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t0ast_and_t3a's reviews
394 reviews
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
4.5🌟
While parts of this book were predictable, there were a few parts that got me. But what I loved most about it was the style it was written in—like a long form letter, with an unreliable narrator who grows as the story happens. This book is HEAVY and you should check the trigger warnings (mostly Domestic and Child Abuse, but some others).
If I had to sum it up, it’s a story about survival and what lengths humans are willing to go to do so.
While parts of this book were predictable, there were a few parts that got me. But what I loved most about it was the style it was written in—like a long form letter, with an unreliable narrator who grows as the story happens. This book is HEAVY and you should check the trigger warnings (mostly Domestic and Child Abuse, but some others).
If I had to sum it up, it’s a story about survival and what lengths humans are willing to go to do so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew
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? Yes
4.5
4.5🌟
While “Your Blood, My Bones” is still my favorite of her books and Colton Price is still my favorite of her MMCs, I love the way Andrew builds her worlds within our familiar one. And then weaves them together effortlessly. This is technically a standalone, but I suggest starting with The Whispering Dark and moving your way down Andrew’s publications—you won’t regret it.
First, the imagery. It’s just so beautifully done. The world is practically three-dimensional with the amount of sensory details we’re given. And with the dual-POVs, she doubles down with the unique and relatable characterizations.
For Buffy fans, this is quite similar, only focused on demons and the darker horrors of hell mouths. Which, as a Buffy fan who can quote WAY too much from the show, finding Andrew’s work has scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. Who knew demons would do it for me—🙋🏻‍♀️.
This is the first book by Andrew I haven’t given 5 stars, but that’s solely because it’s more insta-love than pining for me—this is a personal preference of course. But that said, Thomas and Vivienne’s story is well paced and wonderfully arced, and I will forever preorder her books and beg rather excessively for arcs until I can no longer do either.
Also. Loved the return of some characters too. Because who doesn’t.
*thanks to NetGalley for the eArc*
While “Your Blood, My Bones” is still my favorite of her books and Colton Price is still my favorite of her MMCs, I love the way Andrew builds her worlds within our familiar one. And then weaves them together effortlessly. This is technically a standalone, but I suggest starting with The Whispering Dark and moving your way down Andrew’s publications—you won’t regret it.
First, the imagery. It’s just so beautifully done. The world is practically three-dimensional with the amount of sensory details we’re given. And with the dual-POVs, she doubles down with the unique and relatable characterizations.
For Buffy fans, this is quite similar, only focused on demons and the darker horrors of hell mouths. Which, as a Buffy fan who can quote WAY too much from the show, finding Andrew’s work has scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. Who knew demons would do it for me—🙋🏻‍♀️.
This is the first book by Andrew I haven’t given 5 stars, but that’s solely because it’s more insta-love than pining for me—this is a personal preference of course. But that said, Thomas and Vivienne’s story is well paced and wonderfully arced, and I will forever preorder her books and beg rather excessively for arcs until I can no longer do either.
Also. Loved the return of some characters too. Because who doesn’t.
*thanks to NetGalley for the eArc*
Educated by Tara Westover
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Powerful and emotional. Westover’s voice comes through in many ways, and will make you think about the lives of those you may overlook, the ones who pass you on the street. Those you may think different or odd or simply other.
Much of an individual’s world is dependent upon environment, and coming from someone who spent years trying to please a family who couldn’t be satisfied with anything but obedience, this hits a little too close to home. I didn’t grow up religious, but I did grow up poor, taught things I still have to listen to being preached about when I visit certain parts of my family. Sometimes, it’s hard not to revert back to the girl who sat quietly and only questioned things in my head.
That last chapter especially, the closing three paragraphs sent chills down my spine.
The world changes when you learn things you fight to ignore, to pretend don’t make a difference, to never bring to light because it’s never seen anything but darkness. This story, I believe, speaks to so many kinds of people, in similar and different situations with family.
Much of an individual’s world is dependent upon environment, and coming from someone who spent years trying to please a family who couldn’t be satisfied with anything but obedience, this hits a little too close to home. I didn’t grow up religious, but I did grow up poor, taught things I still have to listen to being preached about when I visit certain parts of my family. Sometimes, it’s hard not to revert back to the girl who sat quietly and only questioned things in my head.
That last chapter especially, the closing three paragraphs sent chills down my spine.
The world changes when you learn things you fight to ignore, to pretend don’t make a difference, to never bring to light because it’s never seen anything but darkness. This story, I believe, speaks to so many kinds of people, in similar and different situations with family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Animal death
The Road of Bones: The Ashen Series, Book One by Demi Winters
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
The story is paced so well. Multiple POV. Has some romance (at times, you question what KIND of romance it’ll be LOL but you won’t be disappointed). In fact, I’d go as far as to say Winters does a good job at making the romance realistic in the world she builds (I haven’t said that since reading the Mask of Mirrors series, which is NOT like this series if you’re looking for recs, but the approach for the romance theme is similar). There’s action and deer with sharp teeth and a band of warriors with all the good characters (silent and deadly, grumpy, charmer, etc). And that ending (not the epilogue; the last couple chapters)!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
For Eternity by Geneva Lee
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don’t like writing these types of reviews, but here we are.
This was Breaking Dawn with 🌶️ (a lot of repetitive, unnecessary 🌶️ scenes at that). And I hope that tells you everything you need to know.
If it doesn’t:
The series started out fine—not great, but entertaining enough. The pacing is all over the place, but I forgave it in books 1 & 2 because book 3 picked up, especially at the end. There was an air of mystery around things, probably meant as a nod to the “vampire world” but it lost its appeal in this finale when it just went off the rails and left so many things unfinished.
This is a loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, and I use “loose” because it’s just that—loose. Aside from it being mentioned once—which felt forced) I don’t really see it, even in retrospect.
And I have no idea why there were random POVs added. In book three, it was okay—limited and made a little sense because Jacqueline was becoming more prominent in the story. But Lysander … ? Why. And then one—ONE—chapter from Camilla’s perspective???
As for the ending, honestly it could have just been put in at the end of book 3 and it would have been fine. But the rest of this book—if they weren’t banging, Thea was whining and Julian was snarling. And don’t get me wrong, I knew this was a book with spice, but if you took out all the 🌶️ scenes this could have been one book, maybe two.
I refuse to even talk about the pregnancy 🙄. Just know it added nothing to the plot.
I only finished this because I was buddy reading with a friend.
The last thing I’ll say is, the word “mate” was used 194 times. 194. The book is 494 pages…
This was Breaking Dawn with 🌶️ (a lot of repetitive, unnecessary 🌶️ scenes at that). And I hope that tells you everything you need to know.
If it doesn’t:
This is a loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, and I use “loose” because it’s just that—loose. Aside from it being mentioned once—which felt forced) I don’t really see it, even in retrospect.
And I have no idea why there were random POVs added. In book three, it was okay—limited and made a little sense because Jacqueline was becoming more prominent in the story. But Lysander … ? Why. And then one—ONE—chapter from Camilla’s perspective???
As for the ending, honestly it could have just been put in at the end of book 3 and it would have been fine. But the rest of this book—if they weren’t banging, Thea was whining and Julian was snarling. And don’t get me wrong, I knew this was a book with spice, but if you took out all the 🌶️ scenes this could have been one book, maybe two.
I refuse to even talk about the pregnancy 🙄. Just know it added nothing to the plot.
I only finished this because I was buddy reading with a friend.
The last thing I’ll say is, the word “mate” was used 194 times. 194. The book is 494 pages…