booksandbongs's reviews
155 reviews

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

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adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“I know that right choices by definition are the means by which life crystallizes loss.”


🍸REVIEW🍸

Rules of Civility is a historical fiction novel by Amor Towles based in late 1930s New York City. The story follows 25 year old Katey Kontent and her friend as they climb the NYC social ladder. 

This is the only book from Amor Towles I hadn’t read yet and knew I wanted to finish it before Table for Two comes out next month! Luckily my Libby loan came in with perfect timing. 

Towles’ writing is vibrant and descriptive, drawing the reader into New York City with the characters. Dense but atmospheric, reading this made me want to grab a cocktail shaker and put some diamonds on. Someone described it as making them feel nostalgic for a time and place they’ve never been, which is spot on.

Towles beautifully captures the endless possibilities of youth, and the mix of emotions that come with being young. The story feels like an homage to New York City, music, and art. I love the way the plot is constructed, along with the thoughtful and poignant conclusions at the end. Towles lyrical prose always really resonates with me. 

I really loved this one. I can confirm he is an auto-buy author for me, and one of my favorite authors! Definitely pick this one up for a wonderful whirlwind of a journey. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Uncompromising purpose and the search for eternal truth have an unquestionable sex appeal for the young and high-minded; but when a person loses the ability to take pleasure in the mundane--in the cigarette on the stoop or the gingersnap in the bath--she had probably put herself in unnecessary danger.”
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

“People tend to complicate their own lives, as if living weren’t already complicated enough.”

📚REVIEW📚

In mid 1940’s Barcelona, an antiquarian book dealer's son comes across a book titled The Shadow of the Wind. When he goes to read the authors other works, he discovers that someone has been destroying them all. His quest to find the other books opens the door to one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets. 

The Shadow of the Wind is filled with suspense, mystery, and heartbreak. The gothic storytelling is mesmerizing and enchanting, I felt like I was on the rainy streets of Barcelona with Daniel. The story is meandering but you are slowly drawn in to the world as the mystery unfolds. The writing style is absolutely beautiful, and I think is a large part of why I enjoyed it as much as I did. 
The main characters are all complex and nuanced - I love how flawed and human they are. Daniel’s coming of age was interesting and at times very frustrating.

If I have one major critique, it’s that all of the women in the story come across as only an object of male desire. I know it’s set in 1940’s Spain but I definitely struggled with it.

If you enjoy gothic novels and complex mystery, check this one out! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“…few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart. Those first images, the echo of words we think we have left behind, accompany us throughout our lives and sculpt a palace in our memory…”
The Wicked King by Holly Black

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

“It is said we learn more from our failures than our successes.” 

👑🖤REVIEW🖤👑

The Wicked King is the second book in the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. 
Picking up a few months after Cruel Prince ends, Jude works to keep her brother safe and maintain control while navigating Faerie as a mortal. When betrayal arises, Jude must stop the traitor to protect those she loves, and the crown. 

(Minor spoilers below!)

This is another series for me where the second book is better than the first! This book explores the conflict between power and morality, and is full of betrayal and scheming. The political intrigue really expanded in this book and pulled me in. 
While Jude is flawed and human, she is really smart and I love that she communicates well. I enjoyed the deeper look into the characters and the dialogue throughout. Jude’s complicated relationship with Cardan is so satisfying to watch unfold, true enemies to lovers and the slow burn is real!
The Court of Shadows betrayal shocked me, my jaw was on the floor- I didn’t see it coming at all. I was also shocked by the ending! I know Cardan is doing some sort of scheming of his own, and probably protecting Jude - but wtf?!

A fantastic continuation of the series, I can’t wait to pick up The Queen of Nothing! All of the things I look for in a fantasy book and I’m really loving Black’s writing. Definitely give this series a read! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

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adventurous challenging emotional

4.0

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

“Every book is a little mirror, and sometimes you look into it and see someone else looking back.”

📚🦴REVIEW🦴📚

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is the prequel to Legends & Lattes, focusing on Viv’s life as a young mercenary. 
After being injured and being forced to recover in the small costal town of Murk, Viv wonders into a used bookshop and finds unlikely company. 

This delightful and cozy prequel provides the reader with a beautiful story of self discovery and the power of friendships. Baldree is quickly becoming the master on balancing action and cozy fantasy. 
The characters really made the story for me -  I fell in love with Fern, Satchel, and Maylee. Pot Roast was so cute I wanted to scream. The queer romance was both adorable and painfully bittersweet. 

