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meaghancook's reviews
486 reviews
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Is there anything more frustrating than a bad book with a good ending?
From the beginning, I could smell a betrayal coming fromTamiln Sebastian and I just knew how this was going to play out. Never mind that all of the major plot points are almost directly taken from ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince, The Selection, and even Shadow and Bone. It was almost distracting, to the point that I could map exactly how the author constructed the cast of characters and the world/magic system. Tropes are tropes but this book took it to another level. Tell me you’ve been on Booktok for the past three years without telling me.
Every part of this was predictable. But god damn did that ending get me good. I will be reading the second book against my will and I can’t wait to watchFeyre Brie ends up with Rhysand Finn.
From the beginning, I could smell a betrayal coming from
Every part of this was predictable. But god damn did that ending get me good. I will be reading the second book against my will and I can’t wait to watch
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was so stupidly good, I almost can’t believe it. I’m a sucker for a personification of Death, and this one did NOT disappoint. Everything about the writing is beautiful, even if some of the “twists” were a bit predictable. I am so anxiously awaiting the next book, that I’m glad I held off on reading this until the second book’s release was closer.
One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The ending on this felt a little rushed. Also a bit too much telling rather than showing. But I loved the characterization of each woman and how they felt like their own whole characters. I do wish that Olivia’s obvious sociopathy was explored a bit more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence and Trafficking
Minor: Homophobia
Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If I was going on vibes alone this would be five stars. With that being said, this is a SOLID four star book for me. There are valid criticisms (overuse of metaphors, slightly messy ending with lingering questions, one to many references to the FMCs “blue, blue eyes”).
But my god I couldn’t put this down. I’m a sucker for a unreliable narrator BUT TWO??? Just when you think you’ve figured out where this is going, you realize how wrong you are. Some may call it predictable, and in a lot of ways it is, but I had THE BEST TIME with this book. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this author’s work!!
But my god I couldn’t put this down. I’m a sucker for a unreliable narrator
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death and Car accident
Minor: Dementia
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I find it nearly impossible to settle on a rating for this book. In giving it less than 5 stars, I feel I do a disservice to the victims and to Ann’s commitment to honor them and tell their stories. In giving it a high rating, I fear I contribute to the glorification of this monster.
I will leave it at this: each and every person whose life was taken or altered by this man is in my prayers every night. I hope he is rotting in the deepest hell.
I will leave it at this: each and every person whose life was taken or altered by this man is in my prayers every night. I hope he is rotting in the deepest hell.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
If this was maybe 50-75 pages shorter it would be a perfect five stars. We got a little too far off course in the middle there but overall this book is truly magical.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, and Blood
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, and War
Moderate: Drug use and Kidnapping