librarianlayla's reviews
735 reviews

An amusing book trying to find it's title with the help of a colourful band of creatures, and it's author. A great bed time story for young children, but also really good for inspiring them to create their own stories.

3.5/4 stars.

I feel like the overuse of the term 'male' or 'maleness' got on my nerves a little and made the reading a little tedious at times. But let's face it, we all just turned up for Chapter 55, so... you know.

I did enjoy the character development of the main characters, the twists and turns as well as their journey. The writing sometimes makes it a little less enjoyable outside of the 'smutty' sections. But overall I did enjoy the book, and I will be carrying on to find out how this plays out.

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Action packed and hilarious, something any gamer can enjoy.

If you're a fan of RPG's and haphazordous hero's then this will be a book for you, I enjoyed the characters and their journey. The main character can be a little frustrating at times, but overall it is a very amusing story and full of gaming fun.

Creepy, fast paced and maddening.

I must admit that I spent the first half of this book just generally being angry, I found it difficult to relate to the main character and found her vain, fickle personality grating. But more so than that, the misogynistic, racist men that heavily detailed the book, infuriated me. Which I know is accurate and relevant to the time in which the book takes place, but as I was having trouble finding any redeeming quality in the main character, I was just overtly angry for the first half.

The story itself is very well written, keeping the reader on their toes. It is beautifully alliterative and paints a dark and morose setting. Which I adored, and I did, come the end, feel myself rooting for the characters. Hence my 4 star rating, it is a good book, I think I just found some of the characters too close to home and that grated on me personally - which has absolutely no reflection on the author's capacity to spin a spooky tale.

Overall a book that I think those who love dramatic heroines, creepy haunted mansions and historical science would appreciate.

A compelling cat and mouse mystery wrapped in a mathematical/geometric fantasy alternative world.

I was worried within the first few chapters that I wasn't going to enjoy the story as it's entire magic system is heavily based in maths/geometry but there is so much more to this story that that and I found it difficult to put down.

Slow to start with but filled with intrigue it really is a fantastic story and I cannot wait for the sequel.

4/4.5 star.

Going into this story it seems like you're being dropped into the middle of a series. It reads as if the reader should already know/have the background to everything that's happening. It read like a sequel rather than a first in the series. This made it a little of a slow struggle to begin with but once I got into the world I really enjoyed it.

The world is dark, and gritty. It's a political game of survival, with no way out for several years apart from death. And I appreciated the twists and turns and struggle.

El is so relatable to me. I felt as if Naomi had been watching me my entire life and then written me as a character. I felt it all.

I am very much looking forward to the sequel.

This book, my heart, that cliffhanger.

I adored The Prison Healer and so couldn't wait to dive back into their world, and I was not disappointed.

Twists and turns, secrets around every corner and more of the budding romance whilst still not making it a main focus. I couldn't put this book down, it was magnificent.

The third one is too far away and I need it now!

4.5 stars.

Trigger warnings for - assault, sexual assault, torture, general gore, drug abuse, child abuse.

If you're looking for a book that makes you feel safe and comfortable, don't pick up a Kristoff solo book. They aren't here to make you feel good, they're just here to make you feel.

Dark, action packed and filled to the brim with dry wit and sarcasm this story is perfect for someone looking for a new vampire hit to add to to their collection. It brings in new and interesting lore that will herald a change in the way we think of vampires on the whole. I enjoyed the character development throughout, the twists and turns as well as the general banter.

The reason this didn't get a full 5 stars for me is that I would have preferred linear story telling, rather than back and forth. Whilst I appreciate there is a reason to it, I'm just built like the historian taking the tale - always wanting order. I also felt that there was a slight lack surrounding Astrid, I really wanted more scenes involving her so that there was more emotion as the story played out. If I didn't know that Jay could write complex and interesting female characters so well, I would have been niggled less by it. But I did want more.

I still greatly enjoyed the book, it met my dark souls needs, but most of Jay's books have left me sobbing, and this one only made me shed a few solitary tears. I came to have my heart destroyed - let's hope the sequel does just that.

Magical, heartfelt and beautiful.

It was a real struggle to put this book down, I felt so connected to Amari and the struggles she endures throughout this story. I adored her character and how she develops throughout.

For lovers of magic, mystery and stories of perseverance and hope - this one is for you.

3/3.5 stars.

This wasn't what I was expecting, I had really wanted a good Disney Villains story to get completely immersed in however I was left feeling a little ambivalent.

The juxtaposition of it being Disney but in the real world didn't really mesh for me, it didn't feel complete.

I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect but it was just a little lack luster with the characters and the world building. I wanted to feel more for the characters and the things at stake.

It does have some good nuggets in there but I'm just not sure it was for me.