so_many_books's reviews
829 reviews

Celestial Monsters is a great sequel to The Sunbearer Trials. While the first book was an action-packed race for survival and raised some very interesting questions about the trials, Celestial Monsters is the more mature and more critical sibling.
After the disastrous ending of the first book, Teo, Aurelio, and Niya embark on a road trip/quest through Reino del Sol to save their friends and the world.
Their journey is adventurous, exciting, and slightly hilarious. I loved that we get a glimpse of more cities and areas in this world because it is one of the things that I absolutely loved in the first book. I also loved how all of them learned to trust in themselves and their power while fighting Monsters and saving people.
The extra in this book is that we get a second POV, Xio. They (using they pronouns because they try using that in this book) are not exactly our favourite at this moment, but I think it's kinda genious. They are the most conflicted about how the gods rule their world, and they voice lots of valid points for change. They also think a lot about their actions and are one of the driving forces of the story.

Xio's thoughts are reflected in Teo's, who also discovers that there are a lot more problems with how the gods rule the world, trying to help the humans but also bringing their own drama to them.

Celestial Monsters is a real treat with lots of adventures, character development, critical thinking about the world, and questioning authority. It's about friendship and self-discovery. It has a bit of romance, lots of battles, hilarious situations, and an epic storyline. Both Teo and Xio learn a lot and show a different side to them.
I immensely enjoyed this book, and the audiobook is awesome❤️

I think I'm over college romances. I can't really enjoy reading about immature people and Willa is so freaking immature. Ryder too sometimes but I felt like he had a much better grip on his feelings. While Willa just lost her shit every other scene without trying to get the other person's side of the story. I get being insecure about conflict and standing up for yourself. But if you can't, the answer is nor blaming the other.

I'm not into erotica anymore even if it has a plot. I need actual relationship development. This book doesn't seem to be like that.

A sweet and funny spin off from Vawn Cassidy's Dead Serious series.

The Haunted Hotel focuses on the residents (both living and corporally challenged) of Asthon House, an old hotel up in Yorkshire. If you're familiar with the authors' Dead Serious books, you might recognize the place as the location of the infamous murder mystery weekend in book 4.
The story is set just a few weeks later, showing the behind the scenes of running and trying to save the old hotel.

Ellis is the receptionist/waiter/maid/event planner of the hotel. He's a ray of sunshine who always has kind words to everyone and loves the hotel and all of its residents with all of his heart. His character really is a breath of fresh air. I hope to see a bit more serious side of him, but so far, that only comes about in glimpses. I hope his character is rounded out in the books to come.
He, along with the resident ghosts, is on a mission to figure out how to save the hotel from financial trouble.
I liked that Bertie and the other ghosts were quite integral to the story. This book is definitely not a mystery, but it is a paranormal romance as there are quite a few ghosts, and they do show themselves to the employees, especially Ellis. Bertie has her own chapters showing her and the others' shenanigans. They try to save the hotel, deal with a ghostly investigator auditing their hauntings, and help Ellis fall madly in love with Morgan.
Morgan, who is the owner's grandson and who hasn't stepped foot in the house ever since he and his mom moved away after his dad's death. In my opinion, Morgan is the most developed character so far. We get to know him and his past through several conversations with his brother, his memories of the place, and also his granddad's stories. His struggles with fitting in with his stepdad and brother, his repressed memories about Ashton House from when he was little and his tentative conversations with his estranged grandfather all depict a clear picture of him that is sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. His grumpy exterior hides a very soft and loyal inside that comes out in spades during his stay in the hotel.

The one thing that is a bit lacking in the story is the romance between Ellis and Morgan. While there is much physical attraction, I didn't get the vibe of them connecting on a deeper level. I hope to see them getting to know each other a lot more thoroughly in the continuation of the story because so far, their fledgling fling is very superficial and lacks any kind of substance.

The story is written to amuse and entertain. It's full of funny and heartwarming scenes and characters that bring a very cosy vibe to the book. It's definitely a cosy, paranormal romance book that is lighthearted and fun. I smiled a lot, I teared up at scenes and, all in all, really enjoyed myself while reading it.
I started this book with great expectations after adoring the Dead Serious series and all other books related to the universe so far. This one is a fun little branch out from the original story with little lighter undertones. It's got humour and fantastic living and ghostly characters that we are used to from the author. It hasn't quite reached my expectations in terms of the romance, but I see where the story is going next, and I can't wait to read more.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*

When I think about a romance between a serial killer and a vampire, wholesome is not the first word that pops into my head. Well, to be honest, I don't usually think about such a pairing, but still!!

King of Hollywood brings a fun and entertaining romance into a dark romance theme, which is not often described as such. And I absolutely loved it.
I'm not usually a fan of dark romance or any kind of romance featuring serial killers, but I love Fae's writing and I needed to know what kind of twist she comes up with for Marshall and Felix. I am not disappointed, not at all.

Marshall is a recluse, living in a small town, avoiding people as much as he can. It is not stated in the book, but I strongly suspect he's on the autism spectrum. He also has a rather unusual... hobby. It is not really the focus of the book but rather a part of Marshall personality that he is, in fact, a serial unaliver. I would describe him as morally really dark grey.
Felix is his sunshine neighbour who is even more of a recluse than he is. Felix rarely leaves the house, and if he does, it's only at night to walk his cats... or to haul a corpse through his garden. Oh, he's a vampire if you haven't gathered that much.

Their relationship (or something like that) starts when Marshall helps get rid of said body. And from then, there is no going back for either of them.
Their courting is anything but normal working around Felix's night routine and Marshall's social obstacles and their secrets. I can't even describe it properly. It's a perfect mix of creepy and stalkery and sweet. Marshall's obsession with Felix is wild and inappropriate, but Felix likes it somehow. It's infinitely amusing seeing Marshall stumble through his first date and the early days of dating. It's even more funny and entertaining seeing him and Felix navigate their budding relationship. I laughed a lot and smiled at every weirdly romantic moment.

Apart from being sweetly (and a bit creepily) funny, Marshall and Felix's story also delivers a strong message about being outcasts and the strong need to fit in somewhere. Preferably  as yourself. Both Felix and Marshall struggle with finding someone they can be open with, so it is extra special when they find each other and their misshapen, special pieces fit right together. 

The cats almost stole the show for me, but just because Marshall was so adamant about hating them until he met Felix's cats. Dolly, Tiffany, and Vladimir perfectly round out their budding little family.

After a delicious slow burn, the book gets very spicy and very bloody at some point, at the same time, which is not entirely my jam, but it does fit the story well.

All in all, I quite enjoyed this dip into dark romance, which turned out to be rather wholesome on its own way instead. Marshall and Felix are a perfectly matching pair with all their quirks, secrets, cats, and hobbies. Their courting is sweet and amusing and will definitely make you laugh.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*