Scan barcode
30something_reads's reviews
676 reviews
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Was this groundbreaking? No. But it was more enjoyable than I anticipated.
If you don't squint too hard at the lore and world building, this is a nice Hades/Persephone inspired Romance with some elements of Beauty & the Beast as well. It was just a little bit dark and had a very satisfying slow burn romance. So if you're looking for a standalone Romantasy with all of those vibes, I'd definitely recommend.
The epilogue was super sweet and it's too bad we didn't get to hear more from the male narrator. (He was great. I'll probably look into some of his other works.)
I'm interested to see what the author does with the next book in this series The West Wind
TW: alcoholism, substance abuse and recovery
*Many thanks to libro.fm for the audiobook*
If you don't squint too hard at the lore and world building, this is a nice Hades/Persephone inspired Romance with some elements of Beauty & the Beast as well. It was just a little bit dark and had a very satisfying slow burn romance. So if you're looking for a standalone Romantasy with all of those vibes, I'd definitely recommend.
The epilogue was super sweet and it's too bad we didn't get to hear more from the male narrator. (He was great. I'll probably look into some of his other works.)
I'm interested to see what the author does with the next book in this series The West Wind
TW: alcoholism, substance abuse and recovery
*Many thanks to libro.fm for the audiobook*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova
What a fantastic debut! I came for the Slavic folklore and moody vibes but stayed GLUED to this story for the dark humor, mysterious characters and delicious slow burn romantic sub-plot.
I am so excited we'll get the second book later this year.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a fantastic debut! I came for the Slavic folklore and moody vibes but stayed GLUED to this story for the dark humor, mysterious characters and delicious slow burn romantic sub-plot.
I am so excited we'll get the second book later this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
Creep: Accusations and Confessions by Myriam Gurba
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Wow, this was insane
and chilling
and it made me angry
and it made me sad.
Consider me ready to pick up everything else Gurba has written.
and chilling
and it made me angry
and it made me sad.
Consider me ready to pick up everything else Gurba has written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Colonisation, and Classism
A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I AM NOT OKAY 😭♥️♥️
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Maybe? Maybe lower? Maybe higher? Idk. I need to think on it.
There were some really interesting and exciting things happening in this story. It took turns that I was not expecting and really enjoyed. And it was compulsively readable. Emily Tesh has a great pen.
But I also think the author maybe took on too much with only surface level resolutions for all of it. The -isms and -phobics were off the charts and I don't necessarily think all of them were handled appropriately. (An d by that, I mainly mean the way racism is discussed. It definitely feels like a white woman wrote it in that regard.)
There were some really interesting and exciting things happening in this story. It took turns that I was not expecting and really enjoyed. And it was compulsively readable. Emily Tesh has a great pen.
But I also think the author maybe took on too much with only surface level resolutions for all of it. The -isms and -phobics were off the charts and I don't necessarily think all of them were handled appropriately. (An d by that, I mainly mean the way racism is discussed. It definitely feels like a white woman wrote it in that regard.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Outing, and War
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Rape, Abortion, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I need to sit with this one for a bit. An incredibly massive story packed inside less that 200 pages. Wow, I loved this.
I love it even more after learning that this novella was inspired by the song, 'The Deep' by clipping - a music group with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes. And then Daveed Diggs turned around and narrated this book which just feels like a fantastic full circle. I'm a little obsessed.
I love it even more after learning that this novella was inspired by the song, 'The Deep' by clipping - a music group with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes. And then Daveed Diggs turned around and narrated this book which just feels like a fantastic full circle. I'm a little obsessed.
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
tense
slow-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
4.25
Just call me Xiala because I too am in love with Serapio- my murderous little crow man.
This book sets up for the third very nicely. All of the stress I thought I was going to feel here? I now know it's coming for me in the third.
Fevered Star is very heavy on the political machinations that all of the surrounding players are cooking up. Sometimes it feels like there isn't a lot of action but that's because we're more focused on the spinning of lies and the uncovering of truths. Intentions are discovered and schemes are being set into motion.
I fear for my heart when I pick up Mirrored Heavens.
This book sets up for the third very nicely. All of the stress I thought I was going to feel here? I now know it's coming for me in the third.
Fevered Star is very heavy on the political machinations that all of the surrounding players are cooking up. Sometimes it feels like there isn't a lot of action but that's because we're more focused on the spinning of lies and the uncovering of truths. Intentions are discovered and schemes are being set into motion.
I fear for my heart when I pick up Mirrored Heavens.
Sweet Surrender by Viano Oniomoh
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.0
“Sometimes...isn’t it better to be the monster they already think you are?”
Super eerie.
A little bit of t4t romance and a lot of satisfying vengeance 🤌🏻
Super eerie.
A little bit of t4t romance and a lot of satisfying vengeance 🤌🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape