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cwrose's reviews
395 reviews
Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
3.0
DNF at 30%. I really wanted to love this book because it had so many things I love: Asian mythological creatures, especially sea creatures, underwater worlds, and beautiful covers and a great concept. I adored the idea of a story about the oppressed getting justice. Admittedly political fantasy isn't my favorite, but I really enjoy it when it's done well. And the idea of a half-siren protagonist with a water dragon boyfriend, a sea witch, and a female water dragon as protagonists was so intriguing and I couldn't wait to jump into this one.
However, while it got off to an interesting start, it failed to hold my interest past the ~25% mark, surprisingly. I put the book down several times and had no desire to pick it back up. The characters fell a bit flat for me, I didn't feel invested in their journeys, and chapters / scenes seemed to end ver abruptly.
I know some other reviewers have mentioned that it does pick up past the halfway point, but for a 400+ page book, I didn't want to force myself to get to that point and hoping it would get better.
That being said, from what I did read, I loved the worldbuilding and it makes my heart so happy to see Asian culture represented and the foods I grew up with and love.
However, while it got off to an interesting start, it failed to hold my interest past the ~25% mark, surprisingly. I put the book down several times and had no desire to pick it back up. The characters fell a bit flat for me, I didn't feel invested in their journeys, and chapters / scenes seemed to end ver abruptly.
I know some other reviewers have mentioned that it does pick up past the halfway point, but for a 400+ page book, I didn't want to force myself to get to that point and hoping it would get better.
That being said, from what I did read, I loved the worldbuilding and it makes my heart so happy to see Asian culture represented and the foods I grew up with and love.
The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed this second-chance story of a woman who wishes to do-over a year where she loses everything. But I am a sucker for second chance stories in general, whether it’s a second chance at life, or love. Contemporary romance with speculative elements.
Our protagonist is Sadie Thatcher, who loses her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment in the same year, so when she goes to a new year eve party with her best friend, she makes a wish with fortune teller to do her last year over, and undo her mistakes. But when she gets her wish, she finds that trying to make everything “right” might just make everything worse.
I was getting some Butterfly Effect and 13 going on 30 vibes with this, and I loved it.
Our protagonist is Sadie Thatcher, who loses her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment in the same year, so when she goes to a new year eve party with her best friend, she makes a wish with fortune teller to do her last year over, and undo her mistakes. But when she gets her wish, she finds that trying to make everything “right” might just make everything worse.
I was getting some Butterfly Effect and 13 going on 30 vibes with this, and I loved it.
People Like Them by Minka Kent
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minka Kent has rarely let me down with her thrillers. This is a short (50+ pgs) and engaging read about how the perfect couple isn’t always what they seem on the outside.
Though I found some of the plot points predictable, I still enjoyed the twist ending.
This is part of an Amazon Originals series called Obsession.
Though I found some of the plot points predictable, I still enjoyed the twist ending.
This is part of an Amazon Originals series called Obsession.
The Longest Autumn by Amy Avery
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this debut! It had so many things I loved and truly an amazing concept. Forbidden romance, the idea of the seasons as literal GODS, and mythology.
The worldbuilding is phenomenal and sucked me into the world of gods and mortals. The beginning start off a little slow, but by the time it hit about 40%, the story was on full steam and I couldn't put the book down, and there were plenty of secrets to be revealed and twists to be had. I enjoyed following Tirne on her journey of growth. She truly comes to accept her decisions at the end of the book.
This is told in first person throughout from Tirne's POV.
I had initially thought this was a fantasy romance, but it's a fantasy with light aspects of romance. This is about Tirne and her personal journey, and learning what she really wants. I really was rooting for her to find her happiness.
I do wish that there was more of Autumn and Tirne together, that Tirne had a little more agency and that the ending wasn't so abrupt, but this is a book that will stick with me for a good while.
The worldbuilding is phenomenal and sucked me into the world of gods and mortals. The beginning start off a little slow, but by the time it hit about 40%, the story was on full steam and I couldn't put the book down, and there were plenty of secrets to be revealed and twists to be had. I enjoyed following Tirne on her journey of growth. She truly comes to accept her decisions at the end of the book.
This is told in first person throughout from Tirne's POV.
I had initially thought this was a fantasy romance, but it's a fantasy with light aspects of romance. This is about Tirne and her personal journey, and learning what she really wants. I really was rooting for her to find her happiness.
I do wish that there was more of Autumn and Tirne together, that Tirne had a little more agency and that the ending wasn't so abrupt, but this is a book that will stick with me for a good while.
The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is my first time reading this author, so I didn’t know what to expect. But everything about the blurb just drew me in…and I wasn’t disappointed.
I felt that this is a mystery story, first and foremost, with elements of horror and romance. The prose is beautiful. The story is told in dual timelines, the past and present with Gemma in the past and Christopher in the present, in third person. It’s a gorgeous story of finding your place in the world, and a tale of obsession and how it can take over one’s life. Characters are well written and fleshed out.
And that ending wasn’t what I expected, but I was SO happy that our characters found what they were looking for.
4 stars because the beginning is very slow and almost caused me to put the book down, but it really picks up around the 30% mark, and then I couldn’t put it down.
I would read this author again!
I felt that this is a mystery story, first and foremost, with elements of horror and romance. The prose is beautiful. The story is told in dual timelines, the past and present with Gemma in the past and Christopher in the present, in third person. It’s a gorgeous story of finding your place in the world, and a tale of obsession and how it can take over one’s life. Characters are well written and fleshed out.
And that ending wasn’t what I expected, but I was SO happy that our characters found what they were looking for.
4 stars because the beginning is very slow and almost caused me to put the book down, but it really picks up around the 30% mark, and then I couldn’t put it down.
I would read this author again!
A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my Kindle FirstReads pick for February. The idea of a second chance romance gone horribly wrong intrigued me!
And I really enjoyed it. It had plenty of twists and turns and kept me reading, wanting to find out what happened next. It really makes you think that, when you meet people online, are they really who they say they are? Some characters are not likeable people, but at least I could understand why the protagonist behaved the way she did.
There is also on-page emotional and verbal abuse here, so if that kind of thing triggers you, just be aware.
4 stars because the perpetrator’s motives didn’t really make sense to me, and without revealing spoilers, some of the things that happened to make the ending possible seemed too convenient.
This author is new to me, but would check out her other books.
And I really enjoyed it. It had plenty of twists and turns and kept me reading, wanting to find out what happened next. It really makes you think that, when you meet people online, are they really who they say they are? Some characters are not likeable people, but at least I could understand why the protagonist behaved the way she did.
There is also on-page emotional and verbal abuse here, so if that kind of thing triggers you, just be aware.
4 stars because the perpetrator’s motives didn’t really make sense to me, and without revealing spoilers, some of the things that happened to make the ending possible seemed too convenient.
This author is new to me, but would check out her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Follow Me to the Yew Tree by Desirée M. Niccoli
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a haunting, beautiful, and spicy story! At 87 pages, it packs quite a punch in its small size.
A fantasy romance about an immortal who serves Death, falling in love with a man who’s doomed to die and set in historical Ireland…it was everything I wanted.
Both Eirann and Elin were compelling characters to follow and I really rooted for them to have their happy ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella!
A fantasy romance about an immortal who serves Death, falling in love with a man who’s doomed to die and set in historical Ireland…it was everything I wanted.
Both Eirann and Elin were compelling characters to follow and I really rooted for them to have their happy ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella!
Famine by Laura Thalassa
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s been a few years since I read the last installment in this series, War, so I didn’t remember much of what happened since then. The good news was that I didn’t need to, as this series contains four interconnected standalone stories. And plus, I was in the mood for a post-apocalyptic fantasy romance.
Famine was about what I expected, and if you’ve read Pestilence and War, the story arc and plot line are very similar. But I enjoyed this more than I remembered enjoying the first two, and it’s because of the protagonist, Ana. She’s a 22-year old Brazilian orphan who spent her life working at a bordello, so she’s tough, scrappy, and holds nothing back. I enjoyed her and Famine’s banter and the way they threw barbs back and forth.
