xtinexby's reviews
438 reviews

The Author's Guide to Murder by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig

adventurous lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

I wanted to love this mystery. The plot is great and the premise has a lot of potential. I think where it fell short was the 3 - author perspective.  The positive of this approach was it did provide an interesting take where we see a character how they are seen by others in contrast to what's really going internally with them. On the negative side, it contributed to making this story far too drawn out. The middle draggggged and I wanted to be engaged and we just kept switching POVs with not a lot of action. 
After the first half, things picked up some but at that point I was just ready for it too be over. The book winks a lot at the idea of how the things happening seems like they would only happen in a book, but it doesn't quite pull of this tongue-in-cheek approach. 
I don't think I would recommend this book. It is an okay read but did not live up to it's potential. 

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Satisfying and fun conclusion to this interconnected trilogy. In comparison to the first two this one was a little less gory and a little less spicy. In part I think this was needed with the difference in careers and to not just repeat the same thing from the first two books. 
I'm always a little conflicted by time jumps in books (and this one has two). On one hand, it makes the relationships more realistic because they're drawn out. But on the other hand they take me out of the story some. In this book, I think they were necessary. 
My biggest complaint about this book was that it didn't feel like the FMCs need to help other women was really fully resolved and the MMC didn't fully come to terms with his darkness. They were somewhat implied but I think this could have been developed more. 
Overall a fun read!

A Queen of Thieves & Chaos by K.A. Tucker

adventurous hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Another satisfying installment of this series. Overall I enjoyed this book and thought it was an excellent continuation of the story and set everything up nicely for the last book. Despite how complicated everything is with the different groups and factions, the author is able to make it all work together and keep things moving forward for each story line. I DO recommend reading these books close together because I think I would be very lost and confused if I hadn't just reread book 1 &2. 

One thing that isn't a negative but I want to note is that in this book the narrative splits between many different characters and we're POV hopping a lot. I know some people love this (think SJM books) but I always have a harder time with books written this way because the POV change takes me out of the story. I'm not sure if it was because of this or the book in general but the middle of the book dragged for me. 

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

I'm conflicted about this one. On one handed it did not live up to the strength of Book 1. However, it was still very enjoyable and better then a lot of YA romantasy these days.  It was a satisfying conclusion, however I think it could have benefited from a third book. I'm normally always a duology fan, but Rebel Witch felt rushed and too fast paced for everything that happens. Some of the biggest "reveals" happen within a couple of lines and I wish we could have spent more time exploring those and now the characters were feeling. 
My other negative is the YA miscommunication was taken up a notch in this book. After awhile you just want to bash the MCs heads together and tell them to stop being stupid 😂. 

Despite these negatives, I enjoyed listening to this book and was engaged and engrossed the entire time. I am happy with how it all wrapped up and ended! Would recommend this Duology to anyone looking for enemies to lovers where they stay enemies for most of the books!

A Twist of Luck by Jaymin Eve

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Another great unexpected delight. Couldn't put this sequel down and am eagerly awaiting book 3. This book really expanded on the world building and plot from the first book. Based on the first book I thought there might only be enough content for one more book but this book adds a lot more mystery and intrigue around the characters back stories. 
I continue to enjoy the MCs growth and how they are growing closer. Spice was taken up a notch in this book!  
HATED that ending hahahaha . . .  Hopefully book 3 will make it right 😅. Will be eagerly awaiting book 3. 

A Curse of Fate by Jaymin Eve

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.5

What a surprise! I was in a reading slump and was scouring random lists of books hoping something would strike me and the description plus the rating convinced me to give this a try (despite the cover trying it's hardest to scare me off). Despite my misgivings I was hooked almost immediately and couldn't put the book down until I finished. I found the FMC's attitude throughout the book believable - not something I always feel reading books like this. She has very valid reasons for her resistance to joining the pack but she also has very valid reasons as her walls start to crumble. I'm not a fan of the FMC who is too stubborn to change their mind and this was a refreshing example of a book that doesn't rely on that for the attitude. 
Not surprisingly there was a big cliff hanger and I picked up the second book immediately. I'm excited to see where the story goes next! 
Light on the spice, with the potential for more later in the series! I think it's obvious from the description but it is RH and shifters so don't read if either of those aren't your jam! 

The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss

informative medium-paced

4.0

Enjoyable history for those who love books and bookstores. The author successfully wove bookstore history into the major movements of American cultural history. This grounded the importance of the bookstore by illustrating how it is not just a building but a site of political and social significance. With the recent uptick in reading thanks to Booktok and other social platforms plus the contentious nature of America today, it was a timely and relevant read. 

A Curse of Blood & Stone by K.A. Tucker

adventurous challenging hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

A solid sequel - but clearly a sequel. As is common with fantasy series, this book is a connector book - as the MCs travel to a new location and learn more about themselves and the world. That being said I think it was well done and kept my interest despite the "connector" nature of the book. 
My biggest complaint (which may be a strength to others) is the world feels a touch too complicated. I've read this book twice and the first time was not immediately after reading the first book and I struggled with remembering all of the players. Even on this reread when I read it immediately after the first book, I struggled a bit with remembering who all groups and characters are. It makes for a complex and robust world but hard to keep track of at times. 
The romance was on par with the first book - the MMCs are struggling with the reasons they shouldn't be together while also falling more in love. 

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

3.75

This was my first Abby Jimenez book and it was enjoyable one. To be honest it felt a like a solid contemporary romance. Nothing really stood out to me - either good or bad. The book explores a relationship between two people whose worlds are the complete opposite and how they navigate through the difficulties of being unable to merge their lives. It also explores sexual abuse of all types and the cycles of oppression and how it can affect women and those around them. The pacing felt a bit off to me and I'm not sure the small bits of "magic" where needed but overall I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more by the author. 

Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith by Sarah Bessey

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Wow. This is required reading for anyone who has a history with American Christianity and have been disgusted and appalled at the direction it has gone. Sarah gently meets the reader where they are at and helps them to accept that their feelings - hurt, dismay, anger, bitterness - are valid and that there is a path forward from the "wilderness". Constructed as a series of essays, this book guides the reader through acceptance, resolution, and action to move forward with caring and compassion. 

If you love the marginalized - LGBTQ+, minorities, women, etc.- and are appalled at how they are treated by this American church, this book offers hope that there is still goodness and grace to be found in Christianity and there are paths to fight back.