booksandbraids's reviews
1863 reviews

Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

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4.0

I was not thrilled about the idea of leaving the Vegas sisters and heirs to swap over to some other story for 5 books so I almost didn’t do it. But the second Gabriel stepped through the window with his wings in Zodiac Academy I felt compelled to know more about him. So back in time I went. And I’m glad I did. While I do not like the gang war stuff at all… this series is really good so far. I love all of the characters for the most part. Ryder could be a little less blood thirsty and I could do with a little less gang violence… but otherwise it is great. I look forward to reading more. 

General Commentary Dark Fae:
  • 7% ew. They have roommates? What is this? Summer camp? This set up seems worse than a normal college with just one roommate. 
    8% I LOVE that reading replenishes a sphinx’s magic!!!
    “Girl was a Sphinx through and through. Reading restored their magic reserves, but that didn’t mean she had to do it non-stop. She loved a book more than she loved sex.”
    11% oh this basilisk is fun. They can hypnotise you into seeing fantasies.
    15% ehhh gang fights are really not my thing… this might be a long series if this is going to be a constant feature…
    Are we really trading in contraband junk food? Lol wtf. This is so weird. 
    “What do you say?” I growled, my eyes falling to the rise and fall of her breasts as she inhaled. Yeah we were definitely gonna fuck. I didn’t give orange soda to just anybody. And she knew it.
    25% I have a shit memory but wasn’t falling star the name that professor Astrum was using to warn the girls in ZA?? What does this have to do with Gabrielle. 
    “Which got me thinking. Why was he receiving payments from someone with a code name? Who was Falling Star?”
    29% I love myself some wings
    34% she said “When you had a mom who did the kind of work that mine did, you learned to cast a monthly contraception spell before you even had your magic Awakened.”… but how does that work? If your magic is not awakened how does one use magic….? 
    As a side note, I know this book is supposed to be reverse harem…. And I would love for there to be a reverse harem in ZA when I know it’s not… but this one feels like she should be destined for only Gabrielle. I keep trying to imagine her with these other kings as well and while the flirtation is there, I don’t think they are end game like she is with Gabrielle. 
    45% “Now fuck off back to Pride Rock, Simba.” 😂😂😂
    46% I am so in love with this moment of every king butting into Leon asking Elise out
    “Dante eyed the chocolate on the desk then took off one of his gold rings and planted it down in front of Elise. I inhaled sharply. I’d given him that fucking ring. “Traitor,” I growled, though I kind of liked the idea of him and me taking her together. Like, just a little bit. Mostly I wanted her as mine though.” 🔥🔥🔥
    63% the fact that both of these gang leaders are falling at Elise’s feet so desperate for a piece of her that they are both willing to bow down and be her source is so stupid and ridiculous that I love it.
Origins of an Academy Bully by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

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3.0

The first 30 pages or so were fun getting to see the young heirs, but the rest honestly didn’t seem like it added a whole lot that we didn’t already know. 

General Commentary: 
  • I am just like obsessively highlighting every other line in this book so far. There’s just so much information being dropped. 
  • “They were the one Order whose Emergence was predictable; as soon as their magic was Awakened, they’d develop their Vampire abilities too.”
  • And Max is actually an adorably awkward young teenager right now and I’m loving it. I need to remember that I hate him. 
  • “Max joined us last, his dark skin covered with navy blue scales which marked him as a Siren. “Don’t say a word,” he muttered, a trace of embarrassment colouring his deep voice. He still hadn’t quite gained control of his transformations and whenever he experienced heightened emotions, he got overwhelmed and his scales appeared.”
  • 12% Is this foreshadowing? will Xavier have three elements?? 
  • “Oh well,” he said, keeping his voice level in light of our company. “Perhaps your brother will be the one to harness three then.”
The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

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4.0

Finally at last some answers! Although we had to wait for the very last moment to learn their order. I’m happy with it. I can’t wait to learn more about it. 

General Commentary: 
  • 26% I think that someone is drugging them. I think Sofia got drugged when they went off campus and it was meant for one of the twins. And I think Tory was drugged when drinking with Sofia and Diego. And I think it has to be him. I already commented on how his lack of order seems sketchy. And he’s the only common factor. 
  • 38% “Here, we were nothing but two Fae who craved each other with a force that rivalled mother nature. And I could no longer resist the call of its power.” YAYYYY! But when will they realize that they are magically mated?!?
  • And whooo is Tory going to pick? Darius or Caleb?
  • 44% “I have a perfectly good bed downstairs,” I replied, shaking my head just a little. “Why would you want me to stay?” Darius frowned like he wasn’t sure what to say to that, but he inched a little closer all the same. “Because it feels right,” he breathed.
  • Can she just have both of them? Please? They are both perfection. Minus being assholes who tortured her.
  • 51% they are losing their appeal once again by being assholes ONCE AGAIN
  • 52% the three of you should take advantage of this situation…
  • 56% I KNEW DIEGO WAS FUCKING SKETCH! “Why was Lionel with Diego’s uncle?”
  • 66% ugh no please stop fighting. I hate when their heirs are assholes and fight with them. Why can’t we all be friends and crush on one another 
  • 71% so did they not burn because they are so strong with their fire magic that they don’t even need to think about it? Or are they freaking dragons?!
  • 80% Diego is TRASHHHH. 
  • “I thought you were different,” he said slowly. “But you’re just like your whore of a sister, pining after bastardos who treat you like dirt and who only give you a second look because you’d drop onto your knees for them any time they liked. Es patético.”
  • 82% that electrocuting numb man thing was stupid. 
  • 84% ohhh Caleb lovessss her! 
  • “Are you sure you know what you’re getting into with her?” Max asked, shifting closer to me. “That’s not just lust you’re feeling anymore.”
  • 85% DAMNNN Diego. Seriously. Fuck you. “Eres una puta como tu hermana.” Aka you are a whore like your sister.
  • 88% is Darcy a Phoenix? They are both of ash and fire. “Fae born of ash and fire...”
  • “My heart pounded harder and harder as I finally understood why we hadn’t died this night. We were impervious to fire. Impossible as it seemed, it was clear as day now.”
  • 89% I want to fucking kill these heirs. And I need to remember that fact. No longer falling for their handsome faces and occasional acts of kindness. They are snakes who can’t be trusted. 
  • 96% stop it Darius. I’m mad at you. 
  • “Because that’s what I do,” he said slowly. “I watch you and hunger for you and ache for you. It torments me like I torment you.”
  • “There are countless people who would say I’m not allowed to want you,” Darius breathed. “But you make me want to burn the whole world down so that I can claim you for my own.” “Then we should burn it down,” I agreed.
  • 99% whoop whoop I was right they are phoenixes! I bet it is fire that gives them strength. That’s why their power was always regenerating. They were always around fire. 
Variation by Rebecca Yarros

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4.0

I was not so sure about this book going into it. I was not thrilled about the concept of a ballerina and coastal rescue swimmer. But it was Rebecca Yarros. And it was on Kindle Unlimited and not at the library so it was now or never. And I’m so glad I did because it was so good. Half the time I forgot it was a Yarros book because it’s just so different from the fantasy world of Fourth Wing. It didn’t seem like the same author. 

I loved what came of the plot with
Juniper and her being related to Lina. And I loved the reveal of what actually happened on the day of the car crash.
I wound up switching from audio to actually reading for the last 20% because I can read faster than the audio can talk and still be understood and I was so excited to see how it ended. 

Unfortunately, my only complaint was the actual ending. I didn’t like it. I don’t like
who Juniper’s father is and I HATED that Lina did not dance the ballet written just for her. I like that she decided to leave the MCB and go freelance, but that should have been after her ballet. She should have bargained to perform that ballet and one a year for x years as a contract instead. And then she would have been free to freelance elsewhere and live with Hudson for the rest of the time. Her missing her special ballet wasn’t a grand gesture.
It was just stupid. 
Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

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5.0

Alright can we talk about just how much happens in these books?! The first book took place over only 2 weeks and it was like 400 some pages. This was probably the same. SO MUCH is happened and I’m just so excited by it all! When you think about the fact that a Harry Potter takes place over an entire year. And there’s enough drama in this world that the books are measured in weeks… SO MUCH DRAMA! In a good way.
The learning of magic. The heir power standoff. The flirtation and promise of romance to come. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this series goes! I’m desperate for them to come into their full power. 

