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brooksie03051's reviews
360 reviews
Lethal Vows by T.L. Smith, Kia Carrington-Russell
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bend Her by Cassie Alexander
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
A high fantasy story with true new world building of magical creatures, places, and cultures. The kind or book that needs time to engross into it (with help of a glossary) to see, hear, smell, and taste the tale unfolding.
It’s about battles, loss, magic, dragons, revenge, and a love so deep that it cannot be bound. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next part of this tragic story.
It’s about battles, loss, magic, dragons, revenge, and a love so deep that it cannot be bound. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next part of this tragic story.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
A teenager vanishes from her rich family's Adirondack summer camp, but this isn't the first time a child disappears here.
This dark historical fiction thriller flips back and forth from two timelines following the old campground, family, and local workers, and a case that was buried over a decade ago comes back to light when another child goes missing. This was not just any child. It's August 1975 and Barbara is the second child of the wealthy camp owners and is the sister of the last child, her brother nicknamed Bear who was never found and went missing before she was born.
Lies, secrets, and an escaped convicted murderer is on the loose. The local police have an old wound reopened in the town, and new eyes are looking into the camp and questioning everyone, including the police chief who closed that case 14 years ago. How has this happened twice to the same family in the same place?
This story has layers that build over time, and the new police on this case aren't letting the last case go unquestioned. The timelines flip back and forth leading up to the disappearance of both children. The rich have secrets they don't want known and Barbara's mother has suffered greatly never getting over Bear and is convinced he's still out there. Tragedy and many sketchy people surround this land. It's just a matter of time until the truth is revealed.
I enjoyed this story and the author's effort to build up the characters surrounding both timelines and how they affected everyone.
A teenager vanishes from her rich family's Adirondack summer camp, but this isn't the first time a child disappears here.
This dark historical fiction thriller flips back and forth from two timelines following the old campground, family, and local workers, and a case that was buried over a decade ago comes back to light when another child goes missing. This was not just any child. It's August 1975 and Barbara is the second child of the wealthy camp owners and is the sister of the last child, her brother nicknamed Bear who was never found and went missing before she was born.
Lies, secrets, and an escaped convicted murderer is on the loose. The local police have an old wound reopened in the town, and new eyes are looking into the camp and questioning everyone, including the police chief who closed that case 14 years ago. How has this happened twice to the same family in the same place?
This story has layers that build over time, and the new police on this case aren't letting the last case go unquestioned. The timelines flip back and forth leading up to the disappearance of both children. The rich have secrets they don't want known and Barbara's mother has suffered greatly never getting over Bear and is convinced he's still out there. Tragedy and many sketchy people surround this land. It's just a matter of time until the truth is revealed.
I enjoyed this story and the author's effort to build up the characters surrounding both timelines and how they affected everyone.
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
An amazing, epic fantasy filled with magic, fae, vampires, war, danger, fate, and love ❤️🌶️.
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Behind Her Eyes
by Sarah Pinborough is a mystery psychological thriller that will keep making you question what is going on with this bizarre love triangle.
It’s a little dark, with secrets that are revealed up until the very end.
Secrets are kept between Louise, a divorced single mom who is in a life/dating rut and lonely until she meets David, a handsome Dr. one night in a bar. He was obviously interested but left abruptly and she suspected he was married and felt guilty. She is surprised to find out that David is the newest Dr. at the practice that she works for as office staff and it makes things a bit awkward. On top of that uncomfortable situation, David is indeed married to Adele who accidentally ran into her walking near the clinic and Adele offered to buy her a coffee and initiates a friendship with Louise as she is new to the area and doesn’t have any local friends.
David also gives into his temptation and pursues Louise because he is unhappy with Adele and can no longer deal with her mental health outbursts.
I couldn’t put down this suspenseful story of love, secrets, and the blurred lines between reality and obsession. The ending was unexpected and for those who like a strange plot twist, this should be up your alley.
Secrets are kept between Louise, a divorced single mom who is in a life/dating rut and lonely until she meets David, a handsome Dr. one night in a bar. He was obviously interested but left abruptly and she suspected he was married and felt guilty. She is surprised to find out that David is the newest Dr. at the practice that she works for as office staff and it makes things a bit awkward. On top of that uncomfortable situation, David is indeed married to Adele who accidentally ran into her walking near the clinic and Adele offered to buy her a coffee and initiates a friendship with Louise as she is new to the area and doesn’t have any local friends.
David also gives into his temptation and pursues Louise because he is unhappy with Adele and can no longer deal with her mental health outbursts.
I couldn’t put down this suspenseful story of love, secrets, and the blurred lines between reality and obsession. The ending was unexpected and for those who like a strange plot twist, this should be up your alley.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
The Throne of Broken Gods by Amber V. Nicole
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Hike by Lucy Clarke
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Twists and turns, ups and downs in a girl’s holiday gone terribly wrong. Red herrings all around and the ladies get more than they asked for on a terrifying trip they will never forget.
The Hike by Susi Holliday
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fast paced whirl wind of hot mess family drama, cheating, lies and murder. I couldn’t stop listening.
The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
If you are looking for a in depth review, this isn’t it. I’m just rambling about a few things. Late to the party with this dark urban fantasy romance. It still has heavy fantasy elements so the urban part isn’t off putting.
Trigger Warnings: PTSD, Grief, Death, Violence, War, Blood, Trauma, Kidnapping, Manipulation.
This is a slightly frustrating slow burn enemies to lovers that is avoided like the plague through the majority of the book. Liam and Dianna try to fight their attraction to each other for longer than most books with this trope. They are immortal enemies through and through and they both have an agenda. Regardless, they have some heavy baggage weighing their shoulders and it comes to a head when they finally give in to their temptation (sort of). Does it have spice? Yes, but… If you’re looking for a “flick your bean” book this won’t scratch that itch for a long time. Even then, let’s just say the MCs have more to explore.
The beginning of the book had me a bit lost because the storyline/characters/situation was different and confusing so my brain was trying to price it together and sort it all out. Once I did I got into the book. That happens to me sometimes when I’m listening to a new fantasy that introduces a story I’m not familiar with and I’m getting used to the dynamic of the characters, plot, and beasts. It’s nice to read about new ones but it takes time to understand their background.
With that said, I will most likely read the beginning quarter of the book again before I start book two to see what I missed while trying to sort that all out in my brain. I enjoyed this book and feel it’s worth the effort.
Trigger Warnings: PTSD, Grief, Death, Violence, War, Blood, Trauma, Kidnapping, Manipulation.
This is a slightly frustrating slow burn enemies to lovers that is avoided like the plague through the majority of the book. Liam and Dianna try to fight their attraction to each other for longer than most books with this trope. They are immortal enemies through and through and they both have an agenda. Regardless, they have some heavy baggage weighing their shoulders and it comes to a head when they finally give in to their temptation (sort of). Does it have spice? Yes, but… If you’re looking for a “flick your bean” book this won’t scratch that itch for a long time. Even then, let’s just say the MCs have more to explore.
The beginning of the book had me a bit lost because the storyline/characters/situation was different and confusing so my brain was trying to price it together and sort it all out. Once I did I got into the book. That happens to me sometimes when I’m listening to a new fantasy that introduces a story I’m not familiar with and I’m getting used to the dynamic of the characters, plot, and beasts. It’s nice to read about new ones but it takes time to understand their background.
With that said, I will most likely read the beginning quarter of the book again before I start book two to see what I missed while trying to sort that all out in my brain. I enjoyed this book and feel it’s worth the effort.