katerzjoy's reviews
150 reviews

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

While not my usual sort of read I absolutely loved this book! A reflective account that firmly showed that age is but a number. The blending of past and present was well done and always in a way to help further the development of the present. Characters were lovable with some absolutely stealing my heart. The metaphors and imagery was flawless. Groaning and laughing out loud this book was a delight

Thank you St Martin’s Free Press via NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

So this started very strong and I was absolutely delighted. The whimsy and the quirk was exactly what I needed at this time. It is fun and fast paced and easy to read with entertaining dialogue. The characters introduced have personality and some standards are turned inside out. 
I loved that Roberts large family were so involved and enthusiastic. He was in a job he hated but also was obsessed about. Robert spouting off about the newest dragon encountered was delightful. The joy and beauty he experienced was visceral. 
Princess Cerise was introduced as a strong independent woman who valued knowledge and choices. 
Where the book falls short was largely due to the women only having conversations about love. For such strong and brilliant women at all ages and ranks they were reduced to love interests. Most demonstrated at near death thoughts when the men are having deep thoughts about the world and themselves, the female is only thinking about the potential love interests. On the romance side the relationships that do develop are without logic. They just manifest by will without emotional investment. It feels all together too convenient. 
My other sour taste was that the domestic/child abuse that was casually mentioned and ignored. 
Also niche interest speaking here, has the author ever rode? Because some of the movements did not add up.
All in all I did enjoy the book for a fun cozy fantasy and have told friends that it is worth reading without holding it to a five star read. 
Thank you Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for the access of this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 
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The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative inspiring tense 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

4.5

This was the slowest of burns for me. Not in the romance department (that was without spice and fairly straightforward). No the slow burn was how long it took me to finish the book! I think that’s the longest it’s take me ever. Despite my slowness the book was well paced. The characters, action and environment were so rich I was physically there when reading it. When I wasn’t reading I would find myself thinking about the characters and plot and look forward to when I was going to get back to it. I enjoyed learning about another real culture/place and a new magic system, creatures and legends. 

There were genuine twists/surprises/developments that made perfect sense but didn’t predict. Characters made you feel strongly about them

I would give it 4.5 🌟 and only less because it didn’t have me hooked that I HAD to finish it. 
Coup de Coeur by Halli Starling

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challenging emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Magical realism in a gaslamp  setting. A sumptuous read with attention to detail. The details sometimes bogged down an otherwise fast paced plot. I loved the character interactions and locations. I did discover through this book that I am definitely not a fan of long chapters. 

I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Treasured One by Hannah Levin

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? No

3.0

If my best friend was telling me this story I would be enthralled and loving every second of it.  However, it reads at best as good fanfic/AO3, which if it was a friends would be heavily invested in. As I’m not it was enjoyable but lacking. Great for a quick fun read but nothing that’s going to keep you obsessed until the next one
The time line was probably one of the better ones for a fantasy novel. Problems weren’t quick fixes and required effort. 
Points for preface and glossary.
The new world/culture and creatures was wonderful but surface level. Gave Avatar (Cameron) vibes. Where it’s bright and shiny but not complex.  moderate attention was given to environment and creatures. politics, religion, and society was rather brushed off. 
Characters were two dimensional without character development to go with angst, exception to the main character. Avery was sweet and kind and brave but naive at best and cringy at other times. Every other character was in her world as plot points without substance. 
A very pro America novel. That survived a world changing event unscathed and in a typical manner. 

Thank you Aethon Books and NetGalley for the access of this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a slower read beautifully done. While the plot moved quickly the focus was less action based and more about the every day life of a very under appreciated niche. Reading about the daily life made the characters feel more real and close. Excellent foreshadowing that fed the plot perfectly. Imagery was so real that you could smell and feel it. Characters varied from good, bad and in between but all so well done you could understand where their actions were coming from. Romance/relationship building high with unfortunate fade to black. 

Thank you Penguin Random House Books and NetGalley for the access of this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

A lot of icks. Constantly. Both characters and scenes. Only reason I didn’t rate it less was because it’s a quick and easy read
Praise by Sara Cate

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informative fast-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

Smut was good and there was actual character growth if not plot. Scenes were hit or miss. Some eye rolling and inconsistency but overall enjoyable and easy
The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard

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hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Have you ever wondered what a cat does with its nine lives? Grimalkin narrates the lives he witnessed and moments passed. That even the small and insignificant carry a tale worth telling even if it doesn’t register as globally important. His lives demonstrate that while the times changes the people are fundamentally the same just with different trappings. A wonderful cozy historical fantasy book to read!
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Honey Witch is a wonderful book that addresses societal expectations and the consequences of choices and love. Characters are fuelled by love, whether for themselves, family or romantic. The main romance is a slow burn full of pining and unfulfilling encounters. While having many quotable and relatable moments this book fails to go past the surface. The Honey Witch is a highly enjoyable read but failed to hit the feels. Events are rushed and simplified to a point of feeling inconsequential despite being life changing. 

Thank you Redhook Books and NetGalley for the access of this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review