ivi_reads_books's reviews
302 reviews

Ice: 50th Anniversary Edition by Anna Kavan

Go to review page

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The book is set in a frozen dystopia where reality constantly shifts, and nothing is quite what it seems.

Set in a world consumed by encroaching ice—possibly due to nuclear war—the novel follows an unnamed narrator obsessively searching for an elusive woman. Whether he’s her protector or predator remains deliberately unclear, blurring the lines between love, control, and destruction.

Kavan’s prose is hypnotic, slipping between surreal beauty and creeping dread, much like the fractured mind of its protagonist. 

If you’re looking for a straightforward plot, this isn’t it; Ice is an experience, not a story in the traditional sense. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

Go to review page

adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

If The Hunger Games and A Court of Thorns and Roses had a love child, it would be Trial of the Sun Queen. This gripping fantasy throws readers into a brutal competition where survival means outwitting both ruthless rivals and the whims of a powerful court.

The protagonist is instantly compelling—a survivor plucked from prison and forced into a deadly game she never signed up for. She’s smart, resilient, and just self-aware enough to know she’s being used as a pawn, but she refuses to go down without a fight. The court’s extravagance and the stark class divide add to the tension, making every moment feel high-stakes.

With a touch of steam, a dash of queer romance/lust, and an ending that leaves you desperate for book two, Trial of the Sun Queen is a thrilling ride from start to finish. If you love high-stakes trials, cunning heroines, and dangerously alluring Fae, this one’s for you! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A House for Miss Pauline: 'One of the Caribbean's finest writers' Monique Roffey by Diana McCaulay

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
 I struggled to follow the story due to the heavy use of Patwa, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. There were also many side characters introduced, but I wasn’t sure how they contributed to the narrative. However, I appreciated that the book is loosely based on the author’s life and ancestors—if I understood Patwa better, I might have continued reading. 
I Can Be The One by Ellie Blackbourne

Go to review page

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

3.5

I Can Be the One by Ellie Blackbourne is the perfect blend of swoon-worthy romance, chronic illness representation, and a devoted, protective MMC!

Alexis, a reserved FMC with fibromyalgia, finds solace and passion in Blake, a hockey player who not only understands her struggles but wholeheartedly supports her. With no third-act breakup (thank goodness!) and a steamy, empowering romance, this fast-paced read is both heartfelt and refreshing.

If you loved Dukes & Dekes and are craving a hockey romance with a reformed playboy who falls hard, this one’s for you! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 Love the Murderbot stories! I’ve lost track of its end goal while traveling through the galaxy, but honestly, I’m just here for the ride. 
Bunny by Mona Awad

Go to review page

dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

What did I just read?
Maya & Natasha by Elyse Durham

Go to review page

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

3.5

Told in third-person narration, this novel still allows readers to deeply connect with orphaned twin sisters Maya and Natasha. Raised in their late mother’s dance company by her best friend, the girls spend their teenage years immersed in the rigorous world of Soviet ballet, competing for the same coveted spot in a prestigious company.

Themes of first love, discipline, indoctrination, rebellion, and sacrifice shape their journey. One sister is independent and rebellious, seen as more beautiful and capable, while the other is more reserved. When Russia enforces a rule preventing two family members from leaving the country at the same time—to deter defection—the sisters must face an impossible choice.

This is a story of sisterly love, independence, and the weight of decisions that impact more than just oneself. I’m always struck by how artists and athletes endure immense pain for their craft, and this book highlights that devotion—how these girls love ballet so much they willingly accept lifelong injuries for it.

While the novel was a bit dense and longer than I prefer, I appreciated its quiet, steady pacing and character-driven storytelling. Also, the cover? Absolutely stunning.

Thank you to Mariner Books for the advance reader copy! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

Go to review page

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

4.0

 Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter delivers a fun, lighthearted romance. The FMC has that "cool girl" vibe, though I didn’t fully get the initial attraction between the leads—it felt a bit rushed, but given the book’s length, the author had to jump right in. The flirting, banter, and phone calls were charming, the smut was solid, and best of all—no family drama or trauma for once! Plus, bonus points for the adorable cats. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

Go to review page

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

2.25

 The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis didn’t quite work for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and while I had hoped for a deeper dive into Egyptology, the book only touched on it lightly. It’s not much of a mystery either—mostly centered on family trauma. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Mrs. Gulliver: A Novel by Valerie Martin

Go to review page

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

2.75

 Mrs. Gulliver by Valerie Martin features an independent blind woman who maintains her agency and turns to sex work for financial stability. While the book offers a brief meditation on sex work and highlights the infantilization of disabled people—likely an intentional choice by the author—the characters’ decisions didn’t always feel authentic to me. Additionally, the characters lacked depth, making it harder to connect with their motivations and choices. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings