Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

This was an exciting start to a new heist fantasy series!

Whitesides does an incredible job of creating a memorable protagonist and a well-rounded cast of characters.

If you're looking for rich worldbuilding and an insane magic system (hint: dragons) then this is the series to go for!

Overall rating: 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This eARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading the second instalment in this series.

The world-building is vivid and immersive. Certain scenes could have contained fewer infodumps.

The plot was complicated and paced just right, I feel even more excited for the next book in the series.

Overall rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

An ordinary English teacher along with other people from Earth are kidnapped by an alien species to fight in their war.

An interesting premise that could have been executed better, specially in terms of writing style and character development.

Overall rating: ⭐⭐ out of 5

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A good start to a promising new series. Unique setting and fascinating world-building, the world of Sullivan's work is gripping with enough fast-paced action and tension to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Overall rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher.

This novel was a refreshingly great mix of genres! With memorable characters, incredible world-building and an engaging fast-paced plot, this is one that readers with different interests will enjoy.

The only complaints I had were with the romance aspect and certain plot points that could have been executed better.

Overall an excellent read!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was very much anticipating this one as it involved a mix of a Victorian setting and Egyptian mythology.
However, it did not live up to my expectations. My biggest issue with this was the writing style. It wasn't bad per say, but I was confused about the audience that this book was targeted at. It could have been anywhere from middle grade to adult.

Rating: ⭐⭐

ARC provided by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb intrigued me but the contents of the book unfortunately fell short of my expectations.
The flowery writing confused me instead if pulling me in and made it hard to grasp the already poorly-explained magic system (dreamscape).
The protagonist was unreliable and quite vapid. The worldbuilding had a lot of loopholes.
A good premise but poorly executed.

Rating: 2/5 stars

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher.

Plus points:
1. The worldbuilding that occurs without infodumping.

2. Character development

3. The sequence of events and the amount of attention each is given.

Things could have been better:

1. More could have been added to this other than the murder, the investigation and the reveal.

2. I wish a little bit more had been revealed of the aftermath of the big reveal.

3. The title

3.5/5 ⭐

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this volume. It was a good introduction to the series. The artwork was beautiful and evocative.
The story focused on character development and had little in the way of concrete plot. I wish the following volumes explore the aliens more as I am expecting they well. The ending left me in anticipation of the next volume.
Overall rating: 3.5 stars

Copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read the original Hawthorne novel and dived into this without any prior knowledge of the plot.
I loved the beautiful artwork. The story was nothing extraordinary, but I can see why it would be popular when it was written.

Overall: 2.5/5 stars

I had high expectations for this but was disappointed. The writing is bland and awkward, the characters are very 1D and the dialogue is stilted and awkward. Character interactions are very strange and the science behind the experiment is very sketchy. The beast's thought process is very confusing to follow and raises a lot of questions. Chaney is the only somewhat tolerable character in this. I read about 35% and then gave up.

1/5 stars

ARC provided by publisher and NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this book and will be checking out other works by this author. The main characters were well-developed and their motivations were shown very well.
I was surprised to find myself enjoying the space battles. The aliens were well thought-out and quite mysterious. The pacing was impeccable. There was no info-dumping and the technical passages were not boring at all.
Overall rating: 4.5/5 stars

ARC provided by NetGalley and Udon Entertainment.
An excellent manga adaptation of Poe's works. I have not previously read these stories and have a feeling I would not enjoy them as much outside of this manga format. The art styles were all distinct and very appropriate for each story. I especially loved the art during the masquerade scene in Masque of the Red Death and the way Usher was drawn The Fall of the House of Usher.
5/5 stars

ARC by NetGalley
This novel follows Frances Wynn, pulled out of her brief independence from her in-laws by a letter implicating her in her husband's death.
The pacing in this short novel was excellent and no words were wasted in info-dump passages. The murder investigation became very complicated but was handled very well.

