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thelibraryskeeper's reviews
611 reviews
The Sword by Lilypearl Colman
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before my review I would like to thank the author for reaching out and providing a digital copy of the book for my review.
This is an incredible undertaking and thought provoking read. The story is centered on Oddny and takes places over the span of her early life. The author is incredibly well versed and studied in Norse history making this book a very informative read.
The footnotes and diagrams were incredible additions. I feel like in finishing the book I have a much better understanding of what viking daily life was like. This book truly is a slice of viking life novel. It's dark and there's a lot of things that a modern reader could find appalling. But it was all part of the culture then. It's such a breath of fresh air to not read a novel (viking based or otherwise) where the MC doesn't have a hero complex. The characters are human and thus flawed. This was an incredible read and I can't wait for book two!
This is an incredible undertaking and thought provoking read. The story is centered on Oddny and takes places over the span of her early life. The author is incredibly well versed and studied in Norse history making this book a very informative read.
The footnotes and diagrams were incredible additions. I feel like in finishing the book I have a much better understanding of what viking daily life was like. This book truly is a slice of viking life novel. It's dark and there's a lot of things that a modern reader could find appalling. But it was all part of the culture then. It's such a breath of fresh air to not read a novel (viking based or otherwise) where the MC doesn't have a hero complex. The characters are human and thus flawed. This was an incredible read and I can't wait for book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
mysterious
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
"Fate can be changed," Luzia said. "Curses can be broken."
Leigh has an absolute gift for writing and her adult novels have been such a breath of fresh air. This is a dark standalone historical fiction novel about a young woman who comes from a familia conversa (a Jewish family forced to convert in the face of the inquisition). She has magic in her blood which leads to a competition of piety. The book is tragic and hopeful all at once. The romance was perfection and unlike other readers, I felt it fit perfectly.
Leigh has an absolute gift for writing and her adult novels have been such a breath of fresh air. This is a dark standalone historical fiction novel about a young woman who comes from a familia conversa (a Jewish family forced to convert in the face of the inquisition). She has magic in her blood which leads to a competition of piety. The book is tragic and hopeful all at once. The romance was perfection and unlike other readers, I felt it fit perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Antisemitism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infertility
The Emperor of Evening Stars by Laura Thalassa
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
4.0
It was really nice to have a book mid series from Des - I think the inclusion rounded out his character and answered a lot of questions. We get more of why he is who he is and more about his motivations for what he does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and War
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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
4.0
Was it incredibly messed up at times. Yeppppp.
Did I love it anyways? Also yes.
Did I love it anyways? Also yes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
adventurous
emotional
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
"Were there an ounce of poetry in Simon's soul, he might have thought of dozens of rapturous phrases to describe her charms. But he was plebeian to the core, and he could not find words accurately to describe his attraction. All he knew was that the sight of Annabelle in the glittering light of the chandeliers was very nearly knee-weakening"
This was my very first Lisa Kleypas novel and is the first of The Wallflowers series. The friendship between the four wallflowers starts as they decide to take the task of findings husband's into their own hands.
Book one, is Annabelles turn. After the death of her father her family was left with almost nothing. As a result there is no dowry and her prospects are dwindling. With the exception of a certain Mr Simon Hunt. Whom Annabelle can't seem to shake. Through the book their attraction blooms and the romance becomes undeniable.
These were recommended to me by @Yaz.the.bookish on Instagram and I am so greatful for the introduction to Kleypas and cannot wait to get my hands on book two!!
This was my very first Lisa Kleypas novel and is the first of The Wallflowers series. The friendship between the four wallflowers starts as they decide to take the task of findings husband's into their own hands.
Book one, is Annabelles turn. After the death of her father her family was left with almost nothing. As a result there is no dowry and her prospects are dwindling. With the exception of a certain Mr Simon Hunt. Whom Annabelle can't seem to shake. Through the book their attraction blooms and the romance becomes undeniable.
These were recommended to me by @Yaz.the.bookish on Instagram and I am so greatful for the introduction to Kleypas and cannot wait to get my hands on book two!!
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
Carissa just doesn't miss. This is a new world from her War of Lost Hearts Trilogy. I knew I could trust her even in this new world. This book was so good and I absolutely did NOT see the twist even coming. I cannot wait to start book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
Minor: Self harm, Slavery, and Death of parent
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
The writing style isn't for me. I don't want to force myself through a book.
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.5
OH MY GOD.
Well in case I was not sure - I'm absolutely into shifter romance. I literally couldn't stop reading this - I was fighting sleep trying to finish it last night. I adored this all the through. The romance between grumpy Noah and sweet sunshine MacKenzie. Fated mates and a third act break up that I was ~ okay ~ with because it fit the plot.
Well in case I was not sure - I'm absolutely into shifter romance. I literally couldn't stop reading this - I was fighting sleep trying to finish it last night. I adored this all the through. The romance between grumpy Noah and sweet sunshine MacKenzie. Fated mates and a third act break up that I was ~ okay ~ with because it fit the plot.
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.0
Emotional and more about healing and learning yourself than the romance aspect.
I'm taking off stars because I didn't like fact that the author called the MMC by his whole name entirely too often. I'm not sure what the point was by doing that, and honestly, it got on my nerves.
Tropes:
- Sports romance (hockey player and ballerina)
- Single dad
- Forced proximity
- Found Family
I'm taking off stars because I didn't like fact that the author called the MMC by his whole name entirely too often. I'm not sure what the point was by doing that, and honestly, it got on my nerves.
Tropes:
- Sports romance (hockey player and ballerina)
- Single dad
- Forced proximity
- Found Family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Eating disorder
Off to the Races by Elsie Silver
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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? Yes
3.5
I didn't read this when it originally came out so I am reading it from the filter of having read all of Elsies other works first. From that lens this sits at a 3.5. It's still a good read, but lacks the finesse her later books have. I also loved Billie so much more than Vaughn. It was like he wasn't even a main character. It was odd.