This story is dark, and Famine is cruel because he chooses to be. But he has his reasons, and I enjoyed reading about these two broken characters who thought they didn’t deserve love, or believe that humans are capable of love, find each other and fall in love.
I have the final book queued up in my TBR, Death, and look forward to how the Four Horsemen’s stories end.
Famine was about what I expected, and if you’ve read Pestilence and War, the story arc and plot line are very similar. But I enjoyed this more than I remembered enjoying the first two, and it’s because of the protagonist, Ana. She’s a 22-year old Brazilian orphan who spent her life working at a bordello, so she’s tough, scrappy, and holds nothing back. I enjoyed her and Famine’s banter and the way they threw barbs back and forth.
This story is dark, and Famine is cruel because he chooses to be. But he has his reasons, and I enjoyed reading about these two broken characters who thought they didn’t deserve love, or believe that humans are capable of love, find each other and fall in love.
I have the final book queued up in my TBR, Death, and look forward to how the Four Horsemen’s stories end.
The Art of Taking Second Chances by Varsha Chitnis, Varsha Chitnis
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I picked up this book expecting a fluffy second chance romance featuring a South Asian cast (I love BIPOC twists on anything, really). I got so much more than that.
It’s a story of two exes who come together after over a decade apart, and find themselves falling for each other again. But ghosts of their pasts will haunt them, as will their family drama...and the fact that they’re both in relationships with other people. And speaking of family drama…there was plenty! And it was so refreshing to see this in an adult book. The family issues were both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and damn, the last segment of the book made me a little emotional.
Another thing that was refreshing to see was the spice! It seemed so fitting for both characters and was so fun and hot to read about.
The characters were well rounded and multidimensional, and even if I didn’t agree with all the choices they made, they seemed like very real people to me.
I did wish Tara gave Sameer a little bit more of a hard time when he was trying to win her back 😉 but overall I really enjoyed this. Recommended for people who love second-chance romance, exes to lovers, a BIPOC cast, and family drama that will keep you gasping and on your toes!
It’s a story of two exes who come together after over a decade apart, and find themselves falling for each other again. But ghosts of their pasts will haunt them, as will their family drama...and the fact that they’re both in relationships with other people. And speaking of family drama…there was plenty! And it was so refreshing to see this in an adult book. The family issues were both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and damn, the last segment of the book made me a little emotional.
Another thing that was refreshing to see was the spice! It seemed so fitting for both characters and was so fun and hot to read about.
The characters were well rounded and multidimensional, and even if I didn’t agree with all the choices they made, they seemed like very real people to me.
I did wish Tara gave Sameer a little bit more of a hard time when he was trying to win her back 😉 but overall I really enjoyed this. Recommended for people who love second-chance romance, exes to lovers, a BIPOC cast, and family drama that will keep you gasping and on your toes!
Mayluna: A Novel by Kelley McNeil
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I admit that band-type and historical romances aren’t usually my thing, but the blurb for Mayluna jumped out at me for January’s FirstRead picks. I was pleasantly surprised to have loved it! It was exactly what I expected, and I got some Nicholas Sparks vibes from this, another author who I enjoy reading when I’m in the mood for a tearjerker and epic romance.
I somehow knew this book was going to break my heart before starting it, but like I said, I can’t help but fall for hearing the greatest love story of someone’s life. This is a love story, yes, but ultimately, it is about our protagonist, Evie, and her growth throughout her young adult to middle aged life. She makes some decisions that I didn’t necessarily agree with, but her reasons are plausible and understandable, I felt. And speaking of feelings, I definitely felt all the feels in this story.
Overall, a great read for fans of women’s fiction, romance, and historical fiction.
I somehow knew this book was going to break my heart before starting it, but like I said, I can’t help but fall for hearing the greatest love story of someone’s life. This is a love story, yes, but ultimately, it is about our protagonist, Evie, and her growth throughout her young adult to middle aged life. She makes some decisions that I didn’t necessarily agree with, but her reasons are plausible and understandable, I felt. And speaking of feelings, I definitely felt all the feels in this story.
Overall, a great read for fans of women’s fiction, romance, and historical fiction.