liamliayaum's reviews
280 reviews

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-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

3.5

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

Go to review page

emotional mysterious fast-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

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Maame by Jessica George

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

Go to review page

lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Lots of story inconsistencies and grammar mistakes; this could have benefited from another draft. The magic system was nebulous and weakly explained. A fair number of God references with an odd religious adjacent undertone. The second half of the book was a slog. I guessed 3
(Jake was engaged, Bethany was faking the pregnancy, and Sadie had to sacrifice her magic)
of the big plot twists as the "hints" were barely disguised the moment something was introduced as a plot point.

Also, double check the recipes if you use them! I found at least one that had ingredients that were listed in the instructions but not in the ingredient list.

I wanted to like this book but it focused on telling vs. showing, riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies, and was just dull.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Rouge by Mona Awad

Go to review page

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

4.5

Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Go to review page

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

3.5

Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond

Go to review page

emotional informative inspiring slow-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

3.5

Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah

Go to review page

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

3.0