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booksalacarte's reviews
612 reviews
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
The Rom-Commers 4⭐️ 2.5🌶️
Contemporary Romance
Hollywood/celebrity romance
Workplace romance
Unwilling allies to lovers
Grumpy sunshine
Grief
Strong family
🏳️🌈Side Character
Injury disability rep
This was a very cute rom-com about a pair of screenplay writers writing a rom-com. It was cliche in the best ways, but also packed a punch when it came to a dressing trauma and serious topics.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were complicated and dynamic. I found my self wishing that there was a little bit more vulnerability from the MMC for the big gesture, but he was also a silent but strong type... so, I don’t know. I’m conflicted. I was absolutely charmed by the epilogue.
The plot was a fun spin on a Hollywood insider’s romance. I appreciated that the boom wasn’t over-run by pop culture and real celebrity references. The pacing was perfect.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️3🌶️
Third Book
New Adult
High Fantady
Fantasy Romance
Adult Fantasy
Multi POV
Flashbacks
BIPOC
Fae courts
Magic
Politics
I was so lucky to be on the NetGalley eARC team for both previous books, and I can honestly say I loved this series from the first words… how could I not adore the most epic opening line of a series I have ever read?!
I love a glossary that gives mini character specific recaps! This was so helpful for remembering where we were with each character in the story, because there are so many sub-plots!
A fist bump? Questionable modern choice.
Anyway! Let’s get to the review!
I was quickly drawn back into the world, magic and characters of this series.
The world-building continued steadily with the flashbacks, giving us more glimpses into the foundation of the magic system. Every time a little more back story was given, solidifying the many questions that I had about the magic. I still am not quite sure the nature of the high fae magic. Obviously the author is taking her time in revealing it, because I can see exactly how she will get there.
The side character arcs were immensely satisfying in this book. I love seeing that there is so much more to Gabriel, specifically.
The character growth from Lor has been great. And I’m interested to see how this gets resolved.
This is definitely a bingable series. With the structure and how things play out, I actually think reading them as they release is doing the story, especially the romance, a disservice.
But that cliffhanger ending! Talk about upping the stakes! But I loved it!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an Advanced eReader Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Third Book
New Adult
High Fantady
Fantasy Romance
Adult Fantasy
Multi POV
Flashbacks
BIPOC
Fae courts
Magic
Politics
I was so lucky to be on the NetGalley eARC team for both previous books, and I can honestly say I loved this series from the first words… how could I not adore the most epic opening line of a series I have ever read?!
I love a glossary that gives mini character specific recaps! This was so helpful for remembering where we were with each character in the story, because there are so many sub-plots!
A fist bump? Questionable modern choice.
Anyway! Let’s get to the review!
I was quickly drawn back into the world, magic and characters of this series.
The world-building continued steadily with the flashbacks, giving us more glimpses into the foundation of the magic system. Every time a little more back story was given, solidifying the many questions that I had about the magic. I still am not quite sure the nature of the high fae magic. Obviously the author is taking her time in revealing it, because I can see exactly how she will get there.
The side character arcs were immensely satisfying in this book. I love seeing that there is so much more to Gabriel, specifically.
The character growth from Lor has been great. And I’m interested to see how this gets resolved.
This is definitely a bingable series. With the structure and how things play out, I actually think reading them as they release is doing the story, especially the romance, a disservice.
But that cliffhanger ending! Talk about upping the stakes! But I loved it!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an Advanced eReader Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The Fireborne Blade 2.75⭐️ .5🌶️
High Fantasy Novella
Flashbacks/dual timeline
historical dictation
Dragon slayer FMC
Magic
There was a lot of repetitiveness in the writing, I understand it was a tool and on purpose, but I didn’t like it. I did enjoy the historical/first hand encounters of other dragon slayers. I think it really helped with the world building. There was so much potential, I just wish it had been a full length book.
The character work was fairly shallow, the plot was really good and I think deserved a longer book, to be honest. I wanted a better feel of who I was reading about. I know VeRY little about the FMC, still. And it made me care less about what happened to her.
The twist at the end was really good, but felt cheapened by the lack of character foundation.
Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the eARC of this novella. All opinions are my own.
High Fantasy Novella
Flashbacks/dual timeline
historical dictation
Dragon slayer FMC
Magic
There was a lot of repetitiveness in the writing, I understand it was a tool and on purpose, but I didn’t like it. I did enjoy the historical/first hand encounters of other dragon slayers. I think it really helped with the world building. There was so much potential, I just wish it had been a full length book.
The character work was fairly shallow, the plot was really good and I think deserved a longer book, to be honest. I wanted a better feel of who I was reading about. I know VeRY little about the FMC, still. And it made me care less about what happened to her.
The twist at the end was really good, but felt cheapened by the lack of character foundation.
Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the eARC of this novella. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
2.75
Draw down the moon-2.75⭐️ .5🌶️
Young Adult Fantasy
Coming of age
Dual POV
Friends to lovers
Moon magic system
Academic setting
Secret society
Trials
🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 Side character rep
TW: murder, gore
I haven’t read PC and Kristen Cast since I was into the house of night series when I was 19-20-ish. I found myself not enjoying this as much, but I’m 37 now.
The magic system was definitely original, but the world building was overly simplified and it skewed the book into the young teen side of YA Fantasy, rather than new adult with the characters being 18. As a mid-30’s adult, I won’t be reading this, but I would definitely suggest it to a high schooler!
The characters represented great diversity and empowering language. I found the side characters to be really well developed and brought a lot to the plot.
I found the pacing to be decent, if a little stilted due to the push and pull of the budding romance and the world building. But it’s an interesting plot.
I’m not a fan of product placement and pop culture references, like celebrities or tv shows, in fantasy books. It brings me out of the story.
The poetry made me laugh out loud at how not great it was. The high school angst was so real.
A lot of 4th wall breaking, which is NOT my favorite
There is too much mind reading dialogue going on. I much prefer there to be a full conversation, rather than implied facial expressions.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Young Adult Fantasy
Coming of age
Dual POV
Friends to lovers
Moon magic system
Academic setting
Secret society
Trials
🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 Side character rep
TW: murder, gore
I haven’t read PC and Kristen Cast since I was into the house of night series when I was 19-20-ish. I found myself not enjoying this as much, but I’m 37 now.
The magic system was definitely original, but the world building was overly simplified and it skewed the book into the young teen side of YA Fantasy, rather than new adult with the characters being 18. As a mid-30’s adult, I won’t be reading this, but I would definitely suggest it to a high schooler!
The characters represented great diversity and empowering language. I found the side characters to be really well developed and brought a lot to the plot.
I found the pacing to be decent, if a little stilted due to the push and pull of the budding romance and the world building. But it’s an interesting plot.
I’m not a fan of product placement and pop culture references, like celebrities or tv shows, in fantasy books. It brings me out of the story.
The poetry made me laugh out loud at how not great it was. The high school angst was so real.
A lot of 4th wall breaking, which is NOT my favorite
There is too much mind reading dialogue going on. I much prefer there to be a full conversation, rather than implied facial expressions.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Gore, Blood, Gaslighting, Violence, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Dysphoria, and Body horror
The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Hemlock Queen 3.75⭐️3🌶️
Second book
Fantasy Romance
Love triangle
God Magic
Religious history
Politics
Flashbacks
Treachery
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ side character rep
Slow burn
The book starts off right after the end of the first book. I appreciate how quickly there is a sort of recap of the end of the last book. You can see the author put the effort in to be sure we remembered all the loose ties.
This book was a good second book. There wasn’t as much of a second book syndrome as I expected. It could have been…. More. And that is frustrating.
I felt like there was less angst and love triangle in this book. Maybe because everyone was straight up avoiding each other. And a true triangle seemed to come out of nowhere. So that struggle that was so prevalent in the first book was tamped down to a trickle and I’m a little disappointed by that. It just felt under developed.
The character arcs were all compelling and the struggle between god and mortal was very interesting. But we just lost some of the luster because of each internal struggle. This could also be because the characters stepped up reluctantly into positions of power… and things that seemed to be driving character traits seemed to change, even in moments when we were seeing them clearly. I’m loving the full arcs of the side characters… but I’m also terrified for them. I like that they are all flawed.
I wish there had been a little more magic interaction. It’s described so interestingly in the first book, and we only see that level of detail twice in this book. I wanted so much more of the rich visualization of the magic I’ve come to love in Hannah Whitten’s writing.
The world-building was decently done. I found the magical foundation to be interesting.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Knight of the Goddess by Briar Boleyn
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3⭐️ 3.25🌶️
4th book in a series
Romantic fantasy
Journey
Grief
King Arthur Reimagining
Guard and Princess
Princess Warrior
Hidden history
Battles
Tw: suicidal thoughts
Well this was a good ending to this series. I’m relieved that it is over. This was the fourth and final book in the series. A series that I have been enjoying very much. I read the 3rd book around 6 months ago.
I found the beginning of the book a little bit hard to get into after a break between books. Without rereading the third book, I was a little, lost, and trying to remember what happened. And it took quite a while to get to any kind of recap until 10%. And there was a weird moment of braking the fourth wall at the end of chapter 4. It brought me completely out of the story and didn’t sit right with the rest of the narrative in the blatant foreshadowing.
The rest of the. Ok was decent. Not amazing, not terrible. But I’m glad I do t have it on my TBR anymore. The loose ends were tied up fairly easily. There weren’t many more twists. Everything was fairly well foreshadowed.
Thank you NetGallet and. For the eARC. All opinions are my own.
4th book in a series
Romantic fantasy
Journey
Grief
King Arthur Reimagining
Guard and Princess
Princess Warrior
Hidden history
Battles
Tw: suicidal thoughts
Well this was a good ending to this series. I’m relieved that it is over. This was the fourth and final book in the series. A series that I have been enjoying very much. I read the 3rd book around 6 months ago.
I found the beginning of the book a little bit hard to get into after a break between books. Without rereading the third book, I was a little, lost, and trying to remember what happened. And it took quite a while to get to any kind of recap until 10%. And there was a weird moment of braking the fourth wall at the end of chapter 4. It brought me completely out of the story and didn’t sit right with the rest of the narrative in the blatant foreshadowing.
The rest of the. Ok was decent. Not amazing, not terrible. But I’m glad I do t have it on my TBR anymore. The loose ends were tied up fairly easily. There weren’t many more twists. Everything was fairly well foreshadowed.
Thank you NetGallet and. For the eARC. All opinions are my own.
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
5⭐️ 3🌶️
Fantasy Romance
Multi POV
Unique magic system
Assassin FMC
Dragons
Secrets
Politics
Flashbacks
I started out with all 3 mediums of consuming this book. I put the audiobook aside fairly quickly due to finding the female narrator to be to be lacking the inflection to keep my interest. I stopped listening and quickly went to my ebook to start over.
But I highly recommend listening to chapter 15, if you have the audiobook available. As well as any following that feature the characters in the chapter.
The prologue was so beautifully used to start the world-building and laying down the groundwork for this to be the start of a very intricate and intense series! Once I got to Chapter 15, I was all in. That was when the book differentiated itself from other assassin FMC books, for me.
The plot was very steady, providing the breath catching moments that kept me at the edge of my seat as well as moments settling in and showing the softer side of the characters. This made it so easy to relate to, and like, the characters.
I loved it. It lived up to all the hype I saw.
Fantasy Romance
Multi POV
Unique magic system
Assassin FMC
Dragons
Secrets
Politics
Flashbacks
I started out with all 3 mediums of consuming this book. I put the audiobook aside fairly quickly due to finding the female narrator to be to be lacking the inflection to keep my interest. I stopped listening and quickly went to my ebook to start over.
But I highly recommend listening to chapter 15, if you have the audiobook available. As well as any following that feature the characters in the chapter.
The prologue was so beautifully used to start the world-building and laying down the groundwork for this to be the start of a very intricate and intense series! Once I got to Chapter 15, I was all in. That was when the book differentiated itself from other assassin FMC books, for me.
The plot was very steady, providing the breath catching moments that kept me at the edge of my seat as well as moments settling in and showing the softer side of the characters. This made it so easy to relate to, and like, the characters.
I loved it. It lived up to all the hype I saw.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual content, War, Vomit, Confinement, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, Death, Excrement, Body horror, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Animal cruelty, Blood, and Grief
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What Lurks Between the Fates by Adelaide Forrest, Harper L. Woods
2.75
This is a tedious book so far. How many times will we have the changing POV only to hear how good and selfless the FMC is while not seeing it in the character herself. It’s repetitive and really annoying.
I don’t like being hinted toward a conversation that happens off page between the MC’s.
What Hunts Inside the Shadows by Harper L. Woods
3.0
This book is really disjointed. Mab isn’t a very good villain. There is a lot of torture, it’s pretty gruesome, but the torture chosen does t have a purpose. A villain that allows her victim to heal and be treated well in-between sessions? That’s weird. And ineffective.