I’ve continued to add on to my cheat sheet to keep everyone straight from book 1…

  • Tory: Roxanya. Bike thief. House Ignis. All elements. Claimed by Caleb as his blood source. Got friendly with Caleb and Darius
  • Darcy:. House Aer. All elements. Claimed by Orion as his blood source. Lessons with Orion. Blue hair. Got friendly with Seth and Max. 



  • Darius Acrux: Fire and Water. House Ignis. Dragon Order. Black Hair. Engaged to second cousin. 
    • I recognised as the sign for Libra and wondered for a moment why he had someone else’s star sign on his skin. —> links him to Orion. Grew up together. Darius’ father put the bond into place so Orion would have to protect Darius. They can’t be more than 1 mile apart without being drawn back to one another. 
  • Seth Capella: Air and Earth. House Aer. Werewolf Order. Long Brown Hair. 
  • Caleb Altair: Earth and Fire. House Terra. Vampire Order. Blond. Taurus. 
  • Max Rigel: Water and Air. House Aqua. Siren Order. Black. 



  • Orion: Air and Water. Libra. Vampire. Dark red Leo tattoo on arm that links his to Darius. 


  • Father: Fire, water, and air. Hydra Order (multi headed monster. One of the rarest orders).
  • Mother: Air. Gemini. Harpy Order. 
  • Professor Astrum: aka Falling Star. Tarot teacher. Was friend of their mothers. Burned to death book 1. 
  • Geraldine. Leader of ASS. 
    • Cerberus “A guard dog with poisonous teeth which can kill even the strongest of Fae in less than fifteen minutes,” Geraldine said
  • Angeline. Bastard cousin of Darius. Dragon (but much smaller than Darius)

Orders:
  • Vampires: sucking blood
  • Werewolf: the moon
  • Pegasus: flying through clouds
  • Siren: emotions while touching (any emotion)
  • Dragon: gold
  • Cyclops: can hack into people’s minds?
  • Cerberus: We have to eat aconite, which you might know better as wolfsbane, to replenish our magic.


Signs:
  • Aries are ruled by Mars so they can be particularly impulsive and often aggressive

General Commentary: 
  • 1% EEEEK new POVs. I’m so excited to figure out wtf is going on in these boys’ minds. 
  • 9% I am totally voting for a forbidden teacher romance. Get him, Darcy! 
  • 25% okay so that was an interesting turn of events getting into Max’s mind and seeing his true self. 
  • And what is this fancy mate business??? “Even if I found out I was Elysian Mates with a Pegasus I doubt I’d be allowed to consider marrying them! Can you imagine?!”
  • And holy cow I didn’t comment on the fact that Orion and Darius are bonded because of some magic his Darius’ father did.
  • 26% Washer has predicted a forbidden romance in Darcy’s future. Will it be Orion?? 
  • 27% “My horoscope had said today was going to be the start of a deep, undying love” could this be a love for ORIONNNN? (Yes I am obsessed)
  • 43% “Before I took it, he caught my hand, brushing his thumb across my palm and sending a shiver through me. He repeated the process on the other hand then pressed his index finger to his lips. “That'll stop your skin chaffing,” he muttered.” 😍😍😍
  • 44% Orion’s behavior during this detention… I have fallen so deeply in love with this professor I might never recover from it. 
  • 49% and that training session with Darius…. How do these guys manage to go from pure evil to pure dream boy  and then back again so quickly
  • 78% “the next time I saw her things would be back to normal. And by normal I meant I'd be smothering the fiery pit of longing that raged inside me every time I was around her and she'd be back to thinking I was the asshole teacher who treated her just like everyone else: a piece of shit.” EEEEKKKKK! 🥰
  • 90% Pitball… what a sport. I was imagining it as that bender sport from The Legend of Kora (the avatar spin off). But this is pretty violent. I can’t believe that Geraldine is on the team!
  • I am absolutely loving the punishment they’ve schemed up for the heirs. This is amazing. 
  • I love how teams lose points for dropping the ball. I think that is so much more interesting than just earning points for goals. If normal sports had something like that it would be so much more interesting. 
  • 91% it’s halftime and I am DYING from the misery these boys are in. Absolutely glorious. They could not have thought of more perfect punishments. 
  • 95% I want them to go into an avatar state (I will never stop comparing this to avatar sorry not sorry) and kick all of their asses and amaze everyone with the unheard of power that they possess 
  • 100% AHHH NYMPH ATTACK DRAMA! But also was that hints at Elysian mate business with Darius and Orion?? 
  • AND WHEN IS THERE ORDER GOING TO SHOW! I am desperate! 
  • And that was the best authors note I’ve ever read. “so why don’t you dive right in to book 3, ghost your family for the next few days, tell work you have perpetual diarrhoea, fall in love with a scaly green Dragon asshole (Lionel obvs) and see how many of our words you can devour before you start cursing the stars themselves and throwing your book across the room where you may or may not scare the shit out of your dog/dad/baby/other half/the neighbour who sporadically peers through your window and/or earn yourself a contemptuous look from the cat. (If you don’t happen to own a cat don’t worry, there is always a judgemental cat within a half mile radius of all readers, silently arching an eyebrow of judgment before licking the butt of contempt in your honour.) So read on gentle soul, for these are the green pastures of fluffy lambs and dancing dandelions and ahead the fields of ruin await your discovery. Love, Susanne and Caroline XOXO”
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

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5.0

I went into this afraid to accidentally let me expectations get too high. I had heard a lot of great things about it and I just *knew* it was going to let me down despite how much I wanted to love it because that is what always happens. But you know what?! IT WAS SO GOOD. It lived up to the hype. The only thing that bothers me is
that the adults/professors of this school are so okay with the stupid body torturing one another. That and the order system- it seems strange that people can be whatever they are (vampire, siren, dragon, etc) without inheriting that from genetics. Like… it seems strange that a werewolf and harpy could randomly have a kid and it be something other than a werewolf or harpy. I feel like that should be genetic instead of a complete random gamble.
The rest of the world/magic system is awesome though. Such a unique twist with the horoscope aspect. The 4 elemental magics have been constantly thinking of Avatar the last airbender though haha. It throws me off when the earth wielders manipulate plants instead of rock. 

I’m so excited to read the rest of the series. I hope it is this good the entire way through. 


I need a cheat sheet of who’s whose because I can’t keep these people straight… I started to keep notes as I was going so I could try to remember everyone/everything. 

Tory: Roxanya. Bike thief. House Ignis. All elements. Claimed by Caleb as his blood source. Got friendly with Caleb and Darius
Darcy:. House Aer. All elements. Claimed by Orion as his blood source. Lessons with Orion. Blue hair. Got friendly with Seth and Max. 

Darius Acrux: Fire and Water. House Ignis. Dragon Order. Black Hair. Engaged to second cousin. 
Seth Capella: Air and Earth. House Aer. Werewolf Order. Long Brown Hair. 
Caleb Altair: Earth and Fire. House Terra. Vampire Order. Blond. Taurus. 
Max Rigel: Water and Air. House Aqua. Siren Order. Black. 

Orion: Air and Water. Libra. Vampire. 
Father: Fire, water, and air. Hydra Order (multi headed monster. One of the rarest orders). 
Mother: Air. Gemini. Harpy Order. 
Professor Astrum: aka Falling Star. Tarot teacher. Was friend of their mothers.

