owlsreads's reviews
3507 reviews

Fascinating and emotional read. I like that the author discusses how genetic genealogy is a great tool for law enforcement and it actively helps them solve (cold) cases, but doesn't mince words regarding the issues surrounding it when it comes to privacy.

DNF @ 64%

Almost nothing about this entry is appealing to me. The world-building is the selling point, but not enough to make me continue reading. 

This is the shortest book in the series so far and... the pace drags, the plot is a series of characters moving from one place to the next, the relationship between Paige and Warden is hot and cold, Paige's character has regressed in terms of development, and absolutely nothing goes right for anyone.

I did read the final chapter so I'd be able to continue with the series if I wanted to. There was more excitement in it then the rest of the book put together. Also! I was able to follow along with no issues despite not having read the 30% that came before.

Another incredibly fun read from Janice Hallett \o/

It took me a little while to get into the audio transcription format and connect with the narrative. Still, the mysteries here were all very intriguing and the plot development kept me engaged the entire time! I wanted to figure out what was happening and how everything connected. I figured some things out (yay) while others came as a complete surprise to me.

I will say... the ending was a tiny bit too convoluted for me. I also expected a bit more of an answer to Smithy and Max and their relationship and the treasure. Even so, very entertaining story!

Mosscap knows what's up <3

This was a lovely read throughout. The world-building was a little bit out of my alley with its religious aspect, but I enjoyed how it came through in the plot and the way it brought forth discussions between the main characters. I also had a tiny bit of a difficult time with the block-text paragraphs.

As for the characters: Dex was a wonderful narrator; I think the major point of conflict in their life would have hit me more in the emotions if I had read this some years ago. In an odd (or not so odd?) way, I connected more to Mosscap's perspective of life/the world than Dex's. Their relationship throughout the novella was lovely to read about and I very much enjoyed how they balanced each other out.

The atmosphere was very cozy too! I would even go as far as saying this story was like a warm cup of tea when you most need one. I'll definitely pick up the sequel!

Gibson's writing is beautiful and gives itself well to the dark academia genre. The way in which they described the campus setting and Laura and Carmilla's studies made me miss university myself--something very difficult to accomplish! This had a rich and slow narrative that captured my attention from beginning to end. I also loved how this was tied to the A Dowry of Blood universe!

Sadly, I don't think this should have been written as a Carmilla retelling. I also don't think the plot was well written.

I love Carmilla and have read it several times before. There was very little about this book that resembled Carmilla in any way, with the exception of the vampire and sapphic elements and the characters' names. I might have enjoyed this a little more if it had separated itself from  Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's work and stood completely on its own as a new thing.

Having said that, I appreciated what Gibson did here in regard to the relationship dynamic between Laura and Carmilla since it flipped some things around. However, I still found the enemies-to-lovers element incredibly rushed when it came to the to-lovers part. They were complex characters, yes. Their relationship was interesting at its start, yes. But a flip was switched halfway through the novel without a solid foundation for their feelings towards each other.

De Lafontaine and how her character was written here was... inexplicable. Not only due to the part she played in the story, but also how she acted throughout the entirety of it. She was immature, especially after Carmilla was turned. The nature of her relationship with Carmilla and Laura was also something I had to get through because not only did I dislike the great majority of it, I was underwhelmed by its resolution.

The plot... I believe there was an attempt made by Gibson to add some external conflict and mystery and stakes (pun not intended) to the narrative. It failed. The conflict regarding a character tied to  De Lafontaine's past was intriguing and exciting, but the execution was so poorly done that I was left wondering what was the point of it all. What should have been a major driving force behind the second half of the novel ended up being pushed aside in favor of sex and kink. It was disappointing.

The ending left something to be desired as well. It was rushed and convenient and didn't bring me much satisfaction when it came to everyone's character arc. I did appreciate that it left readers with a question about Laura, though, but that was it. I'm sad that this didn't work for me.

I understand now why y'all love Abby Jimenez's works!

The writing here was so damn easy to get into. I loved the premise and the first few chapters, with its humor and the banter between Emma and Justin, hooked me right in. The beginning of the story was surprisingly lighthearted considering the difficult subjects it tackled later on and I enjoyed how Jimenez was able to balance both of those elements throughout the plot.

Emma and Justin were very well written characters; they were complex and layered and had distinct voices. Their personal journeys here and development were also lovely to read about. In particular, the way trauma was addressed here with Emma's character was done in a very sensitive manner and I was very proud of how she eventually got help. Not to say that some of the scenes surrounding that weren't frustrating at times...

The romance was also super sweet and I loved the open communication between Emma and Justin. There was a ot of sexual tension between them and the way that played with the humor and other cute moments between them was wonderful. I specially liked the more angsty parts towards the end and their message regarding love and trauma. Those made the final chapter + the epilogue even better!

I had a better time reading this sequel than the previous book, but there were moments where the plot still dragged a little bit. The romance was better established and developed, however, and I really liked Kaj and Val together!

In general, all characters were well written and explored. This was a packed story, yet Karen Rose did a great job at making sure every single character had their place and contributed to the plot without bogging it down. It seemed to me that the slow parts were more due to filler scenes than any sort of character work.

The mystery was intriguing from the very start! There was quite a bit of action and a lot of tension throughout. Sadly, this did lose me a bit with its twists and turns. The interconnections ended up being too much for me and I disliked how convoluted things became. Even so, the ending was so damn sweet and I was content with the way the story wrapped up.

I had such a lovely time reading this book! The detailed and complex world-building caught my attention right away. I'm very week for Moon themed anything; the way in which Pascale Lacelle made use of Moon motifs in the magical universe she created here was fantastic. Combined with the Tides and its effect on said magical universe, I was engrossed from the first few chapters and curious to know more about how all of this magic worked.

The dual perspectives were also very well written! Emory and Baz had distinct voices and characters journeys. The contrast between them as main narrative forces was very intriguing, especially as the plot progressed and the dynamic between them changed. I will say: Baz was my favorite of the two and his character development throughout was very satisfying. For Emory... I appreciated all of her characters flaws, but that didn't help me not feel incredibly frustrated with her at times.

The plot was a bit predictable, I have to admit. However, it was not done so in a way that took my interest or enjoyment away while reading. I was engaged throughout and found this experience to be so entertaining! I also really liked was Lacelle did with the final few chapters--I have so many questions about so many things now! I can't wait for the sequel to arrive :D

Eh. I kept waiting to be swept off my feet like I usually am while watching k-dramas, but that didn't happen here. The writing was engaging and I did like Hani's perspective and character quite a bit--her humor and unflinching chaotic self were super fun, personally, and a big part of my entertainment while reading. The rest, however...

Seokga was a little too grumpy for me. I wasn't a big fan of how he treated others and didn't think that was challenged enough in text. This was one of the reasons why I also didn't buy the romance: it felt too rushed when there wasn't much development in regard to Seokga and how he behaved/viewed Hani.

The mystery plot was satisfying and the final couple of chapters were very well written despite the point above. Sophie Kim deserves to be congratulated for going there with some of the big things that happened and not shying away from certain decisions because there was a need for a happy ending.

DNF @ 25%

The writing isn't working for me. The main characters have the exact same tone/inner monologue and I keep getting lost in the perspectives. There are also some weird jumps between scenes.