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bookalyptic's reviews
191 reviews
A Dusk of Stars - The Chronicles Book 1 by Lyra Forger
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Dusk of Stars is the first book in the Chronicles Series, The Originals of Grimm Academy. It focusses on Anna, the only human living among the Originals of Grimm Academy.
Anna is a curvy, 30 year old woman, who loves books and has always been intrigued by magic. She finally gets her dreamjob at the Grimm Academy Library, and that's where things start getting interesting. The Grimm Academy is sort of like a high school, all students are adults, and also "Originals", meaning they are either fae, shifter, vampire of some other supernatural creature.
So we have our curvy FMC, and then we also have our tall, dark haired, handsome professor, who has this totally bad boy with a soft heart vibe and is also kinda dominant. Just the way I like my MMC's. I like how the Brothers Grimm are incorporated into the story, how the Academy has all these Harry Potter vibes but with more than just magic. The world building is very much to my liking, the school and different districts within it, as well as the inner courtyards and the outside are described so detailed, you can really see yourself being there.
The characters are intriguing, and quite diverse. They exude mystery and the entire storyline will have you second guessing everything. There are twists and turns, there is delicious banter between Anna and Jericho and let's not forget about the spice. Mouth-watering spice that will make sure you don't get cold.
And the ending... I did not see this coming! There's a cliffhanger ending, which Lyra points out nicely in the book, in case, you know, you might become so emotionally disturbed you go and haunt her. But ofcourse I had to ignore the warnings and the stop reading here alerts. Much like trigger warnings those only make me want to continue reading even more. And yes, I got burned... that cliffhanger, that ending... let's say I hope book 2 makes up for it and I can wipe that heartwrenching feeling away.
A Dusk of Stars was a really enjoyable read, and I totally recommend it. It's perfect for Romantasy lovers, who like a touch of enemies to lovers, touch her and I'll unalive you, magic, fae, vampires, shifters, spice, morally grey mmc's, found family and Harry Potter vibes.
Thanks to the author Lyra Forger for giving me the opportunity to read this as a Beta Reader and an ARC reader. My opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
Anna is a curvy, 30 year old woman, who loves books and has always been intrigued by magic. She finally gets her dreamjob at the Grimm Academy Library, and that's where things start getting interesting. The Grimm Academy is sort of like a high school, all students are adults, and also "Originals", meaning they are either fae, shifter, vampire of some other supernatural creature.
So we have our curvy FMC, and then we also have our tall, dark haired, handsome professor, who has this totally bad boy with a soft heart vibe and is also kinda dominant. Just the way I like my MMC's. I like how the Brothers Grimm are incorporated into the story, how the Academy has all these Harry Potter vibes but with more than just magic. The world building is very much to my liking, the school and different districts within it, as well as the inner courtyards and the outside are described so detailed, you can really see yourself being there.
The characters are intriguing, and quite diverse. They exude mystery and the entire storyline will have you second guessing everything. There are twists and turns, there is delicious banter between Anna and Jericho and let's not forget about the spice. Mouth-watering spice that will make sure you don't get cold.
And the ending... I did not see this coming! There's a cliffhanger ending, which Lyra points out nicely in the book, in case, you know, you might become so emotionally disturbed you go and haunt her. But ofcourse I had to ignore the warnings and the stop reading here alerts. Much like trigger warnings those only make me want to continue reading even more. And yes, I got burned... that cliffhanger, that ending... let's say I hope book 2 makes up for it and I can wipe that heartwrenching feeling away.
A Dusk of Stars was a really enjoyable read, and I totally recommend it. It's perfect for Romantasy lovers, who like a touch of enemies to lovers, touch her and I'll unalive you, magic, fae, vampires, shifters, spice, morally grey mmc's, found family and Harry Potter vibes.
Thanks to the author Lyra Forger for giving me the opportunity to read this as a Beta Reader and an ARC reader. My opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
The Wastelander: A Post Apocalyptic Romance by E.S. Luck
Thanks to the author E.S. Luck for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I read this book as an ARC reader, my opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My rating for The Wastelander is 3.5 stars.
Claire has never known anything outside of the walls of the compound. When the virus took over and decimated the population, she was lucky enough to be amongst the chosen few and was able to live in a protected community. But when she is forced outside after an attack inside of the compound, she needs to survive in ways she never had to. The wasteland shows her the harsh reality she never encountered before, but it also shows her beauty she didn’t know existed.
Claire has never known anything outside of the walls of the compound. When the virus took over and decimated the population, she was lucky enough to be amongst the chosen few and was able to live in a protected community. But when she is forced outside after an attack inside of the compound, she needs to survive in ways she never had to. The wasteland shows her the harsh reality she never encountered before, but it also shows her beauty she didn’t know existed.
The first part of the book left me feeling a bit disappointed, the writing style is rather simplistic and I didn’t get sucked into the story. A bit further in the book this changed somewhat and I became more invested. For the most part of the story we get to see how Claire learns to navigate her new life, learning basic survival. There is also the romance happening with John, a wastelander. And although the love interest isn’t unlikeable perse, I found myself thinking multiple times that communication is underrated, also between Claire and John. And even in this dangerous wasteland there is room for quite alot of spice.
I like dystopian and post-apocalyptic books, but reading a post-apocalyptic romance with a heavy sprinkle of smut was a first for me. While the plot is interesting, and there is a fair bit of action, it does focus alot on Claire learning how not to be a burden. The worldbuilding was good, and the characters were appealing.
All in all, the Wastelander was gripping and fun to read and did keep me engaged throughout. The book ends in a cliffhanger, and I am kinda curious to see how this story will continue.
Thanks to the author E.S. Luck for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I read this book as an ARC reader, my opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Cannibalism and Child death
Colors of Magic by Liz Sauco
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? N/A
5.0
Colors of Magic by Liz Sauco is a companion anthology (a collection of stories) to the Blades of the Goddess series. In this book we get a glimpse into the lives of Hades' companions and Hades herself, and a deeper understanding of what happened in the past.
Seeing the course of Abomination, the hardships it caused for so many, and the resolve and faith people found through it all, is really inspiring. As with all other books in The Blades of the Goddess series, this book draws you in and sticks. I couldn't stop wondering what would happen next, I laughed, I cried, I was scared and excited.
"He would remember the truth for them."
I really like how the characters have colors to represent them in the book. Nine stories, nine different colors and nine very likeable characters. And let's not forget about the wargs, those are so loveable and smart!
Colors of Magic is a quick read with only 287 pages, but it is such a great addition to the series. I loved getting to know more of the characters I got to know in Lost Blades and Broken Blades, and cannot wait to read Blades Reforged!
Thanks to the author Liz Sauco for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I received this ARC for free but my opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
A Symphony of Flesh and Snow by Shaina Anastasi
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A symphony of Flesh and Snow takes us on a journey, not only to discover more about Reen and Pandora, but just as much about ourselves.
This chapter brings a totally new and undiscovered banter between Reen and Pandora, and also a rollercoaster of emotions. It is nice to be a part of the developments between not only them, but also the knights of Eraminia. What really stood out to me is how Shaina effortlessly weaves the happy moments and sad moments into the story, and how self acceptance is a really big part in this chapter.
We all have scars, internally, ingrained in our mind, externally, visible on our bodies. Both of which we have to embrace, acknowledge and accept. In a Symphony of Flesh and Snow we get reminded of the beauty and the hardships this entails, we get to experience the struggles and the journey Reen and Pandora, but also Ziri and Astin, and even Walkyer, have to go through. The ending had me flabbergasted, and I am not afraid to admit I had tears running over my cheeks more than once.
This chapter brings a totally new and undiscovered banter between Reen and Pandora, and also a rollercoaster of emotions. It is nice to be a part of the developments between not only them, but also the knights of Eraminia. What really stood out to me is how Shaina effortlessly weaves the happy moments and sad moments into the story, and how self acceptance is a really big part in this chapter.
We all have scars, internally, ingrained in our mind, externally, visible on our bodies. Both of which we have to embrace, acknowledge and accept. In a Symphony of Flesh and Snow we get reminded of the beauty and the hardships this entails, we get to experience the struggles and the journey Reen and Pandora, but also Ziri and Astin, and even Walkyer, have to go through. The ending had me flabbergasted, and I am not afraid to admit I had tears running over my cheeks more than once.