Write. Read. Repeat.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: Genre: African-American Fiction, Tragedy

While we did not read Toni Morrison in my last literature class, we definitely discussed her. This is the first Toni Morrison book I have read but it is certainly not the last!

Her writing is immaculate and compelling. She drew me in with her symbolism that was ‘over-the-top’ but in a good way. Don’t get me wrong, I like a book that makes you work for the point, but I also think there is something special in a book that throws the point aggressively in your face over and over, as that is a point in and of itself.

Very graphic so, check trigger warnings before picking this book up, but if you want to see how a tragedy is written, give this one a run.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: Genre: Romance Thriller Spice: 2/5

This book had me on the edge of my fucking seat! I read this in a day and still think about it at least once a week.

Despite the title, this book is NOT about Hugo’s husbands…

I enjoyed how the author chose to design the chapter sections with little epigraphs of foreshadowing.

There is so much more I want to say about it, but I don’t want to give away the good stuff. I went in to this book not knowing what it was really about and I was glad for that.

So, if you like the tea, the gossip, good juicy details, tell-alls, and major plot twists, all dressed up looking glam in a luxurious feathered house robe, this is the book for you.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: Genre: Gothic Fantasy Spice: 1/5

I loved this book! Such a fresh take on a magic system and lore. Really nice, quick read with a phenomenal story that had me turning pages fast.

This book reads like a contemporary gothic novel, so much so, that I referended it in one of my English essays, The Gothic Genre: An Unabated Literary Movement.

Something I really appreciated was how the author used the trees as family houses and Gods in a way. The Providence Cards were also created and used in an interesting fashion.

This is my favorite type of book, fantasy with romance. While the two main characters obviously fall in love, their romance is not the main driving force for the plot, but does play a central role in the character development, which to me is the perfect balance in fantasy.

Rating: 4.5/5 Pages: Genre: Gothic Fantasy Spice: 1/5

Part two to The Shepherd King duology, Two Twisted Crowns wrapped up the story nicely, but a little predictably. In order to have a semblance of a “happily ever after” ending, the author wrote themselves into a corner a little making the resolution a little obvious, but that does not take away from how well the story is written.

One thing that I really like about this authors work, is how they write in the same type of voice in which the characters speak. Things are described as if someone from their world was telling the story, if that makes sense. I think it adds to the atmosphere of the book very nicely and is something I hope to see more of.

I believe this is the authors debut series and that there are others in the works which I cannot wait to get my hands on!

Rating: 2/5 Pages: Genre: Romantasy Spice: 3/5

The more I think about this book, the angrier and more disappointed I get. The first was such a hit, but Iron Flame just did not live up to its predecessor.

It felt like Yarros was trying to recreate the enemies to lovers in the first book, but instead she just made an unreasonable Violet who just complained the whole time.

Another issue I had with this one was that every scene was so tense and set at a level of importance, it lost meaning as there was no wind up to the intense moments. The battle in the mountains and the ending are prime examples of it.

There were parts I enjoyed, like the throne room *wink wink* and the very end was a really good cliff hanger that will get me to read the third, but if the next is similarity written to this one…we will see about the fourth.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: Genre: Romantasy Spice: 3/5

I loved this book. War college and dragons with a main character with the same rare connective tissue condition that I do? Sign me up.

This book has very mixed reviews, mostly opinions on the author, but the story itself was very well written with characters readers can easily love and hate.

For a Romantasy I felt that there was decent world building, history, and lore, but knowing that there are four more books to come, I am excited to see this expand.

I relate to Tarin on such a deep level it’s uncanny.

Rating: 3/5 Pages: Genre: Horror

There was a book two! I am so bad about following up on series until I come across the next book almost by accident in the book store. This was such a nice surprise and I snatched it up and read it that night.

Another little horror shorty, our main character comes back to have what is supposed to be a lovely little trip to their family hunting cabin with friends, but that fantasy quickly dissipates.

I was so excited to see Ms. Potter come back and be her kooky little shroom self and Alex just feeling like their cursed self.

The horror aspect, or ‘villain’ of this book, didn’t hit the way the first one did, but it was still an enjoyable read.

Will there be a third?

Rating: 4/5 Pages: 689+660 Genre: Fantasy

Again, as a chronological girly, it just makes sense to do the tandem read. Books six and seven happen at the same time in two different continents. The tandem read is then where you switch between the books every few chapters (you can find guides online) so that you are reading both books on the same timeline instead of having to go back in time at the end of the sixth and ‘start over’ with the seventh.

I knew my heart was in trouble at the end of the tandem read. one thing Maas does well is hit you while you are already down like she does to her characters. This series is not for the faint of heart if you are the type that falls in love with characters and has a hard time letting the, go. A fact that I know only gets worse in the last…

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 645 Genre: Fantasy

The way I got chills at the end of chapter 66 is just the feeling this book gave. I absolutely devoured this book in a day or so. it is up there with Heir of Fire to the point of I just do not know which one I liked more.

The chapters about the witches had me drawn in more in this book than the last and my love of Manon is so strong.

Again, I want to get into the details, but you will just have to read it for yourself.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 562 Genre: Fantasy

I’m thinking Heir of Fire is my favorite in this series for far. From the first chapter I knew that the main female character would slowly become a part of my soul as the books go on.

I never really got on the Dorian or Chaol train, as far as a romantic interest, so when Rowan came into the mix, I started sweating. But this time, I have read the first two of the Crescent City series and ACOTAR series also by Maas , and Rowan is already my favorite of the males she has written.

There is another white-haired beauty I am swooning over and would love to go into detail, but alas, I am terrified of spoiling this series for anyone.

Rating: 4/5 Pages: 418 Genre: Fantasy

Here we go! Ok, now I am fully invested.

The peril and tragedy is picking up and as fucked up as it is to say, I love it. Maybe I am emotionally stunted or numb, but my favorite stories are those that put the main characters through hell to the point where I start to wonder if they are even going to make it out. Killing off one of my favorite characters is a good way to do this and Crown of Midnight did this, and I’m not sure not for the first time.

This book also moved along more of the Maaslore and I know that my the time I finish this series, I will want to reread it.

Rating: 4/5 Pages: Genre: Fantasy

How the hell did I not know this was originally a book until I saw it in a bookstore in Japan?! Howl’s Moving Castle is one of my favorite movies ever and I have several tattoos from it, but little did I know, the story originated from a book!

It’s obvious then, that I saw the movie first, but was still surprised about how the book and movie vary so much that at times it felt like a different story. I think the movie is a wonderful rendition of a wonderful book, but the movie does not get into every aspect in the book. The main difference that I enjoyed was how much more involved Sophie’s sisters were and how much more dramatic Howl’s is in the book.

Despite how Calcifer was described in the book, I still saw him how he was in the movie and I don’t think that will change in my mind.

If you are like me and love the movie to bits, try the book and see how you feel about the comparison.

Rating: 3/5 Pages: Genre: Fantasy

…to be honest… it was a little boring. However, I think it may have been more so had I not read The Assassin’s Blade first.

It did set up a lot of important aspects that are touched on in later books, but the champion’s tournament was a bit slow for my liking.

I was also a little annoyed at the love triangle. I have never liked love triangles (unless it turns to a why choose) as to me, if you really do have those strong feels for person number two, then is person number one really that important to you? Hope that made sense.

It was still a good read and the YA writing is slowly disintegrating, but I know this series only goes up from here.

Rating: 2/5 Pages: Audiobook Genre: Dark academia, historical fiction

There is something about the dark academia books that I have read that are just falling short. This book was so talked up and I was seeing it everywhere and when I found it on sale on my audiobook app, I decided to give it a go.

Again, the idea behind this story was intriguing, but it felt that even the author was fuzzy about what the main ideas and plot was supposed to be. I

Felt lost through large chunks of it and it became background sound, but I do want to note that this book does touch on important racism and classism issues of that time and issues we can still see today.

I would love to talk about this book with those who did like it and why.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 435 Genre: Fantasy

Yes, yes, yes I did read The Assassin’s Blade first and I am glad I did. I am a chronological girly and while Maas even said to read Throne of Glass first, I would have been so confused and probably annoyed had I not read The Assassin’s Blade first. Many argue to read in publication order for the most emotion impact, but fret not, may heart was still crushed. I fell in love with the main male character in The Assassin’s Blade so fast and I should have known things would have ended up the way that they did.

Another example of a book that reads like a YA even if it is not labeled as so, but is still so good! I am excited to continue through this series despite what social media is stating will happen to my soul.

Rating: 6/5 Pages: 385 Genre: Greek Mythology Retelling

Ignore the tears streaming down my face and listen to me when I tell you that this book has changed me.

I had this book on my shelf so far too long before I picked it up at last.

This masterpiece reads like a classic in the best way and I would count it as a ‘modern classic’. If there is one book I can recommend to anyone, but especially women who either struggle to accept themselves or find their place in life, it is this one.

I do not reread books often, but I will be revisiting this book and take notes. This is a book I would love to write papers on.

Rating: 3/5 Pages: Genre: Romance, Greek Mythology Retelling Spice: 3/5

I knew three-for-three 5/5 was too much to ask for…but it’s ok. I think this couple is both well known and not that it will pull you into a *sorry Robert* really boring tournament. The beginning was fast-paced and had me drawn in quickly, but once they were in the tournament, they just continued the same conversation over and over. I don’t know if the HOT smut scenes were an attempt to distract from the dull filler content, but they are the real reason to read this book.

I have a few friends borrowing these books and I tell them if they get bored in the middle section, “just find the porn and skip to the end”. My heart did stop at the end, but as this is a retelling I do like that ‘history did not repeat itself’… at least not yet…

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 372 Genre: Romance, Greek Mythology Retelling Spice: 3/5

While I loved the first, Neon Gods thoroughly, and Hades and Persephone are my favorite couple historically, this is so far my favorite between the two. I loved this couple so much and the passion and tension was stronger than the first.

I know representation is important to Robert and they do it so well, but in a way that is not in your face. By that I mean that it feels like the real world. I feel like so many authors try too hard to show that they have a minority character, whether that is in genders race, sexual orientation, etc., they need you to know that the character is a minority even if it does not pertain to the story. Robert on the other hand creates and introduces these characters in such a natural way that actually helps representation, where those other authors are not.

Immediately starting book three!

Rating: 4/5 Pages: 97 Genre: Historical Fiction

This is the first of Orwell’s books I have read and finished it in a few hours while taking notes.

I wanted a more ‘classic’ book to work on my annotation skills as I prepared for college reading assignments and I am glad that I chose Animal Farm, not just cause it is short, but because I feel that the ideas and concepts that can be taken from the book and written about are obvious. I do not mean that in a negative way but that this book is very clear on the message they are telling despite the whole thing being an allegory.

I did write a say on this book and may post it at some point as it was good practice (and have no one else to read it haha).

I do want to read 1984, but have heard such mixed reviews and I honestly do not find dystopian books very interesting.

Rating: 2/5 Pages: 373 Genre: Scientific/dark academia fiction Spice: 1/5

This is another book like The Cloisters where the set up and idea for the book is near perfection, but the execution just falls apart and ruins it. The Atlas Six however, for me, was pretty damn good until the last 30% where shit just hit the fan.

The way that Blake took scientific concepts and theories and turned into a form of magic was just brilliant. I have never read anything like that before and loved it. But Blake fucked it at the end. I don’t know if the deadline crept up or if Blake did not know how to end the book, but I was enraged on how rushed and disconnected the ending was. I find it so interesting when authors can create such interesting characters and world, then just take a shit on the ending. If you do not know how to end your book yet, please just hold on to it and wait, instead of releasing something that is not ready.

I do have the second book (*now the final is out*) and will give it a go at some point, but I am going to spend time with authors who actually end their stories with purpose.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 367 Genre: Romance, Greek Mythology Retelling Spice: 3/5

This book (and series) is a beautify combination of two things I love: smut books and Greek Mythology; especially a mythological retelling.

Each book in the series is about a different couple with over arching plots that connect them all together with Greek mythology-influences set in a modern world.

I love Hades and Persephone stories and I think Robert did them justice. One thing I always look for when Persephone is involved in a retelling, is the inclusion of Hecate. I think Hecate is one of the most important Greek Goddess, if not the most, yet she is always left out. This is book one, in what will be an eight book series (*update there will be more than eight!), so I will be hopeful that Hecate may come in down the line.

This fast reads will be scattered throughout my other readings as they are released.

Rating: 4/5 Pages: 391 Genre: Fantasy YA?

What a wonderful choice I made when I had ordered this book after falling into the authors TikToks about writing, while I was reading The Cloisters, because damn did I need a win after that shit show.

I do not know if this book was written to be a YA, but it reads like one. That is not a bad thing though! I do not read much YA if at all, but I still found this first of a trilogy to be a fun and quick fantasy with a nice diversity of characters.

I do wish the magic system had a bit more depth, but as this is just book one, I am hopeful. One of my favorite moments in a book is when the title connects to the story and this did it beautifully.

Also, look at that gorgeous cover!

Already ordered the second!

Rating: 2/5 Pages: 297 Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

This fucking book. I was so drawn in by the cover, the premise, and once I saw the chart of tarot cards in the back, I was sold.

The introductory chapters were compelling, but slowly I began to dread picking this book up.

No one. No one needs to say ‘cloisters’ that many time. I understand it is the name of the book and the proper term for that type of covered walkway, but for fucksake my girl, pick up a thesaurus.

My other major issue with this book is that the ending, that would have been good on its own, was so far off from the story that made up the bulk of the book that it felt disconnected and not well throughout.

I was so disappointed by this book. The set up was amazing and could have been an amazing dark academia mystery book, but ended up half-asses and flopping.

Rating: 3/5 Pages: 649 Genre: Dark romance Spice: 3/5

Well this book fucked me in a way I was not expecting or looking for. I wanted the spice of the first book, and while I got it later in the book, I did not expect it to be so emotional. I still fumble how to express my feelings about this book as I enjoyed the spice in the second half but felt so uncomfortable in the first that it was hard to get into the second half (if that makes sense at all).

Still trying to avoid spoilers so I can’t say too much, but check your trigger warnings more for this one than the first. This book hits on a lot of the important parts of human and sex trafficking and shows a really personal view of the post-track struggles. While some will think that the main female characters way of healing is toxic, but outside this being a fictional book, remember that everyone heals different.

I know H.D. Carlton has at least one other book out right now, but if it anything like this series, I want to pace it out.

Rating: 4/5 Pages: 584 Genre: Dark romance Spice: 4/5

Sort of my first dark romance book (the other one I stole from my sister and read when I was probably too young and cannot remember the title or enough about it to figure out what it was) and what an introduction it was!

While I did enjoy this stalker romance book a lot, there was a few moments where the cliches and cheesy bits ruined it a bit for me. However, the house of mirrors scene won me back quickly and had me forgiving the cringy bits fast.

I also appreciate the work that the main male character does as it helps add to the real-world awareness of these heartbreaking and heinous crimes.

This book will not be for everyone and be sure to read the trigger warnings, but if you are into more of the kinkier side of sex, then I think you will enjoy it. O

On to book two!

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 157 Genre: Horror

This book is a prime example of a well-rounded short story. There is so much packed in, but it does not read as rushed. The only rush is found on how quickly I devoured this creepy and thrilling read.

I thought I had it figured out toward the end, but there a was a fun twist that I did not expect.

I really enjoyed and appreciate the inclusion of a non-binary main character and how their identity flows with the way the military works. I know those two things do not sound like they could relate, but read the book and you will see for yourself the brilliance in this little bit of world creating in this tiny book.

Not sure of this will be a series, but I am looking forward to seeing what other skin-crawling books Kingfisher has to offer.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 369 Genre: Sci-fi

The first book by Weir that I have read and while I did see the movie first, I loved this book so much! I like to take breaks from fantasy after finishing a long series and read other genres altogether.

This book is so witty and fun, suspenseful, and a page turner. I think seeing the movie first helped me to visualize parts of this book that I think I would have been a bit confused by otherwise.

Mark Watney is so well written that I feel like I know him as a person rather than just a character the amount of personality that Weir was able to instill in him while creating this whirlwind of fact-based scientifically chaos around him, not only attests to his writing skills but also his organizational skills while writing.

I cannot wait to read more by Weir.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 751 Genre: Romantasy Spice: 3/5

Now we have come to my second favorite book. So many people did (and still do) hate Nesta, but I am with those who saw ourselves in her. The self-destruction and hatred hit home for me as I love transformations. Like Circe, transformation of soul is one of the most incredible things to witness and while some might not agree, I think Maas did a fair go it with Nesta.

Not to mention some very steamy scenes and the lovely Az’s prime reactions. I could see his expressions in my head while I was reading and couldn’t help but giggle.

Rhysand was my favorite character for the first half of the series, how he treated Freye in this book about *you know*, he lost me a bit. Azriel was always runner up and by the end of ACOSF, he is top dog now.

Rating: 2/5 Pages: 229 Genre: Romantasy Spice: 0/5

*sigh* this is the cute little Christmas episode-novella that has the purpose of transitioning from the epic ending of ACWAR into ACOSF which changes view points (the character’s close third, not like third to first).

I thought this was so boring, but luckily she is small. If you are thinking of skipping, I would still recommend that you read it because there is at least one important scene that you need to know about for the last, but I knocked this shit out in an hour and a half.

If you want to see these characters in an almost cozy, fireside aspect, then you will love this book, but I was still on the high from the war in ACOWAR and wanted more, not to slow down.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 699 Genre: Romantasy Spice: 1/5

As someone who likes heartbreak from war and personal character peril more than heartbreak from romance (if that makes sense), this book really checked that off for me in the series.

I really like how this book followed through the larger aspects of war planning and development, but there were definitely parts that I was snoozing.

This is also the book where I started to get more into the lore and Maasverse as a whole which helped to add to the depth of the story.

I would say this is my third favorite in the series, but one of my top reads at this time.

Rating: 5/5 Pages: 624 Genre: Romantasy Spice: 2/5

Okay… now I knew I was going to like Rhysand in the first, because I always root for the villain, but did I know he would become the Shadow Daddy? No. Am I complaining? Absolutely not. This is still my favorite out of all the Court Series before it gets a bit dry in the middle with the next two books.

I think the character development really starts to come through all around (not you Tampon) and the world expands, which is always exciting to see.

Obviously we all know chapters 54 and 55 and it was at that point that I knew this series would be one that lives rent free in my head for a very long time.

Rating: 3/5 Pages: 416 Genre: Romantasy Spice: 1/5

Like many other people, the popularity of ACOTAR flared my passion for reading again. I still do not know how this paradigm occurred with so many from this one book, but for once I was happy to be apart of the masses.

ACOTAR hooked me in, but the spice level everyone was talking about just wasn’t there for me. I did enjoy the beginning phases of world building and lore, but found Tamlin a little too predictable. I was hoping for a Beaty and the Beast sort of thing, and while that was somewhat present, I wanted more.

My favorite part of this book was from when Feyra left to go Under the Mountain and screaming at her for not getting the riddle in a second like I did.

I would call this a good ‘easy fantasy’ as it is not complicated to understand and fast paced unlike ‘high fantasy’.