pages_and_procrastination's Reviews (1.6k)

Witchlings

4.5

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

I was given a digital copy of this title, free. All opinions are my own.
Oh my goodness, this was so good. I really liked the characters and how the changes in friendships are explained. Without giving to much away,, nothing is as it seems. Seven, Valley and Thorn come together and really are a force to be reckoned with. Along the way, they learn some harsh truths about their community . But - they don't just sit back and take it. They fight back. Ortega weaves in hard topics (child abuse, domestic violence, classism) into this middle grade fantasy as well as fighting monsters and protecting those that you love. While I am very excited to hear that there will be more in this series, I think that the looks thread at the end came out of nowhere. I am still curious to see how everything will work out. Ortega's sophomore novel has convinced me that she is definitely an author to keep an eye on.

Death & Desire

Deborah Wilde

4.0

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Breath of Earth

Beth Cato

4.0

Kill the Queen

Jennifer Estep

5.0

adventurous inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Protect the Prince

Jennifer Estep

5.0

adventurous inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I was given a copy of this book, free. All opinions are my own.
This was the perfect blend of fantasy. I really love Evie and Sully's love story. Yes, I knew that they would end up together. I was never sure how that would happen. Estep did not disappoint with this one. I like the queen that Evie is becoming, she 's the kind of person you want on the throne. She didn't seek out the power of it. but takes the responsibility seriously. She also makes some hard choices in this book - one where she puts herself last, and hurts herself in the process. Being able to be cold and calculating has gotten easier for her, but her heart is still in everything that sh does. What she learns about her magic is interesting and I can't wait to see what else she uncovers about her abilities. It's enough that we finally see fear on Maven's face. This is turning out to be one of my favorite series, which is fitting since Queen Evie is already one of my all-time favorite characters.