piperkitty's reviews
2228 reviews

King of Flames by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

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challenging funny informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

 Thanks to Second Sky Book for having me on the tour

"King of Flames" is a quick fantasy read that features vampires in its central plot. The story follows Lydia after a mysterious event at the morgue where the corpses disappeared. She is then pulled into the underworld. I enjoyed the world-building in this book, and I must say that Evie, whom Lydia meets, is a standout character. I love the line, "Yup, Bunny, welcome to the Under." The tension between Aon and Edu is felt throughout the book. Note that I have read the revised version of this book. #SecondSkyBook #FantasyRead #Vampires #UnderworldAdventure #BookTour #WorldBuilding #CharacterDevelopment #RevisedEdition #BookReview 
The Ghost of You by Michael Gray Bulla

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challenging emotional relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

 I'm incredibly thankful to HarperCollins for gifting me a copy of The Ghost Of You by Micheal Gray Bulla. This captivating novel delves into Caleb's emotional journey as he copes with the devastating loss of his brother Jack to drug addiction. The author masterfully portrays Caleb's inner turmoil and showcases how his grief affects his interactions with those around him. One particularly intriguing character is Ghost, a mysterious black cat who becomes Caleb's spectral companion, adding a unique and mystical element to the narrative. The bond between Caleb and Ghost adds depth to the story, highlighting themes of companionship and healing in the face of tragedy.

Exploring the themes of grief, addiction, and companionship, The Ghost Of You offers a poignant and thought-provoking look at how loss can shape our lives. With its rich character development and evocative storytelling, this novel is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy emotionally charged narratives. Dive into Caleb's emotional journey and experience the power of resilience and connection in the face of adversity.


TW; CSA, Drugs, Death of a Sibling 
#HarperCollins #TheGhostOfYou #MichealGrayBulla #EmotionalJourney #Grief #Addiction #Companionship #Resilience #Healing #PowerfulNarrative 
Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman

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dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

 
I've been enjoying reading "Skandar and the Phantom Rider" from the Skandar series. It's a great nighttime read with my DS. In this second book, I liked seeing how the group is getting on and how they are progressing with their training. A. F. Steadman's portrayal of flawed and neglectful parents in the story is unapologetic and adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. This book delves deeper into the island's history, the enigmatic elements, and the eccentric island culture. It also explores the profound meaning of friendship, making it a captivating read for any age from start to finish.I cried, I laughed, I gasped, I squealed. 

A must-read series for fantasy lovers.Embark on an adventure filled with twists and turns, mysteries waiting to be unravelled, and characters that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. #SkandarSeries #FantasyReads #FriendshipGoals #BookWorm #CaptivatingNarrative #EnigmaticIsland #MustRead #PageTurner #EmotionalRollercoaster #YABook 

5 Stars 

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

 Thank you to @bookbreakuk for inviting me to join this read-along well in advance of the release date. The book truly swept me off my feet, taking me through a whirlwind of emotions. Mische quickly became a standout character for me, closely followed by Vincent. Her backstory was incredibly deep, and I found myself deeply connected to her journey. My admiration for Mische has only flourished, as she embodies qualities like hope, courage, and empathy - everything I admire in a female protagonist.

As for Asar, he is the perfect counterpart to Mische, defying the stereotype of a "Heart of Stone." I am intrigued by his loving yet strong demeanour and eagerly look forward to seeing more of his character development.

For fans of vampires, romance, epic fantasy, intricate characters, and dark magic, these books are an absolute necessity to delve into.

#BookBreakUK #ReadAlong #EmotionalJourney #FantasyBooks #StrongFemaleLead #Vampires #EpicRomance #CharacterDevelopment #MagicWorld #MustRead 
Gone By Dawn by H.K. Christie

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challenging sad tense medium-paced
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
Thanks to Bookoture and H.K Chrtistine for having me on this tour of Val Costa Series.

At the beginning of the series, we meet Val, who is on leave at the hospital to visit her mom and rest. She comes across a mysterious stranger nicknamed the Bear who leaves the letter "S" on her skin. Meanwhile, in her hometown, a young girl named Scarlett goes missing. Against the rules, Val decides to help the local police department find the missing girl. The story unfolds, featuring multiple points of view, a quick pace, and plenty of suspense. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down. I loved the police procedural aspects and the different points of view, which added extra depth to the story. Trying to figure out who was behind everything kept me guessing, and the ending completely shocked me. I nearly dropped my Kindle!

Dive into the captivating Val Costa Series with its intricate plot twists and engaging storytelling! #Bookoture #HKChristine #ValCostaSeries #MysteryNovel #SuspensefulRead #PoliceProcedural #PageTurner #ShockingEnding #BookLoversUnite 
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh

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challenging emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

 As a parent to a neurodiverse child, I am interested in how they are represented in the media. I found "Something More" to be an easy-to-read book that I was able to finish in one sitting. I really enjoyed the writing style and the way Jessie is portrayed. I empathize with Jessie, as she is going through a lot of changes and is masking her true self. Starting a new school is already hard for a child, and adding a new diagnosis of ASD can make it even more challenging. Sometimes, children and teenagers feel judged because of this diagnosis, due to certain media portrayals and how some parents treat them. I truly feel that anyone with a neurodiverse teen or child should read this book. It shows how friendship can help and how it can also falter. It truly portrays the reality of how autism can affect individuals, especially showing how girls tend to mask their traits more than boys. I've really loved reading this book.

#DisabilityRep #BookReview #Booktour #Neruodiverse #Autsimrep #SomethingMore 
Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse

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emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

 

ust completed the "Swimming to Lundy" read-along and I'm feeling a mix of emotions as I bid farewell to the unforgettable characters, particularly Harriet and Tawri. Their resilience and personal development throughout the story truly resonated with me. The dual timeline and alternating perspectives offered a captivating glimpse into their intertwined lives, keeping me engaged throughout. It was an enriching experience to immerse myself in the story and predict its unfolding events. The vivid descriptions of Lundy have sparked a desire in me to visit this enchanting place. Tawri's heartwarming bonds with the peacock swimmers brought joy to my heart, and witnessing the profound impact of Harriet's life through both perspectives was truly moving. The poignant epilogue evoked a sense of nostalgia, gracefully concluding the narrative. I wholeheartedly rate this book a perfect five out of five and enthusiastically urge others to delve into its pages.

#swimmingtolundyreadalong #SwimmingToLundy #Bookreview #TandemReadalong

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Before You Say I Do by Sharon Ibbotson

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emotional informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

4.0

 I want to express my gratitude to Hygge Book Tours and Joffe Books for providing me with a copy of Before You Say I Do. From the moment I read the prologue, I knew that I would enjoy this book. The writing style had a captivating effect on me. Getting to know Ari and Tom was truly enjoyable. I empathize with them, especially after the prologue's poignant ending. Even though I was glad to see Ari and Tom reunite after 8 years, I found Tom's attitude quite frustrating at times.

One of my favourite characters in this book is Marine. She is vibrant and direct, which I really appreciate. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Luis and Sebastian.

My favourite quote from the book is, "Darling, when you've busted your cheekbone and lost two teeth, you don't have a good side, trust me."

#bookreview #romance #secondchanceromance #booktour #hyggetours #choclit #beforeyousayido