btwnprintedpgs's reviews
1269 reviews

My heart hurts so much omg. I'll review this after I stop crying.

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This was my first Anna-Marie McLemore book, and I am officially a fan. I own two of their other books and I'm so excited to pick them up now.

The Mirror Season is heavy - it begins with our MC Ciela bringing an unknown-to-her boy to the hospital after he was drugged and they were both sexual assaulted in separate rooms. From there, we see how the system fails minorities and the poor; how keeping traumatic events to yourself slice into you slowly and begin to affect who you are; and how you build guards around yourself, both physically and mentally, in the aftermath. Everything about this book is so raw and heartbreaking, and knowing that it's a story that was born from personal experience makes it that much more valuable and important.

As the past unravels itself to us, and as Ciela opens up to more people, we see how her support systems lift her up. I loved her relationship with her family, and Lock's with his, and how they help these two kids navigate the worst the world has the offer. I know this isn't true for all, but I hope this book helps at least a few victims of sexual assault and rape open up to those they trust to help them.

Her and Lock's relationship, with all it's complications, was so amazing too. How they helped to build each other back up, the areas of conflict and how they manage it, and the healing they bring to each other. It was all so thoughtfully written and with such care. I want to give them both a hug.

This book is healing and hopeful and my heart hurts just thinking about it. One of my favourite books of the year, for sure.

Rep: Latina MC and family

TW: rape, sexual assault, sexual violence, lesbophobia, panphobia, racism, bullying, injury detail, blood

Chaotic dark fun. I was so invested in this series, and I'm so happy I finally jumped in. It wasn't perfect, but it was a darn good time.

Some of the expounding about souls was a bit too much in places, and I didn't love his reaction in the cabin cause wow what a terrible move, but otherwise, this series was addictive, fast-paced, and a wild ride. I was giving her a standing ovation everytime a man was murdered, because what the actual f is wrong with that town, holy heck.

Cathartic story supporting women's wrongs. Loved it.

TW: gore, body horror, death, murder, injury detail, violence, torture, blood, vomit, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, child abuse, physical abuse, pedophilia, child/adult relationship, castration, homophobia, religious trauma, misogyny, death of a parent, gun violence, stalking; mentions domestic abuse, alcohol, car accident, fire/fire injury, emotional abuse

A Study in Drowning is an impeccable study in world building - the writing is atmospheric and full, while also filling you full of dread. It was definitely one of those books where you think, "I'm not happy to be here, but I'm intrigued. Proceed." The uncomfy feeling that sat on my chest through this story made it harder to read, but the writing made it hard to look away. It was an interesting reading experience for sure.

While I loved the premise of the story and the tidbits of magic and horror that we get, I feel like much of the problems the characters run into are solved too easily. Need to find proof of something? Go from point A to point B and tada - it's right there waiting for them. A lot of things felt too convenient which often pulled me out of the story.

Additionally, the romance felt too quick. Effy is so rude to Preston when he, objectively, has done nothing to actually offend her. They weren't rivals, really, Effy was just a classist B who needed someone to yell at since everyone else was a misogynistic a-hole. I didn't like her a lot because of that, and their declarations of feelings came much too fast when that was the base of their relationship. It was not for me, honestly.

I did love the overall message. It didn't feel preachy - in fact, it felt magical and I loved that. The way Ava Reid weaved together the story and connected all the dots at the end was absolutely brilliant and I almost wish we could've scrapped the whole romance plot for more depth into the magic of the world. 

All in all, this was a solid read, but the stakes for the obstacles they faced (other than a few obvious big ones) felt so low and too easy. I wish there was a bit more meat to those aspects, but enjoyed the book as a whole.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5

TW: misogyny, sexism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, grief, injury detail, PTSD, mental illness, emotional abuse, blood; mentions death of a parent, abandonment, adult/minor relationship, xenophobia

eARC gifted via NetGalley by HarperTeen in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing depiction of generational trauma. I don't think I've seen it so well presented before, but this book nails it. Between well meaning mothers, fractured relationships, and quotes and experiences that haunt them and dictate their actions, these characters had a lot to overcome.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of - one grandmother, four sisters, and eight grown children - and while at time it was a bit disorienting keeping track of them all, the author did a great job reiterating who they were and how they fit out in the family, as well as showing their personality and dreams during their chapters. I loved how each one took away something different from their mothers, their lives influenced by moments or parents quotes that haunt them - it really showed how the past really does affect present mentality. It made it easy to understand why they were the way they were and how they were trying to get themselves out of the cycle and break it. I loved everyone's growth through the novel, and I found it amazing that we got to see them all grow and change in such a short time, but also in such a (mostly, helped by a bit of myth and magic) realistic way.

I also love the dynamics within the community - the gossiping, the meddling, the overlapping yelling, but also the "we protect out own" mentality. I adored the little twists and turns of characters surprising us, as well as the absolute chaos of family as they talk over each other and try to one-up on another. Even when everyone was mad, there was always an undercurrent of love and warmth that really sold them as a family.

There is one relationship I wish we had had more closure with, mostly cause it gave me some magical jeebies. IYKYK. Otherwise, I love how all the threads came together in the end and we get to see the fruits of the characters' love for each other and their family as they forge a new story for themselves.

This is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year. Absolutely amazing.

TW: death of a parent, pregnancy, infidelity, racism, micro-agressions, body shaming, fatphobia (Asian-style), medical content, sexual harassment; mentions miscarriage, HP references

The world building in The Scarlet Alchemist is immaculate. The magic system, Death road, the harsh contrast between the poor and the rich - everything had such detail that the world and everything in it felt real. The necromantic alchemy was so interesting and played such a pivotal role through the story that I must note that the descriptions of the dead are equally, if not more, vivid and specific which gave the scenes life (ha!), but also a goriness and level of body horror I hadn't expected, but thoroughly enjoyed.

The overarching plot also really propelled the story. Though the book started slow, it builds the world well before launching into a plot that is all go-go-go after the 25% mark. Then there's no stopping. Watching Zilan do her exams especially was so interesting - again, digging into the world building and seeing what's possible through the magic system - and everything beyond it kept my interest piqued. While I don't know how I feel about the end of this installment, I'm so curious to see what book 2 has in store for us.

And that brings me to the characters. Until her exams, I honestly felt like I didn't get to know Zilan, let alone her siblings. It was like all the effort went into the world, and the characters got what was left. Yufei and Wenshu kind of just remain the same through the book - Yufei is a stubborn, pretty girl who loves to eat; Wenshu is a nerdy scholar, who protects his siblings. That's all they are for the whole book, even to the very end, and that was kind of sad, especially given the stakes. I couldn't buy into the ending because I didn't feel like I cared and knew them in the same way Zilan clearly did. 

In contrast, I feel like Zilan, after she leaves for her exams, starts to find herself away from her cousins. We get to understand her motivations and see her personality start to shine. Even Hong we get to know slightly better than her cousins, though he's also kind of one-note. Their relationship is a bit insta-lovey, but I appreciated Hong's constant concern around consent and ensuring he doesn't abuse his princely power over her, as well as their move from strangers, to friends, to partners in crime, to possibly maybe lovers. Even though the declarations were a bit grand by the end, I understood the admiration they had for each other.

All in all, this book was an adventure. Full of magic and Zilan's gritty determination, The Scarlet Alchemist sets the stakes high and leaves you wanting more. I'm definitely not done with the world that was created here, so that's the biggest draw for me to come back for book 2. I'm so curious as to the heights Zilan will take her alchemy to next!

TW: death, gore, blood, murder, sexism, fire/fire injury, injury detail, racism, sexual harassment, self-harm (for ritual purposes), classism, bullying, animal death (not dog); mentions death of a parent, death of a child, vomit, kidnapping

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book - I appreciated the dual POV of Ama in the present and Elliot in the past (for much of the book) as we see how their relationship started and how it unravelled before present day. There was a great mix of wedding planning, design, personal life, and steamy scenes that really brought the characters and their relationship to life.

I actually loved the depth it went into with the MCs feelings, as well as their work, because they were both so important to them for different reasons. The development of relationships and the secondary characters also made the book so much more fun and colourful.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for new books by Julie Soto going forward - her writing is addictive. All in all, this is a new favourite for me!

TW: sexual content, workplace emotional abuse, injury detail; mentions cancer, death of a parent, sexual harassment

This book was a miss for me. The pacing, especially, was chaotic and this was one of those books where you're expecting one thing, and it's totally different in not-the-best way.

The whole hook of this story is this game show, and yet it doesn't actually start until around 60% in and only takes up maybe 10% of this book. Instead, the book is more of a self-discovery/grief journey for Holden. Not the worst thing - I actually really liked his character arc and how he actually worked on himself - but, since I was sold something totally different, my reading experience was definitely affected, especially since there was so much build up and emotions around this game show. It was such a small sliver of the book, it was almost insignificant.

Leo was fun and relaxed and I appreciated his and Holden's connection. I think there could've been a bit more relationship development, and, again, the pacing of their relationship was very rough (and very much a cold bucket of water multiple times), and it felt choppy. It was like the book was edging us, but the climax was their relationship, you know? Maybe? I don't know. It just wasn't for me.

I think this book could be something solid, but in its current form there's just something missing. Additionally, the game show was such a big selling point for me that the small part of the story it took up just wasn't satisfying. Point for great character development, especially at the end, but not enough for me to say this was an entirely enjoyable read.

TW: grief, sexual content; mentions death of parent, infidelity, cancer, homophobia

Plot: 2.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 1/5
Writing: 3/5
Pacing: 1/5
Overall: 2/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Afterglow Books by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

I love a book about food and this one served!

Alexander is the grumpy head chef and CDC of La Rogue - a Michelin starred restaurant. Eden is a culinary school drop out who needs money. When the two come together, pasts and present collide and we get a sexy and sweet romance!

The relationship building was cute and the food sounded sublime. I wish there was some better descriptions for the meals - I really wanted to drool over the food - and I feel like this book fell short slightly in that area at the start. That ramped up as the book went on and I found it to be a cool reflection of these two characters coming back to their true passion. 

The pacing of their relationship was pretty fast, but I enjoyed their general banter as they got to know each other and the secrets they were keeping. I loved seeing them support each other through their trials, though it did feel at times they were moving a bit fast. It felt like a pacing issue mixed with their insecurities, but at the end of the day, I loved them and was fully invested so it didn't matter too much.

I also loved the other chefs - the development of the friend group was so sweet and seeing them all get along and bond over trivia nights was a lot of fun. I appreciated the levity they brought to the story and enjoyed their smaller arcs as well.

All in all, I enjoyed this one and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for Katrina Kwan's future books!

TW: racism, abandonment, grief, micro-agressions, cursing, sexual content; mentions car accident

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

eARC gifted via Lake Country Press and Colored Pages Book Tour in exchange for an honest review.