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bekahzabel's reviews
320 reviews
King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
We’re passed the point of morally grey here, entering pitch black territory 😅🫣🫠🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Thief of Silver and Souls by Eva Chase
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
I really did enjoy this read, although it took me a little longer to finish than I expected. The world building is excellent and immersive, but along the way it was a bit tough to decipher what was going on, although I think that was the point?
This is a reverse harem however the romance is surely a subplot to the storyline which I wasn’t expecting! I was between 3 or 4 stars, but I rounded up because the last 100 pages & ending really had me hooked. I’m going to continue with the series but I hope to see more character development in the next one.
This is a reverse harem however the romance is surely a subplot to the storyline which I wasn’t expecting! I was between 3 or 4 stars, but I rounded up because the last 100 pages & ending really had me hooked. I’m going to continue with the series but I hope to see more character development in the next one.
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
Grace is a master with gothic imagery and settings. Belladonna was one of my favorite reads of the year so I was highly anticipating this sequel.
I will say I wasn’t as pulled and immersed into foxglove as I was with Belladonna.
I found it dragging a bit in the middle, but was very happy with the ending. I’m looking forward to hearing more of Blythe’s perspective in the following book.
I will say I wasn’t as pulled and immersed into foxglove as I was with Belladonna.
I found it dragging a bit in the middle, but was very happy with the ending. I’m looking forward to hearing more of Blythe’s perspective in the following book.
Gold by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
mmmm i loveeee a good redemption arc. malina and domminik stole the show in gold, and i wasn’t expecting that whatsoever.
one of the biggest reasons i love this series is the character development, and the easter eggs, so many easter eggs.
gold gave us a taste of annwyn, a whole new world we’ve only heard about before this. as well as quite a few new characters.
auren is really finding herself and making decisions on her own through this book, which i think was another necessary part for her to grow.
how you gunna end it right there like that though 😭 a crime 😭 here i go to wait patiently for next release AGAIN. the plot was TWISTIN’ y’all.
4/5⭐️
one of the biggest reasons i love this series is the character development, and the easter eggs, so many easter eggs.
gold gave us a taste of annwyn, a whole new world we’ve only heard about before this. as well as quite a few new characters.
auren is really finding herself and making decisions on her own through this book, which i think was another necessary part for her to grow.
how you gunna end it right there like that though 😭 a crime 😭 here i go to wait patiently for next release AGAIN. the plot was TWISTIN’ y’all.
4/5⭐️
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
There’s something about a story with asian mythology & folklore that always captivates me.
Adventurous, magical, and plenty of twists and turns in the mix. I really enjoyed listening to this audio, almost gave me Ghibli movie vibes. The imagery and setting that Amelie Wen Zhao created was immaculate and the ending had me begging for more.
Definitely reads as a more YA storyline but overall this book had me captivated.
3.95/5⭐️
Just a bit slow in the middle for me but other than that I have no qualms.
Adventurous, magical, and plenty of twists and turns in the mix. I really enjoyed listening to this audio, almost gave me Ghibli movie vibes. The imagery and setting that Amelie Wen Zhao created was immaculate and the ending had me begging for more.
Definitely reads as a more YA storyline but overall this book had me captivated.
3.95/5⭐️
Just a bit slow in the middle for me but other than that I have no qualms.
Dante by Sadie Kincaid
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
It’s gunna be a no from me dawg.
I have so many issues with this book so let’s just start with the simplicity of: it’s a dark mafia romance, we have an alphahole MMC & enemies to lovers is the main trope at play.
1. This got repetitive quick. If I have to see the pet name kitten again in the next 6 months I may just pass away.
2. Don’t get me wrong I love fast paced, but this was moving WAY too quickly for me. I mean like two to four weeks of knowing each other and suddenly she’s got a bun in the oven and they’re getting hitched because daddy mafia lord gave an ultimatum.
3. Hyperemisis Gradvarium rep was cool to see. But as someone who had HG while I was pregnant I found it a pretty unrealistic representation. Kat had one episode and then boom she comes home and no more issues arise.
4. Character development was painfully lacking.
5. I’m giving it one star for the 2% of smut that was bearable, and because it helped me fulfill a kindle achievement.
6. This man is a mafia lord, he has a black card and the man tells her to get whatever she needs. She buys a new pair of sweats. I was choking on my spit. RUN THE CARD HUNNY
7. When Dante said “We’ll just sleep on this side” instead of changing the sheets with a wet spot after s3ggs. BRUH 💀
8. I was FURIOUS when Kat saw her abusers, peed her pants terrified, and then Dante INSISTS she should confront her abusers then and there after cleaning herself up. This part made me physically ill. Man thought showing face to “stick it to em” was going to suddenly negate her experience and trauma from the scenario. Idgaf about your vengeance for her, that did not scream redemption or justice to me in the slightest.
9. So much telling and not enough showing.
10. Dante is a bad guy and he states it so many times but he does NOT soften up for the FMC in my opinion. He’s just an asshole. His redeeming qualities are that he has a black card & he’s a munch. I said what I said.
This was simply not for me. Writing was lacking, characters were lacking, and plot was lacking.
I have so many issues with this book so let’s just start with the simplicity of: it’s a dark mafia romance, we have an alphahole MMC & enemies to lovers is the main trope at play.
2. Don’t get me wrong I love fast paced, but this was moving WAY too quickly for me. I mean like two to four weeks of knowing each other and suddenly she’s got a bun in the oven and they’re getting hitched because daddy mafia lord gave an ultimatum.
