
The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Okay so I’d been putting this book on the back burner for a while because I was in my ✨alien romance era✨… but in 2025 we’re going a little more Paranormal. And lemme tell you, this was a great book to start 2025 with!
First, I loved that this book isn’t just like all the other vampire books where the blood sucker can’t walk in the sun. This was great because we get to experience the “creature” stalking Alina during the day and night time. It was just *chefs kiss
Second, I loved that Alina isn’t some pink-wearing-damsel in distress (not saying this is a bad thing), it’s just so nice to see a different kind of FMC who’s not afraid of wearing mourning black and accepts that she is different, that she is intelligent/a woman of academia, and she’s a bada** poisoner. She’s seriously one of my new favorite FMC’s. Like seriously she’s so cool.
My heart was racing for the most part of the book until about 60%. There was a tiny bit a lull, HOWEVER, it was necessary as her “quiet time in a lab” is important for the books plot. I had a baby inclination of what would happen in the end, but I did NOT anticipate what truly happened. The baby cliffhanger left me wanting more and I cannot wait to read book 2.
Please make sure to read the triggers if you are sensitive to dark subjects. I personally went in blind but can see how this read may affect sensitive readers. Please make sure you are comfortable with the TW’s before continuing. Your mental health matters.
First, I loved that this book isn’t just like all the other vampire books where the blood sucker can’t walk in the sun. This was great because we get to experience the “creature” stalking Alina during the day and night time. It was just *chefs kiss
Second, I loved that Alina isn’t some pink-wearing-damsel in distress (not saying this is a bad thing), it’s just so nice to see a different kind of FMC who’s not afraid of wearing mourning black and accepts that she is different, that she is intelligent/a woman of academia, and she’s a bada** poisoner. She’s seriously one of my new favorite FMC’s. Like seriously she’s so cool.
My heart was racing for the most part of the book until about 60%. There was a tiny bit a lull, HOWEVER, it was necessary as her “quiet time in a lab” is important for the books plot. I had a baby inclination of what would happen in the end, but I did NOT anticipate what truly happened. The baby cliffhanger left me wanting more and I cannot wait to read book 2.
Please make sure to read the triggers if you are sensitive to dark subjects. I personally went in blind but can see how this read may affect sensitive readers. Please make sure you are comfortable with the TW’s before continuing. Your mental health matters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Kidnapping
Please read the TW’s before starting your read.
The Siren & the Sea by Emma Elizabeth
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.0
Double mer-male appendages? Check ✅
And a shifting lady-otter than can knot? Yes please ✅
Okay so have you ever thought “hmm… I think I got a hankerin’ for a fake dating/fake mate type of short story”? Yes? Cool.
And does your specific thought get even more specific with the following? “Hmm.. fake dating/fake mating short story but he’s a merman with surprise anatomy and she’s a shifter than can knot”? Regardless if it’s a yes or no, I personally don’t think you should skip this one. Lol! 🤭
Honestly I can’t get enough of Emma’s little stories and can’t wait to read about other creatures in Domhan na Rùin!
And a shifting lady-otter than can knot? Yes please ✅
Okay so have you ever thought “hmm… I think I got a hankerin’ for a fake dating/fake mate type of short story”? Yes? Cool.
And does your specific thought get even more specific with the following? “Hmm.. fake dating/fake mating short story but he’s a merman with surprise anatomy and she’s a shifter than can knot”? Regardless if it’s a yes or no, I personally don’t think you should skip this one. Lol! 🤭
Honestly I can’t get enough of Emma’s little stories and can’t wait to read about other creatures in Domhan na Rùin!
The Songbird & The Forest by Emma Elizabeth
adventurous
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? No
5.0
Uhm excuse me?!? This book was so FREAKING CUTE! And the spice was SPICING, Y’all. Ilex is just the absolute cutest most sweetest dryad ever and I’m so glad they were able to find their person! 🥲 and let’s not forget about Dahlia! She is such a BOSS. And then the ending 👀👀👀 those vines, pfffff, had me squirming at work. 😮💨
Lessons with a Lich: A Dead City Novelette by Emma Elizabeth
lighthearted
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
5.0
Emma! Only 60 pages???! I want more of Benedict & his love, Iris!
This short story is so cute and sexy! Can we please appreciate how proper Benedict is???? Dinner, a gift, an Orgasm, “My love” & washing her hair all while waiting for consent. Period! Benedict the Consent King for the win! ❤️
This short story is so cute and sexy! Can we please appreciate how proper Benedict is???? Dinner, a gift, an Orgasm, “My love” & washing her hair all while waiting for consent. Period! Benedict the Consent King for the win! ❤️