I wish Frances' and Lily's suitors' emotions had been shown a bit better and more. Overall, a great debut novel.
4/5 stars

A novel with a good mix of sci-fi and steampunk elements. The worldbuilding was unique and done well. The character development could be better for some side characters. It would also help if the elites and governing forces were involved more in the plot, to give an expanded view of the world rather than restricting it to the crew of the ship. There are some deus ex machina scenes. Overall a good debut. I'll be continuing the series.

3.5/5 stars

Unexpectedly awesome. 3 reasons to read this gem:

1. The theme of prejudice runs strong in this. The setting is 17th century London and prejudice exists against the plagued, Igniters, Keepers and those of coloured skin. The author has mirrored crucial issues of today in a novel set in the 1600s.

2. The magic system is VERY well done.

3. Impeccable character development. Thomas' journey to find truth is something we can all relate to

5/5 stars!

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
A good book in the style of older fantasy novels. I liked the pacing, it avoided side quests and the like, I liked the characters (mainly Aric's father). The writing was a little too old-fashioned for me, but might appeal to many readers, and the ending was predictable. I also wish the magic system had been developed further. Recommended for those who enjoy older fantasy novels.

Overall rating: 3/5

Very dark and gory. But thoroughly enjoyable. There is a constant underlying terror in this book that sets your teeth on edge as you read it.

A satisfying conclusion to one of my all-time favourite series. The excitement did not let up for a second and I am in awe of how Wexler managed to fit so much into this book without messing up the pacing. The ending felt a little rushed but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

Overall rating: 4.8/5

[Spoiler] The short snippet at the end about what Janus was getting upto makes me DESPERATE for a book/series focusing on that. He is my fav char after all.

I've read better fanfiction.

A short and quick-paced novel with the creep factor maxed out. One of the best reads this year.

Paris' writing is simple yet it manages to draw in the reader easily. The well thought out plot and amazing character depictions really make the reader sympathise with the protagonist.

The psyche of someone in a situation such as hers is explored very well and without overly fancy writing at that.

Overall rating: 8.0/10

I have a couple of books on my to-read list currently but I'm always looking for more. Any suggestions?

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Currently reading this INCREDIBLE manga. I've been hooked since pg 1.

Review to come when I've finished this gem.

Unpopular opinion coming through. I read this several years ago, back when my tolerance for purple prose was at an all-time high. I honestly don't know how I managed to make it through this. Nothing stuck out to me when I read it. It literally felt like I was just reading words, occasionally interspersed with bursts of imagery and dialogue that just popped out of the blue.

I stopped reading 20% into the 2nd book. Because it was boring.

Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.

Translation: Never tickle a sleeping dragon.

- Slogan of Hogwarts

Update: Currently reading
Update: finished

It was a good read. Good pacing and plot. I think the author could have made it more exciting in certain parts but overall it was enjoyable.

Rating: 3.8/5

Sometimes it cuts to see other men more passionate than I about the things that I should care for.

- Jorg Ancrath

I enjoyed this novel. Good characterisation and a decent plot. It was not terribly complex and I wouldn't say that the idea of this novel is very groundbreaking, but this was definitely an enjoyable and well-paced read with a very interesting ending.

Actual rating: 4/5

When lacking in adult books, turn to good Middle Grade stuff. I've been reading Riordan's stuff for years and I still enjoy it.

What I don't enjoy about his work is how his characters seem to blend into one especially the main protagonists. This is why I didnt continue his Norse mytho series. the main kid sounded too much like Percy.

However this book is not like that. Apollo has his own voice. AND this book made me sad cos of his relationships

Lawrence doesn't disappoint. What I love about his writing is how the little hints about the post-apocalyptic setting cannot be found without careful reading and taking apart of sentences. He is a master atengaging his readers in this way. Wonderful plot and characters too. No shying away from gore either and yet there is no excess of gore to put one off. Great read overall!

