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cwrose's reviews
408 reviews
When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book really hit hard for me, as I find myself in a very similar situation to our three women in this story.
When Ana and her mother, Imelda’s, home becomes unlivable, they must move in with Ana’s daughter, Yesica, from who she has a difficult relationship with. All three women are widows, and they learn to navigate their tumultuous relationships, find healing, tend to old wounds and possibly even find happiness on the way.
I related very much to both Ana and Yesica, from hiding things from your family because you fear they will judge you and won’t understand. Being in an immigrant family where the MO is just to sweep everything under the rug and hold grudges for life. As well, I also loved reading about their path to rebuilding their relationships, and rooted for all three of them to find their happy endings, which they did!
Just a beautiful story of healing generational trauma. Definitely don’t regret reading this.
When Ana and her mother, Imelda’s, home becomes unlivable, they must move in with Ana’s daughter, Yesica, from who she has a difficult relationship with. All three women are widows, and they learn to navigate their tumultuous relationships, find healing, tend to old wounds and possibly even find happiness on the way.
I related very much to both Ana and Yesica, from hiding things from your family because you fear they will judge you and won’t understand. Being in an immigrant family where the MO is just to sweep everything under the rug and hold grudges for life. As well, I also loved reading about their path to rebuilding their relationships, and rooted for all three of them to find their happy endings, which they did!
Just a beautiful story of healing generational trauma. Definitely don’t regret reading this.
The Witch of Wall Street by M.J. Etkind
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? N/A
5.0
This is a lighthearted and whimsical read with a light dash of spice that reminds me very much of a story that would result if The Wolf of Wall Street met Hocus Pocus. I loved the pairing between our Jewish MCs, a golden retriever, social worker wizard with a talent for performing small miracles, and a cynical financier witch with chaos magic. They're childhood rivals, but meet again as adults, and fall in love when two items of paramount importance to them disappear after a night of passion. They make their way through NYC, Long Island, and NJ to find them, and meet other magical creatures such as jinn and golems trying to find them. NYC is my hometown, so I enjoyed reading a fun romantasy set here. This urban romantasy is really fun, and I really enjoyed reading this!
Born of Mist and Dragonfire by Ava Thorne
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a fun, spicy, and action-packed romantasy sent in the high fantasy world of Adimos! I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, the characters' depth, and I especially enjoyed reading about Fae Princess Tori as a character. She is truly a complex and strong FMC who isn't afraid to stand up and fight for herself and those she loves. I especially loved the relationship between her and her brother, as someone who considers her own brother one of her closest friends.
Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but luckily, book 2 is already out, and I can't wait to check it out!
Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but luckily, book 2 is already out, and I can't wait to check it out!
Name Not Taken by Madeleine Henry
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Sorceress Awakened: A Shadow Lake Novel by Kimberly Stanton, Kimberly Stanton
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
A fast paced urban fantasy reminiscent of what I love in contemporary fantasies! This is more of an origin story for our protagonist, Cassandra, as she yearns for more in her small town life, and learns of her powers on her 27th birthday, as well as the supernatural world she suddenly finds herself drawn into.
There’s lots of action, classic mythological creatures, and some romance, and Cassandra is a likeable protagonist. Her familiar is a 150-pound wolf named Koda (also, I want my own Koda!) and she has a tight friend group. This book is under 300 pages, so it’s a fast read.
This is told in first person from Cassandra’s POV throughout.
Ends on a cliffhanger, but this is book 1 of a series and I’m interested to know where it will go next.
There’s lots of action, classic mythological creatures, and some romance, and Cassandra is a likeable protagonist. Her familiar is a 150-pound wolf named Koda (also, I want my own Koda!) and she has a tight friend group. This book is under 300 pages, so it’s a fast read.
This is told in first person from Cassandra’s POV throughout.
Ends on a cliffhanger, but this is book 1 of a series and I’m interested to know where it will go next.
Invoking the Blood by Kalista Neith
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I really enjoyed this spicy vampire romantasy! It had everything I like: an Asian FMC, sisterly bonds, a MMC that worships her, and a vampire MMC that reminds me of Astarion from BG3, and a strong FMC that can hold her own.
Perfect for Astarion fangirls (like me!), and those who love spicy vampire romantasy.
Perfect for Astarion fangirls (like me!), and those who love spicy vampire romantasy.
Return to Midnight by Emma Dues
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Of Seafoam and Saltwater by Kay Leyda
adventurous
hopeful
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 had this sitting on my TBR for awhile and wish I’d picked it up sooner! While I don’t read much YA anymore these days, I was intrigued by the premise of a lost mermaid princess, the promise of adventure, the themes of family and kingdoms at war. It did not disappoint.
Cari, our protagonist is awkward and shy, but it was wonderful to watch her coming of age and finding her place as a princess, and meeting her merfolk family. This is a dense story with lots of worldbuilding, but generally I didn’t find it hard to keep track of who was who and from which kingdom. I also loved the diversity of characters in this story. And there was one character I was particularly intrigued by, and looking forward to learning more about in future installments.
This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but book 2 is coming soon I hear! This is perfect for the YA-loving audience and readers who love mermaids and undersea adventure.
Cari, our protagonist is awkward and shy, but it was wonderful to watch her coming of age and finding her place as a princess, and meeting her merfolk family. This is a dense story with lots of worldbuilding, but generally I didn’t find it hard to keep track of who was who and from which kingdom. I also loved the diversity of characters in this story. And there was one character I was particularly intrigued by, and looking forward to learning more about in future installments.
This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but book 2 is coming soon I hear! This is perfect for the YA-loving audience and readers who love mermaids and undersea adventure.
Untethering Dark by Desirée M. Niccoli
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
This is a beautifully written and spicy monster romance set during the winter solstice! Perfect for a winter read.
Astrid, our winter hag-in-training, is a relatable protagonist and I found it easy to root for her on her journey. I also loved the German folklore in this story. Most of all, I’m a huge fan of eco-fiction and I absolutely adored the themes of saving our forests.
Will be looking forward to the author’s next release!
Astrid, our winter hag-in-training, is a relatable protagonist and I found it easy to root for her on her journey. I also loved the German folklore in this story. Most of all, I’m a huge fan of eco-fiction and I absolutely adored the themes of saving our forests.
Will be looking forward to the author’s next release!
City of Snakes by Mariet Kay
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a fantastic spinoff to Born of Starlight (book 1 in this series), and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it’s dark, and it’s tense. Loved it. CoS focuses on Emmerick, Queen Sybilla and King Krait, characters we briefly met in the first installment.
I connected with the sassy Sybilla immediately. I really enjoyed reading about her and Krait’s developing relationship, and how they come to accept and move on from their pasts to grow and love each other. The villain is truly evil, and that ending definitely left me wanting more! I’m excited for book 3.
I connected with the sassy Sybilla immediately. I really enjoyed reading about her and Krait’s developing relationship, and how they come to accept and move on from their pasts to grow and love each other. The villain is truly evil, and that ending definitely left me wanting more! I’m excited for book 3.