Welcome to Litsy!

Johan was not pleased that I spent yesterday evening finishing this book instead of focusing all of my attention on him. 😹

Soft pick. The world building was overly complex, and the pacing was inconsistent. However, I was invested in the characters, and the end did satisfy some of my doubts. I'd be willing to give the next book a chance.

I read this purely for fun and escape.

“That was the moment I knew I loved you, he had said. When that arrow went through your heart, and it might as well have gone through mine.”
#June2025

3✨ I personally feel this was an overhype. I also recognize that I read this after a master world builder so I was being over judgy. However, there is a lot going on and quite a bit of characters. The storyline was interesting, but I felt I wasn‘t understanding the finer points being made. I really enjoyed the big reveals near the end and am interested to continue reading. I just expected more with all the drama this book caused. 😅

Happy Indie Bookstore Day!

Yes, I‘m on a Book Buying Ban but made an exception for today for my local store. 💖🫣

📖Lightlark by Alex Aster
I don‘t remember when or why I bought this book, bu I really enjoyed it and will definitely pick up the next one in the series. I kept waiting for a major betrayal and was shocked when it happened. I‘m glad Isla found her purpose and what she was truly made of. Book #31 in 2025

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I've been on a YA fantasy binge lately. Although this one is a low pick for me, I still enjoyed it enough to read the second one.

It uses familiar tropes, which annoyed me at times. Also, I would have liked the characters to have been more developed.

Overall, quick, typical read in the YA fantasy genre that I hope the author really expands on in Book 2.

I really enjoyed this fantasy. It was a new author to me. I would definitely read more by this author and I intend to finish this series. I rated it 4 stars. (catching up on books I read in January)

#BookedForLife

Isla, the ruler of the Wildlings, has prepared her whole life to attend the Centennial, a gathering that happens every 100 years where the rulers of the six islands attempt to break their curses. Most have power and age on their side, however Isla is young and powerless with many lies and deceit around every corner. Book was just different enough to stand out in the Romantasy era that we are living in. Probably will continue with series.

I didn‘t love it, and I didn‘t hate it. I feel like it was so SLOW. I think I was about 30% in and it was still setting the story up. It‘s a bit slow for my taste. I feel like I‘ll like book 2 better. 3.5 🌟

I enjoyed this… stayed up late reading it, which is one of my main tells that I‘m invested in a story. It does embrace tropes and well known story arcs, but still managed to surprise me at times. I‘ll be continuing with this series, and I‘m predicting it will get darker before the end. We haven‘t visited the Nightshade realm yet, after all.

I know it‘s been a minute but in the last few weeks my reading has finally picked up again…lol (I don‘t know what happened!!!! Lightlark has blown me away. Wow….is all I have to say right now!!!! Why did it take me so long to read it???? More of a review late when I get thoughts together. #litsylove #AMAZING #fantasyromance #fantasy #couldnotputdown #november #2024

I absolutely looooooved #Lightlark & #Nightbane! I highly recommend. I can‘t wait for the third book! 📕 Oro 🤍 Isla 🩷 Grim 🖤

I‘m on book 204 for 2024

this is one of the best books i‘ve ever read 🥹

Another thing this author does well is that she conveys her story simply. For some people, that can be a strike against the author, but I think the level of writing is very understandable for middle grades; even more so for high schoolers (it might be too easy for advanced readers). This story is accessible to all levels of readers, which makes the story more open and appreciated!

I was flying through the pages. The chapters were short and the narrative was addictive. Information was revealed in pieces which made it more intriguing.
Downsides: FMC's behaviour not in line with her upbringing, a lot of telling, unclear magical rules.
There were some hints on the big twists at the end but the whole showdown was so beautifully done and it left me wanting for more, immediately looking for the next installment.

One thing this book does very well is the building of suspense throughout ever character interaction. In a book where no character is supposed to trust the other (to do so would risk their life), Aster does a brilliant job of keep character dynamics intriguing and not repetitive or boring. She keeps the reader engaged and constantly wondering what actions/words they can trust, and what characters might have dubious intentions!

Lightlark has been on my tbr for as long as I can remember, and I‘m thankful that this class has pushed me to read it! The start of the book is very typical of a fantasy novel, it‘s a lot of world building and explanations of the lore/mythology of the new land. I‘m thoroughly enjoying this novel so far, but the writing style is a little stunted in my opinion, so it takes a little bit to really get into it!

Doing a buddy read with one of my besties! It works out because I've been wanting to get into this series for a while, and now I have a reason to!

Really enjoyed this fantasy. Can‘t wait to read the next one!

4.5⭐️ pleasantly surprised. Ive seen a few people include it on lists, few talks shows etc etc and thought I‘d give it a try. It‘s all a game until someone dies. Not to mention there are lies and liars are everywhere. And of course forbidden love; or lust or is it just part of the game?

Look, I am well aware that I am not the target audience for this novel. But I follow the author on social media, and I love her content and how much she loves her fans. The writing was good. The story was good. The plot twist at the end was excellent. I can understand why her fans love this book. I may even eventually pick up and read the second book in the series, but it‘s a beach read for me.

I follow the author on #bookstagram and #booktok. So I am finally going to grab it off my formidable TBR list.

I LOVED this. The first amazing book after the #FourthWingHangover. It was beautiful and lovely and full of betrayal. For, you can‘t trust anyone in the Centennial.
#fantasy #booksof2023
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A book friend to support my read 🐈‍⬛📖

I've heard great things about this... please don't disappoint!

Book mail!

Love ❤️

#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65 My first serial book of 2023 did not disappoint! I cannot wait for book 2. This felt like an exciting mix of hunger games and caravel which means I absolutely loved it! Lots of twists and turns, betrayals and lies. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars!

My 2022 BOTY: Lightlark
Very close second: The Inheritance Games.

You know what? I loved it!!! (I‘m well aware of all the scandal)
I think this will make a fabulous movie. And while some books like this feel like they‘ll make a good movie but the writing isn‘t great, this is really well written. It had all the beats I wanted from a YA fantasy and none of the things that irritate me.
I listened on audio (fabulous) but will buy the book for my collection, for sure. Give me more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book was good. But book angers me. So I do not like the book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️