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imcourtneymarie's reviews
137 reviews
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a love story first with very light fantasy, so if you’re looking for an easy fantasy world to jump into, this could be for you! If you like plot-first stories then ehhhhhh you’ll probably not love it.
I’m not normally a romance-first reader but Emily Thiede’s characters and world were quick to fall for. I find that English novels that incorporate a foreign language can often feel forced and like it was a way to make a character more interesting (like “oooooh the tall, dark, handsome MMC speaks Spanish so it doesn’t matter that he’s dull!!!”). It didn’t feel like that for most of This Viscous Grace. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing epigraphs before each chapter and Dante’s use of Italian/“old language”.
I do wish that it was a standalone novel and think it would have been strong enough to stand on its own pre-chapter 54. But you know I’ll be reading the sequel anyway. 🤪
For people who care, this is not a smutty romance (which should quickly become apparent when you meet Alessa lol) but lots of ✨tension✨
I’m not normally a romance-first reader but Emily Thiede’s characters and world were quick to fall for. I find that English novels that incorporate a foreign language can often feel forced and like it was a way to make a character more interesting (like “oooooh the tall, dark, handsome MMC speaks Spanish so it doesn’t matter that he’s dull!!!”). It didn’t feel like that for most of This Viscous Grace. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing epigraphs before each chapter and Dante’s use of Italian/“old language”.
I do wish that it was a standalone novel and think it would have been strong enough to stand on its own pre-chapter 54. But you know I’ll be reading the sequel anyway. 🤪
For people who care, this is not a smutty romance (which should quickly become apparent when you meet Alessa lol) but lots of ✨tension✨
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Highly recommend re-reading Ballad or finding a synopsis of what happened towards the end because just like Evangeline, my memory of what happened was totally gone LOL.
I loved this book and I think it served as an excellent ending to a whimsical, hopeful series.
One qualmis wtf happened to Luc???? Unless I forgot something happening in Ballad, he just kinda vanishes without any speculation as to why or where. I know he know longer served a purpose to Evangeline but he was such a big part of the last book it’s weird to not get any confirmation of his finale. I don’t think it takes away from the story at all, but it is curious.
When Jacks and Evangeline kiss and he thinks she’s dying but she’s just like “no silly i just forgot to breathe” was so cute!!!!
While it feels complete, I feel like there is more story to be told in the Magnificent North!
I loved this book and I think it served as an excellent ending to a whimsical, hopeful series.
One qualm
When Jacks and Evangeline kiss and he thinks she’s dying but she’s just like “no silly i just forgot to breathe” was so cute!!!!
While it feels complete, I feel like there is more story to be told in the Magnificent North!
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
I’m speechless. In awe of Rachel Gillig and The Shepherd King duology.
This is how you do a duology and do it well. I was gripped by the world of Blunder from the very first word of One Dark Window to the final Epilogue page in Two Twisted Crowns.
I don’t think this book needs any words beyond: go. Read it. Cry with me.
This is how you do a duology and do it well. I was gripped by the world of Blunder from the very first word of One Dark Window to the final Epilogue page in Two Twisted Crowns.
I don’t think this book needs any words beyond: go. Read it. Cry with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence and Blood
The Lightstruck by Sunya Mara
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m so sad to only give this one 3/5 when the first book blew me away. I was so excited for this duology but The Lightstruck disappointed.
It’s not BAD and I was entertained through much of it, but all the heart and soul that went into the Darkening did not translate to the follow-up. I found the characters quite flat and shadows of who they were — not in a 3 year “i’m older and wiser” kind of way either. The story dragged on in many parts, too.
I’m not particularly a romance/romantasy reader, but the way Dalca/Vesper is handled in this book feels incomplete and almost forced. It didn’t flow and Dazzle only made it less compelling.
I wish the Spectral lore had been developed more. Yeah, Spectral!Dalca gives us a bit about them, but there’s still a big “WHY???” hanging over their existence. There was just so much wasted potential I guess
I’m glad for the happy ending but the soft conclusion leaves the door open for more antics in this world. Not sure if I would love a Ravka-esque (Leigh Bardugo) universe in the city but there’s certainly opportunity if the stories need to be told!
I think I’ll stick to re-reading The Darkening as a solo book.
It’s not BAD and I was entertained through much of it, but all the heart and soul that went into the Darkening did not translate to the follow-up. I found the characters quite flat and shadows of who they were — not in a 3 year “i’m older and wiser” kind of way either. The story dragged on in many parts, too.
I’m not particularly a romance/romantasy reader, but the way Dalca/Vesper is handled in this book feels incomplete and almost forced. It didn’t flow and Dazzle only made it less compelling.
I’m glad for the happy ending but the soft conclusion leaves the door open for more antics in this world. Not sure if I would love a Ravka-esque (Leigh Bardugo) universe in the city but there’s certainly opportunity if the stories need to be told!
I think I’ll stick to re-reading The Darkening as a solo book.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ya, ok, i get the hype.
I wouldn’t sort this into “best book ever” category but it’s sweet, very well written, and the last half of the book had me captivated.
The slow-burn relationship between Iris and her mysterious, magical penpal is a world easy to fall into. This is very light fantasy. Probably a good starting point for any romance readers wanting to dip their toe into the idea of make believe.
I wouldn’t sort this into “best book ever” category but it’s sweet, very well written, and the last half of the book had me captivated.
The slow-burn relationship between Iris and her mysterious, magical penpal is a world easy to fall into. This is very light fantasy. Probably a good starting point for any romance readers wanting to dip their toe into the idea of make believe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
The Darkening by Sunya Mara
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the best NA fantasy i’ve read this year. Maybe ever. Original, captivating, addicting. Pain and family expectations are two themes that really drive the story. Really easy but interesting world building.
All of the predictions I made as I was reading were wrong, which is a good thing! I didn’t find The Darkening predictable or cliche at all.
The last half of the book is especially thrilling with shades of Hell Bent and Red Queen.
Yeah, no complaints at all. Can’t for book 2.
All of the predictions I made as I was reading were wrong, which is a good thing! I didn’t find The Darkening predictable or cliche at all.
The last half of the book is especially thrilling with shades of Hell Bent and Red Queen.
Yeah, no complaints at all. Can’t for book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement and Grief
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An addicting story in a familiar-to-me setting. Love a FMC that is science minded.
The dialogue/language reads more “I’m from England” than “I’m Scottish” which was somewhat off putting and distracting. You can tell it’s written by an American. Not saying it’s BAD, but if you’re intimately familiar with Edinburgh or Scotland it might be rough.
That said, it was so delightful, captivating, and could easily be a stand-alone.
The dialogue/language reads more “I’m from England” than “I’m Scottish” which was somewhat off putting and distracting. You can tell it’s written by an American. Not saying it’s BAD, but if you’re intimately familiar with Edinburgh or Scotland it might be rough.
That said, it was so delightful, captivating, and could easily be a stand-alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
The Daydreams by Laura Hankin
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As someone who was obsessed with celeb gossip sites like OceanUp, Perez Hilton, and JustJared in the early 2000s and witnessed a lot of the details drawn out in The Daydreams plot, I enjoyed this read very much.
Is it groundbreaking work? No. Did it fill a hole and keep me on my toes? Yes and yes.
Surprisingly twisty turny this is a very digestible read.
For the former forum writers, this one will feel like home.
the ending was so cinematic!! Total cliche, don’t get me wrong, but it was exactly what I (and the audience) were hoping for.
Is it groundbreaking work? No. Did it fill a hole and keep me on my toes? Yes and yes.
Surprisingly twisty turny this is a very digestible read.
For the former forum writers, this one will feel like home.
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Every day feels special, but June fourteenth is a gift.
I picked this up because I love seeing Toronto through a fictional lens. It makes me fall back in love with my city. While Meet Me at the Lake was of two worlds — Toronto and Muskoka — it was such a charming adaptation of 2010s Toronto. I truly loved every local reference (streetcars, Summerhill, etc.). I loved Brookbanks Resort equally.
I am not a RL romance reader, but I was pleasantly sucked into this world and these characters. I even see a lot of my life experience in Fern, which I was not expecting.
This was such a delightful, easy summer read that I could see myself returning to time and time again.
🌶️🌶️/5 spice (maybe even like 1.5/5)
People unfamiliar with Toronto and cottage country may be head scratching but if you can fall into fantasy realms and London or Paris or a wooded resort in the Northeast USA, you can fall into the world of Will and Fern.
I picked this up because I love seeing Toronto through a fictional lens. It makes me fall back in love with my city. While Meet Me at the Lake was of two worlds — Toronto and Muskoka — it was such a charming adaptation of 2010s Toronto. I truly loved every local reference (streetcars, Summerhill, etc.). I loved Brookbanks Resort equally.
I am not a RL romance reader, but I was pleasantly sucked into this world and these characters. I even see a lot of my life experience in Fern, which I was not expecting.
This was such a delightful, easy summer read that I could see myself returning to time and time again.
🌶️🌶️/5 spice (maybe even like 1.5/5)
People unfamiliar with Toronto and cottage country may be head scratching but if you can fall into fantasy realms and London or Paris or a wooded resort in the Northeast USA, you can fall into the world of Will and Fern.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Car accident, and Pregnancy
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book gave me literal nightmares when I first started reading it. The writing is so vivid and the concept so realistic that the horror comes less from the gore or sickening TERFs and more from how this world that’s written about is not so far off what we have now — snarling, rape-y men included.
Make sure to check the trigger warnings!!!
I found it quite jumpy at times and was not expecting it to be as smutty as it was. That’s biggest gripe. I feel like so much of this story could have been told without the sex (I don’t love smut in any of my stories fwiw). So if you’re not a smut reader, I would not enthusiastically recommend Manhunt.
Fran and Beth and Robbie and Indi’s internal stories were heartbreaking and they all deserved better in this shitty world.
Make sure to check the trigger warnings!!!
I found it quite jumpy at times and was not expecting it to be as smutty as it was. That’s biggest gripe. I feel like so much of this story could have been told without the sex (I don’t love smut in any of my stories fwiw). So if you’re not a smut reader, I would not enthusiastically recommend Manhunt.
Fran and Beth and Robbie and Indi’s internal stories were heartbreaking and they all deserved better in this shitty world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death, Suicide, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia and Trafficking