prishukla's reviews
83 reviews

The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

Takis Hibbert always delivers with spice, humor ,three-dimensional people, and love stories you can so easily fall into. I so enjoyed this jaunt with a fake relationship, a dash of royalty, and some harsher reality that punched up Prince Ruben. Cherry is delightful & self-possessed in a way that I envy! Really enjoyed this one -- it was so refreshing after j started a few books that I just couldn't get into 
Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
I was looking to be plugged into a magical world, and instead I got Manhattan with a splash of magical hierarchy, but not much actual magic. And the stakes seems too forced. I really tried to give this book a chance to build, but it just wasn't cutting it for me. 

To be fair I'm also currently struggling to find a book that resonates, so this could just be me in a weird slump or something.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous challenging dark reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

Just wow! What a harrowing journey for both Essun & Nassun ... and Schaffa! I was floored and heartbroken throughout at the continued world-building & the parallels between this fictional world and our own became more stark to me as the book progressed. I really enjoyed the this closure to the trilogy, especially the ending. 
Oye by Melissa Mogollon

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

What innovative storytelling!! I enjoyed this book so much -- the ability to paint a rich world and cast of characters through a phone call from a queer high school senior to her college-aged sister is incredible. It's beautiful to watch her growth as she deals with complex and stressful family dynamics. And it is SO funny. I laughed so much, even amidst the heavy, gritty moments. I can't wait to read the next thing Melissa Mogollon writes! 
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi

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challenging dark tense fast-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

4.25

This book is riveting, but it's utterly messed up. K was glued to the book the entire time, but also disgusted by everything happening and everyone in it. It's a fast-paced read with no redeemable characters (maybe Aima is, I guess?), but you will likely be in the edge of your seat.

This book also needs literally every content warning in existence. So, do be careful going into it. Because when you think it's already gotten bad, it gets worse.
The Sea Witch by Katee Robert

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tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Honestly, I kinda skimmed this one. It felt repetitive after the previous book also being about an initially reluctant threesome. And, I just really couldn't get into it, despite finding Ursa to be one of the more enjoyable Disney villain recreations. 
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

4.5

I am enjoying this series so much! The growth journey that Essun is on is magnificent and tragic, but it is the story of Nassun that I was OST engrossed in. So young, so self-aware, so powerful! I cannot wait for the final book to see how Essun's & Nassun's fates unfold!! 
The Beast by Katee Robert

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

3.0

Exactly what you like to a Katee Roberts book for, plot that progresses through smut. This one was a MMF love triangle & it was juicy! The plot is thin, the smut isn't.
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.75

I really enjoyed this final book in the trilogy, though admittedly liked the first two more. That said, this is still such a joyous, whimsical, silly book that brings the whole world full circle while expanding it, as well. And, I really enjoyed the finding themselves/finding each other/finding new friends/finding a family elements of Alice Dearlove & Daniel Bixby's journey. 
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.25

Another fantastically absurd installment in the Dangerous Damsels series, though I liked this one a bit more than the first book. I really enjoyed the expansion of this regency-era Victorian world where in addition to pirates with flying houses, you have equally mischievous witches who have a rivalry with the pirates. You catch glimpses of characters from the previous book, but the development of Alex & Charlotte's relationship (and the characters themselves) is the focus, and it is so much fun! This series really knows what it's about, and does a great job celebrating regency novels while also taking them to a most ridiculous & whimsical place!