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Showing posts from July, 2025
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 The Library of Fates  by Margot Harrison A Hauntingly Beautiful Mystery Woven in Pages and Fate Margot Harrison’s The Library of Fates is a spellbinding tale that blends literary mystery, emotional depth, and quiet, haunting magic into one unforgettable experience. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by its world, a library steeped in secrets, where books don’t just tell stories... they know them. Set across two intricately woven timelines, the novel follows Eleanor, a quietly fierce and introspective young woman shaped by tragedy, and Daniel, her enigmatic former love and the estranged son of the library’s keeper. Years ago, Daniel vanished without explanation. Now he’s back, and with him comes a wave of unanswered questions and unresolved longing. Together, they must track down a missing book, one that promises to reveal your future in exchange for a personal secret. The dynamic between Eleanor and Daniel crackles with tension and vulnerability. As...
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 Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee A Beautiful Premise with Rich Cultural Roots, May Work Better in a Different Format I was immediately drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover and the promise of a Persuasion -inspired romance with strong Korean representation, a combination that felt tailor-made for fans of Jane Austen, K-dramas, and manhwa.. The premise had so much potential, and I truly appreciated how the author brought cultural depth to the forefront. I want to acknowledge that sometimes the right story just doesn’t land in the right moment or format. For me, the third-person narration created a bit of distance that made it hard to fully connect with the characters emotionally. I tend to gravitate toward character-driven stories, especially in contemporary romance, but I also look for steady pacing or subtle momentum to keep me engaged, and here, the plot progression felt a bit too slow for my personal taste. I would love to read the audiobook to see if I can connect more t...
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 Red City by Marie Lu Review of Red City by Marie Lu ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ☆ (4.5 Stars) Marie Lu’s Red City is an electrifying blend of alchemy, ambition, and aching tension between two unforgettable characters. If you love stories where childhood friends turn into bitter rivals, only to be pulled back together by fate, politics, and power, this book will devour you whole . Told in three distinct parts, Red City follows Sam and Ari, two shy, inseparable friends who find themselves split apart and recruited into rival alchemical syndicates. What begins as an innocent childhood bond slowly twists into a high-stakes enemies-to-lovers dynamic as they grow into powerful alchemists, each vying for control in a city teetering on revolution. The emotional arcs are rich , the politics sharp , and the pacing (after the opening) absolutely addictive . What I Loved: 🔥 The Dual POV Getting both Sam and Ari’s perspectives made their journeys feel intimate and emotionally charged. Watching them...
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 9 Little People  by Regina Feldmann & Martina Stuhlberger “9 Little People” is a heartfelt treasure that every child , and every parent , needs on their bookshelf. From the very first page, this book had me smiling, tearing up, and feeling all the warmth that comes with a story built on love, inclusivity, and the beauty of being exactly who you are. In a world that can often feel overwhelming and unkind, 9 Little People offers a gentle but powerful reminder of what truly matters: kindness, community, and belonging. What makes this story stand out is how beautifully it embraces diversity. Each “little person” in the book brings something special to the table, and the message is clear, everyone is seen, everyone is valued, and everyone belongs. The representation in this story was not only refreshing but necessary. It teaches children, through vibrant illustrations and simple yet impactful language, that differences are not just okay, they're worth celebrating. As I...
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 A Ship of Bones and Teeth  by Karina Halle “The Ship of Bones and Teeth” by Karina Halle is a monster-filled fever dream in the best way possible, and I am absolutely hooked . This was my first time diving into Karina Halle’s work, and if this book is anything to go by, it certainly won’t be my last. I finished it late last night, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. From the first page to the last, it’s an action-packed, high-stakes, gloriously unhinged ride through dark waters teeming with danger, desire, and the kind of monsters that make you question your morals, in the best way. Imagine if The Little Mermaid got tangled up with Pirates of the Caribbean after a blood pact with Van Helsing , and then someone cranked up the spice and dialed the horror up to eleven. That’s the vibe. There are krakens. There are vampires. There are pirate ships full of the undead (yes, plural). Sea witches. Curses. And did I mention the Scottish vampire pirate captain ? Because y...
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Dexter by Bonnie Kelso & Kentee Pasek  I just finished Dexter by Bonnie Kelso and Kentee Pasek, and wow, what an unforgettable read! This heartwarming children’s book follows the inspiring journey of a lovable dog who loses a leg but never loses his spirit. I laughed, I cried, and I hugged my own dogs a little tighter. As a proud dog mom of five, this story hit home in the best way possible. Based on a true story, Dexter’s courage and sweetness leap off the page, showing that even life’s biggest challenges can’t keep a good pup down. If you’re searching for your child’s next favorite bedtime story, the kind they’ll beg to hear again and again, Dexter is it. A must-read for dog lovers of all ages!
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 The Queen of Faces by Petra Lord Queen of Faces dazzled me with its incredibly unique magic system and captivating worldbuilding, there’s truly nothing else quite like it. The premise had me hooked from the start, and the characters themselves were intriguing, each one brimming with potential. While I personally found myself wishing for a deeper dive into the characters' relationships and emotional arcs, I could still appreciate the sparks of connection that flickered throughout the story. There were moments where I longed for more "in-between", the quieter, character-driven beats that really let relationships breathe, but the fast-paced plot kept things moving at a thrilling clip. At times, the structure felt more like a detailed blueprint than a fully fleshed-out journey, but that’s also part of what gives it its distinctive tone. If you’re someone who loves expansive, imaginative worlds where a lot is happening and you don’t mind a more streamlined emotional lens...
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 The Silversmith by LJ Claren “He was home. A home I could not keep.” That line? It lives in my chest now. This book didn’t just move me, it wrecked me, rebuilt me, and left me clinging to the pieces in the best way possible. I didn’t walk into this story, I fell, headfirst, heart wide open. From the first page, I was utterly absorbed. The worldbuilding? Seamless. So natural, so rich, I barely noticed it happening as I got pulled deeper and deeper into the lives of these characters. Though plot lovers, rest assured: while romance takes center stage, the story itself holds its own with well-crafted twists and masterful pacing. But let’s be real, the romance? It devours . It clings . It consumes . It's the kind that doesn't just tug your heartstrings; it plays them like a symphony. LJ’s writing is luminous. Poetic without being heavy, emotional without ever feeling forced. I felt every word in my bones. And Ary... oh, Ary. Watching her stumble, struggle, and grow was like w...
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Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana   I can’t believe it took me this long to dive into this series, but once I realized Lore of the Tides was book two, I immediately grabbed Lore of the Wilds and devoured it first. And let me tell you, once I finished book one earlier today, I physically could not stop myself from diving straight into this one. That’s how addicted I was. I read along with the audiobooks, and it made the entire experience even more magical. The narrator brought the world and characters to life in such a vivid way, I can’t recommend pairing the audio with the physical book enough. Lore of the Tides is just as enchanting, magical, and utterly immersive as the first. It transported me to a world far from my own, lush with fae princes, ancient magic, and emotional stakes that left my heart racing. I didn’t just read this book, I lived it. And though I’m not sure if there will be a third, I’ll be first in line if there ever is. If you’re craving a story wi...
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 Lore of the Wilds  by Analeigh Sbrana Stepping Into a Fairytale From the very first page, I felt like I had been swept into a fairytale. This book didn’t just tell a story, it transported me. I’ve read plenty of fantasy novels, but never one that made me feel so much like the heroine of a magical tale, like a princess trapped in a strange, enchanted town. I saw a review claiming the writing was horrible... and honestly, I don’t think we read the same book. The prose was vivid and immersive, and despite being written in third person (a POV I usually don’t enjoy), I didn’t even notice it. That’s how seamlessly it was done. Major applause to the author for that. Characters That Breathe and Burn The character dynamics work. The romance is a slow burn, with a love triangle that, yes, I’ll say it, actually works. I know some readers feel the trope is outdated, but this one was compelling. With two warrior men both drawn to Lore, fiercely protective and undeniably magnet...
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Savage Blooms by S.T. Gibson   Savage Blooms by S.T. Gibson had a really intriguing premise that initially drew me in. The blend of romantasy with themes like found family, hidden legacies, and a magical old manor set in the atmospheric Scottish countryside had so much potential, and those elements were definitely the highlights for me. I especially appreciated the way the story wove in mystical elements tied to the land itself, which gave the setting a haunting, almost timeless quality. While the third-person narrative style isn't my personal favorite, I tend to connect more deeply with first-person perspectives, I can see how others might enjoy the broader scope it offers. The characters, Adam, Nicola, Eileen, and Finley, each had unique roles in the story, and I found Finley to be particularly interesting and grounded amidst the rest. Though I struggled to fully connect with the other characters and felt the storylines sometimes ran in different directions, I think thi...

The Leaving Room by Amber Mcbride

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 The Leaving Room by Amber Mcbride "It’s easier to be a Leaver. It’s harder to be a Stayer." Wow. I don’t say this lightly, but this might just be one of the most moving, original, and breathtakingly beautiful books I’ve ever read. A YA novel-in-verse that completely shattered the boundaries of storytelling as I thought I knew them, and then lovingly stitched something brand new in their place. Set in the hauntingly poetic Leaving Room , this story follows Gospel, the Keeper of this liminal space between life and death. Her job is simple: comfort the newly deceased, called Leavers, then guide them through to the next phase. No questions. No deviations. No attachments. But Gospel begins to break the rules. She peeks into memories. She takes naps. She longs for more. And then a door appears. Enter Melodee, a fellow Keeper and a forbidden love. As the two form a quiet, fragile connection, Gospel is forced to confront everything she’s ever known about life, death, love, an...