thesandyreader's reviews
172 reviews

Mm this is a book that leaves me sitting in it after I finish. Musing over the story, the ending, the murder, and all the meaning woven into the story. 

This was a slow one. A book that draws you along and weaves the story around you slowly until suddenly you look up and realize you forgot where you were. The story doesn’t really pick up till halfway in, but I didn’t even notice that… the beginning is such a beautiful weaving of context and setting the stage and as Cassie settles in and gets enveloped into the housemates routine you suddenly realize you’re being settled into the flow of the book in the same way. I think this writing is more literary and it really sneaks up and makes you think as you become part of the book. 

I enjoyed puzzling my way through the story. Getting to know the characters and building a fondness and relationship with the housemates while trying to solve the murder. And even the reveal… it feels like it happens in a place far away. It’s slow and methodical and so coordinated, just like the house and all the interactions. There is no instant shattering of the moment, or a sharp awareness from the book, but rather a slow understanding as it is revealed. 

I really enjoyed it, and if you enjoy a literary book with a bit of mystery, I’d highly recommend this. 

Well that was intense.. 😳 wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this take on Greek mythology. 

Personally, I love when authors dive into the sandbox and make it their own and this interpretation of the Greek Gods & Goddesses lives… incredibly unique. The names are familiar and even personalities at some level, but the context and powers and their core level of evil and motivation is totally different. I’m fascinated by this concept of malevolent  powers to the extreme that some need to be muzzled to prevent their use. And the human world knows about these higher beings but live torn between terror and admiration for those who are considered evil. 

It is not a light or easy story - there are harsh topics and realities. I was expecting there to be a fall in love romantic twist at first and it quickly became clear that it was NOT that kind of story. And I really appreciated that! It felt much more true to the storyline and the harsh feeling of the story for that not to be the case. 

I also really enjoyed reading primarily through Alexis’s perspective - she’s an incredibly unreliable narrator and it makes the story so interesting. I was never sure whether things were reality and truth and it makes the novel impossible to put down, especially combined with the conflicting POVs of others tossed in there. 

I will say, the writing at times was… a bit cringy. Helen especially came off as very stereotypical teenager Gen-z in some instances, and some of Alexis’s comments were a bit off, especially in a Greek mythology context. I however am a vibes reader and simply moved on, but if word choice can really bother you.. maybe not for you. 

Highly recommend this book, and I am anxiously awaiting the next!

I don’t know if it was the format or the dual narrator setup or what, but I did not enjoy this. I do think I would have enjoyed it more had I read it rather than listened to it, but not by much. 

I found listening to it complicated to follow - the dual male and female narrators made it hard for my brain to adjust to the rhythm of the narrations, and it was difficult to track all the different characters and lives through audio. I did find it helpful that each chapter started with the name of the narrator and their context (bride, guest, etc), but since there were so many and we were also switching from past to present it was a lot to track. While reading might have made it a bit easier, I still think the multiple POVs plus timeline jumps is complex and hard to follow. 

The story itself seemed to move really slowly… it wasn’t until around 60% of the way through that I understood what was going on and something really started to happen. Previous to that, it was a lot of context, background, character building, etc which turned out to be relevant but I ultimately feel like the bulk of the book happened in the last 2 chapters - you found the murdered person, found out who murdered them, got an explanation of why, and also found that people were tied together in more ways than expected. 

But honestly if the book had just been the last 2 or 3 chapters and was a short story, I think it would have had the same effect. Most of the story didn’t feel worth it. 

Overall, I don’t think I would recommend it. I didn’t find myself invested in the story and wanting to pick it back up, and the characters all generally annoyed me.  I love thrillers, and I usually enjoy the build up and tension of them, but this book just missed the mark for me. 

So this is book 2 in her Emerald Network Trilogy, and my gosh it’s a good one. 

The lies and twists that are uncovered in this book… I need a chart. I love how layered the story is, with pieces all building up until the whole thing is shattered to reveal the truth under it all. 

Catherine in this one… well. Let’s just say I didn’t realize the depth to which her split goes and wow that was unexpected. And to find that it’s all a program and there’s multiple people like her… wild. 

