aleshag's reviews
42 reviews

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-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

4.0

I enjoyed following Iris’ journey during this war. I also found the war and plot of this book very intriguing. 
The war is a war between two gods, so a war of magic? That people sign up to join the armies and fight for. It’s an interesting concept that I haven’t seen often in stories. I’m very excited to hopefully meet Enva in the next story. 

I loved the romance subplot within the story! It was just the right amount of romance that I enjoy reading.
Iris and Roman are absolutely adorable together, one of my new favorite book couples. The letters they shared back and forth and the raw emotions they shared on the battlefield were such moving moments in their relationship. I’m rooting for them in the future of this series.

I’m going to finish with,
I was very surprised to hear Forest’s story and how he got to where he was. I’m thankful he survived and that the two of them are reunited, but I’m nervous about Dacre having control of Roman now. Even Iris was considering this, if she would want Dacre to have Roman even if it meant he’d be forever in debt like Forest had been.


The Crash by Freida McFadden

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

4.0

I loved my first Freida McFadden story! I’m a sucker for a good mystery and this was it. I absolutely loved how the end tied back around to the beginning, that was super satisfying to read. 

Truly,
I’m a huge Hank fan. He has such good morals, so much patience for his -crazy- wife, Polly, and still knew at the end of the day what he did was right for Sadie. He was fully prepared to handle any consequences that may come his way, but knew it had to be done for Sadie’s safety. And, I’m sorry, the ending?! “You’re my dad” was TOOO sweet.
 

There were questions, there were a few twists, and definitely an unexpected ending, I didn’t see that coming at least. I am excited to pick up another book by Freida! 
Betting On You by Lynn Painter

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

4.0

I loved this book! There was the right amount of romance and plot, I didn’t feel like the love story was shoved in my face. I think the story was written beautifully!

I definitely expected the two main characters to get together sooner than they did, but I was pleasantly surprised with the ending! I related to how Bailey was feeling going through her parents’ divorce and have had a lot of the same thoughts/feelings. I enjoyed being able to connect with Bailey on this level.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

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lighthearted medium-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

I enjoyed the story! I haven’t read much romance, but this was sweet to follow along. I enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers trope, it’s different from what I normally read. 

The entire story I enjoyed following Mallory as she rejoined the world of chess. deep down it was always what she wanted to do, i’m glad she overcame her demons and did it.


I am pretty upset with the ending we were given.
all of the buildup for this championship against Nolan for… an article about it two years later? There was not a single chapter about the championship, what happened to them, the rest of Mal’s life, what she did with 3 MILLION DOLLARS?
 
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

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

4.5

I fell in love with this story! The ending was perfect, exactly what I needed from the book. 

I loved following along Kiela and Caz’s journey throughout the story and how they adapted to survive. 
The jam shop was the cutest idea! I loved following along Kiela’s good nature and immediate decision to share the magic with the town in any way she could. She didn’t stop until they had a semi-decent way to hide the magic and help.


Their good hearts were shown various times throughout the story,
having the spells never once changed Kiela. Despite how Radane had treated them, they all accepted her anyway.
They all make such a cute family in their town and I love it!

It was refreshing to read such a magical story with a sweet ending, I’m happy I picked this up!
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

I loved this story! It was a great read, everything was super realistic and many parts I found myself relating to. What Kenna says throughout the story really resonates with me. 

You read the story of a mother who really has hit rock bottom.
She’s lost the man she loves, due to her own negligence and bad decisions, and had a child with him. that’s difficult on its own, on top of that everyone in the world is beating you down. She pushes on and never gives up, it’s a nice story to read.
The Memory Thieves by Dhonielle Clayton

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

3.5

I’m loving the adventure Ella and her friends find themselves on each year.
Once again, they managed to save the day! We also received a bunch more answers in this book about Brigit, The Aces, Ella’s ancestors, and the history behind the Marvellian world!


I’m very excited to continue with the series and keep learning everything there is to discover. I cannot wait to see what Ella’s companion will be, what will happen now that Brigit knows both her parents, and what Gia will do next!
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

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

3.5

This was a fun read! 

I love Ella, truly, and I’m hooked on following her adventure!
I hope the Marvellers truly learn to accept Ella and other Conjurors into society. Gia’s storyline was also interesting
, I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to learn more. 

It broke my heart to see how everyone treated Ella, they’re only 11!
When reading the story, it’s important to remember the characters are kids. The author does a great job at writing their personalities for the age group. 

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

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

4.0

I loved how this series wrapped up!
I picked up the second book hoping for some more answers and I got them!

I learned to like the Shepherd King in this book, he truly did care for Elspeth and tried to help her friends. I loved reading as they adventured to
find the last card. I felt like I was there, I had fun imagining what I thought the woods and the Spirit would look like.


I’m very happy with this ending and I’m glad I stuck until the end.
All of my favorite characters lived AND got the life they deserved. Hauth is the worst and deserved what he got. I teared up a bit when the Shepherd King left, but he’s finally reunited with his family.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed this book, it was fun to read about another way magic can be incorporated — it isn’t always necessarily a wand, it can be many forms. I will say, most of the characters bugged me, I found it difficult to stay focused until the end. 

I did predict that the “Nightmare” in her head was the Shepard King, I was very happy to find that I was right. I wish we could’ve gotten more of Ravyn’s and Elspeth love story.. I was shipping them from the very beginning.
The book made me very attached to Ravyn and Elspeth, the end brought a few tears. 
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