I gave 5 out of 5 stars. I loved the chess references throughout the book. I loved Ela/Lyra, she as so classy and she didn’t really do a lot of bad thI gave 5 out of 5 stars. I loved the chess references throughout the book. I loved Ela/Lyra, she as so classy and she didn’t really do a lot of bad things for her to fall into the same character flaw as the person she wants to take revenge on. She reminded me of a good person trying to be bad to protect themselves but failed woefully at being bad. Ela/Lyra’s relationship with Keston was so beautiful, the sparks was flying off the page the minute they met the second time and you could see the beautiful budding romance of their younger days as well. The strong friendships and connections was the most heart-warming part of the story. I love how the author goes from present Lyra to past Ela until events catch up at the end, just thrilling. I love it when this type of historical romance that reminds you of mills and boons is not the featuring a white character is its main protagonist....more
I gave 3 out of 5 stars. Nothing made sense initially. Not the 2 villages filled with dead people, not the channelling of death magician a way that haI gave 3 out of 5 stars. Nothing made sense initially. Not the 2 villages filled with dead people, not the channelling of death magician a way that has never been heard of, not the challenge of religious text that is conflicting from translation to translation and certainly not Gabe’s blind devotion to a man that might have caged him most of his life. And the end of the story doesn’t make sense either. I am so confused. I loved Lore as a character, she could recognise that things in her life were not as it should be but she made the most of it, and not in a way that meant she had rose coloured glasses on but in a mature and sensible way. There is definitely another book, as this is the first book in the Nightshade crown trilogy. There is so much to explore and explain in the coming book and I can’t wait to make sense of it all....more
I gave 4 out of 5 stars. One thing I love about Nalini’s writing is that, her characters feel very much alive, there are myriads of personality traitsI gave 4 out of 5 stars. One thing I love about Nalini’s writing is that, her characters feel very much alive, there are myriads of personality traits to relate to. Alexander and Zanaya had tens of thousands of years together, they were the ultimate make up t break up couple but its amazing how mortality in an immortal race changes perceptions. Lijuan is the most insulted character in this series and different characters have different insults for her which is just too funny to read. I really recommend this series to anyone who loves paranormal romance, angels and action, Guild hunter series will provide this and so much more. I can’t wait for the next instalment. ...more
I gave this story 4 out of 5 stars. Maia experiences a lot of mental torment. The fight against your own mind is not an easy one and I see a lot of coI gave this story 4 out of 5 stars. Maia experiences a lot of mental torment. The fight against your own mind is not an easy one and I see a lot of correlations with mental health in this book. We need the strength of God, when our body and mind are against us. It was such a beautiful and to her story, although, she ended where she began, the journey back to her beginning was not an easy one and she wasn’t the same girl by the end of it....more
I gave the story 5 out of 5 stars. It was almost a tear jerker but I managed to hold it in. The Davenport’s children and their best friend, go throughI gave the story 5 out of 5 stars. It was almost a tear jerker but I managed to hold it in. The Davenport’s children and their best friend, go through ups and downs in their love life and in society trying to find a place for themselves. Ruby was the only character who had any hope of a resolution but even that crashed and burned. I can’t wait to read the second book and see how the Davenports rescue their love life. The story seemed to be a standalone, until the end when you realise that, nope the author is not going to wrap it up in a nice bow. The story and the characters end in a mess as life often does. I can’t imagine living in that uncertain time of the 1900s and it pains me that people of colour still face a lot of the issues that were ongoing in the 1900s. We’ve made a lot of progress but there is so much more to be done and changed in society....more
I gave 3 out of 5 stars because while it was a great page turner that depicted some of the worst of society when privilege is mixed in, it was more a I gave 3 out of 5 stars because while it was a great page turner that depicted some of the worst of society when privilege is mixed in, it was more a philosophical read about what some people believe is the origin of the world and humanity’ s reason for existing....more
I gave the story 5 out of 5 stars. This wasn’t a typical fantasy YA for me, it was steeped in West African culture and the reality that some children I gave the story 5 out of 5 stars. This wasn’t a typical fantasy YA for me, it was steeped in West African culture and the reality that some children in that part of the world face. Children are not allowed to remain innocent; it is taken from them, warped and abused. The author did such a brilliant job of blending reality with fantasy and I loved the infusion of the Yoruba language and myths into the story. I was delighted and devastated by this story and I would recommend it to not just YA readers but adult readers as well....more
5 out of 5 stars for me. I mean, where else would you read of a submissive man and a dominant woman but the man is still super adorable and attractive5 out of 5 stars for me. I mean, where else would you read of a submissive man and a dominant woman but the man is still super adorable and attractive? This novella brings me to a conclusion with psy-changeling; stay tuned for my reviews on psy-changeling trinity – the spin-off series in the New Year....more
I gave this 4 out 5 stars. This was a beautiful and perilous journey with a founding family theme. Love from unexpected places, betrayals from unexpecI gave this 4 out 5 stars. This was a beautiful and perilous journey with a founding family theme. Love from unexpected places, betrayals from unexpected people and a lesson to appreciate the things you have and the people around you. I believe there might be another book coming, I am not sure if this will remain a standalone but it would be delightful either way....more
I gave 5 out of 5 stars. Everything that I needed was given in this finale. She got her man, her sister, her magic and her happiness. Oops, did I spoiI gave 5 out of 5 stars. Everything that I needed was given in this finale. She got her man, her sister, her magic and her happiness. Oops, did I spoil the end for you? Sorryyy not sorry. It had action, love, betrayal, murder intrigue, all the sauce. It’s been a while since I had a 5 star read and so these last few have been long awaited and well worth the wait....more
I gave this story 4 out of 5 stars because I loved the heart warming tale. The mode of the story really suited the winter months and has such a poignaI gave this story 4 out of 5 stars because I loved the heart warming tale. The mode of the story really suited the winter months and has such a poignant message to impact. The chapters were not too long and the language used was simple enough to follow for this genre. The author did a wonderful job and I love the morality that would educate children of the target age....more
I gave this story 4 out of 5 stars because the fated love was so beautiful and the growth of the characters was inspiring. The rest of the books in thI gave this story 4 out of 5 stars because the fated love was so beautiful and the growth of the characters was inspiring. The rest of the books in this series will be just as moving as well, I can just tell....more
I gave 4 out of 5 stars because I was thoroughly engaged in most of the story, although there were some aspects that made me bored, especially the talI gave 4 out of 5 stars because I was thoroughly engaged in most of the story, although there were some aspects that made me bored, especially the talk of wormholes and such. I can’t wait for the next book. I requested the ARC on Netgalley but haven’t received a response yet. I hope I get it, I cant wait to read the next instalment. The author had you thinking about so many things like morality, the construct of the universe – which as a Christian; I just kept thinking how amazing God is, to create minds that work exceptionally well and imagination that creates beautiful artwork like this story. If you love adult fantasy that stirs you to think about life, this story is your cup of tea as a fine specimen of dark academia....more
I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this most out of the entire books in the trilogy. Evie had grown into a character I could like, even though she I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this most out of the entire books in the trilogy. Evie had grown into a character I could like, even though she still made me roll my eyes at times, it wasn’t as much as when I met her in the first book of the trilogy. I loved the love between Evie and Aspen and I am glad that Evie’s sister came to find contentment despite all she had been through at the start of the trilogy; she had the most growth as a character. There were some obvious predictions which I am glad didn’t spoil the story for me. It was a good story....more
I gave 4 out of 5 stars. This was a great ending to a series that has spanned a long time and seen beautiful romance bloom so it is fitting that the rI gave 4 out of 5 stars. This was a great ending to a series that has spanned a long time and seen beautiful romance bloom so it is fitting that the romance to end the series is one that had been going on for centuries with no conclusion until now. I loved every minute. William and Helena didn’t have a lot of time together on their own so sometimes it seemed to me that they had the least chemistry but that is because their relationship wasn’t a focus. This is presumably because it didn’t need to be built from the start; they have had a long history and a strong foundation even though one or both were in situations where they sometimes forgot their history – mostly Helena. The end was very ironic. I can’t wait for the new series that this book suggests is coming....more
