reka111's reviews
263 reviews

Wow, I'm a bit confused to be honest. I didn't expect — I didn't plan — to like this book so much, and I didn't think I'd end up liking this trope, because with the Twisted series, let's just say, I have a minor conflict when it comes time to review.

For me, Alessandra is a likeable, extremely independent character who was finally capable of acting. It was so refreshing to see that the FMC was not relying on MMC, but was able to find its way on its own. I loved her. Dominic wasn't that awful either, I loved about him that he tried to understand her, giving her time and space (at first) and then being able to change for her. The only thing I didn't like was that he was too protective.

The plot wasn't so elaborate hmm to say. Something was missing, but I can't tell you what it is exactly, but I can feel it. I loved that we could both see into their heads, and I think it was essential for us – the readers – to really understand both of them. I think the pace was right and there was no problem with the wording, I really liked it this time. The ending was nicely concluded, I wasn't so bothered by the

pregnancy trope

, it was an important milestone for them.

Date: 2024/06/16-2024/06/26
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction
Rating: ★★★★.5
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶
Age rating (I think): 17+

Thank you for the e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

First, what you can expect from this book:

· grumpy x sunshine
· small town
· slow burn
· no thrid-act break up
· found family
· tattooed cowboy MMC
· fake rating (not much)
· wonderful wording
· healing journey

So this book was an incredible experience. Somehow this is what I needed now, light and peace, in short, I got everything I wanted from this book. 

Rory was a very lovable and lively protagonist, a real sunshine character, She grew very close to my heart. Wyatt is the exact opposite, but a true gentleman, loyal and wonderful partner. Their relationship was adorable, it was nice to see how things changed between them over time. I really liked the other characters, especially Flynn, he was so funny!

The plot wasn't much, but a book like this wouldn't fit a lot of action. A lovely little afternoon book with laughter, healing, and love. The pace was right and I even liked the wording, it was perfect. The ending was nicely closed, everyone got a wonderful ending.

Wow, it's been a very long journey so far (and there's so much more to come!) and I have to say that I have extremely enjoyed every minute of it. This book series is a perfect example of when Game of Thrones and Poppy Wars meet, but really. 

My dear Lada has been through so much that it's incredible, and she hasn't given up at all. She fought her battles and took her throne, fulfilling her dream and desire. She was so strong and so long, she held on to her goal even when everything seemed lost. She deserves what she has achieved, more than anything. Meeting her mother was terribly painful, but she needed to let go of her past, and I think she eventually succeeded. 

Radu, my beautiful Radu is broken, I'm sure of that, if nothing else. He was caught between two fires throughout the book, both in spirit and heart. He deserves happiness — more than anyone else. My poor thing sacrificed so much of itself, and in the end he lost the most. 

Mehmed, oh where did my smiling, kind and graceful Mehmed go, whoever this was, I don't know him. How could he allow so much cruelty to happen just because of a dream — a desire. He's no better than Lada, but maybe that's what makes them perfect for each other. Either way, I loved their relationship this "I want you, but I can't be yours" it's very complex and strange, perhaps even a little toxic, but gods, it's still beautiful. 

The plot was understandable and extremely enjoyable, although I have to admit that after a while there was too much emphasis on combat and war — completely unnecessarily, overshadowing everything else. The pace was very slow, which I didn't really like, especially in such a big book and with so much happening. The wording was perfectly fine, I don't find any flaws in it, the whole book was nicely written and logical. I really liked the inclusion of new — and old — characters. The Hunyadi family and Ladislaus V (the child king) frankly surprised me very much, but in the best way. As a Hungarian, it was very strange — and somehow still wonderful — to see familiar faces about whom everyone had heard or learned in some form. I loved Oana, Cyprian, Nazira and the others they really carried this book on their back! 

The end was perfectly concluded, everyone achieved their goal in some form, but at what cost? Well, the next book will definitely give me answers, I can't wait to start it!

Date: 2024/06/10-2024/06/12
Genre: New Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: ★★★★.25
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶
Age rating (I think): 16+

TIGGER WARNINGS: Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Violence, Open door sex, Deah of animal, Mental and other disorders (mentioned)

Thank you for the e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

First, what you can expect from this book:

· dual POV
· morally grey MMC
· murder mystery
· cliffhangers
· small town
· found family
· secrets & plot twists
· funny side characters

Okay, I just finished the book this minute, and honestly, I couldn't tell you how I felt. Somehow everything and nothing at once. Something is missing, I still got everything. In a word, I have no idea what to do with myself. 

Kinsley was a very likeable protagonist, full of life and determination, in short, she was immediately captivating. Thomas was a bit harder, but he also managed to charm me at the end (please, if someone told me such a thing, I would marry him on the spot). Braxton and Connor became the tip of my heart, they were really the cornerstone of good vibes and hope. The other characters were also very likeable. 

The plot wasn't new, but at least it didn't hang out of line, it was easy to follow, and I liked that we could read from two perspectives. It gets extra points for the illustrations, I loved them. I wasn't really comfortable with the pace and the phrasing (and some other things), but this is only the first book of the author, she still has plenty of time to develop. She has tremendous potential and I'm excited to see where the journey takes her.

Gods, I felt like I would never finish this book, yet by some miracle I finally made it. And I must say that, despite everything, it did not leave a deep impression on me, not really. This was my first buddy read with one of my dear friends, Jason, and I truly enjoyed every minutes of it. 

Clytemnestra is still one of my favourite female characters in mythology, everything in her (that endless pain and rage) makes her stand out. Somehow, this time, I was comforted by the ending that she got

even though she was killed, she had gone to the afterlife in peace.

Elektra, they say like father like daughter, and somehow it was, I can't imagine how deeply she loved him and what she really had to feel when she was separated from him, but I know things  for sure; she was too blind and terribly naïve, who didn't know the real world. Elektra loved her siblings (Orestes for sure), but never as much as she did love, and never as faithfully as she did her father. For me, Orestes was a lovable and very brave little boy who did what he had to do (but at what cost?). Cassandra, my dear Cassandra, I will never stop talkinh about you. I'll tell your story to everyone, I will listen to you and understand you, even if no one else does. 

The plot wasn't new — maybe I just read it for the third or fourth time — so it was predictable, perhaps a bit boring, but that's just my fault. I've always loved when mythology is told from a women's perspective, and it was no different here. The pace was maybe very slow at the beginning and very fast at the end, but I'm not complaining. The wording, apart from a few nice sentences, was not so special. Time jumps were not distracting, I liked that the author divided important plot points into parts. The ending felt a bit clashed and perhaps that's why it didn't leave a deep impression on me.

I don't really remember anything from it. As a kid, I really loved this series. 

Ez most nem tudott megfogni. 

Mehhh

If I had to use one word for this book to describe it perfectly; mediocre. It just had everything, but absolutely nothing. It told a lot, but showed terribly little.

Bea, by the way, wasn't as lovable a character for me as I expected her to be. She has had her flaws and her moments of glory, but all in all, she was terribly boring. Yes, that's probably the most appropriate word for her. There's nothing outstanding about her, a gray mouse (and though she intentionally is) who can't break out of her cage.  

The Duke of Kesgrave (aka Damien) is probably  the only character for whom I was able to elicit some affection (at great pain). There were funny lines and I loved that he showed such respect for his surroundings, but I can't give him anything else besides that. 

Friendship (if you can call it that, maybe alliance would be a better word) was very much out of the blue for me. There was absolutely no reason for them to seek each other's company so quickly. Regardless, I liked their skirmishes and small moments. 

The plot — if there was one, I didn't really see it — was incredibly boring and drawn-out, even despite the investigations. For 90% of the book, absolutely nothing happened except that Aunt Vera was screaming about everything, and we read about the Duke's bright blue eyes (which can't be emphasised enough). The pace, without little action or basic moving elements, was unsurprisingly slow, I had to interrupt several times because I just couldn't go any further. As an individual, the age accurate descriptions are probably the only ones to which I can give a little extra point. And then we come to the wording; Good lord, I don't know whether it's the publisher's fault (or translator's) that it was so horrible, or the author's, but either way, they need to improve a lot in terms of writing because you can only call it mehh even with a good heart. The ending was relatively quickly (but with protracted dialogue). Honestly, I didn't care so much about the book that I didn't even pay attention to what it was about most of the time, and I didn't care about the identity of the killer. Either way, I believe I will let this thing rest for a bit now, but I don't think I will continue.

Somehow I can't bring myself to continue. Maybe I'll start again another time.