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thelibraryskeeper's reviews
611 reviews
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I just read this entire book in less than three hours. I don't know what Danielle wrote this with but it was addicting. To the point of not being able to stop reading. What an interesting concept for a book and the SLOW BURN đź‘Ź and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love the way the book ended on a HUGE cliffhanger.
The Vow by Lilypearl Colman
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I would like to thank the author for sending me a digital ARC to review. I was very excited to read volume two in Oddnys story as the first book had left off in a way that I was excited to see what was next for her. The second book in the series is full of just as much attention to detail as the first and truly shows the authors commitment to the research that went into crafting this story.
These books truly are educational and loaded with facts about daily viking life. However, for me personally, book two was much slower paced than book one was.
I loved Oddny in book one, but in book two she took a turn for me - she's much more emotional in this stage of her life. Almost to a fault at times. I loved the authors development of Ragna, the freespirted, fierce sister of Vermundr. Her story really stood out to me as a woman making her way in the world where no one seems to take her seriously. She's a strong and brave character that I really loved following along with.
As with book one, The Vow is very much a slice of life story. Overall it's a solid very factually accurate story as to be expected with the author. I learned a lot of things I believed about daily viking life to be false and thank goodness for books like this to keep history straight.
These books truly are educational and loaded with facts about daily viking life. However, for me personally, book two was much slower paced than book one was.
I loved Oddny in book one, but in book two she took a turn for me - she's much more emotional in this stage of her life. Almost to a fault at times. I loved the authors development of Ragna, the freespirted, fierce sister of Vermundr. Her story really stood out to me as a woman making her way in the world where no one seems to take her seriously. She's a strong and brave character that I really loved following along with.
As with book one, The Vow is very much a slice of life story. Overall it's a solid very factually accurate story as to be expected with the author. I learned a lot of things I believed about daily viking life to be false and thank goodness for books like this to keep history straight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, and Abortion
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's been a while since a book grabbed my attention in such a way that I didn't want to put it down. Xiran has worked magic in this one. Zetian is a badass and this book left me feeling insanely pumped up. This is female rage. đź‘Ź
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Torture, Murder, and War
Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
First off, Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC.
Teddy and Clara are two home schooled incredibly smart, but socially outcasted kids that meet at summer camp. Their friendship blossoms into a crush that neither fully knows what to do with. So they talk on the phone and send books back and forth. It's adorable. Teddy ends up going to an early admissions college and the communication between the two starts to break down as they find themselves busy with their own lives. Eventually they loose contact.
But as fate would have it, they meet again at university where Teddy has accepted a visiting professor position at the same university Clara is teaching at. I'll call this a one office forced proximity trope. The sparks never left.
This book was adorable and I loved the dual timeline as it really added to the depth of the relationship Clara and Teddy have. The chemistry was immaculate and the little popculture references were so relatable. I've never read a romance set in academia and I can now say this might be one of my favorite settings.
Teddy and Clara are two home schooled incredibly smart, but socially outcasted kids that meet at summer camp. Their friendship blossoms into a crush that neither fully knows what to do with. So they talk on the phone and send books back and forth. It's adorable. Teddy ends up going to an early admissions college and the communication between the two starts to break down as they find themselves busy with their own lives. Eventually they loose contact.
But as fate would have it, they meet again at university where Teddy has accepted a visiting professor position at the same university Clara is teaching at. I'll call this a one office forced proximity trope. The sparks never left.
This book was adorable and I loved the dual timeline as it really added to the depth of the relationship Clara and Teddy have. The chemistry was immaculate and the little popculture references were so relatable. I've never read a romance set in academia and I can now say this might be one of my favorite settings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
She can control death, but will it be enough? How far would you go to protect the ones you lobe the most. Ruying makes a deal with the enemy prince and it's more than the deal at stake.
I picked this book up based on it being slightly Zutara inspired and I'm so glad I did. The story was gorgeously written. You can feel the tension and indecision in every decision Ruying makes. Plus ~light~ one bed trope. Antony is giving sad tortured prince vibes and I'm just here for it.
I picked this book up based on it being slightly Zutara inspired and I'm so glad I did. The story was gorgeously written. You can feel the tension and indecision in every decision Ruying makes. Plus ~light~ one bed trope. Antony is giving sad tortured prince vibes and I'm just here for it.
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I didn't care for the writing style and the story was boring and wasn't holding my attention.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
I THINK I might have a new favorite Emily Henry book. I loved People We Meet on Vacation, but this one hit home. I related so much to Daphne. This book had the banter I love and the feels that hit so close to my own heart. There was family drama, friendships, heartbreak, and of course love.
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
4 words: no last act breakup.
Also no miscommunication trope OR pregnancy trope.
SEE! It is possible to have a well written and enjoyable romance without any of that!!! Overall this was cute and I enjoyed it!
Also no miscommunication trope OR pregnancy trope.
SEE! It is possible to have a well written and enjoyable romance without any of that!!! Overall this was cute and I enjoyed it!
Dark Harmony by Laura Thalassa
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
I have adored the Bargainer series and unfortunately I liked this one the least. It absolutely dragged until I was about 70% into it. I even had the audiobook cranked to 2x. I didn't see the big plot twist coming and I did love seeing Callie come into her full power and role.
But God it was overly sappy. Des and Callie yapping about how much they love each other and that they are mates was just wayyyyy overdone. Ugh. The epilogue was nice though.
But God it was overly sappy. Des and Callie yapping about how much they love each other and that they are mates was just wayyyyy overdone. Ugh. The epilogue was nice though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery and Grief
Thrum by Meg Smitherman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When Meg said she was writing a psychological horror type book based in space I was concerned. I don't read horror and I'm a giant baby when it comes to scary stuff. But THIS! This was something different.
Ami awakes from stasis in deep space to find she is the lone surviving member of her crew. Her ship is damaged and her only option is to send a distress beacon out knowing she is so far out a response is unlikely. But then a response comes, from Dorian Gray. An alien who is everything Ami could want.
He takes her aboard his ship and immediately things are not as they seem. Dorian explains things away, but Ami starts to doubt his loving nature. She starts to hear a hum from deep in the ship almost as if the ship is whispering to her.
Thrum is securely seated as a psychological horror. As promised I was absolutely scared and horny. For my first horror read I thoroughly enjoyed it and while I thought I had it figured out, Meg got me and I did not see ending coming!
Ami awakes from stasis in deep space to find she is the lone surviving member of her crew. Her ship is damaged and her only option is to send a distress beacon out knowing she is so far out a response is unlikely. But then a response comes, from Dorian Gray. An alien who is everything Ami could want.
He takes her aboard his ship and immediately things are not as they seem. Dorian explains things away, but Ami starts to doubt his loving nature. She starts to hear a hum from deep in the ship almost as if the ship is whispering to her.
Thrum is securely seated as a psychological horror. As promised I was absolutely scared and horny. For my first horror read I thoroughly enjoyed it and while I thought I had it figured out, Meg got me and I did not see ending coming!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis