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imskylow's reviews
262 reviews
The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
No. Absolutly not.
Why is anything about this book the way it is? All the boys and Peter claim they're monsters and yeah, they are, but for absolutely no reason at all. They kill people on the island just because they can. It's not like the two deaths in the book needed to happen though. (Never mind the fact that Peter rails Winnie with blood still on his hands. Talk about unsanitary) And they have no reason to be mean to Winnie or any of the previous Darling girls. If they want information, can you not treat them kindly until you can get it? Why are we chaining Winnie up besides kink appeal? Nikki, make it make sensssseee. I understand you like writing stories where "the villain gets the girl" but these just aren't convincing villains.
Why is anything about this book the way it is? All the boys and Peter claim they're monsters and yeah, they are, but for absolutely no reason at all. They kill people on the island just because they can. It's not like the two deaths in the book needed to happen though. (Never mind the fact that Peter rails Winnie with blood still on his hands. Talk about unsanitary) And they have no reason to be mean to Winnie or any of the previous Darling girls. If they want information, can you not treat them kindly until you can get it? Why are we chaining Winnie up besides kink appeal? Nikki, make it make sensssseee. I understand you like writing stories where "the villain gets the girl" but these just aren't convincing villains.
The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
More grumpy man and his bestie content š¹ I eat this shit up
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
adventurous
challenging
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by this! I fell in love with this story and ate it up! The love interest of the story has the whimsicalness of Howl from Howl's moving castle and the grumpy attitude and white blond hair of Draco Malfoy. The female heroine is a great foil for him but unlike what you'd expect she's not a sunshine character but rather very mellow and deadpan. I was incredibly pleased with her personality. She was a breath of fresh air in this world of romance books where the FMC is either bubbly/quirky or trying to be tough and sassy. I honestly enjoyed the whole cast of characters and the historical setting of regency England with it's romance and social issues. Bravo.
This story isn't at all spicy but it was incredibly satisfying nonetheless.
This story isn't at all spicy but it was incredibly satisfying nonetheless.
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
All of these books have been satisfyingly spicy. I have no issues. They also have a nice balance of smut and political intrigue. Honestly, I liked this book better than Cruel Seduction. I think it might be that the characters in this book ended up in a balanced and closed triad rather than polycule with some lingering and notable issues. Could just be me and my own biases though. The kink was great in this book too.
Petition to have a F/F or M/M only book in the series! OR a NB/M or NB/F!
Petition to have a F/F or M/M only book in the series! OR a NB/M or NB/F!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
I have NO notes. This book is immaculate. This book is scrumptious. I ate this book up, I was so hooked the whole way through. The characters, the imagery, the pacing and tone felt like home. This right here is my kind of book and there's not even any smut in it.
There's a whole cast of characters with different personalities and conflict and I found myself loving every single one of themā these sweet traumatized babies. The magic is gorgeous. Even just the simple addition of gossip being able to traveling on the wind felt sensational. The enchantments that are woven into plaids and built into weapons is so fun! I want to visit the island of Cadence myself! And I love that all this magic is woven into Scottish-inspired clans. It brought two of my favorite genres, highland romance and fantasy, and blended them seamlessly. I am in love with this book and I'm kinda convinced that Rebecca Ross can do no wrong. Nothing felt unfinished or unsatisfying. It's a very balanced, fantastical book. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Ruth Urquhart does a phenomenal job reading.
There's a whole cast of characters with different personalities and conflict and I found myself loving every single one of themā these sweet traumatized babies. The magic is gorgeous. Even just the simple addition of gossip being able to traveling on the wind felt sensational. The enchantments that are woven into plaids and built into weapons is so fun! I want to visit the island of Cadence myself! And I love that all this magic is woven into Scottish-inspired clans. It brought two of my favorite genres, highland romance and fantasy, and blended them seamlessly. I am in love with this book and I'm kinda convinced that Rebecca Ross can do no wrong. Nothing felt unfinished or unsatisfying. It's a very balanced, fantastical book. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Ruth Urquhart does a phenomenal job reading.
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Holy hellllll this boook was spicy. Not me thirsting over a fictional bull-man with short silky fur and a honker of a cock. Testies the size of large oranges and 24 oz of cum tho.... dear lord. Like that's a lot, hon, but also... sign me up?
I wish some parts were longer and other parts were shorter. I'm glad we actually got to know the FMC rather than her just being an edgy pick-me like most girls are in smut these days. Her problems felt relatable and how overwhelmed she got by the concept of this new job made me laugh. Alas, though, this book has the same flaw as most smut on the market these days: the author timelapses the actual relationship. Like yes, I want to read all about the sex but I also want to read about what they joke about, what they disagree on, what they think is most important. I want to read about them snuggling and I want to read about them having moments of uncertainty in their relationship too. I loved the hero of the book but he almost felt too good to be true. Like even if you don't give the character current flaws you could still write about things he's working on. I thought the vampire friend was fun but I don't like characters who's only job is to support and don't feel like they have lives of their own. Additionally, I think the sex scenes would have been better planned in stages. He tells her that they need to prepare before she can take him but they don't really do that in a way that would make it believable that she could handle his size. I feel like there were some missed opportunities. Overall, I liked the book, I just want to see more monster-f***ing books that take themselves and the plot seriously.
A++ for Minotaur culture about nose rings though
I wish some parts were longer and other parts were shorter. I'm glad we actually got to know the FMC rather than her just being an edgy pick-me like most girls are in smut these days. Her problems felt relatable and how overwhelmed she got by the concept of this new job made me laugh. Alas, though, this book has the same flaw as most smut on the market these days: the author timelapses the actual relationship. Like yes, I want to read all about the sex but I also want to read about what they joke about, what they disagree on, what they think is most important. I want to read about them snuggling and I want to read about them having moments of uncertainty in their relationship too. I loved the hero of the book but he almost felt too good to be true. Like even if you don't give the character current flaws you could still write about things he's working on. I thought the vampire friend was fun but I don't like characters who's only job is to support and don't feel like they have lives of their own. Additionally, I think the sex scenes would have been better planned in stages. He tells her that they need to prepare before she can take him but they don't really do that in a way that would make it believable that she could handle his size. I feel like there were some missed opportunities. Overall, I liked the book, I just want to see more monster-f***ing books that take themselves and the plot seriously.
A++ for Minotaur culture about nose rings though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was good! I enjoyed it. I liked the setting and the imagery, especial when the author described remnants (which human senses can't quite grasp or process). I liked the peeling back of layers for these two characters and the things that they've been through. The mystery of Jainan's past had me sucked in. The only qualm I have about this book is the romance. I understand that Everina Maxwell didn't want this story to be smutty or anything like what most books are about these days, and that's totally fair, I just think we needed a bit more than what is given here. There's so much emotional hesitation and timidness, you honestly can't get me to believe that fade to black sex scene went smoothly. I think it would have been awkward. I think Maxwell could have described that without being explicit about it. You can describe emotions rather than what they're physically doing. Even just a phrase like "Kiem and Jainan were awkward tangle of limbs and sputtering apologies as they grappled close. With the misunderstandings cleared away, nothing was left between them" would have left me feeling more satisfied. It would have gotten five stars if it wasn't for that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I would like to go on record and say that the only reason I finished listening to this audiobook was because of Troy Duranās voice acting and narrating skills. Shmexy-ass voice if you ask me. As for the content of the bookā¦ well, I vibed with it initially but itās highkey garbage. Itās a very dark romance. And by romance I mean erotica. And by erotica I mean this is the dictionary entry for sadomasochism. Iām not kink shaming though! I like reading rough romance as much as the next smut addict. At one point, though, itās taken a too far and becomes very dubious/non-consenual and the FMC, Sawyer, legitimately fears for her life. Enzo was getting revenge for identity theft so I sort of let it slide. (Yikes, I know). Eventually he apologizes and govels and tries to work for her forgiveness. However, at one point he wants to help her get over the trauma of said dubious consent experience and instead of building trust, he forces her into a similarly traumatizing situation and has her life at his mercy while heās railing her. Not to mention, this second sexual encounter is right after both of them were threatened at the end of a shotgun. I kinda donāt think anyone would be in the mood for sex after their lives are threatened. The conclusion of the story just doesnāt make much sense. Thereās too many plot holes for it to have worked out so perfectly. Itās garbage. I probably should have DNFed at 30% but I needed Troy Duran to continue talking to me in Italian.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest, Suicide, Police brutality, and Murder
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? No
3.25
It was good. I enjoyed it. It didnāt wow me like the Stormlight Archive series does but this is also one of Brando Sandoās earlier books. It did, however, help me understand a certain aspect of The Rhythm of War. Itās cool to see all the different worlds of the Cosmere and how and where they cross over.
I sure do wish Brando could give romance a bit more flavor in his books š like, I donāt need them to be romantasy but give me a bit more chemistry and one good smooch in these dictionary sized books. Thatās all I ask. That isnāt too much, is it?
I sure do wish Brando could give romance a bit more flavor in his books š like, I donāt need them to be romantasy but give me a bit more chemistry and one good smooch in these dictionary sized books. Thatās all I ask. That isnāt too much, is it?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, and Genocide
Minor: Misogyny and Murder
Her Lessons in Persuasion by Megan Frampton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
This book is probably one of the most generic historical romances Iāve read. Thereās nothing new or intriguing here. Itās all bland and one note. Quirky science girl falls in love with man of illegitimate birth beneath her station. Of course itās practically live at first sight when he rescuing her off a bridge where sheās ātrying to get a closer look at the stars.ā (HUH?). I didnāt want to sit and listen to any more hours of this. Willamina is ditzy and space obsessed and knows things about astronomy that hasnāt been discovered at this time period and Bram canāt think about anything but kissing her again. No flavor. Iām not even mad Iām just so, so bored.