Scan barcode
kerryiscurrentlyreading's reviews
361 reviews
Of Starlight and Midnight by Amy Kuivalainen
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great Novella. The pacing was perfect, the characters believeable and well developed. The slow burn had just the right amount of tension. The only thing that felt a bit lacking was the world building but as this is a Novella in an existing world, I think reading the main trilogy would solve that. This is the only reason I am not giving it 4 stars. It absolutely stands on its own as a great read but I have a feeling that I would have been even more invested in Soren and Aramis if I knew them from the rest of the series.
It reminds me of the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs, you can read and enjoy it but if you have read Mercy Thompson, you can read it and adore it.
I'll definitely be adding The Firebird Faerie Tales to my TBR.
This was a great Novella. The pacing was perfect, the characters believeable and well developed. The slow burn had just the right amount of tension. The only thing that felt a bit lacking was the world building but as this is a Novella in an existing world, I think reading the main trilogy would solve that. This is the only reason I am not giving it 4 stars. It absolutely stands on its own as a great read but I have a feeling that I would have been even more invested in Soren and Aramis if I knew them from the rest of the series.
It reminds me of the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs, you can read and enjoy it but if you have read Mercy Thompson, you can read it and adore it.
I'll definitely be adding The Firebird Faerie Tales to my TBR.
A Story Spun in Scarlet by R. Dugan
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. This was an incredible story. I mean what a hook for readers...come read a story about stories that cant end. Descriptive, full of lyrical flourishes and a tale thats woven expertly through solid world building.
The story of Audra and Jaik is my new Roman Empire.
Up until the last 10 Chapters or so, this book was a solid 4 stars for me. Those last chapters though. What a ride! Brilliant. To say I SOBBED my way through the end of this book, would be an understatement. And it has been a very long time since a new author has made me cry at all.
The last 10 Chapters of this book for me almost broke the book, but in the end made it. I did really feel like the "lifelong" forgotten friends were really hard to believe. There just wasn't enough setup, Naomi was the only believeable character with history. Understanding that Audra is supposed to have forgotten all these people, I still think the Author could have made more of an effort to introduce Reikyo etc earlier especially with the supposed prior antagonistic relationship. The whole reveal of lost memories itself felt rushed and unsatisfying. Galan as well didnt feel like a fully realised villan. I did love the remorseful Sha angle though and there being no ultimate villian. And that Goodbye and Epilogue....breathtaking. Just absolutely stunning. And that is why those last 10 Chapters conflicted me so much. So much felt flat and rushed, it pushed the book down to a 3 star and then there was this earth shattering, heart rending farewell that was just incredible. And that, is what brought it back to a five
The story of Audra and Jaik is my new Roman Empire.
Up until the last 10 Chapters or so, this book was a solid 4 stars for me. Those last chapters though. What a ride! Brilliant. To say I SOBBED my way through the end of this book, would be an understatement. And it has been a very long time since a new author has made me cry at all.
Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Harry Dresden, Atticus O'Sullivan and now Adair Finch! Urban fantasy fans rejoice, we now have a jaded,wounded, heart of gold Warlock to add to our list of Heros. I have not read any of Shami Stovall's other work before...an error I shall be rectifying immediately.
Time-Marked warlock is the first of a new and hopefully long running series by Shami Stovall in which we meet Adair Finch, a warlock with the power to turn back time thanks to a pact made with Chronos, the God of time.
We meet Adair at 4:43am. He is a broken man, mourning the death of his brother Carter. Before Carter's death, the Finch brothers were legendary Private Investigators, working together to help keep the mundane world safe from all the things that go bump in the night. Now though, Adair is a shell of his former self, living in filth and basically waiting to die, that is until Bree Blackstone knocks on his door and demands he help find her mothers murderer.
I loved this book! Shami builds a world that is rich and deep and full of potential. A story with a groundhog day type timeline could easily become stale and repetitive but not this one. This book had me hooked and I read it in about 6 hours because I just could not put it down. I didn't see the twists early, I didnt solve the whodunnit before Adair did. In a book that repeated the same day over and over and over, there were a surprising number of well, surprises.
Adair Finch and Bree Blackstone have stolen my heart and I for one am glad. Can't wait for Book 2
Time-Marked warlock is the first of a new and hopefully long running series by Shami Stovall in which we meet Adair Finch, a warlock with the power to turn back time thanks to a pact made with Chronos, the God of time.
We meet Adair at 4:43am. He is a broken man, mourning the death of his brother Carter. Before Carter's death, the Finch brothers were legendary Private Investigators, working together to help keep the mundane world safe from all the things that go bump in the night. Now though, Adair is a shell of his former self, living in filth and basically waiting to die, that is until Bree Blackstone knocks on his door and demands he help find her mothers murderer.
I loved this book! Shami builds a world that is rich and deep and full of potential. A story with a groundhog day type timeline could easily become stale and repetitive but not this one. This book had me hooked and I read it in about 6 hours because I just could not put it down. I didn't see the twists early, I didnt solve the whodunnit before Adair did. In a book that repeated the same day over and over and over, there were a surprising number of well, surprises.
Adair Finch and Bree Blackstone have stolen my heart and I for one am glad. Can't wait for Book 2
The Witch and the Ostrich by Jordan A. Werner
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Do you like The Might Boosh, Monty Python, Galavant, or What we do in the shadows? Read on...
If you're a fan of chaotic,nonsensical, and slightly nauseating dark humour. Then this is for you.
I would imagine that if you pick up a book called the Witch and the Ostrich, you aren't exactly expecting Game of Thrones, and you would be right.
That being said, this was a thoroughly enjoyable romp.
Fast paced and funny with delightful and deep world building, this was great fun.
Pick this up to enjoying a very satrical epic fantasy adventure.
*I received and ARC of this title from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
If you're a fan of chaotic,nonsensical, and slightly nauseating dark humour. Then this is for you.
I would imagine that if you pick up a book called the Witch and the Ostrich, you aren't exactly expecting Game of Thrones, and you would be right.
That being said, this was a thoroughly enjoyable romp.
Fast paced and funny with delightful and deep world building, this was great fun.
Pick this up to enjoying a very satrical epic fantasy adventure.
*I received and ARC of this title from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Cannibalism
An Island Strange and Wild: Book One in the Lost Garden Series by Lisa Amowitz
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Come with me to An Island Strange and Wild, I promise you wont regret it.
How to describe this Romantasy YA story? Compelling? Mysterious?Heartwarming? Frustrating?Infuriating? Delightful? Its all of these and more.
The story of Rosalie is as mysterious as the island she finds herself upon. I can't delve too much into the plot of this book for fear of giving away one of the myriad twists, turns, layers and slants that you have waiting for you in the pages of this marvellous world that Lisa Amowitz has dreamed up.
The world building is enticing and tantalising and will have you almost imagining the salt tainted breeze and flower scented air. The plot is as delectable and perplexing as our enigmatic male lead.
There is so much to explore here and the result is a satisfyingly frustrating piece of writing that will leave you waiting on tenterhooks for book 2.
Take a chance on Rosalie and Liam, I promise, it will be worth it.
How to describe this Romantasy YA story? Compelling? Mysterious?Heartwarming? Frustrating?Infuriating? Delightful? Its all of these and more.
The story of Rosalie is as mysterious as the island she finds herself upon. I can't delve too much into the plot of this book for fear of giving away one of the myriad twists, turns, layers and slants that you have waiting for you in the pages of this marvellous world that Lisa Amowitz has dreamed up.
The world building is enticing and tantalising and will have you almost imagining the salt tainted breeze and flower scented air. The plot is as delectable and perplexing as our enigmatic male lead.
There is so much to explore here and the result is a satisfyingly frustrating piece of writing that will leave you waiting on tenterhooks for book 2.
Take a chance on Rosalie and Liam, I promise, it will be worth it.
