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nikkilerae's reviews
74 reviews
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
A Court of Mist and Fury
By Sarah J Maas
5⭐️
What?!? Wow! You don’t wanna miss this book if you’ve started the ACOTAR Series.
This book, this story, was excellent. I want to share details, but that wouldn’t be very nice of me.
Maas, again, has weaved a masterful tale that grips you in a powerful way. You will meet new characters and see new courts in this book and love them just as much as you loved the ones in book one.
Fantasy, High Fae, Humans… faery world meets human world… this is just a taste of what this book had in store for you!
By Sarah J Maas
5⭐️
What?!? Wow! You don’t wanna miss this book if you’ve started the ACOTAR Series.
This book, this story, was excellent. I want to share details, but that wouldn’t be very nice of me.
Maas, again, has weaved a masterful tale that grips you in a powerful way. You will meet new characters and see new courts in this book and love them just as much as you loved the ones in book one.
Fantasy, High Fae, Humans… faery world meets human world… this is just a taste of what this book had in store for you!
Storm Washed Secrets by Nelly Stein
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Storm Washed Secrets
By Nelly Stein
4⭐️
This was such a cute book. I enjoyed reading it. The story was well developed and flowed naturally. The characters were lovable and I enjoyed getting to know them.
This was spot on for a Cozy Mystery. Stein did an excellent job with the genre and kept the story true to form.
I gave this book 4 Stars because although it was enjoyable I did spot a couple of editing errors, nothing big though. I also felt like the story could’ve been lengthened and been even more enjoyable.
If you like cozy mysteries or mysteries in general this book is a great fit for you!
By Nelly Stein
4⭐️
This was such a cute book. I enjoyed reading it. The story was well developed and flowed naturally. The characters were lovable and I enjoyed getting to know them.
This was spot on for a Cozy Mystery. Stein did an excellent job with the genre and kept the story true to form.
I gave this book 4 Stars because although it was enjoyable I did spot a couple of editing errors, nothing big though. I also felt like the story could’ve been lengthened and been even more enjoyable.
If you like cozy mysteries or mysteries in general this book is a great fit for you!
An Age of Winters by Gemma Liviero
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
An Age of Winters
By Gemma Liviero
5⭐️
Oh. My. Wow! This book was excellent!
Liviero did a superb job weaving this story together. Factual history was used to create a magnificent narrative of a maidservant in Germany during the witch trials. She gave real life to her character that builds empathy and understanding of her life.
The story flowed well. It was easy to read and follow. The ending - no spoilers, but I will say that I never saw it coming! The last few chapters brought my star rating from 4 up to 5!
If you like historical fiction or like to read about the Witch Trials this book is definitely for you!
By Gemma Liviero
5⭐️
Oh. My. Wow! This book was excellent!
Liviero did a superb job weaving this story together. Factual history was used to create a magnificent narrative of a maidservant in Germany during the witch trials. She gave real life to her character that builds empathy and understanding of her life.
The story flowed well. It was easy to read and follow. The ending - no spoilers, but I will say that I never saw it coming! The last few chapters brought my star rating from 4 up to 5!
If you like historical fiction or like to read about the Witch Trials this book is definitely for you!
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Local Woman Missing
By Mary Kubica
5⭐️
Local Woman Missing was so much more than I thought it would be. The characters were well written and consistent which makes this book everything that it is! Multiple timelines throughout the story help weave the story together in an unforgettable way. Kubica really did a fantastic job organizing this story. I know I’ll be reading more of her books!
A woman goes missing, then another woman and her child. All of the way through this story I was trying to put the pieces together. My heart and mind were completely wrapped up in this book! I didn’t guess the who or what of this book before the story was ready to tell me and that is why I ultimately gave it a 5 star rating!
If you really enjoy suspenseful who dunit type books, then, I highly recommend this book for you!
By Mary Kubica
5⭐️
Local Woman Missing was so much more than I thought it would be. The characters were well written and consistent which makes this book everything that it is! Multiple timelines throughout the story help weave the story together in an unforgettable way. Kubica really did a fantastic job organizing this story. I know I’ll be reading more of her books!