Orders:
  • Vampires: sucking blood
  • Werewolf: the moon
  • Pegasus: flying through clouds
  • Siren: emotions while touching (any emotion)
  • Dragon: gold

Signs:
  • Aries are ruled by Mars so they can be particularly impulsive and often aggressive


And my commentary while reading…
  • 10% I love that this is a magic system where people do not have their magic awakened until they are 18. While Hogwarts and the traditional school aged children magic school is great, this university level magic world is a fun change. 
  • I was not so sure about the idea of changelings when Orion first said it, but this girl saying she’s never met a changeling before makes the idea seem cooler and less stupid. 
  • I wonder which house they will choose. And what the reputations of each house is. If I had to guess, I would say fire is the Slytherin of the group. The rebellious tough kids. Earth would have to give Hufflepuff vibes. Down to earth. Maybe a bit hippy. I’m not sure about the other 2 though. First thought is ravenclaw is air because I associate the air nation of the avatar being the best and of course the mascot being winged doesn’t hurt… 
  • 15% “Orders”… vampire. werewolf. Siren. I guess that explains why Caleb took a chunk out of Tory. I wonder what they will be. Seth must be a siren. He’s very touchy. 
  • 18% You know when you start a book that’s been hyped and you get super nervous about trying to keep your expectations reasonable so that you don’t ruin the book by expecting too much? That’s me. With this book. Sofia just explained that vampires are one of the orders and the orders determine how one replenishes their magic. Idk why but that idea is so much more exciting than a normal vampire. Do the sirens get their power from touch? Is that why the air group is so touchy? Or more specifically from like sexual touch/excitement?  
  • 36% Orion removed her mid with heat, water, and air. So he has three powers?? Although she says “Orion had essentially put me through a car wash with his Elements of air and water.” So I guess the heat wasn’t a fire thing and the water/air was somehow just magically warm. 
  • 39% what was the point of even meeting with Orion. He didn’t teach her a single thing other than her parentage. He was supposed to be teaching her to create shields to block coercion. If he was just going to send her articles to read he could have done that hours ago and maybe prevented some of the torment she has gone through. 
  • 46% it’s about damn time someone offered to teach them to shield! Thank you Sofia!! 
  • 77% I am so tired from staying up way too late reading last night. I had a theory/wish that I couldn’t note at the time because I was reading in bed without my phone and was too lazy to go get it…. WHAT IF. What if each sister pairs off with 2 heir boys and they rule in this crazy polyamorous conglomeration lol. Because Darcy should totally wind up with Seth and Max and Tory should totally wind up with Caleb and Darius. 
  • 86% eekkkk Caleb just kissed Tory
  • 94% aghhh I have absolutely no idea who I can trust! Part of me thinks that the heirs and Orion are not out to get them. Part of me thinks that Diego might turn out to be email. After all, he was in this magical world his whole life and he doesn’t know his order? And what’s with the hat? And he was from a place faraway. None of these are particularly damning facts but I don’t trust him. 
  • OMG SETH I TRUSTED YOU! WHAT A FOOL WE BOTH WERE TO TRUST YOU! 
  • 97% I’m now convinced that we are going to have a forbidden teacher romance. I’m probably crazy once again. Ignore my romantic tendencies. 
  • 99% oh god the burnt person is totally the falling star professor dude
Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

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4.0

Initially I was so distracted by the fact that this Jenna person is almost identical to Elizabeth Holmes who was convicted of fraud in connection with her blood-testing company, Theranos. She too had a romantic relationship with older Sunny Balwani. Eventually I got over it, but for the first 25% of the book all I could think was “well this is lame and unoriginal”. Luckily I got over it and I found myself shocked that the book was over as quick as it was! The story just flew by. I will say the same thing I say every time I read a book by this author- I am so thankful we read one of his books in book club and discovered him. Robert Dugoni never disappoints. 
Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score

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2.0

I actually sort of hated this book. Maybe I would have liked it more had it not been so long since I had read the first book in the series. Unlike most romance book series where there is only minimal connection between books in the series, this one extremely heavily dependent on what took place in the first book and I remembered none of it. 

Overall I just didn’t love their relationship. I cannot pinpoint anything specifically wrong with it, it just did not pull me in. 

The ending was decent though. Enough to make me now consider continuing with the third book in the series. After all, I did love the first book. 
Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni

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4.0

This was a really good book! I love Robert Dugoni. I am so thankful that I discovered him through a book club book. While I did not like this book as much as the Tracy Crosswhite books, it was very good. And I was excited to see Del and Faz mentioned! 
A Separate Peace by John Knowles

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Did not finish book.
i read the sparknotes. I attempted the book. it was horrible. i got through like a chapter or two. The sparknotes were bad enough.