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bekahzabel's reviews
320 reviews
What is Dark Within Me by L.B. Black
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
A pleasant surprise. The Dark Within Me is a dark romantic fantasy with touches of gothic imagery, art history, unique magic, and mystery. Once this book got going I was hooked, overall I felt this book was a solid 3.75 stars but I pushed it to 4 with such a good ending. I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes & really enjoyed Nicolas & Aleja’s dynamic. There were a couple times where it twisted and I didn’t see it coming in the slightest. This is my favorite work from LB Black yet.
Forced Proximity,
Perilous Search for Missing Friend,
Enemies to Lovers,
Dark Magic/Occult
Witches & Mythical Creatures
1.5 🌶️
Hot Winged Dark Powered MMC
Reminded me a bit of the bargainer, serpent and the wings of night, and one dark window. Although the plot is very unique and it’s own, I would check this one out if you enjoyed any of those titles. I hope for a little more character development and connection in the next one, but overall this was a really fun read!
Forced Proximity,
Perilous Search for Missing Friend,
Enemies to Lovers,
Dark Magic/Occult
Witches & Mythical Creatures
1.5 🌶️
Hot Winged Dark Powered MMC
Reminded me a bit of the bargainer, serpent and the wings of night, and one dark window. Although the plot is very unique and it’s own, I would check this one out if you enjoyed any of those titles. I hope for a little more character development and connection in the next one, but overall this was a really fun read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and War
Gild by Raven Kennedy
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
The first time around I gave this book 3 stars. On my re read this time around, I enjoyed it even more. I love Auren’s journey, & going back to the beginning was everything I wanted and more. I picked up on so many more easter eggs this time around.
A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty by Stacia Stark
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.25
4.25⭐️ // 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh y’all want SPICY Romantasy???? This is IT! These books are so fast paced. This is the second in the Kingdom of Lies series, it picks up right where the first book left off…. and took me for a riiiiiideeeee. We have forced proximity, dark villain MMC, touch her and d!e, time magic, adventurous rebellion plot line, & found family.
Overall I’m extremely impressed with how this series is unfolding. Loved the multi point of views, I feel like I got more backstory on characters in this book which I appreciated. That cliffhanger????? A CRIME Stacia!!! I’m pressed!! 😩🫠 Thank goodness I divulged this on the day before next book’s release.
I listened to the audiobook in one day, pressed play and didn’t turn it off until it was finished. DEVOURED. Narration switches depending on the point of view, which I really prefer on an audiobook with alternating female and male perspectives. 5 stars for both narrators, kept me engaged and great storytelling voices.
Thank you to Netgalley & Dreamscapes for the advanced audio copy, I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. All opinions are honest and my own thoughts, as always <3
Oh y’all want SPICY Romantasy???? This is IT! These books are so fast paced. This is the second in the Kingdom of Lies series, it picks up right where the first book left off…. and took me for a riiiiiideeeee. We have forced proximity, dark villain MMC, touch her and d!e, time magic, adventurous rebellion plot line, & found family.
Overall I’m extremely impressed with how this series is unfolding. Loved the multi point of views, I feel like I got more backstory on characters in this book which I appreciated. That cliffhanger????? A CRIME Stacia!!! I’m pressed!! 😩🫠 Thank goodness I divulged this on the day before next book’s release.
I listened to the audiobook in one day, pressed play and didn’t turn it off until it was finished. DEVOURED. Narration switches depending on the point of view, which I really prefer on an audiobook with alternating female and male perspectives. 5 stars for both narrators, kept me engaged and great storytelling voices.
Thank you to Netgalley & Dreamscapes for the advanced audio copy, I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. All opinions are honest and my own thoughts, as always <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Phenomenal.
This is surely in my top 3 favorite reads of of 2023. A sequel that outdoes the first book? We LOVE that. Gillig’s compelling gothic imagery intertwined with a riveting plot line keeps you on your toes. She is officially on my auto-read radar. If she writes it, I’m reading it 👀😮💨🤩
The Shepherd King duology felt like a movie. I received an advanced copy of this book through netgalley but once I finished the first one, I went ahead and bought the physical copy because I knew I needed it in on my forever shelf. An instant favorite. Checked every box for me.
Read this if you love suspenseful fantasy plots, unique dark magic systems, & a touch of romance.
This is surely in my top 3 favorite reads of of 2023. A sequel that outdoes the first book? We LOVE that. Gillig’s compelling gothic imagery intertwined with a riveting plot line keeps you on your toes. She is officially on my auto-read radar. If she writes it, I’m reading it 👀😮💨🤩
The Shepherd King duology felt like a movie. I received an advanced copy of this book through netgalley but once I finished the first one, I went ahead and bought the physical copy because I knew I needed it in on my forever shelf. An instant favorite. Checked every box for me.
Read this if you love suspenseful fantasy plots, unique dark magic systems, & a touch of romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Vomit, and Death of parent
The Emperor of Evening Stars by Laura Thalassa
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
3.75
3.75 ⭐️
I don’t usually fall for a light haired MMC, but Des is up there when it comes to first place blonde shadow zaddy. I love these. Novella from Des’s perspective that gave more insight into his backstory.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration.
I don’t usually fall for a light haired MMC, but Des is up there when it comes to first place blonde shadow zaddy. I love these. Novella from Des’s perspective that gave more insight into his backstory.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
I think this one officially lands within my top 5 books of the year. Dark, twisted, clever, and so unique. Everything about this book felt like a breath of fresh air to me. After 30% I couldn’t put it down. Immaculate. Going to move straight into the next one 👀🖤
A Soul to Revive by Opal Reyne
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.75
4.75⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This series never fails me. Always captivated by the characters Opal brings to life. Loved watching all the brothers’ stories intertwining through this one. (Although I was missing Merikh big time)
We got a deeper look into the veil, Lindiwe, and Weldir in this book that I enjoyed as well.
The spice was immaculate as usual. I’ll be salivating and foaming at the mouth waiting patiently for the next one 🫠🫡🥰
TW’s: Death, Loss, Grief, Infertility
This series never fails me. Always captivated by the characters Opal brings to life. Loved watching all the brothers’ stories intertwining through this one. (Although I was missing Merikh big time)
We got a deeper look into the veil, Lindiwe, and Weldir in this book that I enjoyed as well.
The spice was immaculate as usual. I’ll be salivating and foaming at the mouth waiting patiently for the next one 🫠🫡🥰
TW’s: Death, Loss, Grief, Infertility
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
A grand finale indeed. It’s a bittersweet feeling to wrap this up and know I’ll never get to read these books for the first time again. I truly couldn’t have asked for anything more. The found family and character development throughout was immaculate. I’ll never be the same, a piece of my heart is left between these pages.
If I could give it 6 stars, I would. Fucking Epic.
If I could give it 6 stars, I would. Fucking Epic.
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Full disclosure I read this one and TOD as the tandem.
So many easter eggs, & things finally clicking into place. This was a wild ride, and I loved every minute of it. It’s rare where I read a series and every single book somehow continues to get better and better.
Let’s just say these character arcs are absolutely arcing. I’m so impressed with the found family, how I’ve come to love each and every character and how their story holds a piece in my heart.
So many easter eggs, & things finally clicking into place. This was a wild ride, and I loved every minute of it. It’s rare where I read a series and every single book somehow continues to get better and better.
Let’s just say these character arcs are absolutely arcing. I’m so impressed with the found family, how I’ve come to love each and every character and how their story holds a piece in my heart.
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
Full disclosure I did the tandem read.
This one gets a lot of hate, but I can’t lie I’m a Chaol fan. I mean the mans was fully crippled for god’s sake give him a break, throw the man a bone. The fact that people fully skip this book baffles me. I love the look deeper into side characters lives and thoughts. I felt like TOD was so vital and special, that here I am giving it 5 stars.
An emotional healing journey and more puzzle pieces sliding into place. This one warmed up my cold bitter heart. I love Yrene, I can’t wait to read the moment she & Aelin meet again.
This one gets a lot of hate, but I can’t lie I’m a Chaol fan. I mean the mans was fully crippled for god’s sake give him a break, throw the man a bone. The fact that people fully skip this book baffles me. I love the look deeper into side characters lives and thoughts. I felt like TOD was so vital and special, that here I am giving it 5 stars.
An emotional healing journey and more puzzle pieces sliding into place. This one warmed up my cold bitter heart. I love Yrene, I can’t wait to read the moment she & Aelin meet again.