A woman goes missing, then another woman and her child. All of the way through this story I was trying to put the pieces together. My heart and mind were completely wrapped up in this book! I didn’t guess the who or what of this book before the story was ready to tell me and that is why I ultimately gave it a 5 star rating!
If you really enjoy suspenseful who dunit type books, then, I highly recommend this book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Book of Witching
By C.J. Cooke
5⭐️
This book is a mix of historical fiction and fantasy. The story base is built upon a factual event in history that took place in the Orkney Islands off the shore of Scotland. Cooke develops the story among multiple timelines. The two main timelines are the of 1592 and modern day.
The story is well crafted and if you enjoy reading and learning about witch trials then this book will be a good fit for you. It tells the story of how Alison Balfour is accused of witchcraft in 1592 and her connection to 3 teenagers in modern day Scotland. This story had me so hooked that I couldn’t put this book down!
Some of the content is tough to read so please check the trigger warnings before you select this book to read.
By C.J. Cooke
5⭐️
This book is a mix of historical fiction and fantasy. The story base is built upon a factual event in history that took place in the Orkney Islands off the shore of Scotland. Cooke develops the story among multiple timelines. The two main timelines are the of 1592 and modern day.
The story is well crafted and if you enjoy reading and learning about witch trials then this book will be a good fit for you. It tells the story of how Alison Balfour is accused of witchcraft in 1592 and her connection to 3 teenagers in modern day Scotland. This story had me so hooked that I couldn’t put this book down!
Some of the content is tough to read so please check the trigger warnings before you select this book to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Phantasma
By Kaylie Smith
5⭐️
Wow - this book was amazing! The story is well written and keeps the reader engaged chapter after chapter. The character development and world building are also wow! The scenes play out perfectly from paper to your mind. An easy 5 Star read!
Following the main character, Ophelia, into a Haunted House Challenge is just a piece of the story. She meets so many other characters along the way and as she is getting to know them she is getting to know herself! Add some spice to the mix and you end up with a 5 Star Dark Romantasy….
Please check trigger warning before reading this book.
By Kaylie Smith
5⭐️
Wow - this book was amazing! The story is well written and keeps the reader engaged chapter after chapter. The character development and world building are also wow! The scenes play out perfectly from paper to your mind. An easy 5 Star read!
Following the main character, Ophelia, into a Haunted House Challenge is just a piece of the story. She meets so many other characters along the way and as she is getting to know them she is getting to know herself! Add some spice to the mix and you end up with a 5 Star Dark Romantasy….
Please check trigger warning before reading this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Pull of the Stars
By Emma Donoghue
4.5 ⭐️
No Spoilers
This book is written from the perspective of a 30 year old unmarried catholic nurse in Ireland during the Spanish Flu epidemic. She worked in the makeshift fever ward for expecting mothers. Her story tells of the hard work to try and keep the people she nursed alive when the flu was taking many souls daily. The stress of being understaffed was insurmountable but she trudges on. She also has to deal with the Protestant/catholic rift in an unbiased manner, which is pretty hard to do when you were raised from birth to believe certain things. This story takes place over just a few days and really gives you a strong idea of what it would’ve been like to work along side Nurse Powers.
Tissues will be needed - This story was so well written and I loved it, but there are several scenes that triggered strong emotions. The only reason I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I felt like the end was a bit rushed. The ending was still amazing, but there was potential there to extend the story a bit.
If you love strong women and historical fiction this book is for you! Even if you just love strong women characters. This book is excellent and I highly recommend it. Please read the Trigger Warnings.
By Emma Donoghue
4.5 ⭐️
No Spoilers
This book is written from the perspective of a 30 year old unmarried catholic nurse in Ireland during the Spanish Flu epidemic. She worked in the makeshift fever ward for expecting mothers. Her story tells of the hard work to try and keep the people she nursed alive when the flu was taking many souls daily. The stress of being understaffed was insurmountable but she trudges on. She also has to deal with the Protestant/catholic rift in an unbiased manner, which is pretty hard to do when you were raised from birth to believe certain things. This story takes place over just a few days and really gives you a strong idea of what it would’ve been like to work along side Nurse Powers.
Tissues will be needed - This story was so well written and I loved it, but there are several scenes that triggered strong emotions. The only reason I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I felt like the end was a bit rushed. The ending was still amazing, but there was potential there to extend the story a bit.
If you love strong women and historical fiction this book is for you! Even if you just love strong women characters. This book is excellent and I highly recommend it. Please read the Trigger Warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Hate U Give
By Angie Thomas
5⭐️
Wow! This story is one I think really needs talked about. It was recommended in one of the book groups I am in for Banned Book Week. I’m so glad I picked this to be my Banned Book Read!
This book hooked me immediately. I thought I’d struggle relating with this book and maybe in some ways I did a little. However, I think that struggle is exactly what I needed to really grasp the importance of the book. There were so many OMG scenes that pulled tears from my eyes and put my hand to my heart. Scenes that had me holding my breath. Every single one of those scenes impacted me in a very deep and profound way. This book needs to be read and talked about!
This book is about a black girl living in a ghetto - a real ghetto - one that most of us don’t really see. At least for me, very different than what our town considers the ghetto or slums or the bricks. This girl loses two of her best friends. One from gang violence at the age of 10 and the other from police brutality at the age of 16. 16 year old Starr is who is sharing her story. Not just her experiences but how she finds her voice, her real voice. Through her story we meet her family and friends and get a real taste of her life.
The flow of this book is so good that I often forgot I was reading. So many pages were turned before I’d check a clock. The author does a really amazing job with this book. Banned or not in places - this book should be read. Read it with your teenagers or even just for yourself. You’ll walk away a different person when you’ve finished. In my opinion, books that change you, are the best ones to read!
By Angie Thomas
5⭐️
Wow! This story is one I think really needs talked about. It was recommended in one of the book groups I am in for Banned Book Week. I’m so glad I picked this to be my Banned Book Read!
This book hooked me immediately. I thought I’d struggle relating with this book and maybe in some ways I did a little. However, I think that struggle is exactly what I needed to really grasp the importance of the book. There were so many OMG scenes that pulled tears from my eyes and put my hand to my heart. Scenes that had me holding my breath. Every single one of those scenes impacted me in a very deep and profound way. This book needs to be read and talked about!
This book is about a black girl living in a ghetto - a real ghetto - one that most of us don’t really see. At least for me, very different than what our town considers the ghetto or slums or the bricks. This girl loses two of her best friends. One from gang violence at the age of 10 and the other from police brutality at the age of 16. 16 year old Starr is who is sharing her story. Not just her experiences but how she finds her voice, her real voice. Through her story we meet her family and friends and get a real taste of her life.
The flow of this book is so good that I often forgot I was reading. So many pages were turned before I’d check a clock. The author does a really amazing job with this book. Banned or not in places - this book should be read. Read it with your teenagers or even just for yourself. You’ll walk away a different person when you’ve finished. In my opinion, books that change you, are the best ones to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, and Kidnapping
A Doctor's Snowed in Christmas Wish by Daisy Flynn
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
A Court of Thorns and Roses
By Sarah J Maas
5⭐️
This book was so much more than I could have ever imagined! It is definitely a 5 star read that every fantasy lover should read! I really think this would even be a great fantasy starter book for those that want to see if they might like fantasy.
Feyre, a human, finds herself forced from the human lands to the lands of the Fae. She is stubborn, strong, and very capable for a human. However, as she enters the lands of the Fae she meets members of the fae that are unlike anything we could imagine. Their physical characteristics and personalities are so well crafted by the author that you almost forget that you are reading. The story holds you in its grip the entire way through the book!
I am super excited to start the next book in the series. This is my first book by Sarah J Maas and I can already tell she’ll be one of my favorite authors!
By Sarah J Maas
5⭐️
This book was so much more than I could have ever imagined! It is definitely a 5 star read that every fantasy lover should read! I really think this would even be a great fantasy starter book for those that want to see if they might like fantasy.
Feyre, a human, finds herself forced from the human lands to the lands of the Fae. She is stubborn, strong, and very capable for a human. However, as she enters the lands of the Fae she meets members of the fae that are unlike anything we could imagine. Their physical characteristics and personalities are so well crafted by the author that you almost forget that you are reading. The story holds you in its grip the entire way through the book!
I am super excited to start the next book in the series. This is my first book by Sarah J Maas and I can already tell she’ll be one of my favorite authors!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and War