This YA story has the dark academia twist with a mystery to find a book of legend. And there’s also polyamory! But yet again, it’s a depiction of a triad which is actually polyamory on hard mode and not as common as media would have people think, so I would have preferred to see a different depiction. I’ll still take what I can get though! Because of that, the romantic elements do feel a bit rushed for the intimacy required for that level of relationship. And the book does end with a hint that it could be a series as well.

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Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes

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adventurous hopeful tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

This is a fun scifi story of adventure, redemption, and facing loss. There is also a romance subplot I enjoyed.

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The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

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dark mysterious tense fast-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

The second book expands way more world building wise than the first, but does still feel like it has slight second book syndrome.

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The Dragons of Deepwood Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.

Very slow and too many characters to get invested

Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power by Pam Grossman

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informative medium-paced

3.0

This was part memoir, part (mostly pop culture) witchy history. It’s a pretty basic overview of the various topics and I didn’t find myself learning much of anything new. I would have liked it to either focus on the memoir aspects or the history aspects more.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec

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adventurous emotional 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

5.0

Since I loved The Witch’s Heart, I’m not surprised that I loved this as well. The magic system was engaging, the connection to myth and history, as well as the connection between friends.

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thoughtsontomes's reviews 778 reviews

thoughtsontomes's reviews
778 reviews