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nikkilerae's reviews
74 reviews
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Fourth Wing
By Rebecca Yarros
5 Stars
Ummm, wow! This book was amazing! Why did I wait so long to read it???
Rebecca Yarros spins a captivating tale about a Dragon War College (Basgiath) and an apparent underdog that surprises the reader at every turn! We meet Violet, who truly wants to be a Scribe, but her military mother forces her to enter the Dragon Quadrant instead. Violet has to pass a challenge that could easily end her life JUST to get into the college… no books or record keeping for her. She will have to learn how to fly on a dragon.
The entire book is filled with twists and turns, yet, it mixes with a strong and coherent story line. I never wanted to set this book down!
Do you like fantasy novels? Do you like a lot of action and/or adventure? What about dragons? If you answered yes to any of these questions you should read this book!
By Rebecca Yarros
5 Stars
Ummm, wow! This book was amazing! Why did I wait so long to read it???
Rebecca Yarros spins a captivating tale about a Dragon War College (Basgiath) and an apparent underdog that surprises the reader at every turn! We meet Violet, who truly wants to be a Scribe, but her military mother forces her to enter the Dragon Quadrant instead. Violet has to pass a challenge that could easily end her life JUST to get into the college… no books or record keeping for her. She will have to learn how to fly on a dragon.
The entire book is filled with twists and turns, yet, it mixes with a strong and coherent story line. I never wanted to set this book down!
Do you like fantasy novels? Do you like a lot of action and/or adventure? What about dragons? If you answered yes to any of these questions you should read this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Spellshop
By Sarah Beth Durst
5 Stars
This book was an easy 5 star Rating! The Spellshop is a cozy fantasy written by Sarah Beth Durst. She has written the sweetest book that I have ever read. It feels a bit like a fairytale when you are reading it… the tale is sweet, so sweet in fact, that I hated that it ended. I could seriously read Kiela’s (FMC) story forever!
The story itself follows Kiela and Caz (Talking Spider Plant) as they flee the city during a violent coupe back to her home island, Caltrey. We read as Kiela tries to figure out who she is and how to live on the island she was born on. Secrets and Trust are two big themes in the story that keep you turning the pages. And, well, Caz - a talking Spider Plant! He’ll keep you turning the pages too!
I think this book is a perfect feel good book that all fantasy lovers will like (and honestly, probably love). I also think this fantasy book is sweet and soft enough for some other genre lovers to check out. It’s highly enjoyable. I know I will very likely go back to this book time and again just for the feel good vibes.
By Sarah Beth Durst
5 Stars
This book was an easy 5 star Rating! The Spellshop is a cozy fantasy written by Sarah Beth Durst. She has written the sweetest book that I have ever read. It feels a bit like a fairytale when you are reading it… the tale is sweet, so sweet in fact, that I hated that it ended. I could seriously read Kiela’s (FMC) story forever!
The story itself follows Kiela and Caz (Talking Spider Plant) as they flee the city during a violent coupe back to her home island, Caltrey. We read as Kiela tries to figure out who she is and how to live on the island she was born on. Secrets and Trust are two big themes in the story that keep you turning the pages. And, well, Caz - a talking Spider Plant! He’ll keep you turning the pages too!
I think this book is a perfect feel good book that all fantasy lovers will like (and honestly, probably love). I also think this fantasy book is sweet and soft enough for some other genre lovers to check out. It’s highly enjoyable. I know I will very likely go back to this book time and again just for the feel good vibes.
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Best Hex Ever
By Nadia El-Fassi
4 ⭐️
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Agassi was an adorable Rom-Com! Laughs at every corner and some spice too… and… it has characters that love reading and writing books! That’s a triple plus for all of Book-Lovers!
Dina, a kitchen witch, is the owner of a small cafe where she not only bakes up delicious treats but spells them to give her customers a very satisfying snack. Dina is charismatic and full of humor but also unlucky and cursed in love.
