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laurenleigh's reviews
636 reviews
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A nice wrap up to this duology! I may have liked the first book a bit better, but this still had lots to love. I am realizing I enjoy books better when the stakes are really high, which we have here. Without spoiling too much, I enjoyed the interesting plot lines around memory and remembering. There’s more fantasy elements here than in the first book, which is fun, but it’s still couched in the WWII-like “historical fiction” world. If you like both those genres, you should totally try this duology!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oooh this is getting good now! I know sometimes sequels can slump in comparison to the first book, but I just love getting to dive right in, knowing the world and the characters. As if multiple magical Londons wasn’t cool enough, in this book we get PIRATES! Alucard is an incredible addition to our cast. I just want him, Kell, Lila, and Rhy to get together and become like the Power Rangers of Red London. There were times I questioned the structure (this could have been two separate installments maybe?), but I did not mind getting lost in a long story! Can’t wait to read #3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
inspiring
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? No
4.5
I’ve never read something quite like this! It feels like WWII historical fiction but is definitely fantasy. (This war is between gods, not countries.) One thing I LOVED is the subtle ways this fantasy world is less patriarchal than ours. That’s one way you can tell it’s really not historical fiction lol. Women are fighting alongside men and in positions of power, and no one bats an eye. The letter writing is so beautiful, and I love our main characters. Will definitely be reading the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Medical content
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
challenging
hopeful
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? No
4.0
I had an idea that this would be more thrilling, more ‘whodunnit,’ but I let that expectation go pretty early on and enjoyed the book much more. It’s a story of growing up as an American Black man in an exclusionary (and extremely white) field: classical music. The writing was approachable and well paced, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Though the overt racism and the unsupportive mother character were so infuriating! And even if the whodunnit plot was kind of a side note attention grab, it did keep me engaged throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Police brutality
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’ve really enjoyed previous work by this author, but this one didn’t do it for me. It was pitched as having The Mummy vibes, but that gave me the expectation this would be fast-paced and have a lot more action. I enjoyed the romance and the characters though. I considered DNF-ing a few hours in, and even though I didn’t, it’s a good reminder for me that it’s OKAY to put a book down. I can trust my judgement more in my 2024 reads!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, Violence, and Xenophobia
The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
At first, it was a bit of a stressful/sad read, watching Hardin’s descent and downfall, but I couldn’t stop reading. I was rooting for her the whole time! She has a wonderful writing style that finds the relatability in everything. I really appreciate how half of the book is focused on her release and parole. Parole is insanely broken for so many reasons, and I’m glad that part of the overall broken system got attention here. I want to read the other books she’s cowritten!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really wanted to love this, but it wasn’t quite for me. It’s extremely character-driven and slow paced, if that’s your thing! I like plotting and scheming storylines, but I wanted more action. I think Blake is playing to her strengths (the one action scene was rather confusing), but the outcome just wasn’t my style. The multiple narrators literally differentiated their voices, which was cool, but it didn’t feel like they all collaborated. Like Tristan’s voice for Libby felt off or vice versa.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
.....what? That was a fever dream of a book. David Lynch does Mean Girls meets Donnie Darko. Those creepy, tense, sexy, weird vibes are strong, and the more I thought about it, the more I thought this would have been an excellent movie. The surrealism could have really shone on screen. In print, it just felt so confusing. If you struggle with blurred lines of reality in fiction, you are going be extremely frustrated here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Weyward by Emilia Hart
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One more for 2023! I saw this won multiple Goodreads awards, so thought I’d give it a try. I dig the earth witch vibes! It has me thinking about how many women and their stories have been lost to time and patriarchy. There was maybe a bit too much synchronicity between the three storylines, but I also understand one of the points here is that we are connected to our ancestors, that we are not all that different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Abortion
Moderate: Death, Violence, Medical content, and Car accident
Elevationship: Replace Conflict with Greater Intimacy by Amanda Elo'Esh Johnsen
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.5
My friend wrote a book!! So cool! This a quick read but could spark some deep relationship growth. Definitely one to pick up if you are looking for new ways to approach what seems like the same fight you’re always having with someone. It could give you a new outlook, a new approach to help break some of those loops. I fully support the idea of formulating a plan for conflict with a partner when you’re outside of said conflict, so you’ll be better prepared when it inevitably occurs. Thank you Amanda for sharing this with me and with the world!