This book melted my cold, dead heart. I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong about a book!
“I began to realise that love wasn’t dead, but it wasThis book melted my cold, dead heart. I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong about a book!
“I began to realise that love wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t forever either. It was something in between, a moment in time where two people existed at the exact same moment in the exact same place in the universe.”
Now, I don’t do romance. It just never really works for me. But this book! It just spoke to me and I loved it.
I really enjoyed Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston, and I knew this one had some supernatural elements so I thought I’d give it a go.
Florence has been living in New York, working as a ghost writer for a famous romance novelist. But she is stuck on her most recent novel. After a bad breakup, she no longer believes in romance or love.
When she has to return home to South Carolina for her fathers funeral she must face her past head on. Including the fact that she can see ghosts.
When one of the ghosts she meets back home is actually her hot editor she had met only twice, Florence finds herself facing a whole new dilemma.
It was just wholesome and sweet. And quite frankly, just what I needed at the time.
“Love was never a matter of time, but a matter of timing.” ...more
A gripping retelling of the Oedipus myth in all its twisted-ness!
Two POVs. Jocasta - married off to the King of Thebes as a young girl, alone and friA gripping retelling of the Oedipus myth in all its twisted-ness!
Two POVs. Jocasta - married off to the King of Thebes as a young girl, alone and frightened. The second POV is a young girl Isi living in the palace with her siblings and uncle as her parents died when she was young.
Considering the jumping, I didn’t find the POVs confusing at all, it was done very well and I enjoyed coming to terms with how the two characters were linked.
I loved seeing the inevitable spiral of Jocasta - when her husband dies and she becomes Queen. Marrying a man from a foreign land who is half her age.
I was gripped from start to finish, Natalie Hayes’ characters are always so fully formed and exciting to read. I’m a big fan. ...more
Full of secrets and double crossing and romance. I’m not a big romance lover but the relationships all seem toAnother solid instalment in this series!
Full of secrets and double crossing and romance. I’m not a big romance lover but the relationships all seem to work really well in here.
After the end of book 2, Orion has had his memory wiped and he has been taken by his mother for further experiments. Rosalind won’t let her fake husband go though, and will go to great lengths to get him back.
Meanwhile tensions between the communists and nationalists are still rife, with further threats of war from the Japanese. Full of action but also with sparks of humour. Chloe Gong is fast becoming a fave for me.
I enjoyed being back in Emberfall and Syll Shallow, but despite the excitement along the way, the ending wasn’t satiOk - spoilers ahead for this one!
I enjoyed being back in Emberfall and Syll Shallow, but despite the excitement along the way, the ending wasn’t satisfying for me at all.
Grey and Lia Mara are planning war against Rhen. With distrust everywhere and attacks on Lia Mars’s life since she took the throne from her mother, no one is safe.
Meanwhile Lilith the demon enchantress returns to wreak havoc once again.
I like these books, they are easy to read and the characters are alright. I do think that Rhen should have stayed King rather than i to Grey. Grey has no experience leading people or a country, plus he is with Lia Mara who already had a kingdom?!
I just feel like it didn’t make sense to me. But I really like the writing so will keep going with her other fantasy books. ...more
A fierce and vibrant retelling of Clytemnestra’s life, the trials she endured and ultimately the revenge she takes.
Clytemnestra haFucking fantastic.
A fierce and vibrant retelling of Clytemnestra’s life, the trials she endured and ultimately the revenge she takes.
Clytemnestra has always been one of my favorite characters in Greek mythology. Her and Cassandra. So to have a novel solely about her was just incredible.
I didn’t even realise she had been married before Agamemnon, that was fascinating and added another layer to the hatred I hold for that asshole.
I was gripped throughout, right until the bittersweet end, I will definitely be picking up more by this author. ...more
I absolutely adored The Ten Thousand Doors of January, but sadly this one didn’t hit the same way for me.
I like the premise, 3 sisters reunited afterI absolutely adored The Ten Thousand Doors of January, but sadly this one didn’t hit the same way for me.
I like the premise, 3 sisters reunited after 7 years all with secrets and hidden resentments. They form a group of women to fight for rights and also for witching.
Mainly I found it too long, I frequently lost interest, I felt things weren’t moving swiftly enough to keep my interest.
I pushed through but ultimately it just didn’t grab me enough. ...more
“We are messes and we are messed up and I don’t want to go through this world without the one person I can’t hide from and who can’t hide from me.”
I “We are messes and we are messed up and I don’t want to go through this world without the one person I can’t hide from and who can’t hide from me.”
I really enjoyed being back in Elfhame. All the secrets and betrayal and stabbing!
I will say this duology isn’t quite up there with the original series but it serves well as a follow up for your fairie cravings.
Oak is in love with Wren, but he isn’t sure if she has forgiven him. He hatches a plan for them to be together, but will she agree? And what about all the others with their own agendas for the throne?
I can see why some readers were disappointed with this one. It moves in a very different direction and replaces one of the previous POVs with a brand I can see why some readers were disappointed with this one. It moves in a very different direction and replaces one of the previous POVs with a brand new character.
That said - I really enjoyed it! I wasn’t that enamoured with Rhen and Harper in the first place so when the focus moved to Grey and Lia Mara I was interested to follow.
I didn’t love the romance. As always. But I love Grey as a character and watching him wrestle with his conscience and how he should move forward.
Overall I am excited to wrap this up with book 3! ...more
I was nervous going into this as I don’t always have a great time with super hyped books/authors. Also this isn’t my usual Successful first TJR read!!
I was nervous going into this as I don’t always have a great time with super hyped books/authors. Also this isn’t my usual choice of read.
It felt pretty soap opera like - which i mean as I compliment in this instance.
I loved the Riva siblings and all the different side characters, the chapters were short which I think added to the chaotic atmosphere of a party growing out of control.
I also liked the flash back chapters to when their mum and dad met, and the ultimate downfall of their relationship.
I’m definitely going to read more by TJR - this was just real good fun!
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I’ve never read a TJR novel. I think I was unsure given all the hype. But I found a copy of this while on holiday so I feel like I must give it a try ...more
A real slice of life read! Sam and Sadie meet in the hospital as children and become fast friends. We then follow them through college and into3.5 ⭐️
A real slice of life read! Sam and Sadie meet in the hospital as children and become fast friends. We then follow them through college and into adulthood with all the pettiness and misunderstandings that this brings.
The main focus is on gaming. This is Sam and Sadie’s favourite pastime and what they ultimately build their business doing. Considering I’m not a gamer, it is a testament to the author that I remained invested in the characters and their story.
I wouldn’t necessarily read it again, neither would I say it blew my mind but there were some wonderful passages that I found touching and I’m glad to have been immersed in their lives for a short while.
“Always remember…life is very long, unless it is not.”
“They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster, just like they do your sisters.” “It doesn’t matter what they think of me.” “Then why do you “They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster, just like they do your sisters.” “It doesn’t matter what they think of me.” “Then why do you want to protect them?” “Because I can.”
Once I got over the fact that this isn’t just Medusa’s story, I was able to get fully invested.
Don’t get me wrong, we do get her POV and the versions of those around her. But we also get the stories of Andromeda, Danae, Gaia and so many more female characters from myth.
I’m not mad about it, because these stories were fascinating, I just think it should maybe be marketed differently so others are disappointed.
I’m a big fan of Natalie Haynes, I’ve loved all 3 of the books I’ve read of hers and will continue to read more of her work. ...more
I liked the premise, and I enjoy a dark fair tale. But this was a bit over sexualised and even too grim for me at times.
Marlinchen and her sisters arI liked the premise, and I enjoy a dark fair tale. But this was a bit over sexualised and even too grim for me at times.
Marlinchen and her sisters are witches, they live under the harsh thumb and rules of their father, the only remaining wizard.
They sneak out at night to the ballet where Marlinchen becomes infatuated with the lead dancer. Meanwhile stories abound of a creature who is killing people and removing their organs.
The relationship between Marlinchen and Sevas seemed forced to me. It was particularly primal and we don’t get to see them actually grow fond or get to know each other. It just suddenly happens.
Also (view spoiler)[ finding her sister fornicating with the monster in their garden seemed a bit much. Are they really that desperate? (hide spoiler)] I feel like this was added purely for shock value.
The writing was descriptive, but ultimately not enough for me. ...more
Roma and Juliette believed they destroyed the monster, but did they really? Meanwhile both have betrayeReally enjoyed this conclusion to the duology.
Roma and Juliette believed they destroyed the monster, but did they really? Meanwhile both have betrayed the other and are not sure if they can ever repair what was lost.
Loved the storyline and all the different characters including Katherine and Rosalyn. Loads of bloodshed and drama, I was fully invested.
Also a satisfying ending (view spoiler)[ Roma and Juliette both sacrifice themselves to destroy the monsters. I liked that, I did wonder if they would both die or if the ending would change. (hide spoiler)]
I’m looking forward to picking up Foul Lady Fortune which has Rosalind in. ...more
I don’t think I am the target audience for this book. I gave it a go anyway and there were definitely parts I liked.
Grace Adams has hit rock bo3.5 ⭐️
I don’t think I am the target audience for this book. I gave it a go anyway and there were definitely parts I liked.
Grace Adams has hit rock bottom. Jobless, divorced and now her 16 year old daughter doesn’t want her at her birthday party. So while sitting in gridlock she gets up, leaves her car and walks away.
Meanwhile we get flashback episodes from 4 months earlier and 8 years earlier. I found the flashbacks confusing at times.
The main thing that annoyed me was Grace’s daughter. I know later on we find out what has been going on with her but for me she was a brat and it wasn’t enjoyable to read about the way she spoke to her mother.
Ultimately a powerful story about resilience, and the struggles women face every day. Grace was a wonderful heroine and I enjoyed her telling the world she was done with its shit.
Take back the power Grace!
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Early proof copy won through Facebook reading group ...more
Another unfulfilling read. Is it me? I haven’t found a book enthralling in like 2 months.
Molly and Katie are twins, and have been inseparable all theiAnother unfulfilling read. Is it me? I haven’t found a book enthralling in like 2 months.
Molly and Katie are twins, and have been inseparable all their lives. That is until Katie moves to New York and leaves Molly behind.
Molly has severe anxiety, she sees danger everywhere and in everything. I found it a bit annoying at times. When she receives a call saying that Katie has been killed she goes to New York to discover what happened to her sister.
I was pretty invested up until this point. Once we start finding out more of Katie’s secrets (view spoiler)[ she was sleeping with her university professor, her boyfriend was cheating on her. It’s a whole drama (hide spoiler)]
It was actually the ending that really decided it for me. (view spoiler)[ first we are told Molly killed her own sister. Which was insane enough in itself. But then it switched to telling us that Katie actually woke up before Molly could act, and then killed her and took her place. (Still with me?) so Katie is now pretending to be Molly. (hide spoiler)]
The whole thing just became stupidly far fetched and I wasn’t able to follow all the changes. ...more
Set several years after the original trilogy, we have Tycho - now all grown up and working as the King’s courier. TravLoved being back in this world!
Set several years after the original trilogy, we have Tycho - now all grown up and working as the King’s courier. Travelling back and forth between Emberfall and Syl Shallow.
We also have two new POVs, Jax - a blacksmith with an abusive father and his best friend Callyn an orphan desperately trying to look after her sister and keep their bakery afloat.
Unrest is still rampant in Syl Shallow, plenty of people still distrust magic and by extension King Grey. When the chance comes up to earn some coins by passing messages Jax and Callyn take the risk.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the new characters, I actually found Grey had changed a lot and I didn’t always like him. Liked the brief flashes of Harper and Rhen. I’ll be excited to see where this trilogy leads....more
I really enjoyed getting to visit this world again, which I’m really glad about because Rosalind wasn’t one of my favourite characters in the originalI really enjoyed getting to visit this world again, which I’m really glad about because Rosalind wasn’t one of my favourite characters in the original duology.
She really grew on me in this book and I loved the new characters of Orion and Oliver, while also getting to see Alisa Montagov and Rosalind’s sister Celia.
At times the different political stances lost me, but ultimately I enjoyed the action and twists. I’m looking forward to book 2!
Four years ago teacher, William Larkin was found dead in the woods by three of his students. The case remains unsKaren McManus hasn’t let me down yet!
Four years ago teacher, William Larkin was found dead in the woods by three of his students. The case remains unsolved.
Brynn Gallagher has recently relocated back to the small town of Sturgis after her fathers job is moved from Chicago. She must face all her old friends, but most awkwardly her old best friend Tripp, whom she hasn’t spoken to since he humiliated her years ago.
Brynn begins working for a true crime podcast looking into Mr Larkin’s death. As usual, there are secrets upon secrets and so many red herrings.
McManus’ books are just so compulsively readable. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. And the final reveal is as satisfying as ever.
Keep ‘em coming KM!
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Library copy available for pick up
If Karen McManus writes it, I will read it....more
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