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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
The Hive and the Honey by Paul Yoon
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I was blown away by this short collection on the Korean diaspora--at 160 pages it's definitely worth a read--and how powerful Paul Yoon's prose is. As with any collection, I liked some more than others; standouts for me are "Komarov," "At the Post Station," "The Hive and the Honey," and "Valley of the Moon."
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
slow-paced
3.0
Oof; this one drags, especially in part 2. I have no idea how there will still be three more books of this, but I’ll probably read them all.
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Another poetically lovely, charming book from Allison Saft--this one lighter but no less compelling than A Far Wilder Magic. I particularly enjoyed the side characters and the sense of found family Saft creates; I wanted to read more about the Infanta Rosa and would happily burn through a whole book about her. As for the romance, the forbidden, enemies-to-lovers tropes are strong here (gotta love that bi rep, too).
Another poetically lovely, charming book from Allison Saft--this one lighter but no less compelling than A Far Wilder Magic. I particularly enjoyed the side characters and the sense of found family Saft creates; I wanted to read more about the Infanta Rosa and would happily burn through a whole book about her. As for the romance, the forbidden, enemies-to-lovers tropes are strong here (gotta love that bi rep, too).
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This isn’t as strong as The Maid, but it’s a relatively compelling cozy mystery filled with a familiar, charming cast of characters (though I wanted more Juan and less Cheryl). The reveal at the end is surprisingly wholesome.
This isn’t as strong as The Maid, but it’s a relatively compelling cozy mystery filled with a familiar, charming cast of characters (though I wanted more Juan and less Cheryl). The reveal at the end is surprisingly wholesome.
A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This didn’t work as well as the first book for me—the first felt more organic and fun, and oddly enough this one felt derivative of that while simultaneously undoing a lot of the characterization of the first one—but it’s still a solid entry in the Glimmer Falls series.
This didn’t work as well as the first book for me—the first felt more organic and fun, and oddly enough this one felt derivative of that while simultaneously undoing a lot of the characterization of the first one—but it’s still a solid entry in the Glimmer Falls series.
Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin, Marissa Stapley
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
If you're looking for a sweet holiday read that feels like a cross between Schitt's Creek, a Hallmark Channel film, and a Bollywood movie, this might be the book for you! Sure, it's not the most realistic romance, but that's besides the point.
The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I disagree with reviewers who are upset that this is such a dark take on The Nutcracker--the original short story is, itself, dark and morbid--but I do wish Erika Johansen had provided her readers with a better grasp on the worlds she built. It's also tough to categorize this as either a YA or an adult novel; thematically it may fit both, but the span of years makes me think this would fare better as an adult novel.
I disagree with reviewers who are upset that this is such a dark take on The Nutcracker--the original short story is, itself, dark and morbid--but I do wish Erika Johansen had provided her readers with a better grasp on the worlds she built. It's also tough to categorize this as either a YA or an adult novel; thematically it may fit both, but the span of years makes me think this would fare better as an adult novel.
Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is both a sweet romance and a satisfying continuation of the world Jesse Q. Sutanto established in Well, That Was Unexpected. The relationship that develops between Liam and Kiki is predictable (though not in a bad way) and adorable--I was pleased to see that Sutanto didn't drag out the You've Got Mail trope for too long--and I appreciate that the high-school drama serves to emphasize how harmful sexism and toxic masculinity are in any society. (On that note, I loved reading about Indo food and culture!)
This is both a sweet romance and a satisfying continuation of the world Jesse Q. Sutanto established in Well, That Was Unexpected. The relationship that develops between Liam and Kiki is predictable (though not in a bad way) and adorable--I was pleased to see that Sutanto didn't drag out the You've Got Mail trope for too long--and I appreciate that the high-school drama serves to emphasize how harmful sexism and toxic masculinity are in any society. (On that note, I loved reading about Indo food and culture!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Win Lose Kill Die by Cynthia Murphy
2.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative drive is compelling, so I was intrigued enough to read to the end…but, without getting into spoilers, the ending itself is rushed and doesn’t have enough context to make sense. While I admire the amount of red herrings Cynthia Murphy is able to integrate, I don’t think any of the events of the book connect the perpetrator to the crime before that abrupt ending.
The narrative drive is compelling, so I was intrigued enough to read to the end…but, without getting into spoilers, the ending itself is rushed and doesn’t have enough context to make sense. While I admire the amount of red herrings Cynthia Murphy is able to integrate, I don’t think any of the events of the book connect the perpetrator to the crime before that abrupt ending.
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this far more than Lex Croucher's debut novel--Reputation--which feels mean-spirited and mired in angst. This has plenty of angst (especially from Gwen), but it's relatable and appealing. (Who among us does not remember our first allegedly unrequited crush?) Arthur is snarky without being annoying, and his relationship with Sidney is my favorite platonic pairing I've read in quite a while. There's an element of found family here among the leads and their love interests that warmed my heart as I read; I wish the romance had played out slightly more, but I didn't mind the amount that Croucher included.
I enjoyed this far more than Lex Croucher's debut novel--Reputation--which feels mean-spirited and mired in angst. This has plenty of angst (especially from Gwen), but it's relatable and appealing. (Who among us does not remember our first allegedly unrequited crush?) Arthur is snarky without being annoying, and his relationship with Sidney is my favorite platonic pairing I've read in quite a while. There's an element of found family here among the leads and their love interests that warmed my heart as I read; I wish the romance had played out slightly more, but I didn't mind the amount that Croucher included.