The story takes Dina to her best friend’s wedding weekend where love is in the air. How will the hex that cursed her play out? You’ll have read this fun book to find out!
Do you like Rom-Coms? Are you a fan of witches? Do you like a little spice in your books? Then this book is for you!
By Nadia El-Fassi
4 ⭐️
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Agassi was an adorable Rom-Com! Laughs at every corner and some spice too… and… it has characters that love reading and writing books! That’s a triple plus for all of Book-Lovers!
Dina, a kitchen witch, is the owner of a small cafe where she not only bakes up delicious treats but spells them to give her customers a very satisfying snack. Dina is charismatic and full of humor but also unlucky and cursed in love.
The story takes Dina to her best friend’s wedding weekend where love is in the air. How will the hex that cursed her play out? You’ll have read this fun book to find out!
Do you like Rom-Coms? Are you a fan of witches? Do you like a little spice in your books? Then this book is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
The Orphanage By The Lake by Daniel G. Miller
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Orphanage by the Lake
By Daniel G. Miller
4.25 ⭐️
I enjoyed reading The Orphanage by the Lake written by Daniel G. Miller. The story was suspenseful and easy to follow. There were some twists and turns along the way. I definitely wanted to keep reading the entire way through the book.
I loved the Female Main Character, Hazel Cho. She was funny, smart, and a little bit quirky. She was the perfect character for her role in the story.
We get to follow Cho, who is a Korean Private Investigator, through her case of a missing girl from Upstate New York. We also meet some other characters along the way that each has their own solid personality and purpose in the story.
I especially loved the setting focus on minorities in this book. Mostly minority women/girls, but there are a couple of men that are also minorities.
If you like crime thrillers, especially ones where it feels like you are helping solve the case as you read, then this book will likely be a good fit for you. I do caution you to look at the trigger warning first to be sure this book is a good fit before you purchase it.
By Daniel G. Miller
4.25 ⭐️
I enjoyed reading The Orphanage by the Lake written by Daniel G. Miller. The story was suspenseful and easy to follow. There were some twists and turns along the way. I definitely wanted to keep reading the entire way through the book.
I loved the Female Main Character, Hazel Cho. She was funny, smart, and a little bit quirky. She was the perfect character for her role in the story.
We get to follow Cho, who is a Korean Private Investigator, through her case of a missing girl from Upstate New York. We also meet some other characters along the way that each has their own solid personality and purpose in the story.
I especially loved the setting focus on minorities in this book. Mostly minority women/girls, but there are a couple of men that are also minorities.
If you like crime thrillers, especially ones where it feels like you are helping solve the case as you read, then this book will likely be a good fit for you. I do caution you to look at the trigger warning first to be sure this book is a good fit before you purchase it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
The Undertaker's Assistant: A Captivating Post-Civil War Era Novel of Southern Historical Fiction by Amanda Skenandore
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Undertaker’s Assistant
By Amanda Skenandore
5⭐️
The Undertaker’s Assistant by Amanda Skenandore is a moving Historical Fiction Novel that takes place during Reconstruction Era, after the Civil War. Skenandore does an excellent job of weaving tale that is packed with historical accuracy. Many of the scenes in this book are written to tell about actual events.
Skenandore’s characters are well developed and you’ll easily form attachments to them. The story is told from Effie’s perspective which is unique. Effie is an African American woman that you cannot help but admire. She escaped slavery as a child during the Civil War and was taken in by a Civil War doctor and then raised by him in the north and taught the art of undertaking, embalming the dead. As she returns south, to New Orleans, we get to know her character, her strength, and to watch her transform into an amazing woman that cannot be held down.
I will most definitely be seeking out more books by Amanda Skenandore! She is truly an artist with words. If you enjoy historical or women’s fiction - then I think this book is a great fit for you!
There are some mild and moderate trigger warnings that you should check into before reading.
By Amanda Skenandore
5⭐️
The Undertaker’s Assistant by Amanda Skenandore is a moving Historical Fiction Novel that takes place during Reconstruction Era, after the Civil War. Skenandore does an excellent job of weaving tale that is packed with historical accuracy. Many of the scenes in this book are written to tell about actual events.
Skenandore’s characters are well developed and you’ll easily form attachments to them. The story is told from Effie’s perspective which is unique. Effie is an African American woman that you cannot help but admire. She escaped slavery as a child during the Civil War and was taken in by a Civil War doctor and then raised by him in the north and taught the art of undertaking, embalming the dead. As she returns south, to New Orleans, we get to know her character, her strength, and to watch her transform into an amazing woman that cannot be held down.
I will most definitely be seeking out more books by Amanda Skenandore! She is truly an artist with words. If you enjoy historical or women’s fiction - then I think this book is a great fit for you!
There are some mild and moderate trigger warnings that you should check into before reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and War
The Wicked King by Holly Black
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Wicked King
By Holly Black
5⭐️
I have to give this book 5 stars. I just couldn’t put it down! Scene after scene kept me engrossed all of the way through. If I didn’t have things I absolutely had to do I’d have read this book through in one sitting.
Holly Black continues the story of Jude Duarte and what the Kingdom of Elfhame looks like with the new, grudgingly appointed, High King, Carden. Excellent story telling with amazing world building and characters you won’t soon forget! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
If you like fantasy, if you find Faeries fun or interesting, and if you wanna slip off to the land of the faerie for awhile, then you really should check out this series.
By Holly Black
5⭐️
I have to give this book 5 stars. I just couldn’t put it down! Scene after scene kept me engrossed all of the way through. If I didn’t have things I absolutely had to do I’d have read this book through in one sitting.
Holly Black continues the story of Jude Duarte and what the Kingdom of Elfhame looks like with the new, grudgingly appointed, High King, Carden. Excellent story telling with amazing world building and characters you won’t soon forget! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
If you like fantasy, if you find Faeries fun or interesting, and if you wanna slip off to the land of the faerie for awhile, then you really should check out this series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, War, and Classism
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Grace Year
By Kim Liggett
5⭐️
This book was nothing that I expected it to be. It was so much more! My emotions ran high all of the way through the book as I was challenged to think differently and even to reflect on our current societal expectations.
The story told by Liggett draws you in so deep that you are completely captivated. Social hierarchy, women’s rights, power, and raw survival are all heavily weaved into the story. Challenges in every day life are hard in The Grace Year. Then you journey through the Grace Year and are faced with many more.
I read this book as a Buddy Read and I am so THANKFUL that I did. This book challenged me in so many ways. It angered me, it made me cry, it made me smile, but more than anything it made me think. Having a Buddy read this with me helped me get all of those thoughts out of my head in a way that I could really digest them. I could’ve read this alone, but I think my Buddy discussions made this book so much more than it would’ve been independently.
This book is a young adult, thriller, dystopian. I think if you like thriller and dystopian novels this would be a good fit for you. Please do check the trigger warnings before you commit to purchase or read this book.
By Kim Liggett
5⭐️
This book was nothing that I expected it to be. It was so much more! My emotions ran high all of the way through the book as I was challenged to think differently and even to reflect on our current societal expectations.
The story told by Liggett draws you in so deep that you are completely captivated. Social hierarchy, women’s rights, power, and raw survival are all heavily weaved into the story. Challenges in every day life are hard in The Grace Year. Then you journey through the Grace Year and are faced with many more.
I read this book as a Buddy Read and I am so THANKFUL that I did. This book challenged me in so many ways. It angered me, it made me cry, it made me smile, but more than anything it made me think. Having a Buddy read this with me helped me get all of those thoughts out of my head in a way that I could really digest them. I could’ve read this alone, but I think my Buddy discussions made this book so much more than it would’ve been independently.
This book is a young adult, thriller, dystopian. I think if you like thriller and dystopian novels this would be a good fit for you. Please do check the trigger warnings before you commit to purchase or read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Things We Hide From The Light
By Lucy Score
5⭐️
I wasn’t sure that Lucy Score could top her first book in The Knockemout Series, but she did! This story picks up with Nash’s story. We have all of the original characters and some new ones too.
The small town of Knockemout has a way of weaseling its way into your heart and the characters feel like your own friends and family. With a story full of suspense, drama, love, and old vendettas that need to be addressed - how can you not get sucked in??
Lucy Score is quickly becoming a favorite author for me! I’ll be recommending this series to anyone that’ll listen!
By Lucy Score
5⭐️
I wasn’t sure that Lucy Score could top her first book in The Knockemout Series, but she did! This story picks up with Nash’s story. We have all of the original characters and some new ones too.
The small town of Knockemout has a way of weaseling its way into your heart and the characters feel like your own friends and family. With a story full of suspense, drama, love, and old vendettas that need to be addressed - how can you not get sucked in??
Lucy Score is quickly becoming a favorite author for me! I’ll be recommending this series to anyone that’ll listen!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Death of parent
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Cruel Prince
By Holly Black
4 ⭐️
I went into this book hoping to find something to replace the hole left behind from finishing the first 5 books of ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. Thankfully, Holly Black did not disappoint.
This is a tale mixed with human and faeries. Jude, a human, forcefully brought into the world of the Fae by her half sister’s father, tries to find her place. She learns more about who she is and what she can overcome and achieve when necessary.
I think Black is masterful in writing this story. Her worldbuilding is solid and well formed. Her characters are relatable and original. I was invested in this story from the very beginning and could hardly put the book down.
If you enjoyed ACOTAR or any other books about humans and Fae then I think you will enjoy this book too!
By Holly Black
4 ⭐️
I went into this book hoping to find something to replace the hole left behind from finishing the first 5 books of ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. Thankfully, Holly Black did not disappoint.
This is a tale mixed with human and faeries. Jude, a human, forcefully brought into the world of the Fae by her half sister’s father, tries to find her place. She learns more about who she is and what she can overcome and achieve when necessary.
I think Black is masterful in writing this story. Her worldbuilding is solid and well formed. Her characters are relatable and original. I was invested in this story from the very beginning and could hardly put the book down.
If you enjoyed ACOTAR or any other books about humans and Fae then I think you will enjoy this book too!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas
By Meghan Quinn
5⭐️
Oh my goodness - this book was so much fun! A Christmas Rom-Com with a Grinch spin. I’d have never guessed how cute this story would be.
This tale was excellently plotted with a cast of characters to make your heart smile. An all year Christmas town with Christmas everywhere! The shops, the streets, everywhere is filled with Christmas. Add snow and mountains and you can’t help but love the place.
The story takes you through a Christmas competition while you get to know the main characters and the town’s people too. Rhythmic pacing makes the story feel special in a different kind of way as well. A dash of love, a pinch of grump, and a whole lot of laughs equal a story I won’t soon forget.
If you like The Grinch, Rom-Coms, and/or Christmas Stories… grab this book up now! Don’t wait for Christmas to roll around again. Read it now!
By Meghan Quinn
5⭐️
Oh my goodness - this book was so much fun! A Christmas Rom-Com with a Grinch spin. I’d have never guessed how cute this story would be.
This tale was excellently plotted with a cast of characters to make your heart smile. An all year Christmas town with Christmas everywhere! The shops, the streets, everywhere is filled with Christmas. Add snow and mountains and you can’t help but love the place.
The story takes you through a Christmas competition while you get to know the main characters and the town’s people too. Rhythmic pacing makes the story feel special in a different kind of way as well. A dash of love, a pinch of grump, and a whole lot of laughs equal a story I won’t soon forget.
If you like The Grinch, Rom-Coms, and/or Christmas Stories… grab this book up now! Don’t wait for Christmas to roll around again. Read it now!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent