This book was riveting and impossible to put down. The mechanical and steampunk elements reminded me of Cinder as well as some Frankenstein retell4.5
This book was riveting and impossible to put down. The mechanical and steampunk elements reminded me of Cinder as well as some Frankenstein retellings I’ve read, especially with the medical focused magic system. Some other books this reminded me of was The Poppy War (colonialism) and Belladonna (murder mystery). While I could see different elements that reminded me of a lot of my other favorite books, this story felt fresh and original all on its own with the world.
I always enjoy a magic system that comes with a cost to the user like this one did and is one of the many reasons I loved the magic & world building. A few plot reveals I was able to predict but not in an overly apparent way. The ending was wild and definitely increased my overall rating. I don’t necessarily love what the epilogue suggested…but I’ll still read book 2 to see what comes next.
This book does contain blood - think surgery, medical, and gun violence scenes.
LGBTQ + rep: male/male relationship with side characters ...more
This reminded me of pieces from several books I’ve read and loved such as Gallant, Dreams Lie Beneath, and The Last Tale of the Flower Bride. I am a sThis reminded me of pieces from several books I’ve read and loved such as Gallant, Dreams Lie Beneath, and The Last Tale of the Flower Bride. I am a sucker for a sentient house & the presence of a cat, so this book started off strong for me. It was a modern day setting with the classic haunted house/gothic undertones you’d want. I loved how “unlikable” the female main character was. She was aware of her own faults but ruthless and unapologetic for being what the world made her into. This was a slower burn read with magic in the periphery. I enjoyed the themes of found family, issues with complicity, and a fantasy world bleeding into our own.
LGBTQ+ rep: f/f side character relationship & bisexuality male MC (brief mention of sexuality)...more
Look at me reading a holiday themed book during the holidays! What! Hahaha but in all seriousness, this book was adorable. It fit my usual favorit4.5
Look at me reading a holiday themed book during the holidays! What! Hahaha but in all seriousness, this book was adorable. It fit my usual favorite romance vibes, but with a sprinkle of the holidays and taking place in one of my favorite cities (Orlando). The female MC felt like a carbon copy of myself from her job as a book keeper to her struggled with letting people in close. I too swoon for the carefree guys, which her love interest ended up being & adored their dynamics & banter. The male MC was bisexual & his sexuality, friendships, and family drama all were done so well. I love when romance stories go wider than just the romantic arc and include compelling side characters and sub plots, which this book did. I felt like a few bits moved too fast with the romance, but other than that - a fantastic read! And bonus points for shedding light on LFBTQ+ issues & the foster care system.
LGBTQ+ rep: bisexual MMC & f/f relationship with a side character. ...more
This book a a miss for me. It was told in a format where the speaker or narrator is speaking to the characters directly, but the characters don't speaThis book a a miss for me. It was told in a format where the speaker or narrator is speaking to the characters directly, but the characters don't speak back. It was more like the writing was inspired by the illustrations instead of the other way around. I found the story to be confusing and a bit awkward to read. I was also thrown by the title since nowhere in the story do we meet the Gherkins. I assume these are the Pickles, but that is never explained or referenced. My guess is this could be a spin-off from another series, but since I wasn't familiar with it - the title itself was odd to me. ...more
This is my least favorite of my Tate James journey this far. I didn’t really care for any of the romance arcs developing and was bored most of the timThis is my least favorite of my Tate James journey this far. I didn’t really care for any of the romance arcs developing and was bored most of the time. I thought about DNFing but was hoping things would develop more like the previous series did. However, it just missed the mark for me. ...more
Golden Girls meets James Bond is the perfect comp provided in the blurb. This was hilarious & thoroughly entertaining. I loved the descriptive and varGolden Girls meets James Bond is the perfect comp provided in the blurb. This was hilarious & thoroughly entertaining. I loved the descriptive and varied settings from a cruise, to New Orleans, all the way to the Paris catacombs. This book was adventurous & highlighted older, badass, women as the main characters. This was a nice change up from my usual reads & a very fun read! ...more
Now that I’ve finished this series, I’d say overall plot was mediocre but romance was phenomenal. I think most of us reading these books are here 3.75
Now that I’ve finished this series, I’d say overall plot was mediocre but romance was phenomenal. I think most of us reading these books are here for the romance any how. I loved seeing the slow burn harem romance develop over the four books. This one over did the “I love you” haha but other than that the romantic arcs were super fun. The plot felt like an awkward meandering and like the author just figured it out as she went. The stalker & hired hit all were just meh to me (outside the action of tension - those were great, the reveals of who and why was the meh). I do get annoyed at the “cliffhangers” as it feels like a cheap way to force readers to pick up the next book and isn’t always necessary, but alas it works. I enjoyed the romance enough, I’d pick up more by this author anytime I’m craving a smutty read for sure. ...more
This was a dark and heavy collection covering topics such as abuse, toxic relationships, and miscarriage. I listened to the audiobook which was read bThis was a dark and heavy collection covering topics such as abuse, toxic relationships, and miscarriage. I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author. This was a very quick and heartbreaking read. I love the cadence of the poems & connected with the darker elements of tone as well as the sarcastic & often sardonic humor of the speaker. This was powerful, and considering the dating history of Megan, will have you wondering who each of these poems is about. ...more
This was a cozy holiday read featuring a snowman MC trying to find his own family. I enjoyed this seasonal book not being holiday specific but more soThis was a cozy holiday read featuring a snowman MC trying to find his own family. I enjoyed this seasonal book not being holiday specific but more so focused on the atmosphere of a winter read with cozy elements of family. It was a little sad at times when Snow Boy kept failing at fitting in with different families but the ending was incredibly beautiful & I loved how all the characters came together. I was excited that this story was a rhyming book, since those are my favorite style for children’s books. However, the cadence didn’t always work for the different stanzas and some sections were overly wordy and easy to trip over. Another personal critique for this book involves the illustrations of Snow Boy. While I loved the color scheme and warm holiday hues, Snow Boy himself had some peculiar fingers and toes that gave him more of a polar bear look to me than a Snow Person. While this book had some imperfections, I enjoyed the journey it took me on & the warm fuzzy feelings at the end. I think young readers will enjoy the journey and characters of this story book....more
Baldwin is a little train who goes on an adventure to deliver a lost present, even at the risk of an incoming snow storm. This book will be fantastic Baldwin is a little train who goes on an adventure to deliver a lost present, even at the risk of an incoming snow storm. This book will be fantastic for young readers, especially those infatuated with trains. It was cute to see other track side elements represented as characters too, such as a red stop light & crossing arm brothers. The theme of Christmas and gift giving carries to each page & has a sweet wholesome ending. While I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t one that moved me in a spectacular way or stay with me long term. But it is a fun holiday read & could make a great gift to a little train lover. ...more
Hauntingly dark. This is the exact kind of poetry book I love! This was unique in that it covers some contemporary issues of clinical depression & selHauntingly dark. This is the exact kind of poetry book I love! This was unique in that it covers some contemporary issues of clinical depression & self harm behavior but folded within a fairy tale setting hidden within the real world. It was deeply nuanced & has layers of symbolism to dissect. Absolutely loved it & the audiobook was narrated by the author. ...more
A quick “life the flap” story book featuring Mr. Zip, a USPS postman, & his sidekick bird B. Franklin. This was a quick story with tons of interactiveA quick “life the flap” story book featuring Mr. Zip, a USPS postman, & his sidekick bird B. Franklin. This was a quick story with tons of interactive flaps that will be very pleasing to young readers. It was neat showcasing a postman & I liked how the story still had a beginning, middle, end, even with the small text real estate. I presented this to 3 of my nieces aged 5-8 and this was their favorite in my stack because of its accessibility with easy text & the interactive flaps. ...more
This read like a classic fairy tale & was delightful. A mouse is eaten by a wolf & meets a companion and later forms an unlikely alliance. This is plaThis read like a classic fairy tale & was delightful. A mouse is eaten by a wolf & meets a companion and later forms an unlikely alliance. This is playful with a well developed story....more
This would be a fun read aloud book for kids. As the boys dig a hole, they keep making decisions that lead them away from the treasure which only the This would be a fun read aloud book for kids. As the boys dig a hole, they keep making decisions that lead them away from the treasure which only the reader can see. The playful tone is bound to excite kids, but wasn’t that entertaining for me as the adult reader. ...more
This was a fun & playful story about Triangle pranking Square. I love how it ends with a question and I think young readers will love the humor. This This was a fun & playful story about Triangle pranking Square. I love how it ends with a question and I think young readers will love the humor. This is an easy read for young kids or a fun one parents would enjoy too as a quick bedtime book. The characters were so fun and personable, I may just have to read the whole series....more
What an absolutely stunning coffee table book! As a moon lover & night owl - this book fueled my soul. It has some of the most gorgeous illustrations What an absolutely stunning coffee table book! As a moon lover & night owl - this book fueled my soul. It has some of the most gorgeous illustrations that I wish I could hang throughout my entire home! It’s best to read this book at night & if you can - during the summer since a lot of the activities are best in the warmer months & growing seasons. If you have a lunar lover in your life, get them this book!
It contains classic poems, night themed activities, and how-TOS and inspiration to connect with your best nighttime self. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. I had expected more to be LGBTQ+, but only one was. There was only 1 short I didn’t like and itI thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. I had expected more to be LGBTQ+, but only one was. There was only 1 short I didn’t like and it was just the FMC I disliked not the story itself. I loved the variety between contemporary, fantasy, and ages of characters. These was a super creative and engaging collection. I’m very pleased to own a copy & loved the design elements of this hardback edition. I’ll be checking out more of Rainbow Rowell!
LGBTQ+ rep: m/m romance focus in one of the shorts ...more
Overall I really enjoyed this series, though it did lose some wind for me but that could be from breaks I took in between books. This was a well do3.5
Overall I really enjoyed this series, though it did lose some wind for me but that could be from breaks I took in between books. This was a well done series & I enjoyed the final wrap up. I was happy the author didn’t shy away from killing some critical characters & the battle scenes were vivid and entertaining....more
The pacing of this book was torturously slow for me. We needed Andarna awake. Lots of plot holes. And Violet & Xaden having the same argument over andThe pacing of this book was torturously slow for me. We needed Andarna awake. Lots of plot holes. And Violet & Xaden having the same argument over and over again had me super annoyed. I also felt like the Menders took away the stakes of death or injury and cheapened the story elements for me. I’ll keep reading for the dragons haha but need the next book to be much improved for me to stick with the series. ...more
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