Characters that have a sacrificial lamb complex annoy me especially when their plans are stupid, there is obviously another way to save more lives butCharacters that have a sacrificial lamb complex annoy me especially when their plans are stupid, there is obviously another way to save more lives but they only see and pick the path that means they lose their life, thinking it is the more noble option. All our lives are precious to the one who gave it to us, don’t think that you are the only one who can save everyone and that you have to be the one, especially when there is a better plan. Can you tell how peeved I am by fake heroes? Evie is like the embodiment of curiosity killed the cat. ‘I must have every information at my finger tip’ even when getting that information is dangerous, when you rely on only yourself and not on a higher power, you are burdened to think your survival depends on you alone and these types of people don’t trust easily. I gave 4 out of 5 stars because despite my aggravation with the main protagonist, I enjoyed the story....more
I gave the story 3 out of 5 stars, it was very well written and I liked that it wasn’t clear which of the male leads held more sway with Xingyin but tI gave the story 3 out of 5 stars, it was very well written and I liked that it wasn’t clear which of the male leads held more sway with Xingyin but this was also the reason why I wasn’t satisfied – confusing right? Sometimes emotions aren’t so easily put in one box, this is one of the lessons that this story teaches....more
I gave 3 out of 5 stars. How many people does Lilly want? ‘Oh Alex, Nico, Christian etc. hates me’ – eye roll. ‘I want them to look at me and like me’I gave 3 out of 5 stars. How many people does Lilly want? ‘Oh Alex, Nico, Christian etc. hates me’ – eye roll. ‘I want them to look at me and like me’ can we stop please? – I was just paraphrasing. When Chrissy called Lilly a whiny little girl, she was accurate and I don’t like Chrissy’s character, am just saying her description of Lilly was accurate. I loved the plot and the character building. I loved that most of the characters were morally grey; there were a slew of betrayals. Everyone was out for themselves and to trust was to be at the mercy of another’s whim. It was a great read....more
Luna’s parents remind me so much of my parents and how they talk about other people. I gave 2 out of 5 stars. It was very sedate and boring for me butLuna’s parents remind me so much of my parents and how they talk about other people. I gave 2 out of 5 stars. It was very sedate and boring for me but if a reader wants to relax and enjoy the innocence of first sweet love, this is the perfect story. I got the book in my fairyloot box as the second book so it wasn’t something I would pick up myself. Whilst it is not my cup of tea, it was a good read. My rating is based on my mood and preference as a reader rather than the quality of the plot or writing which was great....more
I gave 4 out of 5 stars because I just loved how stubborn Evie is, even when it was clear that it would serve her better to be a little more flexible I gave 4 out of 5 stars because I just loved how stubborn Evie is, even when it was clear that it would serve her better to be a little more flexible but in her shoes and with the limited information she had, I would have made similar decisions as she did. I really liked her as a character and the narrator is also a familiar voice to me so I was in love with the story within the first 5 minutes. I loved the plot and all the twists and turns. It was a good experience to be immersed in this book....more
I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. It was a relatively short story and for a standalone, I loved that the author was able to build such an intricate world, iI gave it 4 out of 5 stars. It was a relatively short story and for a standalone, I loved that the author was able to build such an intricate world, introduce such amazing characters and progress the plot to conclude in so little time. I loved the short chapters and the easy language the story was written in. The story is told only in Mina’s POV but her view of the world and the people around her was not narrow, so the reader gets to see all the characters introduced in an objective view, or as objective as a single POV can be. I would recommend this book to young teens as a good introduction to the fantasy genre....more
I gave it 3 out of 5 starts. It took me so long between getting this book and actually reading it and I am glad that I got to finish it. There were reI gave it 3 out of 5 starts. It took me so long between getting this book and actually reading it and I am glad that I got to finish it. There were really short chapters and some of the chapters ended and started when they shouldn’t have. For example, when it is the middle of the scene, some chapters will end and start. I felt as though for the sake of having short chapters the author just ended the chapters wherever was convenient. I loved the language used, it was easy to understand and the relationship between the characters made the story more enjoyable. The story was told manly from one POV, which is the main protagonist’s and I always felt like, if don’t right a single POV telling can make the reader feel like they are not really seeing what’s going on in the plot of the story which might or might not be to the intent of the author. It was still a good story overall....more
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