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Mind Like a Diamond
You don't have to believe in magic for it to kill you.
Seventeen-year-old gymnast, Lisette Colbert, is skeptical of her criminal mother’s claim that they are descendants of pirate witches. But on Halloween night, Lisette will come face to face with indisputable proof.
Lured by a $10,000 prize, Lisette recruits her best friend Xavier and together they enter The 13th Realm of Hell—an escape-room style Haunted House run by a mysterious coven. Xavier has his reservations, especially after reading the fine print on the waiver to enter.
Lisette is too focused on proving herself to consider the risks. With him or without him, she is determined to complete all thirteen realms. If she wins the prize money, she’ll avoid eviction from her beloved French Quarter apartment. But the witches who run the show don’t write happy endings.
Seventeen-year-old gymnast, Lisette Colbert, is skeptical of her criminal mother’s claim that they are descendants of pirate witches. But on Halloween night, Lisette will come face to face with indisputable proof.
Lured by a $10,000 prize, Lisette recruits her best friend Xavier and together they enter The 13th Realm of Hell—an escape-room style Haunted House run by a mysterious coven. Xavier has his reservations, especially after reading the fine print on the waiver to enter.
Lisette is too focused on proving herself to consider the risks. With him or without him, she is determined to complete all thirteen realms. If she wins the prize money, she’ll avoid eviction from her beloved French Quarter apartment. But the witches who run the show don’t write happy endings.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 13, 2021
Lisette is complicated. Riddled with a mother who never seems to give her the answers she’s searching for, Lisette is often brash and spontaneous. I think we can all relate to that. The mother/daughter relationship is incredibly complicated and filled with wounds, both physically and emotionally. And like most teenagers, she longs to create a better life for herself…and in this case, keeping a roof over her head. So she enters The 13th Realm of Hell. I love escape rooms, I love haunted houses, and wow, when the games begin…they really begin. This story took off like a bat out of hell, literally.
I loved all the different elements and the story really sank its claws into me as the plot continued to unfold. It was such a unique read filled with twists and turns. (I love a good twist.) What a fabulous debut and I’m really hoping there’s a book two.
I loved all the different elements and the story really sank its claws into me as the plot continued to unfold. It was such a unique read filled with twists and turns. (I love a good twist.) What a fabulous debut and I’m really hoping there’s a book two.
December 16, 2021
You had me at pirate witches.
It definitely helped that this book took place on Halloween and the book’svictims characters were tasked with making it through a series of elaborate haunted house escape rooms. But, pirate witches, people!
There’s a $10,000 prize if you make it through all thirteen realms, something Lisette desperately needs. It sounds too good to be true and when Lisette begins her journey through the realms she begins to wonder if they are as real as they seem.
It’s a shame I found Lisette so deplorable; she’ll happily throw anyone under the bus if she thinks it will benefit her, even the person she claims is her best friend. As such, I wasn’t exactly cheering her on. I probably would have felt an evil laugh trying to escape if she’d met an appropriately grisly end.
However, someone who had even some of the qualities I’d hope to find in this underdog would likely have failed one of the early levels and this would have been a much shorter book. Lisette’s catchphrase (“Holy tamales”) irritated me no end but, in hindsight, it probably wouldn’t have bothered me at all if I’d liked her.
The realms, though? They were so much fun. I loved exploring each one and anticipating how the people who failed each realm would exit the story. It was easy to visualise the dangers the characters were facing and I kept thinking I’d love to see a movie adaptation of this book.
While the cover was what originally drew my attention to this book (I still really like the design), it didn’t really fit the story. I thought the cover had a fantasy feel, maybe with a dash of romance thrown in. Sure, there were some fantasy elements here, but with its characters trying to survive hellish landscapes with creepy dolls, animals eager to devour them and a floor that literally is lava, this book had more of a horror vibe.
Readers who enjoy this book may also like Kate Alice Marshall’s Rules for Vanishing and M.C. Atwood’s The Devils You Know.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the author’s next book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sword and Silk Books for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
It definitely helped that this book took place on Halloween and the book’s
There’s a $10,000 prize if you make it through all thirteen realms, something Lisette desperately needs. It sounds too good to be true and when Lisette begins her journey through the realms she begins to wonder if they are as real as they seem.
It’s a shame I found Lisette so deplorable; she’ll happily throw anyone under the bus if she thinks it will benefit her, even the person she claims is her best friend. As such, I wasn’t exactly cheering her on. I probably would have felt an evil laugh trying to escape if she’d met an appropriately grisly end.
However, someone who had even some of the qualities I’d hope to find in this underdog would likely have failed one of the early levels and this would have been a much shorter book. Lisette’s catchphrase (“Holy tamales”) irritated me no end but, in hindsight, it probably wouldn’t have bothered me at all if I’d liked her.
“This place has a way of making monsters out of ordinary people.”Although I was originally mostly here for the pirate witches, that part of the story wasn’t as developed as I would have liked. I’m pretty certain it could have been removed entirely and I wouldn’t have enjoyed the book any less. The four covens and most of the things that happened after the final realm seemed unnecessary, as though those elements belonged in a different story.
The realms, though? They were so much fun. I loved exploring each one and anticipating how the people who failed each realm would exit the story. It was easy to visualise the dangers the characters were facing and I kept thinking I’d love to see a movie adaptation of this book.
While the cover was what originally drew my attention to this book (I still really like the design), it didn’t really fit the story. I thought the cover had a fantasy feel, maybe with a dash of romance thrown in. Sure, there were some fantasy elements here, but with its characters trying to survive hellish landscapes with creepy dolls, animals eager to devour them and a floor that literally is lava, this book had more of a horror vibe.
Readers who enjoy this book may also like Kate Alice Marshall’s Rules for Vanishing and M.C. Atwood’s The Devils You Know.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the author’s next book.
“You’ll never finish the final realm! No one does!”Content warnings include .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sword and Silk Books for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
December 2, 2021
Mind Like a Diamond by Amanda Pavlov
🌟🌟🌟🌟
As I write this review I’ll note I just finished Mind Like a Diamond last night and I’m still processing it a bit. I usually ponder books a few days but I wanted to get this review up.
The book is a gripping story about a seventeen year old named Lisette who is trying to better her life by winning a Halloween contest to get through the 13 realms of hell and collect the $10,000 prize.
Starting the book I felt it was pretty slow at the start. I didn’t really connect with Lisette much (I found her abrasive and struggled to care about her situation). But I pushed through those first 10 chapters that felt slow, and honestly once she hit the Halloween event, buckle up!
I would very much call this story a rollercoaster ride. The start was slow and simple, but in the middle were tons of twists and turns and loads of excitement. Once she got into the realms I kept wanting to know what would happen next! At the end things slowed down again as they are meant to and I was left with more questions, so I wonder if there is a sequel planned, since there are things I don’t have answers for.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Urban fantasy with magic (witches) where adventure is the key (rather than romance).
🌟🌟🌟🌟
As I write this review I’ll note I just finished Mind Like a Diamond last night and I’m still processing it a bit. I usually ponder books a few days but I wanted to get this review up.
The book is a gripping story about a seventeen year old named Lisette who is trying to better her life by winning a Halloween contest to get through the 13 realms of hell and collect the $10,000 prize.
Starting the book I felt it was pretty slow at the start. I didn’t really connect with Lisette much (I found her abrasive and struggled to care about her situation). But I pushed through those first 10 chapters that felt slow, and honestly once she hit the Halloween event, buckle up!
I would very much call this story a rollercoaster ride. The start was slow and simple, but in the middle were tons of twists and turns and loads of excitement. Once she got into the realms I kept wanting to know what would happen next! At the end things slowed down again as they are meant to and I was left with more questions, so I wonder if there is a sequel planned, since there are things I don’t have answers for.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Urban fantasy with magic (witches) where adventure is the key (rather than romance).
July 12, 2021
What a fast roller coaster of a book. Pavlov gives interesting, very nuanced characters before the plot takes off and never lets up or slows until the end. Great details, intense peril and insanely fast pacing. Fantastic book
January 4, 2022
Thirteen Realms of Hell, make it through the haunted house and win $10,000, but you have to make it through, alive.
After Lisette falls from a balcony her mom takes her to a creepy 'doctor' where he does what seems to be some sort of magic on her stuffed bear to take the pain away. She soon after discovers that they are about to be evicted from their apartment. Luckily she hears about a haunted house where you have to go through a sort of obstacle course known as the Thirteen Realms of Hell. If you make it to the end you receive $10,000 in prize money. Money Lisette desperately needs. But she soon discovers that the real prize is making it out alive.
So first off, let's talk about that cover. Absolutely gorgeous, definitely the first thing that caught my attention. I absolutely loved the whole obstacle course from hell thing. It was so much fun finding out what each of the thirteen realms held. Some were super scary, while others were about facing personal demons. The book has a lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout the book.
I didn't like the MC at all though. She was seriously selfish, entitled, and very ungrateful. I just didn't like her as a person, daughter, or friend. I think that was the point. I think she was meant to be unlikeable, but for me, it made it hard to relate to her and to really root for her.
I thought the book to be a bit scattered. I feel like the thing with the bear, the realms, and the pirate thing, all could have been split into three separate books, but as one book, it feels a bit out of place. The beginning part with the bear I found unnecessary. Everything that we needed it for could have been tweaked for the ring to do. Then the pages spent on that could have been used for more detail into the realms, which is the best part of the book. Same with the ending. It just feels so out of place.
I just think the author tried to do too much with this book. There is a lot of untapped potential with it. The beginning with the bear could have turned into a seriously creepy horror, and the ending would have been a fun adventure. That would have left the room to expand on the already awesomeness of the haunted house story.
I would recommend that readers for this book be 16+ with a love of horror, fantasy, and adventure.
*Content Warnings*
Mild drug use, swearing, and some violence.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this chance to read and review this book. This does not in any way influence my honest opinion or review.
Find this review and others on my blog:
https://darklittomes.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/darklittomes/
After Lisette falls from a balcony her mom takes her to a creepy 'doctor' where he does what seems to be some sort of magic on her stuffed bear to take the pain away. She soon after discovers that they are about to be evicted from their apartment. Luckily she hears about a haunted house where you have to go through a sort of obstacle course known as the Thirteen Realms of Hell. If you make it to the end you receive $10,000 in prize money. Money Lisette desperately needs. But she soon discovers that the real prize is making it out alive.
So first off, let's talk about that cover. Absolutely gorgeous, definitely the first thing that caught my attention. I absolutely loved the whole obstacle course from hell thing. It was so much fun finding out what each of the thirteen realms held. Some were super scary, while others were about facing personal demons. The book has a lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout the book.
I didn't like the MC at all though. She was seriously selfish, entitled, and very ungrateful. I just didn't like her as a person, daughter, or friend. I think that was the point. I think she was meant to be unlikeable, but for me, it made it hard to relate to her and to really root for her.
I thought the book to be a bit scattered. I feel like the thing with the bear, the realms, and the pirate thing, all could have been split into three separate books, but as one book, it feels a bit out of place. The beginning part with the bear I found unnecessary. Everything that we needed it for could have been tweaked for the ring to do. Then the pages spent on that could have been used for more detail into the realms, which is the best part of the book. Same with the ending. It just feels so out of place.
I just think the author tried to do too much with this book. There is a lot of untapped potential with it. The beginning with the bear could have turned into a seriously creepy horror, and the ending would have been a fun adventure. That would have left the room to expand on the already awesomeness of the haunted house story.
I would recommend that readers for this book be 16+ with a love of horror, fantasy, and adventure.
*Content Warnings*
Mild drug use, swearing, and some violence.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this chance to read and review this book. This does not in any way influence my honest opinion or review.
Find this review and others on my blog:
https://darklittomes.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/darklittomes/
September 29, 2021
Hang on because this story doesn't stop! If you like YA, Horror, witches, a spooky Southern setting and a strong female protagonist - "Mind Like A Diamond" is for you.
Lisette is a descendent of pirate witches, but doesn't know it. All she does know is her mom's a thief and they are about to get evicted. So when she hears about a Halloween haunted house attraction that has a $10K prize for finishing, she grabs her mom's diamond ring, her gay bestie Xavier and jumps into the "13 Realms of Hell." What she doesn't realize is- they mean it literally.
Fast-paced is an understatement. I had to re-read several passages because I missed something from one paragraph to the next. So pay attention! Part buddy adventure, part psychedelic nightmare, this book kept me on the edge and so very worried about the survival of Lisette and Xavi. My advice, don't read this at night and don't think you know what will happen next!
I can't say much more cause I don't even know where to start. Lisette goes on not just a physical but also an emotional and psychological journey. She has a complicated life with a lot of baggage to sort through and the situations she's thrown into heighten her responses and force her to really look within and self-evaluate. It made me think her mind AND body must be made of diamond not to have completely shattered by the end.
This would be a great addition to your Halloween TBR pile or for any horror fan that likes a wild ride. Thanks to Sword & Silk Press for the ARC!
Lisette is a descendent of pirate witches, but doesn't know it. All she does know is her mom's a thief and they are about to get evicted. So when she hears about a Halloween haunted house attraction that has a $10K prize for finishing, she grabs her mom's diamond ring, her gay bestie Xavier and jumps into the "13 Realms of Hell." What she doesn't realize is- they mean it literally.
Fast-paced is an understatement. I had to re-read several passages because I missed something from one paragraph to the next. So pay attention! Part buddy adventure, part psychedelic nightmare, this book kept me on the edge and so very worried about the survival of Lisette and Xavi. My advice, don't read this at night and don't think you know what will happen next!
I can't say much more cause I don't even know where to start. Lisette goes on not just a physical but also an emotional and psychological journey. She has a complicated life with a lot of baggage to sort through and the situations she's thrown into heighten her responses and force her to really look within and self-evaluate. It made me think her mind AND body must be made of diamond not to have completely shattered by the end.
This would be a great addition to your Halloween TBR pile or for any horror fan that likes a wild ride. Thanks to Sword & Silk Press for the ARC!
June 8, 2021
This book is so exciting! Even though it’s not something I’d typically read, I adored the premise and fell in love with the twists and turns it took. Lisette is totally a great lead character, and I love Amanda’s writing - engaging and thrilling! One of my favourite reads of the year so far!
December 12, 2021
“You don't have to believe in magic for it to kill you.”
I love, love, LOVE this line.
The book is set in pre-Katrina New Orleans and centers on 17 year-old Lisette. There’s so much complexity to this character. For starters, she’s not the ‘classic beauty’ heroine, describing herself as having bad skin. There are also times she is a bit selfish, a trait we all share at some point, it was refreshing to see but not so overdone that you can’t empathize with her. While a skilled gymnast, this doesn’t earn her any popularity points at the elitist high school she attends (on scholarship- because she’s also crazy smart) and her only friends are bestie Xavier and her neighbor, Opal.
The relationship between Lisette and Opal (an older, grandmotherly woman) was touching; a stark contrast to that of the protag and her mother, Ruelle. Watching the mother/daughter generational trauma play out was hard because it was written in a way that was hauntingly realistic. Facing eviction, Lisette takes matters into her own hands and drags Xavier to an escape-room style haunted house with one goal: win the $10,000 prize.
Think of your worst possible fear. Got it? Okay. Chances are, it’s probably something Lisette faced down at The 13th Realm of Hell. I couldn’t wait to see what the next realm would bring. What a wild ride!
It all comes full circle to a thrilling, satisfying conclusion. But you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.
Thank you again, Amanda, and to Sword and Silk Books, for the ARC of this fantastic novel. The book releases on 12/14/21, but is currently available for pre-order.
I love, love, LOVE this line.
The book is set in pre-Katrina New Orleans and centers on 17 year-old Lisette. There’s so much complexity to this character. For starters, she’s not the ‘classic beauty’ heroine, describing herself as having bad skin. There are also times she is a bit selfish, a trait we all share at some point, it was refreshing to see but not so overdone that you can’t empathize with her. While a skilled gymnast, this doesn’t earn her any popularity points at the elitist high school she attends (on scholarship- because she’s also crazy smart) and her only friends are bestie Xavier and her neighbor, Opal.
The relationship between Lisette and Opal (an older, grandmotherly woman) was touching; a stark contrast to that of the protag and her mother, Ruelle. Watching the mother/daughter generational trauma play out was hard because it was written in a way that was hauntingly realistic. Facing eviction, Lisette takes matters into her own hands and drags Xavier to an escape-room style haunted house with one goal: win the $10,000 prize.
Think of your worst possible fear. Got it? Okay. Chances are, it’s probably something Lisette faced down at The 13th Realm of Hell. I couldn’t wait to see what the next realm would bring. What a wild ride!
It all comes full circle to a thrilling, satisfying conclusion. But you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.
Thank you again, Amanda, and to Sword and Silk Books, for the ARC of this fantastic novel. The book releases on 12/14/21, but is currently available for pre-order.
December 13, 2021
Mind Like a Diamond is a haunted house adventure for anyone who enjoys complicated characters, dark humor, spooky scenes, unique magic, and fast-paced action! Bonus points for it being set in New Orleans, one of my favorite cities!
This book was a super fun read! I really enjoyed the main character, Lisette. She was flawed and even selfish at times, but she really grows through the story and works hard to get what she wants.
My favorite part was wondering, "what will happen next?" When we met the guide for each realm of the haunted house, I kept trying to guess what horrors awaited Lisette. Spoiler: it kept getting worse and worse for her!
It was a quick read because the plot was always on the move and the chapters were fairly short...making it all too easy to say, "just one more chapter!"
I highly recommend this book!
I want to thank the author and Sword and Silk Books for the ARC of this novel. These opinions are my own.
This book was a super fun read! I really enjoyed the main character, Lisette. She was flawed and even selfish at times, but she really grows through the story and works hard to get what she wants.
My favorite part was wondering, "what will happen next?" When we met the guide for each realm of the haunted house, I kept trying to guess what horrors awaited Lisette. Spoiler: it kept getting worse and worse for her!
It was a quick read because the plot was always on the move and the chapters were fairly short...making it all too easy to say, "just one more chapter!"
I highly recommend this book!
I want to thank the author and Sword and Silk Books for the ARC of this novel. These opinions are my own.
December 11, 2021
This was an absolutely riveting tale!
Would you fight your way through the (literal) Thirteen Realms of Hell for $10,000?
This story is infused with magic.
Crawling with witches.
And will follow an interesting path to self discovery.
((For me, it did lull for a moment between realms 5-8 but it still held my attention. ))
Thank you to #netgalley for this epic ARC of #mindlikeadiamond
Would you fight your way through the (literal) Thirteen Realms of Hell for $10,000?
This story is infused with magic.
Crawling with witches.
And will follow an interesting path to self discovery.
((For me, it did lull for a moment between realms 5-8 but it still held my attention. ))
Thank you to #netgalley for this epic ARC of #mindlikeadiamond
October 28, 2022
An imaginative and wholly unique read, with an intrepid heroine determined to pull herself out of poverty, even if that means fighting her way through a multilevel house of horrors to win the cash prize at the end. Pavlov uses the first third of the book to set up the heroine, her circumstances, her rocky friendships, her beloved New Orleans setting and community, and her curiosity about her mother's claims of witchcraft and piracy in the family lineage. Just as Lisette is starting to fully believe in the paranormal, she enters a contest to battle her way through a house of horrors along with dozens of other participants, determined to be the first one out. As she works her way through the levels, she begins to wonder if she'll be the only one to emerge at all. With spooky dolls, venomous snakes and bats, ravenous zombies, and a host of other more insidious terrors, it's not a contest for the faint of heart. Lisette is tested in more ways than one, as she learns not only how to push past her fears, but how to rethink her relationships to her friends and family if she's going to build a future in which she isn't always alone. A good fit for readers who enjoy blends of horror and personal journeys, with lots of evocative imagery, high-stakes action, and complex, imperfect characters who keep the reader guessing about what they'll do and say next.
December 20, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Sword and Silk Books for the chance to read Mind like a diamond by Amanda Pavlov. I totally enjoyed this creepy, action packed "Can you make through the 13 realms of Hell haunted house to win $10,000" YA story! This line says it all...“You don't have to believe in magic for it to kill you.” Lisette thought she was just an average teen...a gymnast that was told she is too tall, with a thief for a Mother. When she discover her Mom and her are about to be evicted she decides to entire a haunted house contest to win the $10,000 with her best friend Xavier, but they get more than they bargained for. Will Lisette be able to make it through to the end to collect the prize or will she become a victim of the Haunted House!
February 27, 2022
I loved so many things about this book, some of which include
💎The dedication
💎Chapter titles
💎Creative Characters
In Mind Like a Diamond, teenager Lisette finds herself in a haunted house of epic proportions. What would you expect when the grand prize for finishing is $10k? With 13 realms to navigate, each one completely unique, Amanda Pavlov has outdone herself. I am in awe of her imagination and creativity.
💎The dedication
💎Chapter titles
💎Creative Characters
In Mind Like a Diamond, teenager Lisette finds herself in a haunted house of epic proportions. What would you expect when the grand prize for finishing is $10k? With 13 realms to navigate, each one completely unique, Amanda Pavlov has outdone herself. I am in awe of her imagination and creativity.
January 13, 2022
This really gripped me, from the word go I normally try to space my books out but I couldn't with this I read it in one sitting couldn't put it down, loved the story line and loved the characters, I will definitely be looking for more books by this author, this is a must read but I warn you get comfy because you will not want to move or put it down
May 21, 2023
I feel like I've had a run of strange books of late. This definitely one of them. The idea and premise were ok, but I feel like there was no real back story, so you didn't really know the why behind it.
Read
November 19, 2022RTC
January 5, 2022
This was a really unique book, I really enjoyed it. :) It would make an amazing Halloween read
January 3, 2022
I was pulled in by the gorgeous cover but the description is what ultimately pulled me in- it was a very good read, the balance in the writing was good. It kept me turning the page over and over again. I won't spoil much of this book but I guarantee that this book will be satisfying and thrilling to read! The characters, setting, climax- amazing. I would read again.
Thank you Netgally for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgally for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2022
I loved this book! It pulls you in right from the very beginning. The chapters are short and almost always end with a cliffhanger, so it is very hard to put the book down. New Orleans natives in particular will love MLAD, it’s very much a love story to the city. The story was a lot scarier than I thought it was going to be, but that just made it that much more engaging with thoughts of “how can Lisette possibly survive this scenario?!” There were so many twists and turns - you’ll be on the edge of your seat. The book ended with me hoping that there would be a sequel because the story must continue on to the next big adventure! I definitely recommend this book, and it’s not just because the author is my sister-in-law ;)
December 23, 2021
Oh wow, this book was a wild ride! For the second half, I couldn't put it down and read it in one go. A great blend of fantasy & horror elements. The realms Lisette had to get through were very imaginative and they were well described, I could really imagine being there as well. The book is well written, the story flows well, especially the second half of the book. The end leaves a lot of things open, so I hope there will be a follow up! I think the end role of Xavier, Desmond & the money needed some more closure and attention. Other than that, definitely recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. Opinions given are my honest thoughts.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. Opinions given are my honest thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2021
This book . . .
Honestly, this book is such an exciting read with so many twists, and turns, and it reminded me of all the things I love about Haunted Houses, the South, and Magic. This author literally killed it, and I can't wait to read her other books.
Honestly, this book is such an exciting read with so many twists, and turns, and it reminded me of all the things I love about Haunted Houses, the South, and Magic. This author literally killed it, and I can't wait to read her other books.
December 7, 2021
Do you love haunted houses? Do you watch horror movies for fun? Does the thought of ghost walks and the macabre history of witchcraft and voodoo in New Orleans get your pulse racing? Then this book is for YOU!!
I first want to thank NetGalley and the author for sending this book to me free in exchange for my honest review. Because honestly I LOVED this wild ride! It was unlike anything I’ve ever read before and for the person who ran out of a theme park haunted house crying one Halloween it was thrillingly enjoyable.
I would certainly classify this as thriller/horror so if that is NOT your cup of tea do not read this book. You have been warned.
We meet our lead character Lisette in the weeks leading up to Halloween. The daughter of a thief/con artist mother, we watch her struggle with her potential as a good student at a private school and an aspiring gymnast versus the life she knows and the inevitable fate of turning into the woman who raised her.
Through a few chance meetings Lisette and her best friend Xavier decide to enter a haunted house on Halloween night that promises a $10,000 reward to the winner who escapes the 13th Realm of Hell before the witching hour. Propelled by determination and desperation having just received an eviction notice on their apartment door, Lisette believes she has the grit it takes to be the winner at all costs. And it certainly costs.
There are 13 levels or “realms” that need to be completed within the house. Think less carnival or boardwalk haunted house and more haunted maze at an amusement park terror night. And as you can imagine an attraction being run by actual witch covens makes it the perfect haunted maze on steroids. All manner of horror staples are featured including but not limited to dolls, clowns, zombies, and cannibalistic animal-headed butchers. There are plenty of atmospheric fears tackled as well including a death trap vehicle ride, Amazon jungle with deadly animals, small spaces, being buried alive, and one seriously creepy hospital.
In dealing with such “dark” elements there are plenty of trigger warnings to be had including drug use and references, alcohol use and references, orgies, sexual assault/attempted rape of a side character, themes of witchcraft/occultism/exorcism/voodoo, and a whole lot of murder and death.
Through all of this what shines brightest is the growth of Lisette. You see her in the beginning trying to be “good” and “do the right thing”, then you see her almost give up and settle into the life she assumes she is stuck in despite the amount of strength she has, and then you see the Realms test everything she thinks she knows about herself. She tries (and succeeds sometimes) to hold on to her selfish, every-man-for-himself attitude, but as she finally comes to the close of her journey she sets it all aside and taps into her true inner strength where she learns what it is to be a good friend, how to truly care for others and their well-being, what it means to finds a place where she can finally “belong”. A place she can call home.
There is no real “happily ever after” to be had with a book this intense, but the ending was like a warm hug after a nightmare and brought closure to all of my favorite characters in a very satisfying way. Overall, should you dare to mine inside its pages and sift through to the end, this book shines like a diamond.
I first want to thank NetGalley and the author for sending this book to me free in exchange for my honest review. Because honestly I LOVED this wild ride! It was unlike anything I’ve ever read before and for the person who ran out of a theme park haunted house crying one Halloween it was thrillingly enjoyable.
I would certainly classify this as thriller/horror so if that is NOT your cup of tea do not read this book. You have been warned.
We meet our lead character Lisette in the weeks leading up to Halloween. The daughter of a thief/con artist mother, we watch her struggle with her potential as a good student at a private school and an aspiring gymnast versus the life she knows and the inevitable fate of turning into the woman who raised her.
Through a few chance meetings Lisette and her best friend Xavier decide to enter a haunted house on Halloween night that promises a $10,000 reward to the winner who escapes the 13th Realm of Hell before the witching hour. Propelled by determination and desperation having just received an eviction notice on their apartment door, Lisette believes she has the grit it takes to be the winner at all costs. And it certainly costs.
There are 13 levels or “realms” that need to be completed within the house. Think less carnival or boardwalk haunted house and more haunted maze at an amusement park terror night. And as you can imagine an attraction being run by actual witch covens makes it the perfect haunted maze on steroids. All manner of horror staples are featured including but not limited to dolls, clowns, zombies, and cannibalistic animal-headed butchers. There are plenty of atmospheric fears tackled as well including a death trap vehicle ride, Amazon jungle with deadly animals, small spaces, being buried alive, and one seriously creepy hospital.
In dealing with such “dark” elements there are plenty of trigger warnings to be had including drug use and references, alcohol use and references, orgies, sexual assault/attempted rape of a side character, themes of witchcraft/occultism/exorcism/voodoo, and a whole lot of murder and death.
Through all of this what shines brightest is the growth of Lisette. You see her in the beginning trying to be “good” and “do the right thing”, then you see her almost give up and settle into the life she assumes she is stuck in despite the amount of strength she has, and then you see the Realms test everything she thinks she knows about herself. She tries (and succeeds sometimes) to hold on to her selfish, every-man-for-himself attitude, but as she finally comes to the close of her journey she sets it all aside and taps into her true inner strength where she learns what it is to be a good friend, how to truly care for others and their well-being, what it means to finds a place where she can finally “belong”. A place she can call home.
There is no real “happily ever after” to be had with a book this intense, but the ending was like a warm hug after a nightmare and brought closure to all of my favorite characters in a very satisfying way. Overall, should you dare to mine inside its pages and sift through to the end, this book shines like a diamond.
December 29, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC. I am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
CONTENT WARNING: murder, bullying, violence, drug use, attempted sexual assault, blood
This was an interesting and fast-paced read that I finished in a single sitting. I wasn’t sure I’d like this story, since I’m such a wuss and tend to avoid anything remotely scary, but to my surprise, I enjoyed this far more than I expected to.
Although Lisette is a morally gray character, she isn’t necessarily an unlikable character. She’s a young woman who grows up extremely poor and facing difficult circumstances. In addition, her mother keeps a lot of secrets from her. Despite trying to learn more, her mother is incredibly stubborn and refuses to answer any of her questions.
When they get an eviction notice, it seems like an unimaginable stroke of luck to come upon a contest that offers a $10,000 prize to the winner. And Lisette is determined to win, no matter what. But she has no idea what she’s in for. Or what it might cost her if she does win.
The action starts early and stays pretty consistent throughout the story, making this a difficult book to put down. It’s a huge part of why I read this in one sitting. Lisette isn’t just facing huge, dangerous obstacles, but she’s racing against the clock and other people as well. And while she’s street smart, she also has to face her own doubts and fears at the same time. I liked seeing not just the challenges she faces as she races through the realms, but also her own internal struggles. She’s forced to ask important questions about who she is, but more importantly, who she wants to be.
This challenge also winds up revealing more answers than Lisette ever expected. I loved how the story wound up coming together — it’s more than simply a challenge, and while the magic system wasn’t ever clearly explained, it did seem pretty cool. I’m curious to see what’s next from Amanda Pavlov!
CONTENT WARNING: murder, bullying, violence, drug use, attempted sexual assault, blood
This was an interesting and fast-paced read that I finished in a single sitting. I wasn’t sure I’d like this story, since I’m such a wuss and tend to avoid anything remotely scary, but to my surprise, I enjoyed this far more than I expected to.
Although Lisette is a morally gray character, she isn’t necessarily an unlikable character. She’s a young woman who grows up extremely poor and facing difficult circumstances. In addition, her mother keeps a lot of secrets from her. Despite trying to learn more, her mother is incredibly stubborn and refuses to answer any of her questions.
When they get an eviction notice, it seems like an unimaginable stroke of luck to come upon a contest that offers a $10,000 prize to the winner. And Lisette is determined to win, no matter what. But she has no idea what she’s in for. Or what it might cost her if she does win.
The action starts early and stays pretty consistent throughout the story, making this a difficult book to put down. It’s a huge part of why I read this in one sitting. Lisette isn’t just facing huge, dangerous obstacles, but she’s racing against the clock and other people as well. And while she’s street smart, she also has to face her own doubts and fears at the same time. I liked seeing not just the challenges she faces as she races through the realms, but also her own internal struggles. She’s forced to ask important questions about who she is, but more importantly, who she wants to be.
This challenge also winds up revealing more answers than Lisette ever expected. I loved how the story wound up coming together — it’s more than simply a challenge, and while the magic system wasn’t ever clearly explained, it did seem pretty cool. I’m curious to see what’s next from Amanda Pavlov!
December 6, 2021
**Thank you Netgalley and the author for the ARC.
Tired of her mother's secrets, delusions about magic and criminal nature, while the money problems are constantly looming over their heads, seventeen-year-old Lisette doesn't spare a second to question the new and mysterious Halloween activity that shows up in town. There is only one thing that drives her: a prize of ten thousand dolars to whoever manages to get through "The 13th Realm of Hell". This is an escape-room style Haunted House that sounds like a perfect way to get the money (and a perfect bait). Lisette's bestie, Xavier, is not that enthusiastic, but nothing can stand in Lisette's way. Soon, though, she starts to convince herself that everything is just an illusion. The things happening in that haunted house can't be real.
She fights with all of her might, determinted to escape the Hell and prove to herself and to the world that she is capable. Although, is her determination enough? What awaits her at the end of that 13th realm?
This Halloween activity was the perfect blend of escape room and hell, with the last challenge being so complicated it made me think: is it selfishness or is it Lisette being the only person who would do that - save herself?
I loved how Lisette's relationships with others unraveled, especially with her parents. At times I didn't understand her relationship with Xavi, why all that distancing and the lost-in-translations, but I understand it now that I've gotten to know Lisette's character.
The author's writing style is worth of every praise. The story held me in anticipation, and the sentences were so beautifully decorated it blew my mind. The metaphors and similes were very clever and served to confirm and accentuate the author's talent.
Tired of her mother's secrets, delusions about magic and criminal nature, while the money problems are constantly looming over their heads, seventeen-year-old Lisette doesn't spare a second to question the new and mysterious Halloween activity that shows up in town. There is only one thing that drives her: a prize of ten thousand dolars to whoever manages to get through "The 13th Realm of Hell". This is an escape-room style Haunted House that sounds like a perfect way to get the money (and a perfect bait). Lisette's bestie, Xavier, is not that enthusiastic, but nothing can stand in Lisette's way. Soon, though, she starts to convince herself that everything is just an illusion. The things happening in that haunted house can't be real.
She fights with all of her might, determinted to escape the Hell and prove to herself and to the world that she is capable. Although, is her determination enough? What awaits her at the end of that 13th realm?
This Halloween activity was the perfect blend of escape room and hell, with the last challenge being so complicated it made me think: is it selfishness or is it Lisette being the only person who would do that - save herself?
I loved how Lisette's relationships with others unraveled, especially with her parents. At times I didn't understand her relationship with Xavi, why all that distancing and the lost-in-translations, but I understand it now that I've gotten to know Lisette's character.
The author's writing style is worth of every praise. The story held me in anticipation, and the sentences were so beautifully decorated it blew my mind. The metaphors and similes were very clever and served to confirm and accentuate the author's talent.
December 14, 2021
Mind Like a Diamond is a thrilling ride that kept me on the edge of my seat! Author Amanda Pavlov infuses a sense of mystery and suspense into the opening chapters and keeps ramping it up throughout the book. You really have no choice but to keep reading to see what happens next!
Lisette lives with her mom in New Orleans. It’s always just been the two of them, and her mother has gotten involved in a life of crime to help them make ends meet. Things come to a head when they receive an eviction notice, but Lisette has a solution – she’ll enter a competition to win $10,000. All she has to do is survive a night in a haunted house. For fearless Lisette, it should be a piece of a cake. Little does she know the terrors and horrifying obstacles she’ll have to endure.
I can’t say enough about the writing in this book. The descriptions gave me goosebumps, the dialogue felt incredibly authentic, and the author has a way of picking just the right details to pull you in. It was never overdone and always engaging. Lisette is a strong, feisty character who pushes people away at times. I thought her flaws made her interesting, and her bold, determined nature was refreshing. As she makes her way through the Thirteen Realms, she learns just what she’s capable of, what it means to truly face your worst fears, and to confront her flaws head on. In many ways, Lisette’s trek through the realms is just as much a journey of self-discovery as it is about navigating a landscape of nightmares.
Part thriller, part horror, Mind Like a Diamond is a thought-provoking tale that stayed with me long after I finished reading. I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Lisette lives with her mom in New Orleans. It’s always just been the two of them, and her mother has gotten involved in a life of crime to help them make ends meet. Things come to a head when they receive an eviction notice, but Lisette has a solution – she’ll enter a competition to win $10,000. All she has to do is survive a night in a haunted house. For fearless Lisette, it should be a piece of a cake. Little does she know the terrors and horrifying obstacles she’ll have to endure.
I can’t say enough about the writing in this book. The descriptions gave me goosebumps, the dialogue felt incredibly authentic, and the author has a way of picking just the right details to pull you in. It was never overdone and always engaging. Lisette is a strong, feisty character who pushes people away at times. I thought her flaws made her interesting, and her bold, determined nature was refreshing. As she makes her way through the Thirteen Realms, she learns just what she’s capable of, what it means to truly face your worst fears, and to confront her flaws head on. In many ways, Lisette’s trek through the realms is just as much a journey of self-discovery as it is about navigating a landscape of nightmares.
Part thriller, part horror, Mind Like a Diamond is a thought-provoking tale that stayed with me long after I finished reading. I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
January 3, 2022
Witches? Love! Pirates? Yes! Put them together and.. well, you wouldn’t normally thing these two go together but somehow it all made sense. When I first read the premise of this book I was immediately intrigued, I was for sure expecting something out of Peter Pan & Hocus Pocus somehow mixed together though.
What I didn’t expect was this insane world where a haunted house ends up being a place to fight for your very life. In Mind Like A Diamond by Amanda Pavlov, we meet Lisette, a young girl forced to grow up too quickly due to the life of poverty that she and her mother led. Underneath the surface though, there is the mystery of just what Lis’s mom is hiding about who she truly is. When one monetary problem after another strikes and Lisette is left feeling so much anger and helplessness it almost seems like it’s too coincidental when someone comes up to her telling her about this haunted house where getting through the entirety of it would leave the victor with a great cash price.
Going into this haunted house you truly don’t know if what Lisette is experiencing is a mirage fabricated from some very rich groups of peoples or if it was something more sinister underneath the surface. As Lisette goes through each and every level of this hellish haunted house, as readers we started to realize that something was horribly wrong & this haunted house was the real deal.
Through the end of this book, it’s for sure one surprise after another with even the ending letting us think it would go one way when it in fact goes another. This was such a great read & I couldn’t have been more entertained throughout it.
What I didn’t expect was this insane world where a haunted house ends up being a place to fight for your very life. In Mind Like A Diamond by Amanda Pavlov, we meet Lisette, a young girl forced to grow up too quickly due to the life of poverty that she and her mother led. Underneath the surface though, there is the mystery of just what Lis’s mom is hiding about who she truly is. When one monetary problem after another strikes and Lisette is left feeling so much anger and helplessness it almost seems like it’s too coincidental when someone comes up to her telling her about this haunted house where getting through the entirety of it would leave the victor with a great cash price.
Going into this haunted house you truly don’t know if what Lisette is experiencing is a mirage fabricated from some very rich groups of peoples or if it was something more sinister underneath the surface. As Lisette goes through each and every level of this hellish haunted house, as readers we started to realize that something was horribly wrong & this haunted house was the real deal.
Through the end of this book, it’s for sure one surprise after another with even the ending letting us think it would go one way when it in fact goes another. This was such a great read & I couldn’t have been more entertained throughout it.
February 15, 2022
3 stars
Mind Like a Diamond is a YA fantasy following the perspective of Lisette, who is in desperate need of money, when they are about to get evicted from the French quarter apartment that she shares with her secretive mother. When she is invited to a haunted house that offers a 10,000 grand prize, she jumps at the opportunity and overlooks a number of questionable signs that this is no ordinary haunted house. To make matters worse she drags her best friend into the mix.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the whole haunted house element, and each level was so unique and terrifying. This story was super imaginative and enjoyed all the Halloween vibes that I got. The writing was good but felt rushed at times. There were so many levels and the story spent so much time trying to write about each one, we sped through a lot of the story. I have a number of questions about their magic, society, the haunted house, and the witches. There are so many questions that I still have about a number of plot points and the story lines by the end then I had answers for. I didn't really like any of the characters, and I had a number of problems with Lisette and her mother, mostly I disliked a number of the choices that they made and their attitude towards others. Overall, while I liked the premise of this story, it was just ok, and I had a couple of problems with the details that were left out in the story.
Trigger warnings: drug use, sexual assault, murder, gore
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
Mind Like a Diamond is a YA fantasy following the perspective of Lisette, who is in desperate need of money, when they are about to get evicted from the French quarter apartment that she shares with her secretive mother. When she is invited to a haunted house that offers a 10,000 grand prize, she jumps at the opportunity and overlooks a number of questionable signs that this is no ordinary haunted house. To make matters worse she drags her best friend into the mix.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the whole haunted house element, and each level was so unique and terrifying. This story was super imaginative and enjoyed all the Halloween vibes that I got. The writing was good but felt rushed at times. There were so many levels and the story spent so much time trying to write about each one, we sped through a lot of the story. I have a number of questions about their magic, society, the haunted house, and the witches. There are so many questions that I still have about a number of plot points and the story lines by the end then I had answers for. I didn't really like any of the characters, and I had a number of problems with Lisette and her mother, mostly I disliked a number of the choices that they made and their attitude towards others. Overall, while I liked the premise of this story, it was just ok, and I had a couple of problems with the details that were left out in the story.
Trigger warnings: drug use, sexual assault, murder, gore
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
February 14, 2022
Mind Like a Diamond by Amanda Pavlov takes us to New Orleans on Halloween, where a haunted house called the Thirteenth Realm promises the victor 10,000$. But it’s not that simple… why would it be?
Every city has the old wives tale of the haunted house that if you make it through it you win money. This book expands on that idea and takes it to a level that is super engrossing and addictive.
Lisette and her mother Ruelle have always struggled with money. Ruelle is constantly stealing to get by, and they’re constantly broke and unable to do fun things. When their old neighbor Mrs. Opal passes away, Lisette is concerned her mother is involved. That’s not entirely true, but something is off… oh and the eviction notice doesn’t help.
When I say this was a wild ride that will force you to binge read! It was so much fun, so immersive. Is it a horror novel? No. This is not a horror novel, there are scary and semi-graphic scenes, but it is very much so fantasy. You will rip through this is one sitting and enjoy it.
My biggest flag is that Lisette isn’t meant to be a likeable character in the beginning but her progression and her redemption arc are well done and paced!
Every city has the old wives tale of the haunted house that if you make it through it you win money. This book expands on that idea and takes it to a level that is super engrossing and addictive.
Lisette and her mother Ruelle have always struggled with money. Ruelle is constantly stealing to get by, and they’re constantly broke and unable to do fun things. When their old neighbor Mrs. Opal passes away, Lisette is concerned her mother is involved. That’s not entirely true, but something is off… oh and the eviction notice doesn’t help.
When I say this was a wild ride that will force you to binge read! It was so much fun, so immersive. Is it a horror novel? No. This is not a horror novel, there are scary and semi-graphic scenes, but it is very much so fantasy. You will rip through this is one sitting and enjoy it.
My biggest flag is that Lisette isn’t meant to be a likeable character in the beginning but her progression and her redemption arc are well done and paced!
March 6, 2022
3.5*
*Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an ARC*
In all honesty, this book was probably the weirdest book I'd read. A haunted house, pirate witches, terrifying realms...like damn. I've never read anything like this. While I had enjoyed this book, there were a few things I didn't really liked. The MC...Lisette. She was so selfish and so ungrateful; who leaves her friend like that? Although the ending kind of wrapped up between Xavier's and Lisette's friendship but still though...but I do think that was the point of the MC to not have her as a likeable character. I just hope she wouldn't be as selfish in the second book, if there is. I did liked Kennedy though. And I'm glad Ruelle had softened up a bit towards the ending but I did wish to have more explanations about Wolfram and Ruelle's past of together and such.
I loved the realms especially the Jungle one but there were some realms that could've been more fleshed out. Also, whatever happened to Opal? I don't think we ever got an explanation as to who killed her. Maybe it did and I missed it.
Regardless, this was an entertaining book with a beautiful cover.
*Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an ARC*
In all honesty, this book was probably the weirdest book I'd read. A haunted house, pirate witches, terrifying realms...like damn. I've never read anything like this. While I had enjoyed this book, there were a few things I didn't really liked. The MC...Lisette. She was so selfish and so ungrateful; who leaves her friend like that? Although the ending kind of wrapped up between Xavier's and Lisette's friendship but still though...but I do think that was the point of the MC to not have her as a likeable character. I just hope she wouldn't be as selfish in the second book, if there is. I did liked Kennedy though. And I'm glad Ruelle had softened up a bit towards the ending but I did wish to have more explanations about Wolfram and Ruelle's past of together and such.
I loved the realms especially the Jungle one but there were some realms that could've been more fleshed out. Also, whatever happened to Opal? I don't think we ever got an explanation as to who killed her. Maybe it did and I missed it.
Regardless, this was an entertaining book with a beautiful cover.
December 29, 2021
What if a federation of witches hosted a thirteen-level haunted house on Halloween? And what if making it through by the witching hour netted one survivor ten thousand dollars?
The hook of Mind Like a Diamond is captivating. The premise checks a lot of horror reader’s boxes: Halloween, haunted house, list of victims (er, characters). The house has thirteen levels full of ghoulish fun, and some of the levels are more terrifying than others.
But horror novels live (or die) on whether they can bring the scares. Mind Like a Diamond delivers in this department too. Just about every conceivable creepy thing for the last three decades makes an appearance in this novel. If someone is afraid of it, it’s in here.
If you like supernatural horror novels, you’ll enjoy Mind Like a Diamond. The more you know of the horror genre, the more you’ll be entertained. And while the plot has pulse-pounding scares a-plenty, you’ll find it also has a well-rendered depiction of teenagers and the struggles they endure to fit into their world.
The hook of Mind Like a Diamond is captivating. The premise checks a lot of horror reader’s boxes: Halloween, haunted house, list of victims (er, characters). The house has thirteen levels full of ghoulish fun, and some of the levels are more terrifying than others.
But horror novels live (or die) on whether they can bring the scares. Mind Like a Diamond delivers in this department too. Just about every conceivable creepy thing for the last three decades makes an appearance in this novel. If someone is afraid of it, it’s in here.
If you like supernatural horror novels, you’ll enjoy Mind Like a Diamond. The more you know of the horror genre, the more you’ll be entertained. And while the plot has pulse-pounding scares a-plenty, you’ll find it also has a well-rendered depiction of teenagers and the struggles they endure to fit into their world.
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