3. Hyperemisis Gradvarium rep was cool to see. But as someone who had HG while I was pregnant I found it a pretty unrealistic representation. Kat had one episode and then boom she comes home and no more issues arise.
4. Character development was painfully lacking.
5. I’m giving it one star for the 2% of smut that was bearable, and because it helped me fulfill a kindle achievement.
6. This man is a mafia lord, he has a black card and the man tells her to get whatever she needs. She buys a new pair of sweats. I was choking on my spit. RUN THE CARD HUNNY
7. When Dante said “We’ll just sleep on this side” instead of changing the sheets with a wet spot after s3ggs. BRUH 💀
8. I was FURIOUS when Kat saw her abusers, peed her pants terrified, and then Dante INSISTS she should confront her abusers then and there after cleaning herself up. This part made me physically ill. Man thought showing face to “stick it to em” was going to suddenly negate her experience and trauma from the scenario. Idgaf about your vengeance for her, that did not scream redemption or justice to me in the slightest.
9. So much telling and not enough showing.
10. Dante is a bad guy and he states it so many times but he does NOT soften up for the FMC in my opinion. He’s just an asshole. His redeeming qualities are that he has a black card & he’s a munch. I said what I said.
This was simply not for me. Writing was lacking, characters were lacking, and plot was lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
2.5 ⭐️
I think if I would’ve read this between 6th-10th grade I would’ve rated it 4 stars. The plot is there, but I wasn’t as connected to the characters as I like to be. The last two chapters were pretty action packed, and I do think the book moves at a pretty fast pace. I liked the ending. But overall it didn’t stand out to me.
I read physically while also listening to the audio when i couldn’t sit to read. The audio narration was great and seemed to keep me more engaged than physically.
I think if I would’ve read this between 6th-10th grade I would’ve rated it 4 stars. The plot is there, but I wasn’t as connected to the characters as I like to be. The last two chapters were pretty action packed, and I do think the book moves at a pretty fast pace. I liked the ending. But overall it didn’t stand out to me.
I read physically while also listening to the audio when i couldn’t sit to read. The audio narration was great and seemed to keep me more engaged than physically.
Shadows so Cruel by Liv Zander
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I am truly forever changed after reading this duology.
Fast paced, extremely dark, raven shifters, shadow powers, redemption arcs, fated mates, why choose.
The second book I would say was just a tad less spicy, but wow there were two scenes in here that had me with my jaw on the damn floor. But alas, less spice gave me time and perspective into Malyr, Sebian, and Galantia’s minds and character development.
This duology does have a HEA (after ripping your heart out of course), and there’s so many triggers so please be sure to double check those. There were a few moments where the writing was a bit more tell instead of show and that’s the only reason this isn’t 5 stars for me.
But overall this was my cup of tea. I love a dark & tense book, with a riveting plot. Especially with fantasy elements and heavy dark spice. If that’s your thing, I absolutely recommend these.
Liv Zander is definitely an auto read author for me after consuming these.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Fast paced, extremely dark, raven shifters, shadow powers, redemption arcs, fated mates, why choose.
The second book I would say was just a tad less spicy, but wow there were two scenes in here that had me with my jaw on the damn floor. But alas, less spice gave me time and perspective into Malyr, Sebian, and Galantia’s minds and character development.
This duology does have a HEA (after ripping your heart out of course), and there’s so many triggers so please be sure to double check those. There were a few moments where the writing was a bit more tell instead of show and that’s the only reason this isn’t 5 stars for me.
But overall this was my cup of tea. I love a dark & tense book, with a riveting plot. Especially with fantasy elements and heavy dark spice. If that’s your thing, I absolutely recommend these.
Liv Zander is definitely an auto read author for me after consuming these.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
Feathers so Vicious by Liv Zander
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i’m flabbergasted. this is by far the filthiest darkest smuttiest smut i’ve ever read
this book had me reeling 😳😳😳😳 might be a canon event, might be somethin deranged up in this little brain but…. ya girl liked it 🤷🏻♀️ i must admit
holy ffffffff liv zander i’m speechless
ummm pretty much every trigger.. 😳 plz check them out and proceed with caution cuz it got DARK between the pages 😮💨😅🖤
but for all you freaky freaks out there here’s the dirty deets:
why choose
mfm
bdsm
alphahole prince + golden retriever
kidnapping
🩸& 🔪
raven shifters
back door
one horse
dom/sub
the plot is also bangin’. i’m hooked.
this book was fxckin wild. filthy. absolutely sinful.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
this book had me reeling 😳😳😳😳 might be a canon event, might be somethin deranged up in this little brain but…. ya girl liked it 🤷🏻♀️ i must admit
holy ffffffff liv zander i’m speechless
ummm pretty much every trigger.. 😳 plz check them out and proceed with caution cuz it got DARK between the pages 😮💨😅🖤
but for all you freaky freaks out there here’s the dirty deets:
why choose
mfm
bdsm
alphahole prince + golden retriever
kidnapping
🩸& 🔪
raven shifters
back door
one horse
dom/sub
the plot is also bangin’. i’m hooked.
this book was fxckin wild. filthy. absolutely sinful.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Ever King by LJ Andrews
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
My serotonin has been boosted immensely between these pages. I cannot recommend this enough, if you want a fast paced romantasy, with vikings & pirates- but make it fae, pick this up immediately.
Top tier!!! Plot twists had me reeling, banter had me squealing, world building & character development was phenomenal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Top tier!!! Plot twists had me reeling, banter had me squealing, world building & character development was phenomenal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Murder, and War