Scan barcode
madmadmaddymad's reviews
193 reviews
These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was alright.
I liked the sapphic elements, and the magic. I liked that there was a love triangle with an ex girlfriend and the new girl in town. I liked the themes of being a witch and not being able to tell anyone, juxtaposed against being a lesbian and being out about it.
The story itself had incredible pacing problems - I felt like I barely had a chance to get to know the characters and the world before all hell was breaking loose and they were being attacked by vengeful blood witches, hunters, arsonists, and some mysterious stalker set on vehicular manslaughter. It was like watching one of those teen shows on the CW. We were just trying to decide what to do about our high school crush, the loss of a first love, being in the “closet” (magically, at least) with your best friend…. I just wish this book had given me more CHARACTER moments? Because there was so much potential. The plot was too in-your-face, and it didn’t even feel that high stakes, when your main character is surviving a house fire only to be in a major car crash less than a hundred pages later.
It gets an extra star for what it COULD have been, if the author knew how to take her time.
I liked the sapphic elements, and the magic. I liked that there was a love triangle with an ex girlfriend and the new girl in town. I liked the themes of being a witch and not being able to tell anyone, juxtaposed against being a lesbian and being out about it.
The story itself had incredible pacing problems - I felt like I barely had a chance to get to know the characters and the world before all hell was breaking loose and they were being attacked by vengeful blood witches, hunters, arsonists, and some mysterious stalker set on vehicular manslaughter. It was like watching one of those teen shows on the CW. We were just trying to decide what to do about our high school crush, the loss of a first love, being in the “closet” (magically, at least) with your best friend…. I just wish this book had given me more CHARACTER moments? Because there was so much potential. The plot was too in-your-face, and it didn’t even feel that high stakes, when your main character is surviving a house fire only to be in a major car crash less than a hundred pages later.
It gets an extra star for what it COULD have been, if the author knew how to take her time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Death of parent
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A very enjoyable, very quick read.
Sexy, heartfelt, and funny. A happenstance meeting between a sunshine girl from Texas and a gloomy, demisexual undertaker turns into a friends-with-benefits romance, as the clock races toward the deadline of his 35th birthday, and his goal to find a wife.
Um, honestly? I loved that this book didn’t end how I expected it to. I loved that Lark decided to get grief counseling, and choose happiness. I kind of wish that I hadn’t read the epilogue, because it was more fun to IMAGINE where a slower, more loving romance might take this pair, but it wasn’t a deal breaker and I imagine some readers needed the confirmation that these two did in fact finally wed one another.
I just liked the idea that her happy ending wasn’t tied to a marriage ultimatum.
But! At the end of the day, Callum deserves to be happy, too, and I’m glad they both found each other and fell in love.
I was pleased by the demisexual and aromantic representation! This book took me by surprise. A pleasure to read, and surprisingly earnest. I will definitely check out more from this author.
Sexy, heartfelt, and funny. A happenstance meeting between a sunshine girl from Texas and a gloomy, demisexual undertaker turns into a friends-with-benefits romance, as the clock races toward the deadline of his 35th birthday, and his goal to find a wife.
I just liked the idea that her happy ending wasn’t tied to a marriage ultimatum.
But! At the end of the day, Callum deserves to be happy, too, and I’m glad they both found each other and fell in love.
I was pleased by the demisexual and aromantic representation! This book took me by surprise. A pleasure to read, and surprisingly earnest. I will definitely check out more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book. Holy hell, it’s worth the hype.
Exciting, action-packed, and with a good level of steamy, sexy romance. I love the dragons and the worldbuilding - and how it’s supernatural but still so grounded and realistic feeling.
Violet is so relatable, a fish out of water in this world with ruthless assholes. I also love how she’s so turned on every tike she so much as looks at Xaden. And it was really fun to watch them surrender sanity and make out with each other in a dragon-fueled sex riot! The dragons added so much to the story and they might be my favorite part, despite how much of a hot hunky heartthrob Xaden is.
Phew!
Loved this book, and I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Exciting, action-packed, and with a good level of steamy, sexy romance. I love the dragons and the worldbuilding - and how it’s supernatural but still so grounded and realistic feeling.
Violet is so relatable, a fish out of water in this world with ruthless assholes. I also love how she’s so turned on every tike she so much as looks at Xaden. And it was really fun to watch them surrender sanity and make out with each other in a dragon-fueled sex riot! The dragons added so much to the story and they might be my favorite part, despite how much of a hot hunky heartthrob Xaden is.
Phew!
Loved this book, and I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Further Arrangements by L. Rowyn
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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 was so satisfied by the ending of A Rational Arrangement that I never thought to look into this miniature sequel. Well, I’m glad I finally have!
It has even more excellent smut, even more sweet and tender polyamorous moments for our trio, and even more Greatcats. It’s a slam dunk. I would read this again in a heartbeat.
If I had one complaint about the first book, it was that the communication between Nikola and Justin was piss-poor. And this happily ever after really shows that Wisteria was the missing element that formed their relationship into a loving one. The third story is so strong and so ooey-gooey lovey-dovey it stopped my heart and left me gasping for air. I adored it.
Also Anthser and Callie getting their own short story was so perfect and well earned. I am only frustrated that their respective chapters weren’t included in book one.
It has even more excellent smut, even more sweet and tender polyamorous moments for our trio, and even more Greatcats. It’s a slam dunk. I would read this again in a heartbeat.
If I had one complaint about the first book, it was that the communication between Nikola and Justin was piss-poor. And this happily ever after really shows that Wisteria was the missing element that formed their relationship into a loving one. The third story is so strong and so ooey-gooey lovey-dovey it stopped my heart and left me gasping for air. I adored it.
Also Anthser and Callie getting their own short story was so perfect and well earned. I am only frustrated that their respective chapters weren’t included in book one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness
A Rational Arrangement by L. Rowyn
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I still love everything about this book on a second read! It has an amazing neurodivergent fmc and two completely swoonworthy mmc’s. Oh, and a polyamorous love triangle set in regency-era new world mystical planet with gigantic talking cats…. (This sounds absurd but I promise it’s one of the best parts of the book)
Tight world building, fantastic characters, and a sensational love story. I could have done without thevivid torture scene halfway through the book and would have enjoyed it even more if the undertones of homophobia and biphobia weren’t part of the story, but it did not obviously stop me from thoroughly enjoying every other part of the novel.
Wisteria is obviously the best, but on a second read, I found Ansther the greatcat to be my favorite character.
Tight world building, fantastic characters, and a sensational love story. I could have done without the
Wisteria is obviously the best, but on a second read, I found Ansther the greatcat to be my favorite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Torture, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Mental illness
Dark Currents by Lindsay Buroker
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-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
4.0
I do love this cast, but somehow this book was less captivating to me than the first one. I found Book’s storyline to be somewhat tedious, though I was rooting for him to get the girl.
The plot of this one felt odd and convoluted. I found the villain kind of middle of the road, and not all that much of a threat for whatever reason, even though he had at one point captured two of the main cast and held them at his mercy.
Sicarius is still obviously my biggest draw for this read. I’m dying to know if the man has the capacity to fall in love, and I felt like that ending was a bit of a downer.
The plot of this one felt odd and convoluted. I found the villain kind of middle of the road, and not all that much of a threat for whatever reason, even though he had at one point captured two of the main cast and held them at his mercy.
Sicarius is still obviously my biggest draw for this read. I’m dying to know if the man has the capacity to fall in love, and I felt like that ending was a bit of a downer.
The Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wavered between four and five for this one, but I think it earns that 5th star for being so earnest and genuine about the abortion scene at the end.
I liked the dragon boyfriend in Dragon’s Bride quite a bit more than the kraken boyfriend, but this book was still very cute and sexy and a good time to read. Also, our heroine gets to have the DP that the Dragon’s Bride was so sadly deprived of! Damn! That was hot!
Overall. This series is good times. I like how many queer and gender inclusive characters there are. I’m excited for the next book - it sounds like Ramanu the non-binary demon is gonna get a human lover….. oooh la la!
I liked the dragon boyfriend in Dragon’s Bride quite a bit more than the kraken boyfriend, but this book was still very cute and sexy and a good time to read. Also, our heroine gets to have the DP that the Dragon’s Bride was so sadly deprived of! Damn! That was hot!
Overall. This series is good times. I like how many queer and gender inclusive characters there are. I’m excited for the next book - it sounds like Ramanu the non-binary demon is gonna get a human lover….. oooh la la!
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It’s cute. Very cheesy, though.
I do adore the “Little Mermaid”-y-ness of it all, but the twist was extremely easy to see coming, and I knew that Tal was in danger from growing to love Athlen from the first minute he wouldn’t confess what he’d bargained to the sea witch for his legs.
I’m glad these boys had their happy ending. A very sweet, very whimsical, very queer fairy tale, probably best suited for middle grade readers.
I do adore the “Little Mermaid”-y-ness of it all, but the twist was extremely easy to see coming, and I knew that Tal was in danger from growing to love Athlen from the first minute he wouldn’t confess what he’d bargained to the sea witch for his legs.
I’m glad these boys had their happy ending. A very sweet, very whimsical, very queer fairy tale, probably best suited for middle grade readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Ensnared by the Werewolf by Lillian Lark
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For anyone who wants a cute, fun, easy-to-read, heterosexual werewolf mating story.
I enjoyed the smut very much! The rest of the story felt rushed, but I think it was bound to feel that way since the entire book is less than 100 pages.
Although it was nice to see a little nod to our Gargoyle polyam family, it was certainly uncomfortable that playing with babies made our two horny main’s want to go breed each other immediately. Yikes.
I enjoyed the smut very much! The rest of the story felt rushed, but I think it was bound to feel that way since the entire book is less than 100 pages.
Although it was nice to see a little nod to our Gargoyle polyam family, it was certainly uncomfortable that playing with babies made our two horny main’s want to go breed each other immediately. Yikes.
Ravensong by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think Gordo and Mark are my favorite pairing in the Green Creek series. Truly, a love story for the ages. They fall in love as youngsters, grow apart through circumstance, and come together again as bitter, reluctant old men. I love how the story is told from Gordo’s point of view. I love the spooky, ethereal use of the Raven, flapping it’s wings whenever his magic starts to gain control. And Mark. Mark, Mark, Mark, is so loveable, so hunky, and you can really feel how emotional, how deep his love for Gordo has been, how much sorrow he carries for choosing his pack over his mate. It’s my second time reading this book, and I was WRECKED when Mark came back for Gordo, only to get his heart broken, and be given back his wolf. Ow!
But the story, the sorrow of their past, and the trauma they’ve been through, and the race-against-the-clock element of Mark getting infected by the mysterious Omega disease. It’s just so well done. I didn’t know how to feel, even though I was rooting for them to find a way to save him.
As always, I love these wolves with all my heart, but Gordo is one hell of a witch, and this story shines so bright from his narrative. An excellent story, even the second time around. I loved every minute of it.
But the story, the sorrow of their past, and the trauma they’ve been through, and the race-against-the-clock element of Mark getting infected by the mysterious Omega disease. It’s just so well done. I didn’t know how to feel, even though I was rooting for them to find a way to save him.
As always, I love these wolves with all my heart, but Gordo is one hell of a witch, and this story shines so bright from his narrative. An excellent story, even the second time around. I loved every minute of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail