bekahzabel's reviews
320 reviews

A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark

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adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted 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

I was pleasantly surprised with this one! While I found the first 25% moderately predictable the story unfolded into pure action, witty banter between lovable characters, and some seriously spicy scenes. 

I loved the narration, great storytelling through the audio. I would definitely recommend this to others who love fantasy romance. Stacia Stark is onto something with these 🙇🏻‍♀️💭 Can’t wait to read the next one! 

I received a copy of this audiobook via netgalley & dreamscape in exchange for an honest review. 
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

3.85 rounded up to 4 stars! 

This book really got better and better as it went on. A bit of a slow start but wow I couldn’t put it down after 35%! Who knew the four horsemen could be so hot? 

Very modern writing style, 
Slow burn enemies to lovers, almost felt a bit like a bully romance at first. 
Strong character development in both the FMC & MMC. 
Magical realism. 

I will definitely continue on with these, had me giggling and laughing out loud often, swooning over banter, and smiling like a fool into my kindle. There are some triggers in there so please be sure to check those out beforehand. 

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bloombooks for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The WitchSlayer by Opal Reyne

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adventurous dark hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

While I patiently await the next Duskwalker Brides release, I had to dip into another branch of Opal’s works. 

Grumpy x Sunshine
Witch x Dragon Shifter
Enemies to Lovers
Touch Her & 💀
Forced Proximity 

I ate this up. Had me giggling like a schoolgirl, smiling into the pages all giddy, and gasping into the early AM hours. Rurik reminded me of Merikh 💜
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted 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

4.5

Okay phewww 😤😮‍💨 a lot to unpack here!!! 
First off i’m rounding up from 4.5 stars to 5. It can get a single chile 🌶️ cuz it does heat up towards the end. 

Serious slow burn, hot banter along the way with enemies to lovers. I mean we love a shadow daddy am I right? 
Militia/Academic Setting. 

The bonds to the dragons were my favorite part of the storyline. Tairn, our sassy king, is hands down my president. 

Took a bit for me to really get captivated & attached to the storyline though, which is why I’m being a little extra critical with a half star. 

Would I recommend it? Hell yeah, and I’ll definitely continue with the series. I’m hoping we get more of Xaden’s point of view with the next book, some more dual perspective. Very solid plot line alongside the romance which I really appreciated as well. 


What Hunts Inside the Shadows by Harper L. Woods

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

2.75

hmm was the plot amazing? not particularly
did it get hot and heavy in there? yes
will i read the next one? most likely 
2.75⭐️/3.5🌶️
The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.75

4.75/5✨ 1-1.5/🌶️

Gods, Monsters, Dark Power, Ancient Artifacts

I ADORED this book. I’ll start by saying it’s slow burn enemies to lovers, but above all else this is high fantasy. While there are some modern touches it read like epic fantasy to me. 

Sassy & confident main characters, banter was top notch. 

Very very slow burn, one of the most true enemies to lovers I’ve ever read. Not just rivals, but true immortal enemies. 

If you love fantasy for the plot, and not just for the romance this book is for you. Completely underrated and not talked about enough. This one will stay on my mind rent free from here on out. 
The Song of the Marked by S.M. Gaither

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
DNF & 26%. 
Reads like a younger YA writing style or fanfic & just couldn’t keep me captivated sadly. 
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Concept was there, execution and dialogue felt corny to me. I know everyone loves it i’m sorry :/
Legendary by Stephanie Garber

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adventurous dark hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

DEVOURED this.

I’m so captivated by this realm. This one was just as fast paced and soul snatching as the first book…. dare I say better? 

Keeps you on your toes, plenty of twists and turns, & intricate descriptive imagery that transports you into the story. These books feel like movies, top tier YA fantasy romance.

How do I crawl into the pages tho, bc reading the words is simply not enough 😩🫠
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

UM WHAT? I picked this book up around 5PM….entered a portal into caraval… and came back out of my reading hyper-fixated coma around 1:30 AM.

A masterpiece. 6 stars. Can’t believe I let this precious book sit on my shelf for months unread. I feel high after finishing this book. So many unpredictable twists and turns, romantic tension so thick you can cut it like a cake, intricate and s consuming descriptive imagery. 

The fairytale I wish I could’ve read for bedtime. That was a freaking ride, they hype is real and it’s more than worth it. Officially one of my new favorites.