This story really sets up Viv’s growth as a character before she finds herself owning Legends & Lattes. I absolutely loved the imagery about heading down vs up the hill, and looking out of the windows. 

The epilogue was so sweet and unexpected - I’d be lying if I didn’t tear up!
I feel like Bookshops & Bonedust is not only great on its own, but improves Legends & Lattes as well. 
I’ve found myself rambling and then deleting the ramble…this is just one that I could talk about and praise for ages! Cozy fantasy lovers, do not miss this🙌🏼 (and if you haven’t read Legends & Lattes….what are you doing?!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Because I’m headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.”
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

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4.5

Unusual review format for this one 

What I liked - 

-Ruhn and Lidia were everything!!!
-Jesiba lore revealed 
-Hunt’s origin reveal 
-Lidia’s story and lineage reveal 
-Getting back into the world and spending time with the characters 


What I didn’t like - 
-Ithan becoming prime??? 
-The pacing was inconsistent 
-Bryce’s character seemed to regress in terms of character development she felt a bit childish 
-Tharion and Ithan kept making stupid choices 
-mid chapter POV changes were giving whiplash
-The ending felt a little too cut and dry/happy ever after. I think someone important should have died lmao
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“Death isn’t frightening when weighed against an insignificant existence” 

🐍REVIEW🐍

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent. 

I picked this up thinking it would be a fun and quick fantasy read - I had no idea what I was in for. Deadly trials, political intrigue, the slow burn romance…this really hit all the marks for me! I was worried I might be worn out on vampires but this was a refreshing take for me. 

I really enjoyed the FMC, she really is a badass and I loved her level of self awareness. The author also does a great job of placing the reader in the main character’s shoes. 

The foreshadowing was well laid out so I knew *something* was going to happen, but I did not see the twist at the ending coming at all. I literally downloaded the second book immediately.

4.5 instead of 5 starts because I felt like Orayas response to the twist at the end was out of character for her. Like where do we go from here??? I guess I just have to read and find out 🫣

A well written and captivating romantasy story — fans of ACOTAR and TOG should definitely check this one out. 
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

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dark emotional mysterious
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“I was a woman when it was convenient to blame me, and a girl when they wanted to use me.”

🌊REVIEW🌊

A Study in Drowning is a standalone dark academic fantasy novel by Ava Reid. 

This book was beautifully written, and the lyrical prose was absolutely stunning! The gothic atmosphere and mystery of the story were truly enchanting. I felt like I was walking through the decaying mansion with Effy and Preston. 

The romance was a slow burn but so sweet and it felt very natural. I loved the tenderness and vulnerability of the two MCs. 

I loved how Reid uses water as a reoccurring motif for grief. I also really liked how Effy slowly comes into her own female rage as the story (and her character) develops. 

The story touches on a lot of heavier topics - the ways men hold power over women, living in survival mode, and how trauma and grief can overtake someone’s life.

This is my first book by Reid but it most definitely will not be my last - here’s to my first five star read of 2024! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Vicious by V.E. Schwab

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.”


🩸REVIEW🩸

Vicious is a fantasy novel by V.E. Schwab that follows two college roommates who explore the possibility of someone developing extraordinary abilities. 

I picked this one up as a vacation read but quickly found myself captivated by the story. Reading this felt like an adrenaline rush! The complexity and nuance of the main characters was really fascinating to me. I found the magic system to be really unique but also pretty logical if that makes sense?

This is a great anti hero novel and I loved how it makes the reader question their own moral compass by the end. I loved that there weren’t really any “good” characters, just complicated people. As a reader you are almost forced to pick a side, essentially having to pick from two evils. 

The ending was really satisfying, and I loved how the story ended on a scene almost identical to the opening. I’m looking forward to picking up Vengeful soon!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Humans by Matt Haig

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective

4.5

The Humans is a sci-fi novel by Matt Haig, where a mathematics professor becomes the victim of body snatching. 

My first vacation read! I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. I loved the reflections on humanity and enjoying the mundane. The “outside” perspective of what it means to be a human was really charming and well done. Humor is sprinkled throughout the story keeping the tone from being too heavy, but this is definitely still an emotional read. 

The highlight of the book for me is towards the end when the alien gives a long list of advice to humans. While some of them are funny, a lot of them are beautiful and raw.

Even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan, this one is worth picking up. If you enjoy Haig’s writing you will probably like this one - I liked it a lot more than Midnight Library! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“A paradox: The things you don’t need to live—books, art, cinema, wine, and so on—are the things you need to live.”