Greeeeeaaaat!!!!

Finally got around to reading this. Let's just say this series doesn't disappoint. Plot thickens perfectly. Battle tactics are still as fun to read as they were in the first book. And the character development has yet to disappoint.
Also that ending gave me chills. I desperately need that last book 😭

Improvement on the first book. The plot is better and characters have become more developed. It's also interesting to see how the magical forces interact with the normal people in this series.

Full of action with a decent plot. Good variety of main characters and I hope to see and learn more about them in the upcoming books!

Actual rating: 4/5 stars

What an amazing ending! Perfect conclusion of the series! Kincaid exploited her unique idea to the fullest. The characters develop so much in this and the last book. I love this series so much. This series is highly underrated.

Actual rating: 5/5

Definitely an improvement on book 1. The char issue I had is gone and the political aspect of the plot is getting awesome! Since book 1 I've loved the multinational corps idea and looks like Kincaid is going in the right direction with it. Can't wait for book 3.

I really liked this book. One of the few YAs in a long time that I enjoyed. It hasa lot of potential. The main char was a bit stupid and annoying so I hope that gets remedied. Plot is good so far. If done well this could be something very new and awesome in its genre. Looking forward to the next book.

Actual rating: 3.5/5

The hype was crazy about this one. It did not live up to it at all. Things wrong with this book:

1- Use of Japanese pronouns/suffixes/prefixes
2- SO.MUCH.DESCRIPTION (I still remember a scene in the beginning where a simple walk is so interspersed with heavy description that I lose track of the characters' conversation)
3- Infodumping to the max
4- 1-D forgettable chars
5- Out of the blue romance

Overall: good idea, horrible execution
DNF @ 30%

This may not be everyone's cup of tea and it normally would not be mine either, but Addison lures us in and immerses us in her world easily despite the plot of this story. It isn't a bad plot, it's just unconventional. There is not a concrete end to the story, rather the plot focuses on the characters and their interrelationships with short background plots. And in this it succeeds as proven by my unexpected love for this book.

Actual rating: 4/5

Despite the fact that the character of Sabetha was quite disappointing, and Jean's role was reduced, Lynch once again delivered in impeccable plot, worldbuilding and lead-up to the next book. What I love about his characters is that no matter what awesome skills they possess they are still very much fallible. And in my opinion all three books show this. Also we find out some spine-tingling facts about Karthain and the Magi.

Absolutely terrifying.

One of the few books that has managed to scare me. Also the only book about vampires I have ever LOVED.

I didn't think reading about a quest for treasure could be this boring but it was! Instead watch the animation Treasure Planet! Infinitely better than this snoozefest.

My favourite romance and classic to date!

A good read. Well-paced with just enough description to imagine the setting. I like the emotional aspect of the story. Author is also nice enough to not treat his readers like idiots. There are some plot holes but for the scope of this story I think they can be ignored.

Worse than the first book. First half rehashes the events of the first.

Also the bad points of book one intensify here.

1. Kvothe-who-can-do-no-wrong-and-who-has-zilch-respect-for-women-just-like-his-crappy-author-but-who-still-gets-all-of-them becomes more Gary Stew than ever before.
2. Denna.should.die.pls.fall.off.a.cliff
3. Side characters? What are those?
4. Nebulousness of plot intensifies with dizzying trails of tangents added, no climax

Things I liked:
1. The magic system
2. The mysteriousness
3. Some aspects of the setting

Things I did not like:
1. Main character: Kvothe
2. Side character Denna
3. Every other character
4. Nebulous plot

A little bit about Kvothe (aka Gary Stew) he's made of gold and craps talent, charm and good looks in a sickeningly perfect mixture.

Denna is annoying. The other characters are one at most two dimensional. Even our special Kvothe.

Stroud is vastly underrated. With this first book in a trilogy he has woven some of the most memorable and most life-like characters I have ever had the absolute joy to encounter.