daffodils_and_books's reviews
172 reviews

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Burn After Reading by Jessica Ciencin Henriquez

Go to review page

emotional fast-paced

3.5

Burn After Reading explores topics of relationships, motherhood, grief, and self discovery. I enjoyed the use of erasure poetry. It emphasized important ideas and even changed the meaning of the poems. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Rev Publishing for supplying me with an advanced reader copy of Burn After Reading. 
The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Beautiful Maddening has a fitting title for such a poetic story. It is a coming of age story for an outcast girl grappling with a curse and protecting her heart. It has a very gothic feel in a contemporary setting. I loved that it takes place in the PNW. Cutwater feels just like home to me and I empathized with Lark’s experiences. There were times that the story felt slow but once it hit its climax, the plot sped up. This is a great choice for teen readers. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Shea Ernshaw, and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for supplying me with this advanced reader copy of The Beautiful Maddening. 
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

Go to review page

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I received Our Infinite Fates from NetGalley but I did not get a chance to read it before publishing. I try my hardest to get reviews in before publishing but life happens. I was so happy to see everyone enjoying it!  What can I say about this book that hasn’t been said yet? I was immediately intrigued by the concept and the plot exceeded my expectations. I loved the flashbacks to the past. It created so much depth for the characters. I throughly enjoyed the reveal of their curse. It was unpredictable and tied everything together. As for the characters themselves, Evelyn and Arden are complex and frustrating and absolutely loveable. There are so many beautiful editions now, I can’t decide which one to buy for myself. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Steven, and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy. 
Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

Go to review page

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

4.0

Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher

Go to review page

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5