bookgabz's reviews
539 reviews

This is just one, of MANY lyrically moving quotes I highlighted as I read through this book. One of my favorite books of 2020, and possibly my favorite Sci-fi book of all time, was The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson. So when I found out she was returning to the same world in Those Beyond the Wall, I was ecstatic!

Those Beyond the Wall, however, is so much more moving, poignant, and important in a way that The Space Between Worlds wasn’t. The Author, Micaiah Johnson, states in an Author’s Note at the beginning of the story that this book was largely conceived during the sixty-two-day sit-in at Nashville’s Tennessee State Capitol in 2023. This work of art, for art is what it should be called, is so beautiful in its entirety.

This story follows Mr. Scales, a runner in Ashtown that has the Emperor’s ear in a way most runners don’t. Which is a good thing because you find out early on that Mr. Scales is one of the first to experience that traveler’s are coming from parllel universes into our own Ashtown. But if those parallel universe travelers also exist in this plane, it very brutally murders the resident of this Ashtown, to make space for the parallel universe’s version of that person. You do see the reemergence of Cara and Dell from the first book, but this is wholly Scales’ story and journey. And a moving one it is.

The story that follows is a beautiful representation of race, privilege, gender, and family. The family you chose, versus the family you’re born with. The privilege you’re born with, and how you can still be different and shunned for that difference.

This story is one I can tell will stay with me for a lifetime. I loved every moment of this book. Make sure to pre-order this now to ensure you have your copy when it comes out on March 12! Thank you to #NetGalley and #DelRey for this ARC of #ThoseBeyondTheWall by #MicaiahJohnson in exchange for an honest review.

Not in the Plan by Dana Hawkins

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emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

3.75

Not in the Plan is an adorable sapphic romance that pays tribute to the city of Seattle as it’s backdrop. Mack, a NYC author suffering from writer’s block, finds herself settling into a local Seattle coffee shop when on a trip to visit her parents. During this caffeine-fueled visit, she finds her muse in Charlie, the coffee shop’s owner. With her writer’s block suddenly cured by the beautiful red head, Mack finds herself befriending, and eventually falling in love with, Charlie. What follows is a heartwarming story of finding a partner that inspires you, but without losing yourself in the relationship.

I loved this story as a sweet sapphic romance! I would absolutely recommend this book as a cute Valentine’s day read! Thanks to #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for a free ARC of #NotInThePlan by #DanaHawkins for an honest, spoiler-free review!

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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? Yes

3.75

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.

I really gave this a fair shot. Unfortunately, the author just over explains so many aspects of this world. It's like clunky info-dumping. Not my thing. That being said, I know many people will love this story, and have read ARCs that do love this story! It just isn't for me.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When I say I like dark academia, this is the epitome of what I mean! Carmilla and Laura are academic rivals that toe the line between hate and lust. They fight tooth and nail for the attention of their poetry professor, Ms. De Lafontaine. The pining, the college-age-girl cattiness, the spice is all top notch!

When I read S. T. Gibson’s A Dowry of Blood, it was an immediate favorite of mine. The writing style in that story is so unique and exquisite. This book is set in the same world as that original novel, but the writing is not quite in the same vein. I loved this book and will likely think about it long after finishing it.

If you want a book about rivals-to-lovers, vampires, a fall/winter setting at an all women’s college in New England, then pick up this book! The writing, the words, the quotes, will all move you to be highlighting on just about every other page.

Thank you to #RedhookBooks and #NetGalley for an ARC of #AnEducationInMalice by #STGibson for an honest, spoiler-free review!

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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? No

5.0

THIS BOOK! I don’t even know how to accurately convey my love for this book! I’ll do my best, but long story short, READ THIS BOOK! It comes out on January 23 in the states, and I need everyone to pre-order or pick up your copy the day it comes out!

In a world where Fae, Human, and Elf lived harmoniously in a distant and forgotten past, the only race still alive are the Elves. But their lives are riddled with fighting and famine in a never-ending war. This story follows Yeeran, a Colonel in the war, and Lettle, her younger sister who follows a path of divination to foretell prophecies of the future. When events happen that see Yeeran exiled, Lettle leaves to follow her sister into the lands beyond the Elfish boarders. What follows is a story of finding a way to persevere when even fate seems to be working against you.

Some things I loved about this book:

✅ African and Arab inspired worlds with all main characters being brown/black and absolutely STUNNING!

✅ Some amazing disability representation

✅ Diversity in Elf/Fae type fantasy worlds! I loved seeing it!

✅ Sapphic enemies-to-lovers!

✅ Friends-to-Lovers hetero relationship (The slow burn/pining of Rayan and Lettle is so swoon-worthy)

✅ A very queer normal world. All Fae and Elves accept a person no matter the gender or the sexual orientation. It’s just a way of life!

✅ The most epic animal companions in the Obeahs. I need one in my life!

I could wax poetic about this for hours, but I want you to be able to experience the amazing story and twists of this world on your own as well!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DelRey of #PenguinRandomHouse for sending me a free ARC of #Faebound by #SaaraElArifi for an honest, spoiler-free review!

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bookgabz's reviews 539 reviews

bookgabz's reviews
539 reviews