lostinabookishworld's reviews
328 reviews

Mother of Death and Dawn by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

This was an excellent ending to this series. I think Carissa Broadbent's storytelling is absolutely top-tier and this book was just so so good. Max and Tisaanah go through so many horrific things and to see them come out the otherside and get to build a life together was absolute perfection. 

I really did enjoy so much about this book. You get heart-pounding action scenes, twists and turns I didn't see coming, a beautiful love story, and phenomonal storytelling. I'll literally read anything she writes. 
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.25

Oh my goodness, this was adorable! I absolutely loved this world that we were immediately thrown into and fell in love with each new character that I met. The world was fascinating, but I thought it could have been a bit more fleshed out, and I loved how magic was used and rediscovered throughout the course of the book. 

All of the relationships in the story feel so special. Kiela and Caz are perfect together and their friendly banter is top-notch. Kiela and Larran were so cute and I loved watching their relationship blossom - although the slow burn was SLOW here. The way most of the other islanders accept and protect Kiela was beautiful and it was so great having Kiela open herself up to new experiences and people. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this and it's a perfect cozy fantasy read when you need something quick and fun.
Nocticadia by Keri Lake

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dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

This was fascinating! A true dark academia/gothic horror novel I was pulled in and so intrigued by the mystery and the plot and honest could not put this book down. There were absolutely moments where I was a bit (or more than a bit) grossed out by some of the descriptions, but again I couldn't stop reading. Not only did I find each of the main characters so interesting I really enjoyed their relationship. The teacher/student dynamic can be a bit iffy for me sometimes, but I found this to be really well done. I felt like every character in this book was either morally gray or a straight up villain and I was here for it all. And that ending! Oh my goodness I need more. 
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

4.0

“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.” 🥹🥹🥹

This book was so cute! I’ve really enjoyed the Rebel Blue Ranch series so far and I loved getting Teddy and Gus’s story. There were some moments at the beginning where I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to like Gus but he grew on me and I loved to watch him fall head over heels for Teddy. I also really enjoyed the relationship that bloomed between Teddy and Gus’s daughter. It was adorable watching this new family unit form and the whole book was just a delight to read.
The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous dark emotional 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

I really liked this - it was a relatively quick read even though some of the plot/action was a bit repetitive at times. I liked that this felt like a completely new story, and while I missed having the characters we met in the first duology, I loved that this was singularly focused on Mische and her journey. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Mische's background/history and it was heartbreaking to learn of everything that she'd been through. I loved Asar as a new character and I am really intrigued as to what will come in the next book. 

There were some confusing parts about the actual magic of the descent and underworld and it would be nice for that to have been a bit more fleshed out. Overall, I will always be a huge fan of Carissa Broadbent's writing and will never be unhappy reading one of her books.
Hott Take by Serena Bell

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funny lighthearted fast-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

3.25

This was really cute! It was a fast read with very low stakes and I enjoyed Shane and Ivy's relationship. There were some slightly ridiculous moments that were a bit out there but it was such a fun book that I didn't mind. Overall, this series is like a spicy hallmark movie and who doesn't like that. 
Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde

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emotional 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

2.75

This was unfortunately a bit of a let down. I don't know if it's because I wasn't prepared for the gaslighting, love-bombing abusive ex-boyfriend to be featured quite so heavily or if it was just a bit more predictable than I was hoping. I think the overall story could have been cute and some of the scenes were very heartwarming but overall I just didn't connect to the characters/story as much as I was hoping. 
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The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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challenging emotional tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This was phenomenal. I was immediately intrigued, could not stop reading, and have thought about this book every day since I've finished. The dynamics created between each person in the book was so well done, the layered and toxic friendships were fascinating, and the desperation to figure out what was going on was palpable. There was never a dull moment in the book, I was always surprised as to what was going to happen next and I am haunted by that ending. I need every single person to read this so we can talk about it. 
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The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest

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emotional 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

4.0

This was a really sweet book. I loved both of the main characters; Angel was so tender and loving and Iris had so much strength. I adored how much they communicated with each other and the overall progression of their relationship. I also thought Iris's growth was done well, her grief over losing her husband was so raw and how she was able to move on from that in a healthy way was great to see. I felt like while some of the plot was predictable I still had a good time while reading.
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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adventurous 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

4.5

This was a delight. I loved that we got so much more of The Villain's POV and other characters that we hadn't previously heard from. I absolutely loved getting his inner monologue and all of his angst over liking Evie. The banter and jokes in this book are again top-notch and it was just so much fun being in this world again. There is some stuff with the lore/prophecy/waning magic that I don't think is 100% clear, at least to me, that I wish was a little more straight forward in terms of exactly what's wrong and what they're trying to do to fix it but I honestly don't mind that much as I'm really here for all the inner office gossip and the love stories. Excited to see what happens next!