Random in Death by J.D. Robb
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Another stellar in-death by J.D Robb. This one in particular found me tearing up quiet a few times. Robbs ability to capture the heartbreak and emotion of death on a page is breathtaking, and this was particularly poignant.
The Descendants of Merlin by Mellody Stout
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a lovely first step in a trilogy that I hope will clarify the Merlin/Morgana origin story.
Stout has a great turn of phrase and the book starts with a bang. We meet Hanna right as she is being berated by the Queen (of England) for an almighty big C*&k up.
And then we are off. The pace is great, the magic system is different and well rounded. The world building does lack a bit of polish and while its set in the 90's - I am not exactly sure why. Its rarely referenced and as the Queen in 1995 in this book is Queen Victoria, its definitely set in a alternate world so the 90s settings seems incongruous and slightly pointless.
Fans of the Arthurian legend wont find a huge amount to cling onto in this book other than the mention of Merlin and Morgana's ill-fated love affair but I do feel that the author is building up to more here.
This was a great book, an easy read and an ending that leaves you wanting more. I look forward to the next.
Stout has a great turn of phrase and the book starts with a bang. We meet Hanna right as she is being berated by the Queen (of England) for an almighty big C*&k up.
And then we are off. The pace is great, the magic system is different and well rounded. The world building does lack a bit of polish and while its set in the 90's - I am not exactly sure why. Its rarely referenced and as the Queen in 1995 in this book is Queen Victoria, its definitely set in a alternate world so the 90s settings seems incongruous and slightly pointless.
Fans of the Arthurian legend wont find a huge amount to cling onto in this book other than the mention of Merlin and Morgana's ill-fated love affair but I do feel that the author is building up to more here.
This was a great book, an easy read and an ending that leaves you wanting more. I look forward to the next.
Penny Angel: And the Black Diamond by Sherry Briscoe
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
What did I just read? A overly detailed synopsis? Or is the ARC actually missing full chapters? This feels like I am coming in at Season 14 of Criminal Minds. Sure, you can get some enjoyment of the weekly cases....but without the full backstory, you spend the whole season feeling like you're just not in on the joke.
The premise and story are not terrible but the pacing is almost frenetic, Penny's journey of "discovery" conversations with Belle are wooden and awkward. We are expected to believe this woman raised her and is who she goes to for advice but its just not believable. Ruby and Danaes story feels like it started 3 books ago. The Ivy character is the most ridiculous "henchman".
If fact, the most believable character is Sabine, until the end and then that goes to pieces too.
This book needs a really good developmental edit, about 6 more chapters and new Beta readers.
Not for me
The premise and story are not terrible but the pacing is almost frenetic, Penny's journey of "discovery" conversations with Belle are wooden and awkward. We are expected to believe this woman raised her and is who she goes to for advice but its just not believable. Ruby and Danaes story feels like it started 3 books ago. The Ivy character is the most ridiculous "henchman".
If fact, the most believable character is Sabine, until the end and then that goes to pieces too.
This book needs a really good developmental edit, about 6 more chapters and new Beta readers.
Not for me
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Wow, I loved this book. And I think the Audio actually made it. The funny "away from the Mic" asides that Amina has with the Scribe are great. The story is a rollicking good time about flawed ageing bad asses whose past eventually comes back to haunt them and MAN am I hear from it. Amina is a terrible person and thats why I love her. She is overly aware of all of her 'faults' and is constantly trying to make up for all these terrible 'wrongs' she has done but she's being forced to do more terrible things. Its a joyous, riotous ride and I will be first in line for the next of Aminas adventures.
Paranoid Mage by Inadvisably Compelled
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is so good and so smart anb boy doesnt the author enjoy shoving that in your face. A great plot, decent pacing and not bad characters are vastly overshadowed by the authors insufferable need to show how smart he (and his mmc) are. I would venture that the author is an engineer or has researched engineering to the point of insanity. He not only makes the character completely unlikeable but he makes magic and portals BORING...like YAWN, nod off Boring. I am sure this will appeal to a certain contingent of readers....but its unlikely I am the target demographic. Which is a shame.