The pace of this one felt somewhat slower, with more building and setup, but I didn’t mind it. It felt like we got more insight into the characters and their relationships which I think is going to really be key in the next one. 

And with how this one ended… very excited to see how it all comes to a head next book with the variety of players and all the truths that have come out so far.

I love a good romance and this one pulled the heartstrings. The author reached out and offered me an ARC copy and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it!

The underlying tension and history of this book was revealed in layers and while I had the sense that it was bad and there were a lot of hidden secrets, I didn’t expect it all. I enjoyed seeing how each of them handled their individual challenges and ended up facing and overcoming them in the end. Their communication and the strength of their relationship carried them far. 

Their relationship was cute, and I loved the progression and meet cute - running into each other in an airport only to meet again at university? Adorable. And the way they fell so hard and so fast for each other… I was smiling the whole time. They’re so smitten and romantic, but damn I wanted to tie them together because that burn was SLOWWWW. 

I did feel the story moved a bit slowly at points as pieces needed to be explained or fleshed out, but I didn’t mind it. I liked the way two different cultures were integrated within the book, and the clarification or explanation of language and culture is done really well. It doesn’t feel like the story is being interrupted to clarify, rather the culture and language is seamlessly integrated into the novel. 

my heart 💔 my heart has been broken a million times during this series and this book, cue me sitting in misery the whole time. 

My first impression of the book was that it was filler - a lot of set up, context building, moving people to the right places so things can happen, but then… then I realized there’s so much more to it. 

For me, this feels like the book where everything shatters. Where they need to grow up and make tough decisions and learn that not everything works out and not everything can be fixed. And that there is heartbreak in everything, even the triumphant moments. It’s the awakening and reality check. It’s when we learn who they all truly are, where people’s priorities are, and what really matters. 

And Xaden and Violet, their interactions just continue to tear my heart to pieces. The love they have for each other is so strong, and watching Xaden give her the tools to kill him and basically telling her that it’s up to her if he goes bad… heartbreaking. It’s what no one wants to hear from their everything. But it lingers in every moment and every conversation between them now. 

Honestly? I’m glad the next book isn’t out yet. I need some time and space to breathe, work through this book, and prepare for the fallout of the next. 

On a side note, I have so many questions about Broccoli. 🐈🥦 Adorable, cute, what’s the point? How does this work? 

Oh my heart. It’s been through a rollercoaster in this book and I loved every minute of it. 

Sera is such a sassy and strong character and I love seeing her gain confidence in her powers and what she is capable of, as well as using her knowledge to get what she needs. 

She isn’t helpless and I love that. 

The storyline here was incredible - things unraveling and secrets revealed while further complications twist things up again. The ending was something I’ve been hoping for and saw coming and it just made my heart soar. I loved it so much. 

Highly recommend this book and the whole series! 

RIP my heart.

Well this book pummeled all of my emotions - sadness, anger, betrayal, heartwarming friendship… it’s all here. Prepare to be destroyed and you will enjoy it. 

Was so worried about this one because I thought it wouldn’t live up to the hype. 

But turns out I’m a generic fantasy girlie and really enjoyed it!

The world building is detailed enough that you get a sense of it, without dumping info page by page. The book had me interested in what was happening next. Yes, it’s a tad predictable, but hey aren’t most stories?

Violet is a stubborn and realistic main character and I really enjoyed her growth and introduction to reality throughout it. She sticks to her morals and stands up for her friends and is willing to put herself on the line to do it. I love it.

No spoilers here in reviews, but I thought there was just the right amount of romance - enough to move the story forward but not the center of the novel. And what a fiery romance it is…   

The dragons are full of personality and yet are vicious and very on brand and I love the addition of them to the story. If I could adopt the feather tail I would (what a cutie!)

Okay, okay so like… I sort of knew that it had to end up this way but like FCK. MY GOODNESS. The way it happens, the additional twists, the wolf, the betrayals… 👀 my gosh. No spoilers here but damn if I don’t want to just SPILL. 

Watching Sera come into herself and figure out what she wants is so powerful. And Ash, his rage and possessiveness and loyalty to his people… heartbreaking and strong. 

Incredible. Nothing else to say. Jennifer does it again with an “I can’t put it down” series and I will be anxiously awaiting the next book through Libby.